Family car that feels special for around £40k on PCP
Family car that feels special for around £40k on PCP
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Oliver-vuwf5

Original Poster:

2 posts

100 months

Wednesday 21st June 2017
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Hi, looking for some options and ideas on changing my car.

Looking for a car that meets the demands of a family and yet feels special. Something I can bond with. The German offerings (BMW 535d touring, e-class, c-class, A6 estate etc) are all great cars when you look at them by the numbers, but they don't inspire or excite me. They seem a little bland and are a choice of the head, not the heart.

After parking, I want to look back and feel a relationship with it. I wouldn't get that from a 318d touring BMW, so it's unlikely I'll get that from a 340i touring BMW either.

That said, I do have some practical requirements that partly come from what I like, and dislike about my current car.

Hatchback (for loading and unloading kids stuff) with boot bigger than 450ltrs
Luxury and refinement
Road presence (no mistaking what the car is - an X6 may not be your, or my, thing, but there's no denying it has road presence).
Decent performance (probably 260+hp)
Ideally low mileage and younger than 3 years (reliability is important).
I do like elevated driving position and the feeling of security you get in an SUV although this is not a requirement.

I've been looking on auto-trader so often, everything just seems to be a bit bland and 'normal'. Things like and SQ5, A6 estate BiTDI BMW 535d touring, or e-class, or c-class are great cars, but they don't seem to stir the soul. despite their effectiveness as everyday do it all cars, can you ever really form a bond with them?

I currently have an infiniti FX. I know I know, but I didn't buy it with a spreadsheet - I bought it because it made me feel special. It is by no means perfect, but it does have something about it a really like - it's quite rare, it has road presence, the v6 sounds good. Some days I wish I'd never bought it, some days I love it. Either way, I have a bond with it.

I looked at a new golf R estate, but again, it's a great car on a spreadsheet but I'm not sure I want to spend that much money on a golf that I probably won't feel a bond with. I just don't think it's going to feel special on the daily commute. Reality is it's very rare we ever drive around like Chris Harris on a track.

I'm stuck in a never-ending cycle of looking at the same cars again and again on auto-trader and I'm after some inspiration please!

LM95

147 posts

110 months

Wednesday 21st June 2017
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There are 3 premium cars that I always think look special, (well 2 and an RS4!)

The former the XF Sportbreak is something that I would love to have if only I could afford a good example. Admittedly there are some dodgy colour combinations and I am not sure on the white with dark wheels on this example but for between 30K - 40K there is some cracking ones available 2 years old and low mileage. They are a good looking car with a great interior.

XF



The others would Audi I am afraid but the RS4 (maybe too much on maintenance and fuel?) surely special, and the A7. Again both can be in budget for some really nice low mileage examples with the A7 being a year old or less with really low mileage and looks and feels special, to me anyway.

RS4

A7


Edit; ok one more, I am not sure I personally like the look of it but the interior is lovely and they do sound great, even the Diesel's. And its a Maserati!!

Ghibli



Edited by LM95 on Wednesday 21st June 11:45

Oliver-vuwf5

Original Poster:

2 posts

100 months

Wednesday 21st June 2017
quotequote all
Some interesting choices!

I remember ages ago seeing (and loving) an S7, but that was a while ago when they were out of my price range and then it completely slipped my mind thinking it's a lot of money to spend on an Audi. I really do like the look of the A7. I also looked at an S5 sportback, but it seemed a little small.

The jag looks to be generally cheaper than the RS4, but I would guess the RS4 will depreciate less and it feels a little more aspirational.

I did at one point seriously consider a Maserati Giblets, the boot opening is a little impractical though (need to put things like kids bikes/scooters in there).

Thanks for the suggestions, some new things for me to go and drive.

S10GTA

13,398 posts

185 months

Wednesday 21st June 2017
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Alfa Romeo Stelvio?

Not sure on their prices, but believe they are between 33-50k

Vovlo v60 Polestar?

seadragon

1,137 posts

233 months

Wednesday 21st June 2017
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TBH the R estate is a pretty lazy car. If you have the DCC option and set it to comfort mode, then you can pootle along and it doesn't feel like you have 300 horsepower under the bonnet. I love mine, but it's all down to what you gel with. I got mine new for a large discount a year ago, so deals to be had if you look.

Even in Race mode, the car needs egging on. It's practical, pretty fun to drive, quality interior etc etc.

Good luck with your choice


Edited by seadragon on Wednesday 21st June 13:54

LM95

147 posts

110 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Oliver-vuwf5 said:
Some interesting choices!

I remember ages ago seeing (and loving) an S7, but that was a while ago when they were out of my price range and then it completely slipped my mind thinking it's a lot of money to spend on an Audi. I really do like the look of the A7. I also looked at an S5 sportback, but it seemed a little small.

The jag looks to be generally cheaper than the RS4, but I would guess the RS4 will depreciate less and it feels a little more aspirational.

I did at one point seriously consider a Maserati Giblets, the boot opening is a little impractical though (need to put things like kids bikes/scooters in there).

Thanks for the suggestions, some new things for me to go and drive.
It is a nice price point to be looking at when I looked. I don't usually get to look at much above half that for myself. I have not actually driven any of the above but have been a passenger in each, the XF is a nice car but I presume there will be a facelift estate soon so the value of this would plummet I would expect. I was surprised that the A7 can be had almost new for the black edition looks really smart but again probably right at the top of its depreciation curve.

The RS4 should probably depreciate less but over a number of years will cost quite a bit more I would think. So actual term costs could be the same as the A7 but you will have had much more fun and as you say it is more of an aspirational car.

Have fun testing them smile

Gareth1974

3,454 posts

157 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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A lease might be worth looking at as an alternative to a PCP, something like this perhaps? https://www.contracthireandleasing.com/main-dealer...