Fun load/bike lugger?

[Lunar Tick]

As above really - we're looking to get a fun but practical car (hatch or estate), which has a big enough capacity to accommodate our 2-year old plus his clobber plus my bike and associated kit when I go off to events (time trials etc). We currently have two cars; a 2005 1.6 Mazda 3, which has been a good little workhorse, and a JDM import Civic (FD2) which is my fun car. Having just bought a new house, needs must, so we'd like to try running just one car. Thing is, I'm not sure I could cope with something completely gutless and soulless, so was thinking of a rapid estate - something like a Focus ST or a Skoda Otavia VRS. Budget would be about £16K and we'd be looking for something nearly new with a decent warranty. Any other chariots we should be thinking about? Thanks in anticipation

[prand]

I've got a 2.7d audi a6 avant. Lots of space, goes fast, 43mpg on average, or the South of France pretty much on one tank after filling up in Calais. We looked at the A4 and 3 series estate but they just seemed too small for kids, buggies, bikes AND camping gear.

Ours Fits a huge amound of stuff, smooth, fast and looks pretty smart. Plenty of variants and engines around to chose from too. For 16k you could get yourself a 3.0 quattro which would be nice...

Cornering won't be too dynamic, but on long trips the
Mile will fly by.

Edited by prand on Sunday 20th July 20:25

[graeme4130]

Best bike lugger I've had to date

B7 shape cars are in your budget

Edited by graeme4130 on Sunday 20th July 22:24

[Lunar Tick]

Cheers guys - food for thought there....

[Fourmotion]

I've got an Octavia vRS estate - it's been perfect for my needs. We travelled to Tenby for a triathlon last year, and we packed child buggy, high chair, travel cot, bike and other race clobber, and normal holiday 'stuff' for all 3 of us for 7 nights away all into the boot. And was still able to pull the cover over it all (just!).

I have the diesel and it's fun enough, but it's not fast. The petrol is a bit quicker, but again, not fast.

[Lunar Tick]

Cheers for that feedback. The Octavia does sound like it ticks most of the boxes

[Kell]

This:



3.0 TDi quattro Le Mans (on its winter wheels).

Four adults, one 9 year old, plus ski kit for all, 1,800 miles to the Alps and back no bother.

They'd be in your budget, but wouldn't satisfy the warranty or fun bits too much. Quick in a straight line, but it's an Audi, so not much fun to sling around corners.

Edited by Kell on Monday 21st July 11:52

[richardxjr]

A popemobile and either a caterfield, new bike or a kitchen.