£20k budget for fun family 4 door car, Panamera?
Discussion
Hi all,
New to these forums but hoping for some help!
As I'm now a dad my priorities in car ownership has changed a little, so hoping for a suggestion or two.
We have one 'standard' family car, the BMW 530D GT (which, incidentally is a brilliant car), and we need another.
My recent car history has been a BMW M3 (E46), BMW 640D, and currently a Corvette C5, and so the second car needs to be 'similar' to those in terms of fun.
Basic requirements are that it's 4 door ( for child car seat), less than 10 years old, fun, and ideally sub 20k.
I really don't want a BMW / Merc style fast rep-mobile, they're not special enough to me. No SUVs as will probably upgrade the BMW to one in a few years.
The only cars I've settled on is the porsche panamera, and the dodge charger. The Masararti Quattroporte (?) seems to be disappointing so I've discounted that.
I do like the Panamera, engines are V6 diesel ( not too fun), hybrid (pretty quick, could be expensive to fix), and turbos (sub 4 secs, huge fun). The dodge charger looks great, and I like yank cars but not sure the inside is special enough.
Anyway, onto the questions:
1: does anyone have any experience on the Panamera engines? I can't seem to join the UK forum to ask anyone
2: any other cars that I've missed and should be considered?
3: I assume I need 4 doors, I'm new to this whole dad thing lol
Thanks in advance!
Andrew
New to these forums but hoping for some help!
As I'm now a dad my priorities in car ownership has changed a little, so hoping for a suggestion or two.
We have one 'standard' family car, the BMW 530D GT (which, incidentally is a brilliant car), and we need another.
My recent car history has been a BMW M3 (E46), BMW 640D, and currently a Corvette C5, and so the second car needs to be 'similar' to those in terms of fun.
Basic requirements are that it's 4 door ( for child car seat), less than 10 years old, fun, and ideally sub 20k.
I really don't want a BMW / Merc style fast rep-mobile, they're not special enough to me. No SUVs as will probably upgrade the BMW to one in a few years.
The only cars I've settled on is the porsche panamera, and the dodge charger. The Masararti Quattroporte (?) seems to be disappointing so I've discounted that.
I do like the Panamera, engines are V6 diesel ( not too fun), hybrid (pretty quick, could be expensive to fix), and turbos (sub 4 secs, huge fun). The dodge charger looks great, and I like yank cars but not sure the inside is special enough.
Anyway, onto the questions:
1: does anyone have any experience on the Panamera engines? I can't seem to join the UK forum to ask anyone
2: any other cars that I've missed and should be considered?
3: I assume I need 4 doors, I'm new to this whole dad thing lol
Thanks in advance!
Andrew
The first pick is the Jaguar XFR:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411156...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410255...
V6 S:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501248...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412217...
Audi S6:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412026...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408293...
E63 S AMG:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406140...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501308...
M5:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501308...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412257...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411156...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410255...
V6 S:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501248...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412217...
Audi S6:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412026...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408293...
E63 S AMG:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406140...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501308...
M5:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501308...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412257...
Hi, thanks for posting the links. They all look a little like rep-mobiles to be honest though!
I may be asking for the impossible - a 4 door car that doesn't look like a repmobile. To me the porsche looks a little different, and the premium badge helps i guess!
I wish I could keep the corvette!
I may be asking for the impossible - a 4 door car that doesn't look like a repmobile. To me the porsche looks a little different, and the premium badge helps i guess!
I wish I could keep the corvette!
Take a look at the S7, the Panamera is a good car but not any better than any of the above,
If you want something a bit different that's like your C5, then het yourself a VXR8:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501077...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501087...
If you want something a bit different that's like your C5, then het yourself a VXR8:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501077...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501087...
I agree that the porsche may not be objectively better, but in my probably incorrect world it doesn't look like a reps company car, whereas the others do. I forgot I had a Mercedes E350cdi convertible for a while, wasn't a fan of the Mercedes tbh.
They do look nice but think I'd steer clear. Vauxhall is a little old too tbh, would rather something with the modern bells and whistles. Any love for the Charger?
They do look nice but think I'd steer clear. Vauxhall is a little old too tbh, would rather something with the modern bells and whistles. Any love for the Charger?
Banana_andrew said:
3: I assume I need 4 doors, I'm new to this whole dad thing lol
One Xmas heading to family 40 miles away there was an issue with the 520d. Turned round and decanted two adults, baby, German Shepherd, presents and food into the 4 series.
I’d be going for for an E63 (though these may possibly be older than 10 years now).
Though they may look a bit like a “rep mobile”, they definitely wouldn’t sound like one.
I understand that the drivetrain is very reliable as well: an unreliable car as a family car is incredibly inconvenient (ask me how I know!).
This one is a tad over budget, but has been for sale for nearly a year now:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024021967...
Though they may look a bit like a “rep mobile”, they definitely wouldn’t sound like one.
I understand that the drivetrain is very reliable as well: an unreliable car as a family car is incredibly inconvenient (ask me how I know!).
This one is a tad over budget, but has been for sale for nearly a year now:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024021967...
fflump said:
The Ghibli V6S is a nice design sounds great and doesn’t resemble a repmobile.
That's a good shout & it pretty much nails the OP's brief.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409123...
Or the non S:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501278...
Thanks for the suggestions!
The flying spur does look great but I think I'd feel a bit of a fraud parking it outside of my 4 bed semi! Plus
it feels like something I'd own in 20 years, but not quite now.
The Ghibli is a great shout. The S is rapid and does sound like an absolute beast. The general consensus is that they are the only two things good about it. The interior is quite plastic and reliability is nowhere near the German cars. Shame, as you say it does fit the brief! I think I'll check one out just in case the interior is better in reality.
I'm still not sure on the merc and the lexus.
Chatting with the wife and it does seem a little faffy using a car seat in the back of a car so think I'll need to stick to 4 doors.
The tesla is within budget but can't bear to buy one of those!
I still think the panamera may be the best bet, wish I could afford the new shape though!
The flying spur does look great but I think I'd feel a bit of a fraud parking it outside of my 4 bed semi! Plus
it feels like something I'd own in 20 years, but not quite now.
The Ghibli is a great shout. The S is rapid and does sound like an absolute beast. The general consensus is that they are the only two things good about it. The interior is quite plastic and reliability is nowhere near the German cars. Shame, as you say it does fit the brief! I think I'll check one out just in case the interior is better in reality.
I'm still not sure on the merc and the lexus.
Chatting with the wife and it does seem a little faffy using a car seat in the back of a car so think I'll need to stick to 4 doors.
The tesla is within budget but can't bear to buy one of those!
I still think the panamera may be the best bet, wish I could afford the new shape though!
Banana_andrew said:
Thanks for the suggestions!
The flying spur does look great but I think I'd feel a bit of a fraud parking it outside of my 4 bed semi! Plus
it feels like something I'd own in 20 years, but not quite now.
The Ghibli is a great shout. The S is rapid and does sound like an absolute beast. The general consensus is that they are the only two things good about it. The interior is quite plastic and reliability is nowhere near the German cars. Shame, as you say it does fit the brief! I think I'll check one out just in case the interior is better in reality.
I'm still not sure on the merc and the lexus.
Chatting with the wife and it does seem a little faffy using a car seat in the back of a car so think I'll need to stick to 4 doors.
The tesla is within budget but can't bear to buy one of those!
I still think the panamera may be the best bet, wish I could afford the new shape though!
FWIW I owned a Ghibli V6S and found the interior pretty nice- on a par with the cars I owned either side (3 series and Cayenne) but especially in cream/tan leather and extended leather on the dash etc. I would never tolerate a humdrum interior (major motivation for buying current Flying Spur) so would recommend looking at a Ghibli in the flesh. Overall it felt more special than the Beemer or the Porker.The flying spur does look great but I think I'd feel a bit of a fraud parking it outside of my 4 bed semi! Plus
it feels like something I'd own in 20 years, but not quite now.
The Ghibli is a great shout. The S is rapid and does sound like an absolute beast. The general consensus is that they are the only two things good about it. The interior is quite plastic and reliability is nowhere near the German cars. Shame, as you say it does fit the brief! I think I'll check one out just in case the interior is better in reality.
I'm still not sure on the merc and the lexus.
Chatting with the wife and it does seem a little faffy using a car seat in the back of a car so think I'll need to stick to 4 doors.
The tesla is within budget but can't bear to buy one of those!
I still think the panamera may be the best bet, wish I could afford the new shape though!
The Panamera is IMHO a great choice for your needs. I think that you want something 4 door but with a bit of panache. This used to be Jaguar's home ground but they have given up on it.
If you like the Maserati Ghibli then look at the Quattroporte. It's bigger and more luxurious. Much less plastic. And it looks really cool. The name literally means "4 doors" in Italian
You might find it hard to find one, they sold very few in the UK.
Also look at the Aston Martin Rapide. I am not sure if you can get one for £20k, but maybe it's worth a look.
And the Jaguar XJ - no longer made, but plenty available pre-owned. There is a LWB version which is really nice. Nearly all will be diesel, but it's older diesel tech which is fixable. I think it uses a variant of the old Ford/PSA V6 diesel, not the modern Ingenium stuff which has a tendency to bork.
You can go upmarket and get a Bentley Continental Flying Spur, but personally I would not. Firstly they are huge, and secondly, the £20k cars could throw some VERY big bills.
If you like the Maserati Ghibli then look at the Quattroporte. It's bigger and more luxurious. Much less plastic. And it looks really cool. The name literally means "4 doors" in Italian
You might find it hard to find one, they sold very few in the UK.Also look at the Aston Martin Rapide. I am not sure if you can get one for £20k, but maybe it's worth a look.
And the Jaguar XJ - no longer made, but plenty available pre-owned. There is a LWB version which is really nice. Nearly all will be diesel, but it's older diesel tech which is fixable. I think it uses a variant of the old Ford/PSA V6 diesel, not the modern Ingenium stuff which has a tendency to bork.
You can go upmarket and get a Bentley Continental Flying Spur, but personally I would not. Firstly they are huge, and secondly, the £20k cars could throw some VERY big bills.
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