Fast estates...

[ekulluke]

Evening. Going round and round in circles on the mighty auto trader here.

Currently in a Range Rover Sport 2011 which I like but it’s a waste considering it’s just me (my girlfriend has an Abarth 595). And I’m not a big diesel fan to be honest. Car history is 2 Fiesta ST2s (2014 and 2015), Suzuki Swift Sport, Defender 90.

After an estate of some form...need the space because I’m very into mountain bikes and motorbikes, plus SWMBO wants a dog soon.

Budget of 27k, doesn’t have to be that price but no higher. I’m 23 turning 24 early next year so insurance is a factor. Any ideas? I like a C43 but premium plus seems to be out of budget. I like a Cupra Leon Estate but not sure if I want to spend that much on a Seat. Clubman JCW gets the approval for the mrs but not sure I am sold.

Ideas and general discussion welcomed!

(Cue ZX10R NIN and the autotrader links!)

[Pulse]

S4 fits that budget.

[Legacywr]

Golf R estate, B8 RS4, C63? I’m guessing insurance could be a problem?

[nordboy]

I’d say 540i touring, but they’re still a bit pricey.

535d touring? If you need the space, then 5 series over a 3, if you could cope with slightly smaller, then a 340i touring would be a great option?

[Glenn63]

204 c63 would be top of the tree for me, Or if wanting something newer 340i.

[DoubleD]

ekulluke said:

Evening. Going round and round in circles on the mighty auto trader here.

Currently in a Range Rover Sport 2011 which I like but it’s a waste considering it’s just me (my girlfriend has an Abarth 595). And I’m not a big diesel fan to be honest. Car history is 2 Fiesta ST2s (2014 and 2015), Suzuki Swift Sport, Defender 90.

After an estate of some form...need the space because I’m very into mountain bikes and motorbikes, plus SWMBO wants a dog soon.

Budget of 27k, doesn’t have to be that price but no higher. I’m 23 turning 24 early next year so insurance is a factor. Any ideas? I like a C43 but premium plus seems to be out of budget. I like a Cupra Leon Estate but not sure if I want to spend that much on a Seat. Clubman JCW gets the approval for the mrs but not sure I am sold.

Ideas and general discussion welcomed!

(Cue ZX10R NIN and the autotrader links!)

Boring old fart question......have you got a house? If not then do that before spending loads on a car.

[ChocolateFrog]

If you're happy with small(ish) estates then a 340i fits the bill.

[clockworks]

Skoda Superb 280 4x4 estate, or the newer 272 version. Basically a stretched Golf R floorpan with a roomy estate shell. Plenty of toys with under-the-radar looks in L&K trim.

Not quite as fast as a Golf R, because it weighs a bit more and is detuned a little, bit still under 6 seconds to 60.

Only problem will be actually finding one for sale I think, but they do turn up at well under your budget. Probably cheaper to insure than some of the more obvious alternatives too.

[samoht]

C-Class wagon isn't that big if you're seriously into MTBs I reckon, you might want to look at the E, depends how much space you want.

E63 5.5TT 2014 for £27k
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012137...


(I just got a C55, previous owner spent a load of money on it then sold it to get one of the above because the C wasn't quite big enough for MTBs and all his other stuff)

[Wonderman]

ekulluke said:

Evening. Going round and round in circles on the mighty auto trader here.

Currently in a Range Rover Sport 2011 which I like but it’s a waste considering it’s just me (my girlfriend has an Abarth 595). And I’m not a big diesel fan to be honest. Car history is 2 Fiesta ST2s (2014 and 2015), Suzuki Swift Sport, Defender 90.

After an estate of some form...need the space because I’m very into mountain bikes and motorbikes, plus SWMBO wants a dog soon.

Budget of 27k, doesn’t have to be that price but no higher. I’m 23 turning 24 early next year so insurance is a factor. Any ideas? I like a C43 but premium plus seems to be out of budget. I like a Cupra Leon Estate but not sure if I want to spend that much on a Seat. Clubman JCW gets the approval for the mrs but not sure I am sold.

Ideas and general discussion welcomed!

(Cue ZX10R NIN and the autotrader links!)

Um toebar for the sport will cover off MTB and M/Cs or just lob it in the back if just you (MTB not a M/C) and boot is fine for dogs just put in the dogfencing and it'll be fine. Golf-R I had never got the MTB in it, so roof rack and on GB road you'll wish for the comfort of the RRS esp post ride.

Nippy and practical estate if I went that route again I'd be looking 5 series or maybe C class at that budget
Autotrader says 530i or C300 in budget for balance of performance / practicality plus room for the kids that follow the dog...Peter Vardy has a PremiumPlus C43 in stock...in budget if a bit leggy

[thenortherner]

I'm 3 weeks into ownership of a Focus ST estate. With your budget you could pretty much have a brand new one. Standard kit is brilliant and most seem to come kitted with the optional electric tailgate and HUD which are about the only options.

Let me know if you're interested or have any questions.

https://www.evanshalshaw.com/search/details/ford/f...

ETA - if you're at all concerned about depreciation then forget the MINI. The hold their value badly. I've just sold mine to buy the Focus. Private dealers don't want to know or will lowball you to reflect. Or you can sell to a main dealer directly, as I did, but don't expect to get more than 40% of your money back 2-3 years from now.

Also, the new 300hp Clubman sounds totally crap, almost like it's an appliance.

Edited by thenortherner on Tuesday 29th December 19:09

[ekulluke]

DoubleD said:

Boring old fart question......have you got a house? If not then do that before spending loads on a car.

No mate I live in the boot of the RRS ;-)

Joking yes bought a house at the start of lockdown! It would be a terrible waste of a house deposit if I was spending it on a car

[DoubleD]

ekulluke said:

DoubleD said:

Boring old fart question......have you got a house? If not then do that before spending loads on a car.

No mate I live in the boot of the RRS ;-)

Joking yes bought a house at the start of lockdown! It would be a terrible waste of a house deposit if I was spending it on a car

Good stuff. Enjoy what ever you buy.

[ekulluke]

thenortherner said:

I'm 3 weeks into ownership of a Focus ST estate. With your budget you could pretty much have a brand new one. Standard kit is brilliant and most seem to come kitted with the optional electric tailgate and HUD which are about the only options.

Let me know if you're interested or have any questions.

https://www.evanshalshaw.com/search/details/ford/f...

Thanks for the info and link fellow northerner.

What’s the finish like? And the performance/sound?

[ekulluke]

Pulse said:

S4 fits that budget.

Do you think? I only like the 2016/17 onwards ones and doesn’t look like a good prospect in my budget.

I do like them.

[ekulluke]

nordboy said:

I’d say 540i touring, but they’re still a bit pricey.

535d touring? If you need the space, then 5 series over a 3, if you could cope with slightly smaller, then a 340i touring would be a great option?

Don’t need masses of space but I also don’t want a diesel. I didn’t think of 340i. Missed my 428i off my car history, liked that but got rid to get the Range Rover for the boot.

Thank you for the suggestion.

[ekulluke]

samoht said:

C-Class wagon isn't that big if you're seriously into MTBs I reckon, you might want to look at the E, depends how much space you want.

E63 5.5TT 2014 for £27k
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012137...


(I just got a C55, previous owner spent a load of money on it then sold it to get one of the above because the C wasn't quite big enough for MTBs and all his other stuff)

I absolutely love that. An e63 is a dream car. I did an insurance quote...£2k

[thenortherner]

ekulluke said:

Thanks for the info and link fellow northerner.

What’s the finish like? And the performance/sound?

The finish is generally good. I think at first I looked for problems having come from a more 'premium' mark but there's not much in it. The plastics are probably a notch lower quality in feel than a BMW 3 series etc but that's reflected in the price. If I were to spec a 330i Touring to the same level it'd be £10k+ more like for like. Easily. The seats are about the best I've sat in and I've had a Volvo before. They're electrically adjustable and so is the lumbar support, plus 3 stage heating. And the standard heated steering wheel and screen are working out well at the moment.

I've not really pushed it too much yet - it's not stopped raining since I bought it - but at 280hp and 420nm torque it picks up more than well enough. It's the same lump from the outgone Focus RS and accelerates better 30-70 than the RS did (according to Ford and a few write ups I've read).

The noise is fairly muted from the outside except for cold starts. In sport mode you get the odd pop and crackle from the exhaust but nothing like the contrived farts from Golf R DSGs and lower rent model AMGs etc.

[ekulluke]

DoubleD said:

Good stuff. Enjoy what ever you buy.

Thank you DoubleD

[galtezza]

ekulluke said:

samoht said:

C-Class wagon isn't that big if you're seriously into MTBs I reckon, you might want to look at the E, depends how much space you want.

E63 5.5TT 2014 for £27k
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012137...


(I just got a C55, previous owner spent a load of money on it then sold it to get one of the above because the C wasn't quite big enough for MTBs and all his other stuff)

I absolutely love that. An e63 is a dream car. I did an insurance quote...£2k

Its an incredible engine vs the newer 4.0tt, shame about the interior vs the new car tho.