Big, fast, family and fun??

[insanelewis21]

Do those words go in the same sentence when car shopping?

I need a big car for family stuff, camping, and general load lugging.

I wanted to get a separate fast car but don't have the space.

I currently drive a vw touran and it's been the best and most reliable car I have ever had. But. It's a bit dull even though its great size wise.

Apart from the obvious 535d, octavia vrs etc the octavia most likely being too small. Am I missing anything else.

Up to 15k-18k.

From what I've seen a 535d is probs the fastest most powerful for that price?


Sorry forgot to add. Needs to be fairly good on fuel. I do upwards of 20k a year.

Thanks

Edited by insanelewis21 on Thursday 13th June 09:42

[cobra kid]

I'm exactly the same but on a lot lower budget! Currently on a 161k mile Golf that's been the best car I've ever had!

[anonymous-user]

Jeep SRT8 if you can afford the petrol.

I can’t see a diesel BMW ever being fun.

[MiniMan64]

I've got an Alfa 156 SW V6 which I bought to might that criteria although it's not quite as large as most estates it's plenty fast enough!

[Tickle]

Forester STI

[SidewaysSi]

I am buying a Forester STI at the moment. Pretty much perfect for not a load of money. I didn't want a BMW/Merc for this and couldn't think of anything better for sub £20k.

[hornmeister]

Strectch the budget a little
AMG C63 estate. For example:

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

[rsbmw]

The answer to big and (ridiculously) fast in the 15k bracket is XFR.

[insanelewis21]

Sorry guys should of said, I'm doing 20k plus miles a year. I don't want 15mpg would like 35 plus mpg. Ideally.

[rsbmw]

XFR will do ~29 if that's mostly motorway. I'm averaging 20ish but that's mainly short journeys to the train station and/or golf club these days.

[kambites]

Have a look at the Octavia. It's really not that much smaller inside than cars like the 5-series.

Failing that you could maybe get a TSI Superb estate at the top end of your budget?

[James_33]

wormus said:

Jeep SRT8 if you can afford the petrol.

I can’t see a diesel BMW ever being fun.

But a best part of 2.5 ton jeep will be?

[motco]

B7 RS4 Avant...

[Xcore]

E60 m5?

[RobM77]

wormus said:

Jeep SRT8 if you can afford the petrol.

I can’t see a diesel BMW ever being fun.

I agree... if I had to drive over a rugged mountain in the rain On the road I'd take the rear drive option, the one that's lighter and the one with a lower CofG - now if only one car matched all three of those things

[PH5121]

In the classifieds on here there is an Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro estate for sale from Sytners for £17k.

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

I don't know if these figures are correct, but 313bhp sounds fun.

[insanelewis21]

kambites said:

Have a look at the Octavia. It's really not that much smaller inside than cars like the 5-series.

Failing that you could maybe get a TSI Superb estate at the top end of your budget?

Yeah I quite like the look of the superb in sportline trim. I think it's the biggest estate too.

[louiebaby]

It sounds like you want a big estate car, not an SUV, right?

If you want pace and fuel economy, you're probably looking at a bigger capacity diesel, and you'd want good ride and handling too.

Unless I'm missing anything, your options are Jag XF, BMW 5, Mercedes E and Audi A6.

No one else does anything in the >3 litre diesel estate market, with a target price of £15-£20k do they?

What have I missed?

[cerb4.5lee]

535d Touring seems the best to me as you already mention. Maybe a 430d/435d GC if you compromise a bit on space.

[RobM77]

cerb4.5lee said:

535d Touring seems the best to me as you already mention. Maybe a 430d/435d GC if you compromise a bit on space.

I agree.

A 530d could be my next car actually, as with a kid now we're struggling for space on holidays and my trailer and new heavier racing car are a bit much for my 3 series to tow. For me FWD and/or a high CofG like the Touran or similar have is immediately out, leaving an E class or 5 series estate, and apparently the 5 has the edge on driving enjoyment (I've not driven an E class). They're both auto only, which is a major thing for me - not sure what the OP thinks about that? If the OP is open to FWD, there are a few other options, such as the Octavia VRS he mentions (which may have more space than he guesses, being FWD), or perhaps an ST220 estate (did they make one?). I'm guessing an Impreza is too small?