Best all round family car for 7k?

[HannsG]

Since buying the M3, we have realised how practical coupes can actually be with a growing family.

Alongside the M3 we currently run a Saab TTiD estate. Excellent car, but DPF problems, expensive repairs, and the fact its a diesel being used on very very short journeys. It just does not make sense to run it anymore.


The car must be petrol, relativily 30mpg, and as an added bonus AWD drive would be great but not essential. Must be practical, so hatchback, SUV or whatever. Decent spec (Aircon, leather, MFSW etc)

I have 7k to play with. And the car must be less than 10 years old. I could stretch to 8k for the right car.

The following cars are in my head.

Golf GTI (4 Door)
Nissan Quashqai
Audi A4 Quattro (Estate)
Audi A3 Quattro (4 Door)
Honda CRV

Strictly no Skodas, despite me stating we should get an Octavia. We ran a Fabia VRS which was a brilliant car. One of my best cars to date. She hated it with a passion...

Women eh? This will be her car anyway.

[HannsG]

doogz said:

Legacy 3.0 flat 6.

Yup, Spce-B right? Tremendous cars...

She wont have it mate. Tried that an all....She ain't into big engines etc or fast cars..

[Crusoe]

Try something like a honda Jazz. Loads of space, 50+mpg, simple and cheap and won't go wrong and makes you drive at a relaxed pace which would be fine with the family on board, plus it will make your car feel like a rocket when you get back into it.

[bp1000]

i think Nissan Quashqai make good mid size family cars. Not a huge boot and space but adequate. Cheap to run and maintain relatively.

[AudiWurst]

HannsG said:

Women eh? This will be her car anyway.

What are your wife's views on the car vs 4x4 debate?

If she wants a soft roader, then either a Qashqai or CRV would be ideal. Model for model, the CRV is more expensive, but it is more spacious and (IMHO) better built. If you really want AWD, then all 3rd gen CRVs have this but most petrol Qashqais are FWD. The only petrol engine on the CRV is a 2.0, whereas the Qashqai has a choice of 1.6 or 2.0.

We run a 2004 CRV as a second car in our household and it has been totally reliable in the 18 months we've had it. Your budget would get you a newer 3rd gen CRV, and there's no reason to suspect that car should be any less reliable.

If your wife prefers normal cars, then the Audi A4 makes an excellent estate car. The quattro models carry a heavy premium on the used market, so you'll have to decide whether you really want it.

[vtecyo]

Who's paying?

EDIT:

Just spotted the "it'll be her car"

Audi A3 TFSi.

[HannsG]

vtecyo said:

Who's paying?

EDIT:

Just spotted the "it'll be her car"

Audi A3 TFSi.

I'm paying mate. But as I have an M3 she wants her own car now. Yeah she loves A3's

[GravelBen]

HannsG said:

doogz said:

Legacy 3.0 flat 6.

Yup, Spce-B right? Tremendous cars...

She wont have it mate. Tried that an all....She ain't into big engines etc or fast cars..

Then go for one of the smaller engines

[billzeebub]

Subaru Impreza/Forester/Legacy