Performance estate for 11k

[Jamescrs]

Ok Pistonheaders, the position i find myself in is this,

Until a month ago I had a 14 plate Audi A4 Avant, was a 150 TDi and i loved the car really but it was stolen and later recovered as a write off, whoever stole it bled quite badly in the crash so not all bad news, anyway I now need to replace the car as the insurance payout is imminent.

I'm looking for another estate car as I need the practicaliy of a wagon however I don't need or really want a diesel again as I don't do the traveling to make it worth while, the A4 was a very good size for my needs, I can't have anything smaller.

I'm looking at a max budget of 11k and I really want some performance back in my life, at the moment i've narrowed it down to two options,

Vauxhall Insignia VXR

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


Subaru Legacy GTB tuned by STi

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Subaru-Legacy-Spec...f:0

II can see pro's and con's to both cars

Vauxhall is a U.K car so parts should be easy to source from a main dealer and it's 3 years newer than the Subaru, the negatives are I drive Insignia's most days at work, albeit bog standard diesel versions but i'm not sure if it will feel special enough, also i'm told that the diff can be problematic on these?

The Subaru really appeals to me, I love the styling of it, I owned a classic shape Impreza STi around 15 years ago and loved it and i've always fancied another Subaru, I know the Legacy won't be as mad as an Impreza and this particular one is an auto which does actually appeal to me for the type of driving I do now usually wither in city traffic or long motorway runs on occasion. The worry is will parts be an issue with it being an import and Jap specific in relation to the engine?

I have also considered Skoda Octavia VRS but the wife is dead against us having a Skoda, she can't get away from the badge snobbery but if anyone has any alternatives within budget and up to around 70k miles i'm interested in hearing them


I should add I also own a Mk2 MX5 which is my weekend car for fun driving up on the moors and track days so the estate will be my daily and family car.

[ZX10R NIN]

Parts supply shouldn't be a big issue with the Legacy as you're probably aware you'll have to budget having the underside sealed, as much as I like the Legacy I like the VXR more especially when you map one so all the torque is put back where it's supposed to be.

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

Spec B Legacy

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

Make sure the Haldex system has been serviced as per the schedule

Other options:

R36 Passat

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

Mondeo Titanium X Sport budget having it mapped

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

2.5T

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

These might be a bit small:

V50 T5

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

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

S4

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

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

2.5T V70

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

RS6 if you're feeling brave

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

3.0T A6 Avant

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

330i

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

I'd still buy the VXR

[Ron99]

The 2.8 Insignias from 2009-10 had a fair proportion with 4wd and timing chain problems.
Changes were made to the diff and chains and later years have far fewer problems.

In later 4wd Insignias a major cause of 4wd/diff problems is people not servicing them. The diff oil degrades, the filter clogs, the pump strains. Change the diff oil and filter every 3yrs/30k and the risk of a problem is much reduced.

2009-2011 Insignia VXRs have a louder exhaust plus more pops and bangs when pressing on.

[Pistonheader101]

Sorry to hear about your car getting stolen - glad that you are okay.

My suggestion would be a 330i estate

[ZX10R NIN]

True the timing chain issue was sorted by 2010 as was the Haldex issue so the cars the OP & I linked to are fine, I'd get the checks done but the VXR is the car for me with the OP's budget in mind.

The R36 & some S4's had chain issues too tbh modern timing chains are built to last 100k these days rather than the lif of the cars.

[silentbrown]

Rather like the look of that 3.0 TFSI Audi A6. I think it's a slightly detuned S4 engine (3.0 supercharged V6) so there's probably big scope for chipping it.

[Ron99]

ZX10R NIN said:

True the timing chain issue was sorted by 2010 as was the Haldex issue so the cars the OP & I linked to are fine, I'd get the checks done but the VXR is the car for me with the OP's budget in mind.

The R36 & some S4's had chain issues too tbh modern timing chains are built to last 100k these days rather than the lif of the cars.

I'm not knocking the VXR
I've looked at and driven quite a few 2.8 Insignias because a few years ago I was actively looking for a post-2011 Insignia VXR (hatchback) in silver, ideally with the smaller 19" rims, but couldn't find one. Not many were made in boring silver and almost all had the 20" rims.

Currently my family car is its close relative, the Elite 2.8, 12-reg, silver.

[ZX10R NIN]

I didn't taking it as you knocking them just adding constructive advice, I was just putting some context to it.

[Gio G]

silentbrown said:

Rather like the look of that 3.0 TFSI Audi A6. I think it's a slightly detuned S4 engine (3.0 supercharged V6) so there's probably big scope for chipping it.

This, well engineered and nicely refined, got some go in it, but becoming very rare, as everyone wanted the diesel eqv...

G

[Jamescrs]

Thanks for all the responses guys, so I'm getting from the posts above regarding the Insignia VXR if they have been properly services they should be ok for reliability?

I'm sorely tempted by another Audi although it feels like everyone I consider it I hear about another being stolen.

If I did go for another I'd be looking at an S4 or possibly even an S6, I've seen a saloon version in budget with sensible miles on and I'm starting to think I could live with a saloon now with a roof box for the family holidays, there seems to be a far better selection of saloon cars than estates.

[BUG4LIFE]

I really like the Legacy TBSTi's, I could easily see one replacing my current performance estate...a Forester STi.

That one on the link you posted seems to been for sale for quite a while and I think already sold once [but is now back for sale]?

I would say get a Forester STi but there are better cars for the motorway and town driving!

Here's a pic of mine, just cos!

[ZX10R NIN]

Jamescrs said:

Thanks for all the responses guys, so I'm getting from the posts above regarding the Insignia VXR if they have been properly services they should be ok for reliability?

I'm sorely tempted by another Audi although it feels like everyone I consider it I hear about another being stolen.

If I did go for another I'd be looking at an S4 or possibly even an S6, I've seen a saloon version in budget with sensible miles on and I'm starting to think I could live with a saloon now with a roof box for the family holidays, there seems to be a far better selection of saloon cars than estates.

Yes if it's been serviced correctly they'll be reliable, if you were to go for the S6 I can't help but feel you should go full Ronin & get the S8:

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

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

[Jamescrs]

BUG4LIFE said:

I really like the Legacy TBSTi's, I could easily see one replacing my current performance estate...a Forester STi.

That one on the link you posted seems to been for sale for quite a while and I think already sold once [but is now back for sale]?

I would say get a Forester STi but there are better cars for the motorway and town driving!

Here's a pic of mine, just cos!

Your Forrester looks great, I've seen a few listed for sale but they don't look overly spacious for rear leg room? Are they built on the same chassis as the Impreza?

[Ron99]

Jamescrs said:

Thanks for all the responses guys, so I'm getting from the posts above regarding the Insignia VXR if they have been properly services they should be ok for reliability?.....

Haldex fluid and filter change isn't part of the VXR service schedule.
Most people spend as little as they can get away with, so very few people will bother to pay extra to get the Haldex serviced.

[Jamescrs]

ZX10R NIN said:

Yes if it's been serviced correctly they'll be reliable, if you were to go for the S6 I can't help but feel you should go full Ronin & get the S8:

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

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

I'd say you have a very good point actually with the S8, never entered my head to look at something that size.
I think the thing that worries me with an S or RS Audi is possible ruinous repair bills if something breaks on them.
The second S8 you posted in particular looks amazing though, I do have a Audi specialist not far from home so maybe I should speak to them and ask for their advice as a potential future customer if I bought one.

[Croutons]

silentbrown said:

Rather like the look of that 3.0 TFSI Audi A6. I think it's a slightly detuned S4 engine (3.0 supercharged V6) so there's probably big scope for chipping it.

No idea if it's the same engine, but 400hp apparently poss from a tweak. Seems optimistic to me, but hey!

https://www.avontuning.co.uk/tuning/audi/a6-c6-mk2...

[silentbrown]

Croutons said:

No idea if it's the same engine, but 400hp apparently poss from a tweak. Seems optimistic to me, but hey!

https://www.avontuning.co.uk/tuning/audi/a6-c6-mk2...

MRC's £1600 Stage 2 (remap, supercharger pulley, intake pipe, etc) gives a claimed 470BHP on S4, I think.

[Jamescrs]

Ron99 said:

Haldex fluid and filter change isn't part of the VXR service schedule.
Most people spend as little as they can get away with, so very few people will bother to pay extra to get the Haldex serviced.

I think this is what's ultimately going to put me off buying one, I've spent some time trawling VXR forums and it's definitely a recurring theme.
I think if I bought one I'd be constantly thinking in the back of my mind the diff was going to go wrong in some way, back to the drawing board.

[BUG4LIFE]

Jamescrs said:

BUG4LIFE said:

I really like the Legacy TBSTi's, I could easily see one replacing my current performance estate...a Forester STi.

That one on the link you posted seems to been for sale for quite a while and I think already sold once [but is now back for sale]?

I would say get a Forester STi but there are better cars for the motorway and town driving!

Here's a pic of mine, just cos!

Your Forrester looks great, I've seen a few listed for sale but they don't look overly spacious for rear leg room? Are they built on the same chassis as the Impreza?

I'm not sure of rear space compared to the other cars listed in this thread. I guess it depends how tall you are. I'm 6'6" and have to have the seat all the way back. If my OH is sitting behind me I need to move the seat even so slightly forward for her to fit in, so it isn't a big car that's for sure.

[ZX10R NIN]

This appeared on another thread but with no proper description & a price that's nearly 4k cheaper than it's nearest rival this C63 estate is cheap so do your checks HPI cross matched with M.O.T history & ring the specialist who've been servicing it, or pay (I'd do all of the above because if it comes up clean £400 for an inspection is money well spent when weighed up against a possible 4k saving) for an inspection because you'll be able to drive around with something that won't depreciate price wise.

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

Or there's this E63

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

Now having owned a few 63's the biggest expense is fuel discs & pads aren't to bad price wise as there are enough companies that offer good alternatives to the OEM items.