What Estate Car (Anything PH'ish availabe?)
Discussion
Looking for new car for the wife. We currently have an Audi A3 sportback (2007 2.0Tfsi Quattro) and its just a bit small as we have a dog, baby on the way and we need a big boot for work and hobbies (Sports equipment, mountain biking, kayaking etc.)
The current car has been great other than the ride (yes I know its an Audi A3
) and I miss my old Honda Accord 2.4 Tourer. We are looking for something that's sits between the two really. Ideally with good performance (doesn't need to be a sports car) and a decent ride. Fuel consumption isn't the main thing, though I don't want to be filling it up every 5 minutes. Something that feels a bit premium would be nice too! She ruled out French stuff, Fords, Vauxhalls etc.
Looking at spending no more than £8k, road tax and insurance is not to much of an issue, though servicing doesn't want to be to ridiculous.
On the list at the moment is
Saab 9-3 1.9ttdi or 2.0T
Audi A4 2.0tdi or 2.0Tfsi (would have to be SE)
Volvo V50 2.0d or 2.4 (maybe a t-5 if I can find one)
VW Passat 2.0d (maybe just a bit boring and can't find any petrol's)
Mazda CX-7 2.3T (bit of a wildcard)
She has dismissed the following (though I could turn her)
BMW 3
Mercedes C
Subaru Legacy
Alfa 159
Is there any experiences of the above cars good or bad and is there anything I've missed?
Over to you!
The current car has been great other than the ride (yes I know its an Audi A3
) and I miss my old Honda Accord 2.4 Tourer. We are looking for something that's sits between the two really. Ideally with good performance (doesn't need to be a sports car) and a decent ride. Fuel consumption isn't the main thing, though I don't want to be filling it up every 5 minutes. Something that feels a bit premium would be nice too! She ruled out French stuff, Fords, Vauxhalls etc.Looking at spending no more than £8k, road tax and insurance is not to much of an issue, though servicing doesn't want to be to ridiculous.
On the list at the moment is
Saab 9-3 1.9ttdi or 2.0T
Audi A4 2.0tdi or 2.0Tfsi (would have to be SE)
Volvo V50 2.0d or 2.4 (maybe a t-5 if I can find one)
VW Passat 2.0d (maybe just a bit boring and can't find any petrol's)
Mazda CX-7 2.3T (bit of a wildcard)
She has dismissed the following (though I could turn her)
BMW 3
Mercedes C
Subaru Legacy
Alfa 159
Is there any experiences of the above cars good or bad and is there anything I've missed?
Over to you!
Bill said:
Does she do enough miles to justify a diesel? And why's she dismissed the BM and Merc? Top of my list would be the 330i.
The Mazda 6 petrol is surprisingly good, but the interior's a bit low rent. Similarly the Forester turbo is very good but Japanese.
Just been looking at the Mazda 6, does seem a good car for the money! The Mazda 6 petrol is surprisingly good, but the interior's a bit low rent. Similarly the Forester turbo is very good but Japanese.
The Merc she just didn't like, seams a bit of an old mans car! and we were both very underwhelmed by the 3. Not that special inside and just didn't drive as well as expected (not that much better than some of the others) and was cramped inside too! 330 did shift mind!
As for mileage we are guessing around 15k miles so I think either would be ok
MonkeyMatt said:
I like the 5 but she thinks its too big
I have a labrador, 7 month old boy and other bits and bobs, the car has served perfectly considering. It has reverse parking sensors if she thinks it is too big :P Only selling to buy a house.
P.S The autobox in the BM results in 36mpg average but mostly that car is driven around town, motorway should see 45 ish. Not brillant consumption for a diesel but considering the size and gizmos on it - I don't mind the consumption really.
Edited by typer0612 on Monday 30th December 09:59
Audi A6 would be a good shout, plenty of room not overly huge and a lovely place to be! A good 2.0 TDI Quattro or Petrol will be well in budget.. Had one as a hire car for a few days (had full leather and all the toys NAV etc) was a great bit of kit and the DSG box was sublime!
Saab 9-3
Mondeo? (No really they are pretty good if you get the right spec)
Saab 9-3
Mondeo? (No really they are pretty good if you get the right spec)
NailedOn said:
A shame she's discounted the Legacy.
£8k will buy a trade Outback. 45,000 miles. 2.5 Manual or auto petrol.
Top cars. Durable. Quick. Reasonable running costs.
I can recommend that they are worth a look. The worse the driving conditions, the better they are.
These where the top of my list, but she hated the way it looks! (does look a bit dated)It is her car which means when I get a new one the choice will be all mine!£8k will buy a trade Outback. 45,000 miles. 2.5 Manual or auto petrol.
Top cars. Durable. Quick. Reasonable running costs.
I can recommend that they are worth a look. The worse the driving conditions, the better they are.
MonkeyMatt said:
Can you put a dog in the boot like a normal hatch, or does the fast back shape stop this?
ah yes, well it depends on the size of dog, but I suppose a dog would always be more comfortable in an estate! You also get roof bars which makes the estate a bit more practical, but the size of boot below parcel shelf is essentially the same.MonkeyMatt said:
Hub said:
If you can't find an estate, don't necessarily rule out the hatch as it is almost as big!
Can you put a dog in the boot like a normal hatch, or does the fast back shape stop this?I can get a 26er with a 22inch frame in the boot with the back seats down with the front wheel off and it takes up about 2/3rds of the width so that shouldn't be a problem.
160 said:
Depends how big your dog is I can get some pictures if you want a better idea. To give you an idea the boot is 1m x 1m and the hatch covers about half of that the other half can be open but is sloped. What sort of dog do you have?
I can get a 26er with a 22inch frame in the boot with the back seats down with the front wheel off and it takes up about 2/3rds of the width so that shouldn't be a problem.
dogs a spaniel cross so not huge but I think he estate would be better!I can get a 26er with a 22inch frame in the boot with the back seats down with the front wheel off and it takes up about 2/3rds of the width so that shouldn't be a problem.
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