Used small estate ~£10k?

[Matt..]

I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that my 2001 Seat Leon 1.6 is due for replacement. It's been an incredibly reliable and cheap to run car, but i'd like something different now. I want more power, but want to maintain/improve on the practicality. I'm also in the process of looking for a house, so now is not the time to buy a small fun car (that won't help with the trips to B&Q!).

I don't want anything too huge, and have no family to carry around, but i like the idea of small estates. I'd like to keep it for 5-10yrs, and for it to be relatively cheap to live with, and with ideally few known problems. I'd like something with approx 200bhp, as i'm fed up with having to plan way ahead/get a mile long run up to overtake.

It will be street parked also, so nothing with horrendous visibility!

Does anyone have any ideas on what i should put on the list to research?


Thanks
(i have a post on one of the brand forums here, but thought i'd put another here to get some less one sided views)

[heisthegaffer]

My first thought was Skoda Octavia VRS. Well built for starters

[Northernchimp]

Ibiza estate? 1.4 TFSI FR. Not 200 BHP but quick enough.

Edited by Northernchimp on Sunday 27th October 18:09

[callahan]

I was in a similar position a couple of years ago and got an x type estate, 3 litre sport with manual gearbox.

It has been superb in that time, has a huge boot but is still nice and fast. I now have an estate through work so am moving it on, but I would definitely recommend one. You'll get a lot of change from £10k too - you could buy 3 of mine for that!

[briang9]

heisthegaffer said:

My first thought was Skoda Octavia VRS. Well built for starters

another vote from me too

[orangesrule]

A nice e46 330 touring? with some cash left over.

I have an e36 328 touring, its so practical it hurts (im in the process of buying a house too, so is going to prove extremely useful in the coming months)

[Welshbeef]

Northernchimp said:

Ibiza estate? 1.4 TFSI FR. Not 200 BHP but quick enough.

Edited by Northernchimp on Sunday 27th October 18:09

That is a very small estate and not quick.


How about a Honda Accord Estate rare but nice looking loads of kit and like all modern cars will be reliable.


Or buy a £5 k Passat and change it after 2.5-5 years instead of 10k and change 5-10 years

[Matt..]

orangesrule said:

A nice e46 330 touring? with some cash left over.

I have an e36 328 touring, its so practical it hurts (im in the process of buying a house too, so is going to prove extremely useful in the coming months)

E46 is too old.

I would like something 2006 and onwards (ideally 2008).

[lincsls2]

Audi A3 Fastback 2.0 turbo 4wd. Perfect!

ETA: probably won't get one new enough for you.
Something like this, but cheaper.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A3-2-0T-FSI-2009-S-...

Edited by lincsls2 on Sunday 27th October 18:30

[lincsls2]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A3-2-0T-FSI-Sportba...

This one is 4WD.

[callywally18]

what about a t5 volvo estate of some sort?

[kambites]

Another vote for the Octavia.

[Quhet]

93 estate

[vescaegg]

E90 series 330d is what id be after.

335d tourings unfortunately still a bit more.

[mike9009]

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Not to every PHers taste, but nearly matches your criteria. Quick remap will see 200bhp. Had mine for almost three years now and can heartily recommend. Only thing to really watch out for is the timing chain tensioner.

Later cars have 184bhp and not so troublesome withthe tensioner.

Mike

[Matt..]

Quhet said:

93 estate

Unfortunately not!

A3 is an interesting one. Not sure on size of it. I assume it's very similar to my Leon?

[Matt..]

vescaegg said:

http://bit.ly/18rL5zs

330d is what id be after.

335d tourings unfortunately still a bit more.

I don't want to go diesel. I do very minimal mileage, and just prefer petrols.

[Deutscheblonde]

130i

[lincsls2]

Matt.. said:

Unfortunately not!

A3 is an interesting one. Not sure on size of it. I assume it's very similar to my Leon?

Yep, similar sized to the Leon, slightly bigger in this 'fastback' version, very practical though, typically Audi in all other areas.
Remap takes close to 250bhp. Common in 2WD form, harder to find the Quattro versions.
Another one in budget (2WD).
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Audi-A3-2-0-T-FSI-S...

[robsa]

How about an Alfa 159 Ti Turismo? I know most are diesel, but seriously, they are peachy creamy, and this one is 2011!



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Or how about this? A BMW 330i M Sport on an 07 plate:



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

OR a 335i SE on an 08 plate:



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

If you like burning petrol, here's a Subura Legacy 3.0R Spec B on 07 plate:



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Something a bit more adult... Benzo R350 on 06 but low miles:



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Or if you want to be really mad, heres an 06 Audi S4 Quattro:



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Something a bit left field - Mazda CX7, only 34k on the clock, leather, BOSE etc



250 BHP 2.3l petrol engine...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

These days most are Diesels you see. If you were to open your mind to diesels.... well, the Alfa would be one I would definitely consider, the Audi Allroad, the Skoda Scout....