Fun to drive estate for up to £15K

[swtcar]

I'm looking to replace my old workhorse 2009 320d touring. Having come directly from an M2 and 996 Carrera to that 320d (because divorce!!) I want to bring back some fun to the drive but keep the estate car practicality. I'm also lucky to get more pure thrills from a GR86 that should be delivered in Q4 2023.

So, I've shortlisted a Mazda 6 Sport/GT Sport in petrol form - either the high power 2.0 or the 2.5 if I can find one, and if it's worth it?

I'd like the car to be post 2015 for connectivity. Good sound system is a must. Mileage I'd rather it be below 80k.

I guess one of the first recommendations will be a Golf R. I need to check those for prices.

Edit: I should add it needs to be ULEZ compliant and it needs to represent value in this age of really bad value!!

Edited by swtcar on Monday 9th January 13:54

[Type R Tom]

V60 T6 + Polestar

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212062...

Bit older of course but I enjoy mine.

[Zetec-S]

Focus ST estate?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301042...

[nxh66]

I paid a shade over 15K for this Superb 2.0 TSI 280hp DSG 4x4 on a 17 plate with 46k miles about 2 years ago.

Not the most fun and more of a barge but a set of Koni active shocks and springs plus a stage one map to about 375hp ups the ante. Stops pretty well with standard Golf R/Audi S3 brakes too.

Loads of toys and its just huge inside.

[aceofspades1]

swtcar said:

I'm looking to replace my old workhorse 2009 320d touring. Having come directly from an M2 and 996 Carrera to that 320d (because divorce!!) I want to bring back some fun to the drive but keep the estate car practicality. I'm also lucky to get more pure thrills from a GR86 that should be delivered in Q4 2023.

So, I've shortlisted a Mazda 6 Sport/GT Sport in petrol form - either the high power 2.0 or the 2.5 if I can find one, and if it's worth it?

I'd like the car to be post 2015 for connectivity. Good sound system is a must. Mileage I'd rather it be below 80k.

I guess one of the first recommendations will be a Golf R. I need to check those for prices.

Edit: I should add it needs to be ULEZ compliant and it needs to represent value in this age of really bad value!!

Edited by swtcar on Monday 9th January 13:54

Was about to say the Golf R estate suits your criteria

[georgeyboy12345]

These are fun to drive


BMW 320i Touring
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212222...


Ford Focus ST Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301042...


Mini Clubman Cooper S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109177...


Renault Megane GT Sport Tourer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207057...

[ZX10R NIN]

swtcar said:

I'm looking to replace my old workhorse 2009 320d touring. Having come directly from an M2 and 996 Carrera to that 320d (because divorce!!) I want to bring back some fun to the drive but keep the estate car practicality. I'm also lucky to get more pure thrills from a GR86 that should be delivered in Q4 2023.

So, I've shortlisted a Mazda 6 Sport/GT Sport in petrol form - either the high power 2.0 or the 2.5 if I can find one, and if it's worth it?

I'd like the car to be post 2015 for connectivity. Good sound system is a must. Mileage I'd rather it be below 80k.

I guess one of the first recommendations will be a Golf R. I need to check those for prices.

Edit: I should add it needs to be ULEZ compliant and it needs to represent value in this age of really bad value!!

Edited by swtcar on Monday 9th January 13:54

Insignia VXR, these are an ubderrated steer & are great value because of the badge:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208058...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209290...

Passat R36:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301083...

S4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202162...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...

A4 S Line 210:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211302...

If the Golf can work for you then I'd take a serious look at thr Focus ST-3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212092...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?body-type=...

Older but worth a look 528i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205246...

[swtcar]

Some great options to look over. Thank you everyone!

[Wagonwheel555]

Golf R or Leon ST Estate if you can find one sub 80k miles for £15k, I would probably stick a couple of grand on top and get one slightly better personally. I think £15k is probably the entry point for a higher miler.

Octavia VRS maybe? Remapped they can see 280bhp. Are they that much different than the Leon ST version (assuming FWD)? I think the Octavia interior looks miles better than the Leon personally.

[GiveItSomeWellie]

swtcar said:

I'm looking to replace my old workhorse 2009 320d touring. Having come directly from an M2 and 996 Carrera to that 320d (because divorce!!) I want to bring back some fun to the drive but keep the estate car practicality. I'm also lucky to get more pure thrills from a GR86 that should be delivered in Q4 2023.

So, I've shortlisted a Mazda 6 Sport/GT Sport in petrol form - either the high power 2.0 or the 2.5 if I can find one, and if it's worth it?

I'd like the car to be post 2015 for connectivity. Good sound system is a must. Mileage I'd rather it be below 80k.

I guess one of the first recommendations will be a Golf R. I need to check those for prices.

Edit: I should add it needs to be ULEZ compliant and it needs to represent value in this age of really bad value!!

Edited by swtcar on Monday 9th January 13:54

I have just purchased a 2019 Mazda6 Estate, mine is the 2.0 Petrol manual as I didn't think the 2.5 was worth the extra outlay especially as they're automatic only, and having driven an Automatic Mazda6 (albeit the lower powered 2.0 145bhp model), I didn't think it was great.

I am absolutely over the moon with mine, the 2015> can easily have Carplay/Android Auto retrofitted, and the Sport Nav all had the Bose Stereo as standard which is pretty good.

I wouldn't say it's a really fun car to drive though, especially among the other suggestions in this thread. Yes it's very competent, but it isn't something you get out after a drive with all of your senses tingling. Like you however, I have other cars available to me that give me that feeling, so it doesn't bother me at all.

[PisstNBroke]

Not sure if it'll be first on the fun list but I'd of thought a VW Passat b8 Alltrack estate with a remap should be interesting.

As your London based I would avoid the Superb its just too big for most parking spaces.