£14k, family car but a bit different

[Chris-1e43g]

I'm looking for a primary car for my wife, kid and small dog but I like my cars so want something a bit different.

We're replacing an alfa Giulietta which was a bit small inside and I already have an F56 Mini JCW Convertible as a second car.

The requirements are as follows but if there's something decent that breaks some of the rules then I'd consider that:

- £14k
- Under 50,000 miles
- 5 doors (or 4 and the dog could use a seat)
- Relatively new so 2015 ish but would consider something older
- Want to keep it for 5+ years hence the age and under 50k
- Going to be doing 10k miles per year
- Petrol
- Don't really want anything massive as the drive entry is a bit small to get 2 cars on and off
- I live in the country and the pot holes have knackered a fair few tyres so ideally something that could cope with that would be useful

Cars I'm considering:

- Suzuki Vitara S 1.4 allgrip: good reliability, good size, reviews say its fun, 4wd
e.g.: https://ucl.suzuki.co.uk/cars/used/used/suzuki/vitara/s-boosterjet-allgrip/newport/gwent/19630219/?frch=#top-image

- Skoda Octavia VRS: Good reviews, decent size but pot holes may be a problem with the wheels
e.g.: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101158008661?advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=tf94at&sort=price-desc&price-to=14000&radius=1500&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&make=SKODA&maximum-mileage=50000&model=OCTAVIA&aggregatedTrim=vRS&year-from=2013&page=1

- Mini Clubman Cooper S: With the right spec they're really nice inside but expensive. May start to cost more further down the line.
e.g.: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012177173230?postcode=tf94at&sort=price-desc&radius=1500&maximum-mileage=50000&make=MINI&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&model=CLUBMAN&aggregatedTrim=Cooper%20S&advertising-location=at_cars&price-to=14000&year-from=2013&page=1

My sensible choice is the Vitara even though people say the interior isn't the best. I want to avoid the typical stuff like a mid level golf, focus, etc. as I want something a bit more special.

Anything else that I should be looking at?

[ChevronB19]

Late model Skoda yeti? I had an early yeti during the ‘baby years’ and it was excellent, and handled really well.

[ahenners]

Octavia VRS is a great choice. Had one for 5 years and no issues with wheels - tend to avoid potholes though. Not sure it satisfies the brief of a "bit different" though.

Edited by ahenners on Monday 22 February 19:46

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd normally say a Mondeo but if an Octavia is to big then this may be a no go:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101278...

DS5 Prestige 210 these are great family cars but hard to find the drivetrain is well proven & the interiors are very nice (10cm shorter than an Octavia)

Insignia VXR similar in size to the Octavia (20cm longer)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102088...

330i Luxury (same length as the Octavia)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102068...

320i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202003208...

IS300 Sport 225 (20cm shorter than the Octavia so this may be the pick)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012096...

IS250 petrol version of the above

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011246...

XE Portfolio 240

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101218...

Q50h this will involve a budget stretch & haggling (15cm longer than the Octavia)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101188...

[Jamescrs]

Mini countryman Cooper S?

My wife's on her second now (first one was a Cooper). They have been very good cars with decent internal space and in Cooper S guise decent performance and sounds 0retty good.

[VR99]

One suggestion I am considering myself is a Volvo V40...I think they are fairly classy/refined and have a high quality interior for the hatchback segment... however similar concerns to yours with the Mini, I would be slightly apprehensive about long term borkage factor mainly with the electrics (Volvo electrics as of late(post-Geely) a bit suspect for reliability) and the boot space is poor compared to rivals..hence why I am still dithering over buying one!

[Chris-1e43g]

ok the VRS will definitely stay on the list and I do like the look of the Lexus so I'll do some searching on them.

The countryman looks interesting but for the price I think ill only be able to get the previous gen one. I've owned an R56 mini before and prefer the newer interior imo.

Does anyone have any experience with the Vitara 1.4? be interesting to hear a view of it.

I'm adding a few more potential cars to the list:

308 GTI - looks good inside and good performance but the looks are just so dull!

Honda Civic Sport - Good 1.5l engine and quite a lot of spec but looks a bit boring inside.

Mazda 6 - Nice inside but pretty big

[ZX10R NIN]

Test rive the 308 you'll not think of it as boring.

[dontfollowme]

MK7 Golf GTI? Do it all car.

[Clifford Chambers]

How about a Dacia Duster?

Fulfills you brief and a brand new one in budget.

[sagarich]

dontfollowme said:

MK7 Golf GTI? Do it all car.

I was just about to suggest this.