Family Friendly weekend car...?

[macky17]

I'm thinking about changing the garage set up - having a fun 2 seater as my daily (perhaps a 370Z) and something which can hold 4/5 people as a weekend special car (I've always done it the other way around). Let's say I have up to £40k to throw at the weekend car: can anyone think of a car which is simultaneously family friendly when needed (which will only be once a month probably but it will be the only car in the family with more than 2 seats) but also special enough to sit waxed up in the garage for weekends. I've considered VXR8, C63 AMG, and M3 saloon... and then I'm struggling. Not sure any of those are quite special enough - perhaps a Bathurst edition VXR8 would be. Am I missing a trick? I can't think of any hot hatches which fit the bill - all the truly exotic ones seem to have rear roll cages.

GTR/911 turbo no good as my 80+ year old mother will need to be comfortable in the back and sometimes I may need to carry 5 adults...

So, something special enough that it might not even depreciate but which just happens by accident to be able to carry a family. A few years ago I'd have looked at a Lotus Carlton but wouldn't dare to now as the parts just aren't available any more.

Edited by macky17 on Wednesday 9th November 14:03

[SlimJim16v]

MX5 shooting brake

[macky17]

SlimJim16v said:

MX5 shooting brake

It's so damn obvious when someone points it out. Thanks mate

[alorotom]

What about a Maserati Ghibli ... suitably special

[Alex_225]

Surely one of the German beasts would tick the right boxes. My thinking (as an AMG fan) would be an E55 or E63. You get plenty of power, good handling and the space you need. Many would say it's not a proper weekend car but having 450bhp+ combined with tonnes of comfort and terrible fuel economy doesn't sound so bad for weekend use.

I'd say a CLS55/63 (as I own one) but the coupé shape doesn't lend itself as well for rear passengers.

If not a Merc, surely a BMW M or Audi RS would be an option?

[liner33]

macky17 said:

I'm thinking about changing the garage set up - having a fun 2 seater as my daily (perhaps a 370Z) and something which can hold 4/5 people as a weekend special car (I've always done it the other way around). Let's say I have up to £40k to throw at the weekend car: can anyone think of a car which is simultaneously family friendly when needed (which will only be once a month probably but it will be the only car in the family with more than 2 seats) but also special enough to sit waxed up in the garage for weekends. I've considered VXR8, C63 AMG, and M3 saloon... and then I'm struggling. Not sure any of those are quite special enough - perhaps a Bathurst edition VXR8 would be. Am I missing a trick? I can't think of any hot hatches which fit the bill - all the truly exotic ones seem to have rear roll cages.

GTR/911 turbo no good as my 80+ year old mother will need to be comfortable in the back and sometimes I may need to carry 5 adults...

So, something special enough that it might not even depreciate but which just happens by accident to be able to carry a family. A few years ago I'd have looked at a Lotus Carlton but wouldn't dare to now as the parts just aren't available any more.

Edited by macky17 on Wednesday 9th November 14:03

I was looking at the same recently, a weekend car that's practical when needed, I was getting rid of my supercharged 370z as it just wasnt practical at all, thought long and heard about the VXR8 and the Bathhurst models although my budget was around £30k but felt they didnt offer good value for money. I picked up a one owner facelift 2012 Jaguar XF-R and I'm loving it, have taken my aged mother out for a day with the family and I've been using it a lot

[macky17]

liner33 said:

I was looking at the same recently, a weekend car that's practical when needed, I was getting rid of my supercharged 370z as it just wasnt practical at all, thought long and heard about the VXR8 and the Bathhurst models although my budget was around £30k but felt they didnt offer good value for money. I picked up a one owner facelift 2012 Jaguar XF-R and I'm loving it, have taken my aged mother out for a day with the family and I've been using it a lot

Beautiful cars the xf - I owned a 3.0d S and that was awesome enough. It's the way jags shed value that puts me off.

[ZX10R NIN]

Something different that sounds great & feels special



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[liner33]

macky17 said:

Beautiful cars the xf - I owned a 3.0d S and that was awesome enough. It's the way jags shed value that puts me off.

Isnt that what makes them such a good used bargain? £66k down to £24k in 4 years, I reckon the XFR-S's will hold their value a little better

[Alan_I_W]

macky17 said:

I'm thinking about changing the garage set up - having a fun 2 seater as my daily (perhaps a 370Z) and something which can hold 4/5 people as a weekend special car (I've always done it the other way around). Let's say I have up to £40k to throw at the weekend car: can anyone think of a car which is simultaneously family friendly when needed (which will only be once a month probably but it will be the only car in the family with more than 2 seats) but also special enough to sit waxed up in the garage for weekends. I've considered VXR8, C63 AMG, and M3 saloon... and then I'm struggling. Not sure any of those are quite special enough - perhaps a Bathurst edition VXR8 would be. Am I missing a trick? I can't think of any hot hatches which fit the bill - all the truly exotic ones seem to have rear roll cages.

GTR/911 turbo no good as my 80+ year old mother will need to be comfortable in the back and sometimes I may need to carry 5 adults...

So, something special enough that it might not even depreciate but which just happens by accident to be able to carry a family. A few years ago I'd have looked at a Lotus Carlton but wouldn't dare to now as the parts just aren't available any more.

Edited by macky17 on Wednesday 9th November 14:03

You need:
Family Friendliness
Fast
Good Handling
Moderate practicality
Rear Headroom
Room for 5 adults

CLS63 Shooting Brake, RS6/4 Avant, 340i, Cossie Impreza, M5, XFR Shooting Brake, RS Focus, Panamera?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...