Fun to drive estate or suv
Discussion
Looking for suggestions on a fun to drive estate or SUV for the family (and general load lugging duties) which doesn’t have ridiculous road tax costs.
Bit of context:
- my e91 335i was only ‘just’ large enough
- my forester SG 2.5XT is awesome but getting
old and is a little too noisy and basic on longer journeys.
- we do go off down farmers tracks for dog walks
- I do throw bikes, kites and surfboards on/in it
- My other car is an e46 M3 and I'll be keeping it
Budget is up to £16k but want to spend less.
Ideally an interesting engine.
No diesels.
So far I keep coming back to an S4 Avant or Allroad, Newer Forester XT, Octavia VRS estate or Merc C350.
Bit of context:
- my e91 335i was only ‘just’ large enough
- my forester SG 2.5XT is awesome but getting
old and is a little too noisy and basic on longer journeys.
- we do go off down farmers tracks for dog walks
- I do throw bikes, kites and surfboards on/in it
- My other car is an e46 M3 and I'll be keeping it
Budget is up to £16k but want to spend less.
Ideally an interesting engine.
No diesels.
So far I keep coming back to an S4 Avant or Allroad, Newer Forester XT, Octavia VRS estate or Merc C350.
Edited by theador on Tuesday 19th May 07:50
Edited by theador on Wednesday 20th May 10:47
Chubbyross said:
I have an Octavia vrs. It’s brilliant (dodgy water pump aside). Cavernous boot, great for transporting bikes/family stuff, decent performance and all-round decent family workhorse.
Yes very tempting, what's more one has just come up for sale down the road. What engine is in them?Edited by theador on Tuesday 19th May 07:53
Raddors said:
Without looking it up I would say and S4 Avant isn't going to be much bigger than the 335i. S4 boot is big enough but not huge for adult rear passengers.
Yeah would need to go and look at one again. I know when I got my 335i thinking the boot was a bit bigger and more useable in the Audi; admittedly it was the previous version to one I'd be looking at now.The 340/S4/C43 estates are all good and differ in their flaws so offer a pretty comprehensive choice between them. But the boots aren’t actually that big. Plus, they all come with silly wheels and body kits that make them a pain to then stick down a rutted or pitted track etc. A 535i might be the better call in terms of boot space and bang for buck.
An SUV probably fits the bill better as it will also compliment your other cars via its contrast which I’ve found to be important when running more than one car.
I’d be tempted by an old shape Cayenne S. you’d need to shop intelligently but for a van they manage to be fun to drive when you want it and then mundane when you don’t. The issue is the running costs so it’s only really viable if you have a good Indy in easy reach.
As much as I love LR products I wouldn’t bother with one in the sort of price range. Just too much of a lottery.
An SUV probably fits the bill better as it will also compliment your other cars via its contrast which I’ve found to be important when running more than one car.
I’d be tempted by an old shape Cayenne S. you’d need to shop intelligently but for a van they manage to be fun to drive when you want it and then mundane when you don’t. The issue is the running costs so it’s only really viable if you have a good Indy in easy reach.
As much as I love LR products I wouldn’t bother with one in the sort of price range. Just too much of a lottery.
Alpina B10. Spend some of your saving on annual upkeep.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
You’re welcome
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
You’re welcome
DoubleD said:
What about an X5, your budget would get you a 4.4 litre petrol.
Yeah I was thinking that is also a natural fit. I've never been a fan of the X5, something about it being built for and in the US market. Also anything with a £500+ annual tax bill is somehow looking less appealing these days.The spinner of plates said:
Alpina B10. Spend some of your saving on annual upkeep.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
You’re welcome
Haha yeah an E61 BMW ALPINA B5 S would also fit the bill nicely. Those farmer tracks would ruin it though, and there's nothing more embarrassing than a BMW being pulled out of the mud by a Defender...https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
You’re welcome
theador said:
Yes very tempting, what's more one has just come up for sale down the road. What engine is in them?
The VAG 2.0 TSI lump. It's got a reasonable turn of speed but if there's a less characterful petrol engine in existance I don't think I've experienced it!It's a tricky one because longitudinally mounted engines tend to cripple interior space, so you either need a huge (5-series sized) car or a transverse engined setup which these days almost always means a straight four. The exception to that is Subarus with a longitudinal boxer-four which is obviously a very short engine.
How about a mk2 Focus ST Estate (I think they made one?). That's got a straight-5. Otherwise if you want an interesting engine with more space than a 3-series I'd be looking at a 5-series or E-class estate.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 19th May 08:30
kambites said:
The VAG 2.0 TSI lump. It's got a reasonable turn of speed but if there's a less characterful petrol engine in existance I don't think I've experienced it!
That might take it back off the table then. Between the e46 M3 and the 2.5 XT Boxer I'm pretty spoilt for geekiness.kambites said:
The VAG 2.0 TSI lump. It's got a reasonable turn of speed but if there's a less characterful petrol engine in existance I don't think I've experienced it!
It's a tricky one because longitudinally mounted engines tend to cripple interior space, so you either need a huge (5-series sized) car or a transverse engined setup which these days almost always means a straight four. The exception to that is Subarus with a longitudinal boxer-four which is obviously a very short engine.
How about a mk2 Focus ST Estate (I think they made one?). That's got a straight-5.
The ST is interesting. I had a Volvo 850R with pretty much the same 5 cylinder in it; awesome car too. In all my years I have never owned a Ford though.It's a tricky one because longitudinally mounted engines tend to cripple interior space, so you either need a huge (5-series sized) car or a transverse engined setup which these days almost always means a straight four. The exception to that is Subarus with a longitudinal boxer-four which is obviously a very short engine.
How about a mk2 Focus ST Estate (I think they made one?). That's got a straight-5.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 19th May 08:29
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff