Replacing a Scirocco now my driving needs have changed
Discussion
As with many people my driving has changed a lot over the last year. I now WFH permanently and so really only significantly use my car at weekends. My weekend drives tend to be 50-150 miles each way, and this is most weekends, often Saturday and Sunday.
I hike, so use my car to get to out of the way places. Normally national parks. Roads can be narrow, and parking is often on slightly rougher ground than smooth tarmac carparks. Nothing that would really be described as off-roading though!
I am fairly tall and my current car (VW Scirocco) is seriously pushing it in terms of size. I barely fit. Seat almost all the way back, as low as it will go, and I have extremely limited headroom and cannot angle the rear-view mirror that well to easily see out of it.
I am sub 40 (just!), street parking in a city, no family/kids.
My initial list is:
- BMW 330D Touring
- Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TSFI or TDI
- VW Golf R
All 2016-2018, all auto.
The BMW and Audi are narrower than my Scirocco, but longer by ~40cm.
I would like some "luxuries". My Scirocco doesn't even have USB or Bluetooth!
My budget is ideally low 20s.
Am I missing anything from the list? Or can anyone recommend one over the other for my needs?
Thanks
I hike, so use my car to get to out of the way places. Normally national parks. Roads can be narrow, and parking is often on slightly rougher ground than smooth tarmac carparks. Nothing that would really be described as off-roading though!
I am fairly tall and my current car (VW Scirocco) is seriously pushing it in terms of size. I barely fit. Seat almost all the way back, as low as it will go, and I have extremely limited headroom and cannot angle the rear-view mirror that well to easily see out of it.
I am sub 40 (just!), street parking in a city, no family/kids.
My initial list is:
- BMW 330D Touring
- Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TSFI or TDI
- VW Golf R
All 2016-2018, all auto.
The BMW and Audi are narrower than my Scirocco, but longer by ~40cm.
I would like some "luxuries". My Scirocco doesn't even have USB or Bluetooth!
My budget is ideally low 20s.
Am I missing anything from the list? Or can anyone recommend one over the other for my needs?
Thanks
You don't say how tall you are but I'm 6'7 so all the way back & as low as any seat will go is the norm for me.
If you don't need the space of a touring I'd recommend a last of the line E Coupe, they're practical (the rear seats fold) & even with the Pan Sunroof I have (I'm bias as I have one) clearance.
It also ticks the boxes on the luxuries front.
E350 AMG Line Edition Premium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105222...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105212...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105212...
If you don't need the space of a touring I'd recommend a last of the line E Coupe, they're practical (the rear seats fold) & even with the Pan Sunroof I have (I'm bias as I have one) clearance.
It also ticks the boxes on the luxuries front.
E350 AMG Line Edition Premium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105222...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105212...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105212...
ZX10R NIN said:
You don't say how tall you are but I'm 6'7 so all the way back & as low as any seat will go is the norm for me.
I’m only 190cm (6ft 3). So not that tall, but tall enough that small cars are a squeeze, and some pedal arrangements don’t work for me. At your height I’m sure it’s far more difficult!
Pica-Pica said:
If you go hiking, then a 3 series is still quite big for tucking in and parking on country lanes. Is a Seat Ibiza too small?, a Seat Leon of some flavour?
It should be fine. A 3 series isn’t that big. It’s ~40cm longer than the Scirocco, but marginally narrower. I had a Leon as my first car. Ideally I’d like to not go back to that.
A Golf GTD is perhaps another option that’s smaller. Incredibly boring and sensible though.
Matt.. said:
Pica-Pica said:
If you go hiking, then a 3 series is still quite big for tucking in and parking on country lanes. Is a Seat Ibiza too small?, a Seat Leon of some flavour?
It should be fine. A 3 series isn’t that big. It’s ~40cm longer than the Scirocco, but marginally narrower. I had a Leon as my first car. Ideally I’d like to not go back to that.
A Golf GTD is perhaps another option that’s smaller. Incredibly boring and sensible though.
Pica-Pica said:
I have a 3 series, it is big for some country lanes, only 4mm wider than a Golf, mirror-to-mirror, granted, but the length can be an issue in car parks. I don’t know about s-drive, but the turning circle on the x-drive is quite large. I love mine, but I am usually on country A roads. When we go walking in the hills nearby we use the Fabia for its ‘tuckinability’.
A smaller option would perhaps be a BMW M140i. Not sure how good they are for people my height though, but perhaps worth a look. I had a Scirocco and am 6ft, no issues with room so I guess you’re very tall! I’m also into landscape photography and do lots of hiking for that and that car took me to loads of places in the Lake District and elsewhere. I’ll be honest I had no issues with room at all, I never got on with the seats though, really hurt my lower back always at the 90 minute point of a journey. I replaced it with a Volvo S60 R Design T4 which has far better seats and is more versatile for taking a bike or if you want to car camp, but the ride quality is a lot harsher. It’s a tricky one as a Scirocco implies you’re a fairly keen driver, I don’t know if you can get a Golf R/Estate for that budget. You’re probably not going to want something too wide but can’t think of many narrow fun and practical cars...maybe the Mini estate in a Cooper S or JCW spec? You can get things like a Volvo S90/V90 R Design D4 for your budget but they’re huge...very practical and comfortable though
Matt.. said:
My initial list is:
- BMW 330D Touring
- Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TSFI or TDI
- VW Golf R
All 2016-2018, all auto.
The BMW and Audi are narrower than my Scirocco, but longer by ~40cm.
I would like some "luxuries". My Scirocco doesn't even have USB or Bluetooth!
My budget is ideally low 20s.
Am I missing anything from the list? Or can anyone recommend one over the other for my needs?
Thanks
Have you considered the SEAT Leon cupra estate? £20k will get you a very good low mileage 290hp version but shop around and there are 2017- 300 version with 20-40k on them.- BMW 330D Touring
- Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TSFI or TDI
- VW Golf R
All 2016-2018, all auto.
The BMW and Audi are narrower than my Scirocco, but longer by ~40cm.
I would like some "luxuries". My Scirocco doesn't even have USB or Bluetooth!
My budget is ideally low 20s.
Am I missing anything from the list? Or can anyone recommend one over the other for my needs?
Thanks
The Leon is about 15cm shorter and 10cm narrower than a BMW 3 series touring yet has a larger luggage capacity of 587L versus 500L for the 3 series , the other advantage is the boot floor height in the Leon makes the boot taller than the 3series to
What other wants have you got? Does it need to be fast? Comfortable? Economical?
You've listed estates but is there a reason you want an estate? You don't get anymore room in the front seat as a general rule...
Interesting you say the Scirocco is small inside, I am 6ft5 and never thought it to be a problem although like others have said didn't find the seats very comfortable.
I would be tempted to say one of the latest minis either the 5 door hatch or the clubman estate. Pretty roomy inside and can come with all the toys, good fun too. Ticks the small box and the fun box too
Octavia vrs may tick a lot of boxes and you will get more for your money than the German brands
Hyundai i30n is very good and could be had in budget (although all prices have gone up considerably over the last few weeks) if you want to tick the hatch hatch box. Definitely bigger inside than the Scirocco
Or if performance and fun is less of a factor maybe think about mid sized SUV. Something like a Peugeot 3008. Would potentially be better for parking up verges and stuff.
You've listed estates but is there a reason you want an estate? You don't get anymore room in the front seat as a general rule...
Interesting you say the Scirocco is small inside, I am 6ft5 and never thought it to be a problem although like others have said didn't find the seats very comfortable.
I would be tempted to say one of the latest minis either the 5 door hatch or the clubman estate. Pretty roomy inside and can come with all the toys, good fun too. Ticks the small box and the fun box too
Octavia vrs may tick a lot of boxes and you will get more for your money than the German brands
Hyundai i30n is very good and could be had in budget (although all prices have gone up considerably over the last few weeks) if you want to tick the hatch hatch box. Definitely bigger inside than the Scirocco
Or if performance and fun is less of a factor maybe think about mid sized SUV. Something like a Peugeot 3008. Would potentially be better for parking up verges and stuff.
I wonder if a 3 Series Gran Turismo would fit the bill.
I know they're not the most svelte of things but they're more practical than a 3er saloon or 4er Gran Coupe, but a little less unwieldy (lengthwise) than a Touring. Slightly raised ride height too which might be useful in those uneven, stony car parks.
Other thought I had was a Subaru Levorg.
I know they're not the most svelte of things but they're more practical than a 3er saloon or 4er Gran Coupe, but a little less unwieldy (lengthwise) than a Touring. Slightly raised ride height too which might be useful in those uneven, stony car parks.
Other thought I had was a Subaru Levorg.
LightningBlue said:
I had a Scirocco and am 6ft, no issues with room so I guess you’re very tall! I’m also into landscape photography and do lots of hiking for that and that car took me to loads of places in the Lake District and elsewhere. I’ll be honest I had no issues with room at all, I never got on with the seats though, really hurt my lower back always at the 90 minute point of a journey. I replaced it with a Volvo S60 R Design T4 which has far better seats and is more versatile for taking a bike or if you want to car camp, but the ride quality is a lot harsher. It’s a tricky one as a Scirocco implies you’re a fairly keen driver, I don’t know if you can get a Golf R/Estate for that budget. You’re probably not going to want something too wide but can’t think of many narrow fun and practical cars...maybe the Mini estate in a Cooper S or JCW spec? You can get things like a Volvo S90/V90 R Design D4 for your budget but they’re huge...very practical and comfortable though
I've really enjoyed the Scirocco. Size wise I'm just on the edge of it being big enough. I had the car 7 years so clearly it wasn't terrible! I definitely appreciate the bigger doors on it. I have a rental Corsa 5 door at the moment and the doors are tiny!In terms of width, the Scirocco is WIDE. It's wider than all the other cars in my original list. I doubt there are many other cars that suit me that would be wider.
drgoatboy said:
What other wants have you got? Does it need to be fast? Comfortable? Economical?
You've listed estates but is there a reason you want an estate? You don't get anymore room in the front seat as a general rule...
Interesting you say the Scirocco is small inside, I am 6ft5 and never thought it to be a problem although like others have said didn't find the seats very comfortable.
I would be tempted to say one of the latest minis either the 5 door hatch or the clubman estate. Pretty roomy inside and can come with all the toys, good fun too. Ticks the small box and the fun box too
Octavia vrs may tick a lot of boxes and you will get more for your money than the German brands
Hyundai i30n is very good and could be had in budget (although all prices have gone up considerably over the last few weeks) if you want to tick the hatch hatch box. Definitely bigger inside than the Scirocco
Or if performance and fun is less of a factor maybe think about mid sized SUV. Something like a Peugeot 3008. Would potentially be better for parking up verges and stuff.
Estate = I just like the look and practicality. In reality I have no desperate need for one over a hatch. I wouldn't have a saloon though.You've listed estates but is there a reason you want an estate? You don't get anymore room in the front seat as a general rule...
Interesting you say the Scirocco is small inside, I am 6ft5 and never thought it to be a problem although like others have said didn't find the seats very comfortable.
I would be tempted to say one of the latest minis either the 5 door hatch or the clubman estate. Pretty roomy inside and can come with all the toys, good fun too. Ticks the small box and the fun box too
Octavia vrs may tick a lot of boxes and you will get more for your money than the German brands
Hyundai i30n is very good and could be had in budget (although all prices have gone up considerably over the last few weeks) if you want to tick the hatch hatch box. Definitely bigger inside than the Scirocco
Or if performance and fun is less of a factor maybe think about mid sized SUV. Something like a Peugeot 3008. Would potentially be better for parking up verges and stuff.
Octavia vRS = Not sure on this as someone else in the family has one and I'd rather get something different if I can. Maybe not a great reason though, so it's definitely on the list.
With regards parking on my trips... I'm normally in small pull-ins, lay-bys, small carparks (some grass). I don't really throw it into a hedge at the side of the road. Perhaps I should, but I'm too sensible to do so!
KomodoWagon said:
I wonder if a 3 Series Gran Turismo would fit the bill.
I know they're not the most svelte of things but they're more practical than a 3er saloon or 4er Gran Coupe, but a little less unwieldy (lengthwise) than a Touring. Slightly raised ride height too which might be useful in those uneven, stony car parks.
Other thought I had was a Subaru Levorg.
The 3GT is a spaceship. Goodluck trying to park that I know they're not the most svelte of things but they're more practical than a 3er saloon or 4er Gran Coupe, but a little less unwieldy (lengthwise) than a Touring. Slightly raised ride height too which might be useful in those uneven, stony car parks.
Other thought I had was a Subaru Levorg.
GreatGranny said:
Yeah this should probably be on the list. Very similar to the Scirocco, but a sensible option. Matt.. said:
GreatGranny said:
Yeah this should probably be on the list. Very similar to the Scirocco, but a sensible option. New list (that will certainly change):
Sensible:
- BMW 330D Touring
- Skoda Octavia vRS Estate
- Audi A4 Avant (possibly a little big)
More fun:
- VW Golf GTI
- VW Golf R
Rejected:
- BMW M140i (insurance is £££ at ~40% more than a Golf R)
- VW Golf GTD
Sensible:
- BMW 330D Touring
- Skoda Octavia vRS Estate
- Audi A4 Avant (possibly a little big)
More fun:
- VW Golf GTI
- VW Golf R
Rejected:
- BMW M140i (insurance is £££ at ~40% more than a Golf R)
- VW Golf GTD
Edited by Matt.. on Friday 11th June 12:22
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