Another "What car" thread - ~£11K family/daily with "go!"

[SanguiniusZ]

Hoping someone out there can help me with this head-scratcher, am looking to replace the missis' battered '06 plate Clio.

Used to own a 350Z, and am now acutely missing the enjoyment of getting from A to B in a fun manner.

My purchasing circumstances are:

• My budget will be around £10k-£12k
• As I've now got a nipper to ferry about, am after something with 4/5 doors, ideally a bit of space for a pram (and, for the sake of political expediency, Isofix mounts!)
• I do a combination of mostly country-road-with-some-motorway driving to tune of 350-400 miles per week, so am after something that won't utterly hoor petrol (or diesel)
• Am not a badge snob
• Looking for something as close to having been born within this decade of the millenium as possible

Hoping the hive mind can throw some ideas my way, as I'm genuinely stumped.

[SanguiniusZ]

SanguiniusZ said:

Hoping someone out there can help me with this head-scratcher, am looking to replace the missis' battered '06 plate Clio.

Used to own a 350Z, and am now acutely missing the enjoyment of getting from A to B in a fun manner.

My purchasing circumstances are:

• My budget will be around £10k-£12k
• As I've now got a nipper to ferry about, am after something with 4/5 doors, ideally a bit of space for a pram (and, for the sake of political expediency, Isofix mounts!)
• I do a combination of mostly country-road-with-some-motorway driving to tune of 350-400 miles per week, so am after something that won't utterly hoor petrol (or diesel)
• Am not a badge snob
• Looking for something as close to having been born within this decade of the millenium as possible

Hoping the hive mind can throw some ideas my way, as I'm genuinely stumped.

Ah, go on...

[markCSC]

This maybe?

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

and then maybe add this http://www.litchfieldimports.co.uk/SUBARU/Subaru-D...

Edited by markCSC on Monday 3rd March 12:29

[miln0039]

Octavia VRS? Must be one of those (not sure what year) in that price bracket?

Or E91 - either 330i or 330d would work?

[SanguiniusZ]

Cheers folks, appreciate the suggestions which I hope will break my inertia!

[Steff]

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

[miln0039]

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[decadent]

As the Skoda's are suggested... and you're not a badge snob how about a SEAT Exeo Sport tech (or SE Tech if you don't want "sporty" looks). Same engine as the skoda (170ps VAG CR lump) but based on an Audi A4 but with the dash out of the cabrio so tried and tested technology. That's the only downside actually; the technology is older so the Nav doesn't take full post codes for example.

They are well speced for the age of car/price point though (leather, xeonos, nav, BOSE etc). You'll get a pretty young model for £12k with low miles.

Edit to add: I have one as my family car. Pic in profile. No other intersting cars in my household at the moment though Kids are expensive!

Edited by decadent on Monday 3rd March 16:22

[Orangecurry]

Subaru Impreza Estate.

[markCSC]

Orangecurry said:

Subaru Impreza Estate.

Ummmm

SanguiniusZ said:

I am after something that won't utterly hoor petrol (or diesel)

[Orangecurry]

They don't.

If the OP wants to put up a desired MPG that might help us, but you'll average 25-30s especially on long journeys.

[SanguiniusZ]

Thanks again folks!

[ajh38]

We recently sold a 325d M Sport on a 57 plate that had done 40k for £12,000. It was a lovely car, might look at a saloon in your case.

[RizzoTheRat]

miln0039 said:

Octavia VRS? Must be one of those (not sure what year) in that price bracket?

Gets my vote. Petrol version's a little quicker than diesel and will do 30ish mpg in to high 30's on a motorway run. The diesel comes with 170bhp and cruising at 70ish on a motorway is pushing 60mpg, with 45 or so in normal use. Space in the back for adults even with a 6' driver, massive boot, and reasonable selection of toys (climate, cruise, SD card stereo with aux jack). Only down side is there is a bit more road noise than in more expensive equivalents.