fruity sounding family hatch/estate £8k

[browna]

Im soon looking for a new car, it'll mostly be for a short commute across town, and the odd family trips at the weekends (2 adults 2 young kids).

im planning on getting a mk3 mr2 or similar for fun driving so it doesn't need to be fast or handle superbly, but I want it to SOUND nice when I get put my foot down.

anyway, at the moment im driving a super reliable (touch wood) 2010 civic petrol 1.8si, its getting a little cramped when full of kids and stuff for trips away, and im bored of the 4 pot sound on a daily basis. I miss my vr6! lol.

So really I want something a little bigger and more cylinders and ideally not older than 10 years as I want to keep it a good few years.

My car knowledge tends to peter out around 2010 as I grew up with 90s/00s cars, Ive always loved the golf R32 and MK2 focus ST for their engines, I these are getting on a bit now, all nearly over 10 years old, and will still be a bit of a squeeze for the fam. (although a roof box would prob solve this)

bmw 330i tourings seem rare-ish and high milage, newer golf gti/Octavia/mk3 st focus estates all have 2/0 turbo engines, which don't sound as nice as as na 6 cylinder to me.
I guess its gonna be an audi a4, 3 series beemer or merc? im not too familiar with mercs tho, they seem like higher running costs then a honda lol.
why don't honda do v6's lol. stupid emissions.
what else am I missing?

Edited by browna on Tuesday 11th February 11:46

[culpz]

Lexus IS300/IS250? Not as good to drive as a BMW but are pretty bulletproof.

[Jack Mansfield]

You could get into an Audi S4, but at 8k max it will be an older one so not ideal for you...

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

You could get into a MINI Cooper S Clubman - four cylinder but MINIs usually sound pretty good to me. Although probably no more space than your Civic.

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

Like you say, a BMW 330i or 325i Touring (or 525d) would be ideal, but are pretty rare. 6 cylinder Diesel would be much easier to find.

325d - https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

525d - https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Mercedes E350? Again, it's a 6 cylinder diesel though - not sure if you want that.

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

[browna]

thanks, yeah lexus IS250 look pretty good, just the auto box and lack of hatchback slightly annoying, but a contender.
i defo dont want/need a diesel.
if i could find a bmw 330/325i touring manual, would prob be ideal, but seems too.. inevitable lol, just want to think what else there is.

[Benbay001]

Subaru Legacy Spec B?

[ZX10R NIN]

All of the below may need some exhaust work to release the engine note but all can have a note.

My first pick is the underrated Insignia VXR

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Leftfield

Infiniti G37

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

IS250 Advance (facelift model)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

WRX STI I know it's a 4pot but it does have a distinctive note

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[browna]

Thanks ZX, I hadn’t thought of some of those,
I do like the vxr, in theory. It ticks lots of boxes, available in manual, hatch back or estate. Shame that turbos tend to dull the v6 sound so much tho.

The G37 is also a great idea, I love the 370z so a civilised 4 door Version sound great, have to try and find one to try.

I’ve read the IS250 has a sluggish auto which would put me off.

How about the Skoda superb 3.6, same engine as the Passat r36? But seem a bit cheaper. Any known issues with these? Might be a bit too big for my needs.

Unfortunately I think the legacy spec bs are prob getting a bit old and leggy at the mo.

Keep ideas coming tho!

Edited by browna on Tuesday 11th February 21:04

Edited by browna on Tuesday 11th February 21:06

[Digby]

Honda Elysion / Odyssey? That will get you a Honda V6 on older models (so will an NSX and a trailer)

Then just get the exhaust modded

Also if you like the G37, there's these....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-LEGEND-AWD-3-5-i-...LgAAOSwdGtcv4Kl

Edited by Digby on Tuesday 11th February 21:19

[AJB88]

Alfa 3.2 V6? 159?

[ZX10R NIN]

browna said:

Thanks ZX, I hadn’t thought of some of those,
I do like the vxr, in theory. It ticks lots of boxes, available in manual, hatch back or estate. Shame that turbos tend to dull the v6 sound so much tho.

The G37 is also a great idea, I love the 370z so a civilised 4 door Version sound great, have to try and find one to try.

I’ve read the IS250 has a sluggish auto which would put me off.

How about the Skoda superb 3.6, same engine as the Passat r36? But seem a bit cheaper. Any known issues with these? Might be a bit too big for my needs.

Unfortunately I think the legacy spec bs are prob getting a bit old and leggy at the mo.

Keep ideas coming tho!

The VXR can sound good:

https://youtu.be/krYRsjorrHI

Standard car go to 1.45 in

https://youtu.be/D6i0WNDzpZM

A map really helps these, not with the bhp but the torque that Vuaxhall took out to make them seem more like an N/A engine.

[Lukas239]

Nissan stagea? Single turbo skyline engine in a big Japanese bus. Hard to find I imagine though