Drastic change of car. TTRS Cab to which petrol estate?

[Hark]

It seems I'm doing a mid life crisis in reverse. My previous cars over the last few years have been BMW Z4M, MK5 VW R32,, VX220 (Supercharged) and, most recently, Audi TTRS Cab running about 410bhp.

However, my days at car shows and 'tinkering' seem to have been replaced with lugging the kids to all manner of clubs, shows and parties. (aged 10 and 6). My own hobbies and interests have changed as well to be honest and less hardcore petrolhead than 10 years ago.

I've finally sold the TTRS and am looking for something much, much bigger than I can fill with the family, holidays gear, camping, DIY, whatever. (I may regret this quite quickly...)

I do 5k miles a year, daily commute is 6 miles each way, so it has to be petrol. Looking for something around £14-£15k
Don't want something too slow. Anything is going to feel slow to be honest but overtaking etc needs to be easily viable.
Manual or Auto is ok, don't need amazing mpg but I've got a little tired of 18mpg in the RS.

My current list is:

Mondeo Mk5 2L petrol (Estate or Hatch) - In budget, lots of tech, engine is decent, interior a bit plasticy?

Octavia VRS - Quicker than the Mondeo and seats are nice. Less tech/options. Worried it'll be too small. Generally keep my cars 4-5 years and not sure how well a 14/15 year old lad will manage in the back of the Octy.

Jaguar XF 2L Petrol Estate (rare as rocking horse poo) - Look lovely, probably out of budget and expensive to fix. Look lovely though.

Merc C Class C200 Sport Estate - Only looked at these tonight. Know nothing about them but in budget, nice interior, performance is ok. etc?

Mazda 6 - Nicer interior than the Mondeo. Similar performance to the Mondeo but reviews always seem to favour the Mazda overall.

[ChrisH72]

5 series touring maybe?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023012335...

Should be big enough and performance is pretty good. Unless you're wanting something newer?

[Jakg]

If you like a TTRS, I was going to suggest a B8 S4

[Hark]

Jakg said:

If you like a TTRS, I was going to suggest a B8 S4

Interior was great and it was very very quick. After something a bit more sensible but that still looks nice.

[Hark]

ChrisH72 said:

5 series touring maybe?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023012335...

Should be big enough and performance is pretty good. Unless you're wanting something newer?

Didn't realise you could get a 5 series for that money to be honest. I'd be looking 2015 ish onwards so hadn't picked that up. Lovely car, wonder if big bills potential at 11 years old. TTRS was a 2010 and that was one of my worries in the future.

[Belle427]

I would go Octavia Vrs every time, maybe consider the Superb too.

[Deerfoot]

Hark said:

Octavia VRS - Quicker than the Mondeo and seats are nice. Less tech/options. Worried it'll be too small. Generally keep my cars 4-5 years and not sure how well a 14/15 year old lad will manage in the back of the Octy.

We have a 16 and 13 year old an find our Octavia estate roomy enough.

[georgeyboy12345]

Out of your list I'd pick the Octavia vRS, here's a decent one
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301253...


Some others

Volvo V60 T4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301313...


BMW 320i Touring xDrive
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212212...


Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI S-Tronic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212222...


Mercedes C200 SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210281...


Here's one of those Jag XFs you were after, I agree not too sure on reliability either
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301183...

[GreatGranny]

Brave pill

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208078...

[alscar]

Hark said:

Interior was great and it was very very quick. After something a bit more sensible but that still looks nice.

If you like Audi’s then maybe just an A4 Avant then although that might be a bit too sensible.

[the-norseman]

If your looking at the VRS then look at the higher powered Leon Cupra ST, bit of software and hardware and you'll be back in the 400 club.

[gazza5]

Golf R? Estate version has a massive boot, although mines a 17 plate and currently the infotainment system is kaput. Awaiting a new one, currently driving in mph around belgium.

Octavia is big, in terms of space etc imo.

Interior of C class estate I believe is similar to the golf / seat leon estate version, there won't be much in it, but the seat / vw golf have bigger boots than the merc c class, if boot space is a priority.

I looked at changing my R for maybe the jag xf, but I couldn't do it, it was a nice car, and it ticked the one box for me of what I wanted (quieter and a bit less crashy ride) but I prefer the dash etc in my 17 plate R.

[Swervin_Mervin]

With some haggling you might just get Superb 3 280s coming into your price range. There's a 2015 L&K version on Autotrader for around £15k but has over 90k on it. Or there's a hatch at £17k with 41k on it.

You won't necessarily need an estate with the Superb either, because even in the hatch the boot is very, very big. Rear legroom definitely not an issue.

[7 5 7]

Insignia

[Hark]

Swervin_Mervin said:

With some haggling you might just get Superb 3 280s coming into your price range. There's a 2015 L&K version on Autotrader for around £15k but has over 90k on it. Or there's a hatch at £17k with 41k on it.

You won't necessarily need an estate with the Superb either, because even in the hatch the boot is very, very big. Rear legroom definitely not an issue.

What’s the L&K version?

[Swervin_Mervin]

It's the top trim level, so comes with most of the goodies. Not sure if it had the alcantara sports seats though. Ours is a Sportline+, which is one down from that but does have the sports seats.