Large petrol estate, ~£20k
Discussion
My bargain Hyundai lease goes back soon (thanks leasing deals thread!), and in the absence of any similarly amazing lease offers, I’m going to buy a nearly new car this time round.
Criteria are:
Large estate - big enough for 4 adults to go camping, 5 at a push.
Petrol - I’m intending to keep this for a long time, and it doesn’t seem wise to invest in diesel at the moment.
Decent spec - Heated seats and adaptive cruise are the minimum
Reliable - I plan to run this for a few years out of warranty, so I don’t want anything that’s too likely to throw up big bills
A nice to have is a panoramic roof - I love how bright and open they make a car feel.
I like an auto, but happy with manual too.
I’m looking at spending around £20k, but could stretch to £22k, and I want something <2 years old, <30k miles.
Top contenders so far are the Skoda Superb and Passat (is the 2019 “Evo” model worth stretching for?).
I’ve driven the Mazda 6 touring which was lovely, but it’s quite a bit smaller inside than the other two.
Are there any other options as good as these? Or should I just keep an eye out for the best example of them in my budget?
Criteria are:
Large estate - big enough for 4 adults to go camping, 5 at a push.
Petrol - I’m intending to keep this for a long time, and it doesn’t seem wise to invest in diesel at the moment.
Decent spec - Heated seats and adaptive cruise are the minimum
Reliable - I plan to run this for a few years out of warranty, so I don’t want anything that’s too likely to throw up big bills
A nice to have is a panoramic roof - I love how bright and open they make a car feel.
I like an auto, but happy with manual too.
I’m looking at spending around £20k, but could stretch to £22k, and I want something <2 years old, <30k miles.
Top contenders so far are the Skoda Superb and Passat (is the 2019 “Evo” model worth stretching for?).
I’ve driven the Mazda 6 touring which was lovely, but it’s quite a bit smaller inside than the other two.
Are there any other options as good as these? Or should I just keep an eye out for the best example of them in my budget?
Superb.
Had a 2.0 diesel for 3 years now and planning to buy it when the lease runs outside shortly. Nice cruiser and reasonably well fitted out. Loads of room in the canal and in the back. I have also driven the 1.5 150 petroleum and the 220 as rentals. Both OK around town and steady well over 100 on the autobahn.
20k should see you comfortably looking at a range of models and spec options including the pano roof.
Had a 2.0 diesel for 3 years now and planning to buy it when the lease runs outside shortly. Nice cruiser and reasonably well fitted out. Loads of room in the canal and in the back. I have also driven the 1.5 150 petroleum and the 220 as rentals. Both OK around town and steady well over 100 on the autobahn.
20k should see you comfortably looking at a range of models and spec options including the pano roof.
I've had my Superb 280 L&K estate for 6 months now. I bought it for £23k at 2.5 years old, with 23k miles on the clock.
The only "toys" that it doesn't have are heated steering wheel and ventilated seats. It does have a pano roof, heated seats (front and rear), adaptive cruise, lane assist, park assist, TV.
Massive rear legroom and a decent size boot. 0-60 in under 6 seconds, but still manages to average just shy of 35mpg.
The only "toys" that it doesn't have are heated steering wheel and ventilated seats. It does have a pano roof, heated seats (front and rear), adaptive cruise, lane assist, park assist, TV.
Massive rear legroom and a decent size boot. 0-60 in under 6 seconds, but still manages to average just shy of 35mpg.
Just to be boring, another Superb vote here.
I've had my 2017 2.0tdi 150 DSG L&K estate for a few weeks and it's a brilliant thing.
All models bar the lowest get adaptive cruise, you get android auto/carplay, and with the L&K version, a very decent amount of toys.
With the ACC, adaptive Lane guidance, DCC (leccy suspension), and Canton 12 speaker stereo, motorway journeys seem like a quarter of the time. I wanted the towbar and sunroof but couldn't find one with a roof, the factory towbar is a very good solution of you'll need it, flips away under the bumper with the pull of a lever.
You should get a tsi 220 or 1.5tsi L&K (or sportline of you want something sportier, but with less toys) for around 20k.
I've had my 2017 2.0tdi 150 DSG L&K estate for a few weeks and it's a brilliant thing.
All models bar the lowest get adaptive cruise, you get android auto/carplay, and with the L&K version, a very decent amount of toys.
With the ACC, adaptive Lane guidance, DCC (leccy suspension), and Canton 12 speaker stereo, motorway journeys seem like a quarter of the time. I wanted the towbar and sunroof but couldn't find one with a roof, the factory towbar is a very good solution of you'll need it, flips away under the bumper with the pull of a lever.
You should get a tsi 220 or 1.5tsi L&K (or sportline of you want something sportier, but with less toys) for around 20k.
Edited by Tall_Paul on Wednesday 20th November 15:04
V90, step up in class from the Superb imho, try this for example (might have pushed the budget slightly...)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Lots of love for the Superb! It’s comforting to know that I wouldn’t be making a mistake by going for one.
All of the L&K versions I’ve seen so far have either been well over budget, or a bit older.
Hopefully if I keep an eye out something will come up; it has pretty much everything I’d like.
The 280 bhp version would be ideal, but I think if I can get a newer/lower miles 190/220 for the money then that would be the sensible option...
We test drove the V90 when considering one for a lease, and I was very impressed by it - the interior was a higher class than anything else I’ve driven. However I’m not sure if that justifies the extra few £k, I might need to have another look at one now I’m planning to buy rather than lease.
I think I’ll struggle to convince my wife that the C63 is a sensible, cheap-to-run option! It looks surprisingly good for a ten year old car though.
All of the L&K versions I’ve seen so far have either been well over budget, or a bit older.
Hopefully if I keep an eye out something will come up; it has pretty much everything I’d like.
The 280 bhp version would be ideal, but I think if I can get a newer/lower miles 190/220 for the money then that would be the sensible option...
We test drove the V90 when considering one for a lease, and I was very impressed by it - the interior was a higher class than anything else I’ve driven. However I’m not sure if that justifies the extra few £k, I might need to have another look at one now I’m planning to buy rather than lease.
I think I’ll struggle to convince my wife that the C63 is a sensible, cheap-to-run option! It looks surprisingly good for a ten year old car though.
Edited by grahamr88 on Thursday 21st November 07:40
I'm going to go against the grain above & although I rate the Superb when I had the choice I went for the Mondeo Vignale:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I preferred the drive of the Ford & I haven't regretted it, the service from the main dealers has been excellent with nothing being to much trouble.
So I'd say take a look at one before pulling the trigger.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I preferred the drive of the Ford & I haven't regretted it, the service from the main dealers has been excellent with nothing being to much trouble.
So I'd say take a look at one before pulling the trigger.
ZX10R NIN said:
I'm going to go against the grain above & although I rate the Superb when I had the choice I went for the Mondeo Vignale:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I preferred the drive of the Ford & I haven't regretted it, the service from the main dealers has been excellent with nothing being to much trouble.
So I'd say take a look at one before pulling the trigger.
I’d kind of dismissed the Mondeo and I don’t know why... the Vignale is certainly well-specced for the money. How’s the auto box on it? I’ve struggled to find much information on it; is it dual clutch or a torque converter?https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I preferred the drive of the Ford & I haven't regretted it, the service from the main dealers has been excellent with nothing being to much trouble.
So I'd say take a look at one before pulling the trigger.
The Kia Optima looks like it has all the toys too, and the 7 year warranty would be a real bonus. Has anyone got much experience with them?
Narcisus said:
The Mad Monk said:
MB E Class £34,000?
Except thats 14k more than the OP wants to spend did you read his post ? 
But, if you are going to get grumpy about the money. What about this one, and it's still a Mercedes!
https://tinyurl.com/rohjr5v
Edited by The Mad Monk on Friday 22 November 08:38
Mammasaid said:
V90, step up in class from the Superb imho, try this for example (might have pushed the budget slightly...)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The Volvo V90 is a nice thing, but it likely topped 40k when new, putting you into the diabolical premium car tax until its sixth yearhttps://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
grahamr88 said:
I’d kind of dismissed the Mondeo and I don’t know why... the Vignale is certainly well-specced for the money. How’s the auto box on it? I’ve struggled to find much information on it; is it dual clutch or a torque converter?
The Kia Optima looks like it has all the toys too, and the 7 year warranty would be a real bonus. Has anyone got much experience with them?
The box is fine it's a dual clutch my brother has an Optima as his daily & it hasn't missed a beat but he admits my Mondeo is a better car but at the price he got his Optima for you couldn't get a Vignale for.The Kia Optima looks like it has all the toys too, and the 7 year warranty would be a real bonus. Has anyone got much experience with them?
grahamr88 said:
My bargain Hyundai lease goes back soon (thanks leasing deals thread!), and in the absence of any similarly amazing lease offers, I’m going to buy a nearly new car this time round.
Criteria are:
Large estate - big enough for 4 adults to go camping, 5 at a push.
Petrol - I’m intending to keep this for a long time, and it doesn’t seem wise to invest in diesel at the moment.
Decent spec - Heated seats and adaptive cruise are the minimum
Reliable - I plan to run this for a few years out of warranty, so I don’t want anything that’s too likely to throw up big bills
A nice to have is a panoramic roof - I love how bright and open they make a car feel.
I like an auto, but happy with manual too.
I’m looking at spending around £20k, but could stretch to £22k, and I want something <2 years old, <30k miles.
Top contenders so far are the Skoda Superb and Passat (is the 2019 “Evo” model worth stretching for?).
I’ve driven the Mazda 6 touring which was lovely, but it’s quite a bit smaller inside than the other two.
Are there any other options as good as these? Or should I just keep an eye out for the best example of them in my budget?
I'm leasing a Mazda 6 Estate auto in Soul Red at the moment, it's a lovely car, highly recommended. I might see if I can buy it at the end of the lease, I have it for another year yet.Criteria are:
Large estate - big enough for 4 adults to go camping, 5 at a push.
Petrol - I’m intending to keep this for a long time, and it doesn’t seem wise to invest in diesel at the moment.
Decent spec - Heated seats and adaptive cruise are the minimum
Reliable - I plan to run this for a few years out of warranty, so I don’t want anything that’s too likely to throw up big bills
A nice to have is a panoramic roof - I love how bright and open they make a car feel.
I like an auto, but happy with manual too.
I’m looking at spending around £20k, but could stretch to £22k, and I want something <2 years old, <30k miles.
Top contenders so far are the Skoda Superb and Passat (is the 2019 “Evo” model worth stretching for?).
I’ve driven the Mazda 6 touring which was lovely, but it’s quite a bit smaller inside than the other two.
Are there any other options as good as these? Or should I just keep an eye out for the best example of them in my budget?
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