Hot/Warm hatchback/small estate for Dad driving - Page 1 - Car Buying

MrModo

Original Poster

47 posts

162 months

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Sunday 5th May 2019

...am hoping you guys can help here

Been browsing for a 2nd car, the daily drive is a L200 pickup, so I'd like something smaller with a little refinement (and auto)

I know there are more focused cars out there, have considered the N30i and S3, but I'd like something I can also do a journey 4-up with a little refinement and concerned these might be a little too harsh.

Being in my 40's, I think these some of these more focus hot hatches require me to wear a baseball cap backwards and my speedy driving will probably only consist of straight roads followed by slowing down to 15 mph on corners wink

I have looked at the S3 and S4 Avant, but I fear the silly seats will cause car sickness in the back!

I think I have whittled it down to either

Golf GTI (Performance pack)
M135i (or 140i)

With a budget around £15-20k

My local BMW did throw a curveball of a 340i in the mix, which although was over budget. My concern with that was the depreciation and high road fund license.

Just wondering if anyone had any words of wisdom here...thanks in advance

MissChief

7,973 posts

197 months

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Sunday 5th May 2019

Focus ST estate?

MrModo

Original Poster

47 posts

162 months

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Sunday 5th May 2019

MissChief said:

Focus ST estate?

I have considered this, but I'm not keen on Ford's interiors #fussy frown

giblet

9,149 posts

206 months

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Sunday 5th May 2019

Left field shout of a C63 wagon, not quite hot hatch but it’s what I would replace my 9-3 wagon with if I wasn’t being boring and sensible

Edited by giblet on Sunday 5th May 16:37

MrModo

Original Poster

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162 months

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Sunday 5th May 2019

giblet said:

Left field should of a C63 wagon, not quite hot hatch but it’s what I would replace my 9-3 wagon with if I wasn’t being boring and sensible

Do I need big kahuna's to own one of them? Running costs? They do sound fantastic

giblet

9,149 posts

206 months

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Sunday 5th May 2019

MrModo said:

Do I need big kahuna's to own one of them? Running costs? They do sound fantastic

By all accounts fuel will be your biggest cost! Buyers guide by PH here

20K gets you a decent facelift car.

kieranblenk

865 posts

163 months

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Sunday 5th May 2019

Leon Cupra should tick all the boxes and can be had as an estate should you need it. Better value than the Golf too in my opinion.

S54Love

155 posts

113 months

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Sunday 5th May 2019

I know you said small, but you could get a Superb 280 for this kind of money

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

MrModo

Original Poster

47 posts

162 months

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Sunday 5th May 2019

S54Love said:

I know you said small, but you could get a Superb 280 for this kind of money

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

That’s a lot of car there, my son loves them, it’s like being in a limo in the back

ZX10R NIN

30,528 posts

154 months

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Sunday 5th May 2019

MrModo

Original Poster

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162 months

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Monday 6th May 2019

ZX10R NIN said:

Thank you Mr ZR10R NIN!

Some great alternatives there

I'd love the Lexus, but the high RFL would sting

I have considered a Jag, but my fear is reliability, but I wonder if that is unfounded now?

The Insignia is alot of car for the money...the 16 plate one you send was £7k cheaper that the 340i I have looked at.

VXR8 - Too much testosterone there for me I fear

Now the Q50S looks great, but there are only 2 of those in the country, so I've no idea how I'd go about even looking at one?? The nearest dealer is 80 miles away in London

Giulia - That is a beautiful looking car, I think I'll look to see if there is one local to me

Vignale - I guess you can't really go wrong with a car like this but does it feel special? :/

335i - I am thinking about a petrol 3 series alternative to the M135/140. The local dealer suggested a 2016 340i with 20k @ £25k. But it would be high RFL and also I worry it'll depreciate like a stone, already CAP and WeBuyAnyCar value it around £19k ...so that's a huge loss before I've even driven it away.

S4 - Yes considered one of these a few time - It's the silly bucket seats that put me off and potential big maintenance bills

Cupras - Logically a great choice, great value ...but that interior ...

..again ZR10N, thanks!

S100HP

13,771 posts

196 months

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Monday 6th May 2019

The is a white V60 polestar for 22k on auto trader

I just found a great car on Auto Trader.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...

ZX10R NIN

30,528 posts

154 months

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Monday 6th May 2019

MrModo said:

Thank you Mr ZR10R NIN!

Some great alternatives there

I'd love the Lexus, but the high RFL would sting

I have considered a Jag, but my fear is reliability, but I wonder if that is unfounded now?

The Insignia is alot of car for the money...the 16 plate one you send was £7k cheaper that the 340i I have looked at.

VXR8 - Too much testosterone there for me I fear

Now the Q50S looks great, but there are only 2 of those in the country, so I've no idea how I'd go about even looking at one?? The nearest dealer is 80 miles away in London

Giulia - That is a beautiful looking car, I think I'll look to see if there is one local to me

Vignale - I guess you can't really go wrong with a car like this but does it feel special? :/

335i - I am thinking about a petrol 3 series alternative to the M135/140. The local dealer suggested a 2016 340i with 20k @ £25k. But it would be high RFL and also I worry it'll depreciate like a stone, already CAP and WeBuyAnyCar value it around £19k ...so that's a huge loss before I've even driven it away.

S4 - Yes considered one of these a few time - It's the silly bucket seats that put me off and potential big maintenance bills

Cupras - Logically a great choice, great value ...but that interior ...

..again ZR10N, thanks!

I'd say don't get to hung up on the RFL when it comes to the Lexus as the depreciation difference on an IS-F vs a 335i the difference will be more than £270 in the Lexus's favour so I wouldn't strike it off.

The Jaguars are as reliable as any of the German brands so I wouldn't write it off for reliability because that's not the case & they're a good drive.

The VXR is the underrated car of the group & well worth a look yes it'll depreciate a bit more than the 335i but look at how much car you get.

Q50S there are 5 in the UK (there were 6 but I bought one on Friday) it depends where you are in the UK? Reading has one in stock, also you could go & look at a petrol/diesel one locally (look for a Sport model) so you can get a feel for one & it'll help you decide if you want to travel to look at the S.

The one I linked to in Belfast is the one I'd go for as it's the best colour/mileage & they'll do a deal on delivery.

As I said I've just bought another one for another family member they are so well spec'd & the performance is right up there, I averaged 43mpg whilst not hanging about on the way back from Blackpool.

The Mondeo is a nice place to be but I will say they don't feel as special as 6 cylinder rivals it's the same with the Alfa Giulia if you are considering the Giulia the 2.0T Q50 may well work for you & out of this & the two above I'd take the Q50 although it would be very close between this & the Alfa.

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

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

The VXR8 is actually very civilised & a good steer with consumables being sensibly priced too.

I know what you mean about the Leon Interior at which point I'd say an S3:

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

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

A45 AMG

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

Or the CLA250 Estate

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

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

Q30 Sport same as the above but with AWD

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

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

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

MrModo

Original Poster

47 posts

162 months

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[news]

Monday 6th May 2019

S100HP said:

The is a white V60 polestar for 22k on auto trader

I just found a great car on Auto Trader.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...

Spotters badge for you! Great find there, not a million miles away from me either beer

MrModo

Original Poster

47 posts

162 months

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[news]

Monday 6th May 2019

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say don't get to hung up on the RFL when it comes to the Lexus as the depreciation difference on an IS-F vs a 335i the difference will be more than £270 in the Lexus's favour so I wouldn't strike it off.

The Jaguars are as reliable as any of the German brands so I wouldn't write it off for reliability because that's not the case & they're a good drive.

The VXR is the underrated car of the group & well worth a look yes it'll depreciate a bit more than the 335i but look at how much car you get.

Q50S there are 5 in the UK (there were 6 but I bought one on Friday) it depends where you are in the UK? Reading has one in stock, also you could go & look at a petrol/diesel one locally (look for a Sport model) so you can get a feel for one & it'll help you decide if you want to travel to look at the S.

The one I linked to in Belfast is the one I'd go for as it's the best colour/mileage & they'll do a deal on delivery.

As I said I've just bought another one for another family member they are so well spec'd & the performance is right up there, I averaged 43mpg whilst not hanging about on the way back from Blackpool.

The Mondeo is a nice place to be but I will say they don't feel as special as 6 cylinder rivals it's the same with the Alfa Giulia if you are considering the Giulia the 2.0T Q50 may well work for you & out of this & the two above I'd take the Q50 although it would be very close between this & the Alfa.

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

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

The VXR8 is actually very civilised & a good steer with consumables being sensibly priced too.

I know what you mean about the Leon Interior at which point I'd say an S3:

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

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

A45 AMG

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

Or the CLA250 Estate

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

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

Q30 Sport same as the above but with AWD

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

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

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

I'm on the Essex/Suffolk border, it seems we have no cars here in the country and pickings are slim

I have a IS-F about 50 miles away
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

S3 is a good option, I went to look at a Golf R today, which seemed good.

I'd disregarded the AMG A45 and CLA250 as I thought it was out of my budget, didn't realise they went back that far

With Infinity's there just aren't any near to me and all a fair distance, which is a shame as they look a good option, but need to see one up close

Thank you again ZX10N!

Johnnytheboy

24,499 posts

215 months

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Monday 6th May 2019

You'll get a Golf R Estate for that money,

ZX10R NIN

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154 months

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Monday 6th May 2019

MrModo said:

I'm on the Essex/Suffolk border, it seems we have no cars here in the country and pickings are slim

I have a IS-F about 50 miles away
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

S3 is a good option, I went to look at a Golf R today, which seemed good.

I'd disregarded the AMG A45 and CLA250 as I thought it was out of my budget, didn't realise they went back that far

With Infinity's there just aren't any near to me and all a fair distance, which is a shame as they look a good option, but need to see one up close

Thank you again ZX10N!

Give Lexus a call I'm pretty sure you can extend the warranty on that car, you are out of sensible range when it comes to the Infiniti's but that IS-F is well worth a look.

giblet

9,149 posts

206 months

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Monday 6th May 2019

Having owned a couple of ISFs now I’d recommend viewing the one local to you. There is something about them that made me pick one (twice) over the C63 and the M3. Not sure how it will be for you in term of practicality though given the boot space when compared to an estate.

MrModo

Original Poster

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162 months

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Monday 6th May 2019

giblet said:

Having owned a couple of ISFs now I’d recommend viewing the one local to you. There is something about them that made me pick one (twice) over the C63 and the M3. Not sure how it will be for you in term of practicality though given the boot space when compared to an estate.

Practicality with regards to boot space isn't that much of an issue, I have access to other vehicles.

Is it the perfect mix of reliability vs performance ...aka dad car?

MrModo

Original Poster

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162 months

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Monday 6th May 2019

giblet said:

Having owned a couple of ISFs now I’d recommend viewing the one local to you. There is something about them that made me pick one (twice) over the C63 and the M3. Not sure how it will be for you in term of practicality though given the boot space when compared to an estate.

How did you find servicing costs? I have a local Lexus dealer in Ipswich, so locality isn't an issue