Looking for an estate for ~£16k

[NSteve101]

Hi all,

In the market for an estate car with a budget of around £16k.

I’ve considered SUVs but like the feel/drive of an estate better and typically there’s not too much in it for space.

- Ideally I’d like a relatively newer car ie. 16-18 plate
- Petrol as I don’t do enough miles to justify a diesel
- Something semi-quick, around 180bhp+
- A nice interior is high on my list, with as many optional extras as possible.

I’ve found a 16 plate Audi a4 avant 2.0 s line with tech pack which looks very nice.

Another one I saw was a Jaguar XF Portfolio - really like the interior but unsure on reliability/quality. It’s also rear wheel drive and around 240bhp which would make driving more exciting. But a good one looks around £18k with a bit of haggling so might need to look in the sofa for some more money!

Not a fan of the bmws especially the interior, but know they are great for driving. I think Mercedes are out of budget, a couple c200s have caught my eye but like the bmw options are low spec.

Those are the premium brands I’ve considered but I’m also aware I could get more for my money with something like a Mazda6, perhaps Skoda vrs etc.

Any opinions/thoughts? Right now I’m swaying towards the Jaguar.

[f1ten]

2008 c63 wagon. You will never look back!

[MiniMan64]

f1ten said:

2008 c63 wagon. You will never look back!

Just the 8 years out of age range then!

[Keepersball]

I’m probably really biased as I’ve just bought one but for the money, performance and kit you can’t beat a Skoda in my opinion.

If you want something large have a look at a superb https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008262...

If you want something more sporty looking then an octavia VRS is a great choice
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...

You’ll find both have loads of performance loads of toys and are within age and budget as well as being cheaper to run than bmw or Audi equivalents

[NSteve101]

f1ten said:

2008 c63 wagon. You will never look back!

Certainly tick the power box! But looking for something more modern. And relatively cheap(er) to run.

[NSteve101]

Keepersball said:

I’m probably really biased as I’ve just bought one but for the money, performance and kit you can’t beat a Skoda in my opinion.

If you want something large have a look at a superb https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008262...

If you want something more sporty looking then an octavia VRS is a great choice
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...

You’ll find both have loads of performance loads of toys and are within age and budget as well as being cheaper to run than bmw or Audi equivalents

Skoda is definitely on my radar. Does the driving position in an octavia feel like that of an Audi etc? From pictures it looks like the position is quite high up and the centre console has a massive drop in it. I haven’t actually gone and sat in one yet because of Lockdown!

[MiniMan64]

NSteve101 said:

Keepersball said:

I’m probably really biased as I’ve just bought one but for the money, performance and kit you can’t beat a Skoda in my opinion.

If you want something large have a look at a superb https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008262...

If you want something more sporty looking then an octavia VRS is a great choice
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...

You’ll find both have loads of performance loads of toys and are within age and budget as well as being cheaper to run than bmw or Audi equivalents

Skoda is definitely on my radar. Does the driving position in an octavia feel like that of an Audi etc? From pictures it looks like the position is quite high up and the centre console has a massive drop in it. I haven’t actually gone and sat in one yet because of Lockdown!

I think Octavia VRS is rapidly becoming the standard answer to 90% of the car buying questions on this forum, it's the new MX5.

(I pick mine up on Saturday by the way although my budget was a little tighter than yours!)

[ZX10R NIN]

A budget stretch & some haggling will land you a Mondeo Vignale 240 this ticks the boxes with both spec & power:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010275...

Back on budget a Titanium with the X Pack 240 is another option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012086...

V60 T4 R Design a bit smaller but a nice estate

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012167...

Superb SE L Executive 220 nice cars but I'd buy the better steering Mondeo everytime (especially in Vignale spec) over one of these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010275...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101198...

[Pistonheader101]

335i estate

[aaron_2000]

Having had an XF, exciting is one thing it certainly isn't.

[aaron_2000]

For what you want, this is about as close as you'll get.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012307...


Or if you can stretch a little more, this would be perfect

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010074...

[Wagonwheel555]

MiniMan64 said:

I think Octavia VRS is rapidly becoming the standard answer to 90% of the car buying questions on this forum, it's the new MX5.

(I pick mine up on Saturday by the way although my budget was a little tighter than yours!)

Its even got me looking at one considering the boot space they offer.

Never really been a big Skoda fan until the Third Generation where the styling actually looked decent, although subjective I guess.

£13k ish can get you a nice 2015/2016 hatchback or estate 2.0T VRS with fairly low miles. If you want something which has decent boot space, there is not much else on offer from the German makes that provide this for the same budget in terms of spec, age and mileage.

I am a BMW person and always have been but trying to find a 330i petrol in the M Sport trim with 4 doors is virtually impossible and the touring one? Not a chance.

I don't do enough miles to warrant a diesel which is annoying as the 330D F30 is a lovely car but I would eventually end up with DPF issues due to the lack of mileage.

[Avantime]

aaron_2000 said:

Having had an XF, exciting is one thing it certainly isn't.

It sounds like yours was 4 cylinders and about 300bhp short then?!

[covmutley]

Estate you say? Volvo! V60 or v90.

You budget just about gets you into the newer shape versions.

[stevekoz]

You could get yourself a nice Seat Leon Cupra estate -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012247...

Understated, fly under the radar. Go very well. Not quite the interior spec of say BMW/Merc but its a nice place to sit. Driving position is good. Space is middle of the estate road - its no rs6 avant or Skoda Superb on the space stakes but it is a very capable, powerful quick and nice driving estate.

Likewise the Golf R -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101137...

Slightly larger and less hot would be the VW Passat -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012096...

180bhp is adequate and its a nice place to be, comfy, modern and goes fairly well. Not the ending statement of driving dynamics but its an estate.

Just a couple not already mentioned i think.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

ZX10R NIN said:

A budget stretch & some haggling will land you a Mondeo Vignale 240 this ticks the boxes with both spec & power:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010275...

Never really taken much notice of those Vignales but that looks terrific. Couldn't bring myself to pay £17k for a 6 year old Mondeo but looks amazing.

[MC Bodge]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd buy the better steering Mondeo everytime (especially in Vignale spec)

The Mondeo is a step up from the (over-rated I would suggest) Mk3 Octavia in a number of ways. I went Mk4 Mondeo Estate-Mk3 Octavia Estate(for a few months)-Mk5 Mondeo Estate.

Despite what the stats may say, the Mondeo boot is more useful for carrying large things than the Octavia. I couldn't squeeze our camping kit inside a Mk3 Octavia estate without the roof box, but I can fit it inside a MK5 Mondeo (and the Mondeo suspension copes extremely well fully loaded + 4 mountain bikes on a cantilevered tow bar rack.

Refinement, ride(for comfort and -often overlooked- for contorlling the body and keeping the wheels gripping the ground during brisk back roads driving) and handling, even on 18" wheels, are excellent -loaded and unloaded. Steering feel is far better than in an Octavia or Superb.

Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 28th January 09:43

[MC Bodge]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

Never really taken much notice of those Vignales but that looks terrific. Couldn't bring myself to pay £17k for a 6 year old Mondeo but looks amazing.

I couldn't cope with those cream seats!

[Johnnytheboy]

Might get an early Golf R Estate now - admittedly might be just too old.

2016 - £16k.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012217...

2015 - £16.5k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101278...

(disclaimer, I have one)

Edited by Johnnytheboy on Thursday 28th January 09:38

[addey]

ZX10R NIN said:

A budget stretch & some haggling will land you a Mondeo Vignale 240 this ticks the boxes with both spec & power:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010275...

Back on budget a Titanium with the X Pack 240 is another option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012086...

V60 T4 R Design a bit smaller but a nice estate

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012167...

Superb SE L Executive 220 nice cars but I'd buy the better steering Mondeo everytime (especially in Vignale spec) over one of these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010275...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101198...

I keep looking at the Mondeos that you recommend, what's going on with the 0-60 time with these? It seems a bit slow considering they are 240bhp? The equivalent Skoda's appear to be considerably quicker?