What car? Daily, Fun, Kids, Dog, £10k

[Jeenyus161]

So, as the title suggests, this is what I'm after:

Has to fit x2 car seats in
Has to be able to fit a labrador - so saloons are out
Has to be able to do both of these things at once!
Will be used as my daily.
Can't be more than £10k (excl insurance/tax)

However, my wife now has a Kuga, so that will be used for all the major family trips - meaning it'll be pretty rare that I need to meet the above requirements. Nevertheless, I do need to be able to meet them.

For me, I'd quite like to:

Avoid a 4-pot (not a deal breaker, but i'd quite like something else)
Have a better chassis that MORE POWERRRR
Not have to worry too much about breaking down all the time
Rear wheel drive is preferred, but not essential as I'm realistic about how much that limits options.


I'm currently in a Skoda Superb, which is FANTASTIC at being a family car. It really is. But I don't need a family wagon any more, so I want something that I might actually enjoy driving, whilst still being able to drop little ones off and take the dog for walks in from time to time.

Any suggestions?

[2pad]

Cayenne? I've got the newer one and it's utterly fantastic as a family car. The MK1 's are easily in budget.

[flatso]

Has to fit 2 car seats and a Labrador, saloon is not the answer...but you no longer need a family wagon?
Maybe I did not read/understand you correctly but its a bit of a contradiction.


Not much left asa an option, either going the SUV route (hard to find one that is fun to drive), get a Van or a pick-up truck.

[RTB]

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

4 pot, but an interesting 4 pot.

[daniel-5zjw7]

Hard to see past a relatively dynamic estate with your requirements.. E91 330i m sport manual touring perhaps if you can find one! RWD, not 4 pot, decent enough chassis to enjoy and comfortable/safe for family and dog. A couple of choice upgrades would enhance it further.

[Jamescrs]

I'm not sure if you have any age related requirements but for me the obvious choice is a Mk2 Ford Focus ST.

I used to own one, easily get two child seats in the back, come in 3 door or five door guise, the boot is huge for class, I used to carry a large Greyhound in mine with no issue.

Finally the engine in that generation of Focus ST is a 2.5 litre 5 cyl turbo model, your budget would get you a very good example.

[B17NNS]

daniel-5zjw7 said:

Hard to see past a relatively dynamic estate with your requirements.. E91 330i m sport manual touring perhaps if you can find one! RWD, not 4 pot, decent enough chassis to enjoy and comfortable/safe for family and dog. A couple of choice upgrades would enhance it further.

My first thought too.

E91 325/330/335 M-Sport Touring. Still look the part, creamy 3.0 six. Lovely stuff.

[nunpuncher]

Sound like you pretty much just want someone to tell you it's ok to go buy an e91 325i/330i. I would say 335i but then that means you need to score the bit about breaking down off your list.

[kieranblenk]

Would a Golf R32 or A3 Sportback 3.2 V6 be big enough? Failing that an S4 Avant. Granted they are 4WD though, only way you'd get RWD would probably be a Beemer.

[DailyHack]

Yup E91 6-pot all day long, but not m-sport, come on, get some understated class with an SE

[300bhp/ton]

daniel-5zjw7 said:

Hard to see past a relatively dynamic estate with your requirements.. E91 330i m sport manual touring perhaps if you can find one! RWD, not 4 pot, decent enough chassis to enjoy and comfortable/safe for family and dog. A couple of choice upgrades would enhance it further.

I think the op was very clear that an estate is not the answer. This might not be what they meant, but it's what they said.

Jeenyus161 said:

I don't need a family wagon any more

[300bhp/ton]

Jeep Grand Cherokee with a V8 or maybe a Land Rover Defender. Both should be fun and enjoyable to drive and still be able to do all required of them, but without being a family wagon per say......

[MRobbins1987]

I’ve got a Labrador, two kids and a 130i.

[mike9009]

MRobbins1987 said:

I’ve got a Labrador, two kids and a 130i.

I've got a wife, 2 kids and an E92 330i.

Mike

[Jeenyus161]

Thanks for the suggestions guys - all appreciated.

The Cayenne is certainly an interesting choice - Bork factor notwithstanding!

Yeah it feels like a 6 pot Beemer is where I'm headed. I'm not anti-estates, far from it. But I have already had a couple and I'm lucky enough to commute along country lanes. I'd like to actually enjoy that journey once in a while rather than just being pleased with myself about how well my car can fit bags in!

A 130i did come to the top of the pile. I did also wonder about a warm/hot Megane; but then....French reliability,..?

The Focus ST is an interesting shout - an interesting engine, huge boot for the class, plenty of room etc etc. Might need to take one out for a test drive - thanks for the suggestion.

[Welshbeef]

S6
E63 Wagon
E61 M5
E39 540i Sport V8
E39 535i V8

[Jeenyus161]

This has me wobbling....

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[ZX10R NIN]

As long as you don't mind a three door his screams Megane RS or Focus ST-3 for me as they're the two that tick the boxes, also with the Focus you can get a five door.

Cup Chassis Megane RS (I know it's a four pot but they more than make up for it in the way they drive)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

ST-3 Focus (a smidge behind the Megane but behind it is but it really does counter with that killer 5 pot)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mountune 260 ST-3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mercedes C55/CLK55 AMG (I'm bias but these are a great car)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Infiniti G37 Coupe (think of these as a four seater 370Z)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you're thinking about an S4 I'd go for one of these they respond well to a map (not a massive bhp improvement but a nice improvement in torque) they're a better steer than they're given credit for.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

With the above just like the S4 you need to make sure the Haldex unit has been serviced.

Audi S5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Leftfield:

Giulietta Cloverleaf (I know another four pot but it is a charismatic one)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Ascari Edition

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

3.2 Brera

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

335i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Vauxhall Monaro

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

130i's are a decent drive but you have to add some M3 parts to them to make them a truly good drivers car & I'd take the 3 series over the 1 series.

[ninepoint2]

Bigger engined Superb or Octavia vRS estates are obvious choices,vRS can be tuned very cheaply, but as above your post is a tad contradictory re your requirements TBH...

yours

confused of Pistonheads

[Joelonghair]

Bit spendy for a 2002