Performance and practicality for £12kish
Discussion
Hello there,
After years of exploring the limits of fairly low-powered stuff, I find myself able to purchase a vehicle with performance fairly well up the priority list.
Needs to have a decent boot and rear legroom for rear-facing child seats, 200+ horsebeans and dependable. I enjoy changing gear, too, so manual preferred. And petrol too.
So far the Octavia VRS mk3 is top of the tree. Incredible value, though the good ones are getting snapped up well quick.
Also looking at Focus ST wagons, but the rear legroom in them might come not be enough.
I'm open to all manner of suggestions. Budget a bit flexible for a stonker. Cheers!
After years of exploring the limits of fairly low-powered stuff, I find myself able to purchase a vehicle with performance fairly well up the priority list.
Needs to have a decent boot and rear legroom for rear-facing child seats, 200+ horsebeans and dependable. I enjoy changing gear, too, so manual preferred. And petrol too.
So far the Octavia VRS mk3 is top of the tree. Incredible value, though the good ones are getting snapped up well quick.
Also looking at Focus ST wagons, but the rear legroom in them might come not be enough.
I'm open to all manner of suggestions. Budget a bit flexible for a stonker. Cheers!
Have you considered (I know they're only auto) a BMW 5 or 6 Series 540, 640d?
or a Mercedes 350 CDI both C or E classes, the new E-Classes are really quite cheap for the amount of car I think...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010094...
Happy hunting!
or a Mercedes 350 CDI both C or E classes, the new E-Classes are really quite cheap for the amount of car I think...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010094...
Happy hunting!
Woops I see now it has to be petrol but the 350 CGI's are good as well.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008283...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008283...
SierraBravo said:
Have you considered (I know they're only auto) a BMW 5 or 6 Series 540, 640d?
or a Mercedes 350 CDI both C or E classes, the new E-Classes are really quite cheap for the amount of car I think...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010094...
Happy hunting!
Something strange happening in the MOT history for that Merc... the dates just don't make sense to me.or a Mercedes 350 CDI both C or E classes, the new E-Classes are really quite cheap for the amount of car I think...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010094...
Happy hunting!
Thanks for the suggestions so far chaps.
After a bit of pondering time I've concluded an estate with some poke is the best bet for my needs.
I'm still favouring the Octavia but have discovered Vauxhall did a 200bhp Astra Sports Tourer which is relatively swift but not at all showy. Tons of kit in Elite trim, and I suspect it would be enjoyable, but possibly with less fun factor than the Skoda.
There's a nice looking Astra for sale at the mo for around £9.5k. Whereas the decent Octavias are knocking around the £13k mark.
Would I rather have a less fun car with a £3.5k bonus, or a £13k car which will bring a few more smiles?
Entertainment is fairly high up the agenda which is why I am still leaning in the Skoda's direction.
The 328i in wagon form is also an interesting option but I fear running costs/maintenance/bork factor could be a bit higher on that.
@ZX10R NIN, if you have any thoughts on the Astra I'd be interested to hear them. It is tremendously well equipped (heated rear seats!) and reviews suggests it is fairly decent to drive, if not mesmerising. Though perhaps the Octavia wouldn't be mesmerising either, but it seems the more amusing prospect.
After a bit of pondering time I've concluded an estate with some poke is the best bet for my needs.
I'm still favouring the Octavia but have discovered Vauxhall did a 200bhp Astra Sports Tourer which is relatively swift but not at all showy. Tons of kit in Elite trim, and I suspect it would be enjoyable, but possibly with less fun factor than the Skoda.
There's a nice looking Astra for sale at the mo for around £9.5k. Whereas the decent Octavias are knocking around the £13k mark.
Would I rather have a less fun car with a £3.5k bonus, or a £13k car which will bring a few more smiles?
Entertainment is fairly high up the agenda which is why I am still leaning in the Skoda's direction.
The 328i in wagon form is also an interesting option but I fear running costs/maintenance/bork factor could be a bit higher on that.
@ZX10R NIN, if you have any thoughts on the Astra I'd be interested to hear them. It is tremendously well equipped (heated rear seats!) and reviews suggests it is fairly decent to drive, if not mesmerising. Though perhaps the Octavia wouldn't be mesmerising either, but it seems the more amusing prospect.
Fuzzarr said:
Thanks for the suggestions so far chaps.
After a bit of pondering time I've concluded an estate with some poke is the best bet for my needs.
I'm still favouring the Octavia but have discovered Vauxhall did a 200bhp Astra Sports Tourer which is relatively swift but not at all showy. Tons of kit in Elite trim, and I suspect it would be enjoyable, but possibly with less fun factor than the Skoda.
There's a nice looking Astra for sale at the mo for around £9.5k. Whereas the decent Octavias are knocking around the £13k mark.
Would I rather have a less fun car with a £3.5k bonus, or a £13k car which will bring a few more smiles?
Entertainment is fairly high up the agenda which is why I am still leaning in the Skoda's direction.
The 328i in wagon form is also an interesting option but I fear running costs/maintenance/bork factor could be a bit higher on that.
@ZX10R NIN, if you have any thoughts on the Astra I'd be interested to hear them. It is tremendously well equipped (heated rear seats!) and reviews suggests it is fairly decent to drive, if not mesmerising. Though perhaps the Octavia wouldn't be mesmerising either, but it seems the more amusing prospect.
The Astra is a good car in 1.6T 200 form they're very rare as most went for the 1.4T, the Elites come loaded with everything you could ever want & it's also a bit of a sleeper.After a bit of pondering time I've concluded an estate with some poke is the best bet for my needs.
I'm still favouring the Octavia but have discovered Vauxhall did a 200bhp Astra Sports Tourer which is relatively swift but not at all showy. Tons of kit in Elite trim, and I suspect it would be enjoyable, but possibly with less fun factor than the Skoda.
There's a nice looking Astra for sale at the mo for around £9.5k. Whereas the decent Octavias are knocking around the £13k mark.
Would I rather have a less fun car with a £3.5k bonus, or a £13k car which will bring a few more smiles?
Entertainment is fairly high up the agenda which is why I am still leaning in the Skoda's direction.
The 328i in wagon form is also an interesting option but I fear running costs/maintenance/bork factor could be a bit higher on that.
@ZX10R NIN, if you have any thoughts on the Astra I'd be interested to hear them. It is tremendously well equipped (heated rear seats!) and reviews suggests it is fairly decent to drive, if not mesmerising. Though perhaps the Octavia wouldn't be mesmerising either, but it seems the more amusing prospect.
The handling won't be as sharp as a VRS but it'll still be good & you could always get some Eibach springs
I'm guessing this is the one, there is one thing with these cars & it's the long gearing which blunts the feel of performance on offer but that does mean you'll be travelling at fair rate of knots when you first drive it.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011306...
At 9.5k before haggling I think it's a great buy.
Here is another 200bhp compact estate option for under 11k:
Focus ST-3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011196...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010285...
Or the 180bhp Leon FR with the Tech Pack
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011035...
For a little bit more than Skoda VRS money you could get a:
V60 T5 SE Lux
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011025...
Leon Cupra Estate:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011286...
I'll be honest handling wise the Mondeo is a better steer than the Octavia & at for 13.5K I'd be buying one of these two Titanium with X Pack Mondeo's:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006059...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011126...
The BMW will cost more to maintain & run but there don't seem to many glaring engine issues:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009304...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012036...
Thanks again.
We already have a 2012 Mondeo wagon with the 1.6 160bhp Ecoboost, it's been brilliant, had it nearly three years now. Keeping that for a good while
I had the Focus estate on my list for a while but space in the rear was a concern. However I've not sat in the back of one yet, so I need to get out to have a proper look, see how the child seat does etc. There's one not too far away from me so I might have chance to check one out soon.
If there's enough space in the back the Focus will be hard to ignore. It might not have the 5-pot warble but it still looks rather splendid and goes well.
Shame about the Astra gearing, I wonder if it's as long as the Colt I'm running which will do over 90 in 3rd on derestricted autobahn.
We already have a 2012 Mondeo wagon with the 1.6 160bhp Ecoboost, it's been brilliant, had it nearly three years now. Keeping that for a good while
I had the Focus estate on my list for a while but space in the rear was a concern. However I've not sat in the back of one yet, so I need to get out to have a proper look, see how the child seat does etc. There's one not too far away from me so I might have chance to check one out soon.
If there's enough space in the back the Focus will be hard to ignore. It might not have the 5-pot warble but it still looks rather splendid and goes well.
Shame about the Astra gearing, I wonder if it's as long as the Colt I'm running which will do over 90 in 3rd on derestricted autobahn.
I’ll put this out there as you’ve mentioned the Astra. It’s a little over budget and not a manual (but a decent Getrag dual clutch flappy paddle used elsewhere in the Renault Sport range). These are rare so here goes:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
griffter said:
I’ll put this out there as you’ve mentioned the Astra. It’s a little over budget and not a manual (but a decent Getrag dual clutch flappy paddle used elsewhere in the Renault Sport range). These are rare so here goes:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Wow, I had no idea about those. Pretty nice! https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
How reliable are those gearboxes?
As above. I’m not aware of a reputation for problems. The engine and chassis, obviously shared with the rest of the Megane IV range, are also Nissan. I have one and love it. It’s a great “warm” hatch in a practical but attractive estate body. Different driving modes too which is a bit of fun.
Really nice interior with bang up to date tech too (in my limited, naive experience).
Really nice interior with bang up to date tech too (in my limited, naive experience).
If you already have the mondeo estate, why are you looking for another estate which will be basically the same?
I’m not being funny, just checking you’ve thought this through.
From what you’ve said the Octavia is probably the right choice. Never driven one myself but I’m sure they’re great cars. But it’ll be just like the Ford you already have, a bit quicker maybe.
Could you use the mondeo for family duties and open up the options a bit?
I’m not being funny, just checking you’ve thought this through.
From what you’ve said the Octavia is probably the right choice. Never driven one myself but I’m sure they’re great cars. But it’ll be just like the Ford you already have, a bit quicker maybe.
Could you use the mondeo for family duties and open up the options a bit?
ChrisH72 said:
If you already have the mondeo estate, why are you looking for another estate which will be basically the same?
I’m not being funny, just checking you’ve thought this through.
From what you’ve said the Octavia is probably the right choice. Never driven one myself but I’m sure they’re great cars. But it’ll be just like the Ford you already have, a bit quicker maybe.
Could you use the mondeo for family duties and open up the options a bit?
I have asked myself this quite a few times as at first it seemed daft having two decent sized estates. I’m not being funny, just checking you’ve thought this through.
From what you’ve said the Octavia is probably the right choice. Never driven one myself but I’m sure they’re great cars. But it’ll be just like the Ford you already have, a bit quicker maybe.
Could you use the mondeo for family duties and open up the options a bit?
My wife loves the Mondeo so it's effectively become her car for commuting etc. When she's not working she'll use it for local trips with kids in the back.
Meanwhile I use the second car for getting to my own workplace (or at least I would be when I'm not working from home) and nursery drop-offs/collection.
There have been times when one car had to be used instead of the other to carry children if one of us ended up working late or one of the cars was broken or being serviced or something. It seems a bit excessive perhaps, but having the flexibility of both cars being a decent size seems to work for us.
A couple of years ago I considered changing our second car to something like a Roomster, which is generous in the back and has a decent boot. And although the 1.2 TSI version with 105bhp wouldn't be slow, I am in a position to get something with a decent amount of performance this time around and really want to experience that while I have the opportunity to do so.
I wonder if there are any more conventional hatches with decent rear legroom and a boot that can easily swallow the usual baby clobber?
308 GT I think they have the biggest boot in class:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011065...
Megane GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011085...
Octavia VRS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010044...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011065...
Megane GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011085...
Octavia VRS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010044...
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff