Hot Saloon/Estate Recommendations

[jkk45]

Hi guys,

Was originally gonna buy a small hot hatch (Fiesta ST, Corsa VXR, RenaultSport Megane that kind of thing).

But I would like to hear some recommendations on what some good hot saloon/estate alternatives might be. Obviously not brand new, as want to get optimum value, but not like super, super old either (over 10 years would be pushing it rather- but might be open to a car of this age if a really good buy)

Perhaps give a recommendation for

1) An ultra budget option (under £2k)
2) A medium option (5k- 10k)
3) A top option (10k-15k)

Less keen on Audi, BMW or Merc due to higher part costs.
Also not keen on a mk2 Focus ST as they are horribly chavy (but mk3 maybe)
Also not keen on an Astra GTC, as, well its an Astra.

Thanks in advance

[Car-Matt]

5-10k gotta be an Octavia VRS Petrol Wagon - Super value and you'll get a good one at that price not a clapped out starship miles S6 like someone is bound to suggest.

10-15k should just see you in an E350d - Go drive one, the engine is superb and my specialist indy ( former main dealer master tech ) swears the parts are similar to my 320d

[AmosMoses]

Ultra budget would be a saab of some form and a remap, or a ropey octavia vrs.

For the upper budgets:

WRX/STI
Evo
Jaguar S Type R
Early S4 would be old but you wont lose any cash!
M5 V10 and brave pills
Maserati Quattroporte and larger jar of brave pills

[louiebaby]

There's no replacement for displacement...

Cheap:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20171222223...

Medium:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20171111116...

Flash:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20180918061...

[blue_haddock]

louiebaby said:

There's no replacement for displacement...

Cheap:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20171222223...

ABS borked - needs a pump!

I'd be suggesting a 9-5 aero as the cheapie

[Lotobear]

Legacy Spec B or JDM twin scroll?

[Dannbodge]

BMW 335i fits into the two top of those.
Flashy enough without being a target

[Car-Matt]

Dannbodge said:

BMW 335i fits into the two top of those.
Flashy enough without being a target

Unreliable enough to hurt too

Either buy with a dealer warranty or get a 330 IMO

[joe1145]

As Said above. 335i Estate.

Bought one around 6 months ago and its lovely. Comfortable and civilised most of the time, but an absolute hoot to drive when you put your foot down, sounds lovely too.

So far mine has been perfect. Only cost has been fuel, as I'm only averaging 22MPG but alot of that is stop start and slow traffic and the car never really gets up to temperature on my drive to work.

On the motorway at 70-80 mid 30s is easily achievable.

Only thing is that it isn't the biggest estate in the world and rear leg room isn't fantastic.

The only trouble is finding one, as they are quite rare, especially in manual (as mine is).

[Yodafone]

This

https://www.autopistacars.com/used-jaguar-xf-vehic...

[ZX10R NIN]

5-10k

C350

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

CLS55 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mondeo Titanium X Sport has to be in the mix the best FWD in class & some Mountune additions will turn it into a very swift set of wheels:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

10-15k

C55 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If it has to be newer then the VXR Insignia would get my vote as it handles as well as an S4 but you get a newer car for your cash.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Now if I wanted a Sleeper then I would debadge one of these Q50 S & have some fun:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Chubbyross]

I drive an Octavia VRS estate as a second car and family workhorse and can recommend it. It’s fun when you need it to be, is pretty much bullet proof and can fit a small squad of children and their stuff in the boot if necessary. The only downside I would say is it does feel slightly rattly and cheap at times. It can’t compete with anything like a BMW or Mercedes in terms of comfort and build quality but for the price I think it’s great. I’m three years of ownership it’s needed nothing spending on it apart from service and oil changes.

[donkmeister]

Sub-£2k there is a 97k mile Vectra Elite 2.8T estate on Autotrader... I had one, fantastic car. 230bhp from the factory (the later ones might have had more) but 300ish bhp was but a remap away. Same engine hardware as the VXR and SAAB Aero, different firmware from the factory plus a 6-speed auto. Lighter than the equivalent Insignia but no 4x4. Bit of a sleeper.
I tried to replace mine with a 240bhp Mondeo Titanium X but after test-driving the second one I realised the first one wasn't broken but just slow by comparison.
Plus the V6 had a pleasing but subdued engine note when pressing on.
ETA in every day driving it was as thirsty as the V8 Mercedes that replaced it, and rarely if ever broke 28mpg on a long motorway run.

Edited by donkmeister on Monday 7th January 18:00

[Dannbodge]

Car-Matt said:

Unreliable enough to hurt too

Either buy with a dealer warranty or get a 330 IMO

He could buy mine which has had all the big issues sorted ;)

[FlatToTheMat]

I know you said no Mercedes but this is practically perfect, If I needed a car I'd be snapping this up for the wife!

De-badge it and you'll have a lovely Q Car, E500 5.5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[TheAlastair34]

Mini Clubman JCW thats what i have and its a right laugh cheap to run

[ZX10R NIN]

FlatToTheMat said:

I know you said no Mercedes but this is practically perfect, If I needed a car I'd be snapping this up for the wife!

De-badge it and you'll have a lovely Q Car, E500 5.5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

That's a proper sleeper.

[cerb4.5lee]

ZX10R NIN said:

FlatToTheMat said:

I know you said no Mercedes but this is practically perfect, If I needed a car I'd be snapping this up for the wife!

De-badge it and you'll have a lovely Q Car, E500 5.5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

That's a proper sleeper.

Agree and it has got me really interested in them, great performance for the money and incredibly understated, lovely. I've driven a E220 CDi of the same era and I was predictably underwhelmed by it, this is a completely different proposition though.

[RedAndy]

Leftfield choice: Caldina ST246 GT-Four (preferably in N-Spec flavour)

very reliable, decent insurance costs, tunable, smart but not flashy... not "expensive" around £5k...