Family cars - fun v's practicality?

[Mr Scruff]

I need to sort out a family car as Mrs Scruff wants to downsize her current SUV thingy and I'm struggling - looking for some input from the PH mind.

Criteria:

Up to £12k (ideally under £10k)
Petrol - non negotiable
4+ doors
Reliable
Ideally some toys - heated seats are high in the list
Decent enough performance so I don't begrudge driving it.

Had a Subaru Impreza in the past and looking for something a little more luxurious than that. Also prefer something that doesn't have heart-stopping MPG and VED figures!

Short list is pretty short right now! A5 4-door, mk6 Golf GTi, 5 door A3. What am I missing??

[Mr Scruff]

No idea this sub-forum even existed!

335i - worried about turbo issues?

VRS I wasn't taken with the interior but agree, needs another look. Ed30 I've looked at and are nice, are they worth the premium over a standard Mk5 though?

[Mr Scruff]

Not very impressed with the current BMW line up, just seems a bit underwhelming.

Audi A5 2.0 TFSI.

Would I get annoyed with just 3 door? And does anyone ever get used to the offset pedals...?

[Mr Scruff]

Belle427 said:

As a new father I struggle to comprehend what we have to take on our travels, especially short family visits and uk holidays etc!
My clothing allowance usually results in a bag for life while the missus and the daughter get a suitcase!
I have an older b5 Passat estate for these duties and find it great, lots of room for everything.
In reality you could probably manage with something golf sized and 5 door but personally I would never go back, and much prefer the practical aspect of the estate.
I'd love an smax but the missus hates them!

Problem is the only estate that really appeals is the 3 series - but my boss has one and getting a higher spec version of the same car doesn't go down well in my company.

Thankfully my son is now 4, so he doesn't need anywhere near as much stuff - so long as we can get a bike rack on then he's happy!

manracer said:

Yes because they tune straight to 310bhp+. So for about £250 your going seriously quick, mine was quicker through the DSG gears than a mk7 R. Still look good. Decent tyres and some s3 brakes and it's very much a sleeper.

Just not sure of the need when it comes to a second car? I can see the appeal but I get my thrills from the Porsche.

Hmm, decisions decisions...

[Mr Scruff]

Octavia I've taken a good look at actually, I'm not 100% sold on the interiors but could potentially look past that. Seem like good value for money too.

Now, the Mondeo is a very interesting proposition - I can across a couple on my AutoTrader trawls but I know nothing about them. The aforementioned SUV thing is a Kuga which, while not quite to my tastes, has proved itself to be very capable.

What's that gearbox like?