£15k for fast family car

[blearyeyedboy]

Dear PHers,

I need some inspiration. I have a budget of £15,000 to purchase a used vehicle.

It needs to carry two adults, up to 2 children and their paraphernalia, and have a boot that's big enough for a small to medium sized dog. (Dog doesn't exist yet but we'd like it to in the next year or so; thinking cocker spaniel sized.)

I'd still like it to be passable fun. Because I do about 10,000-12,000 miles per annum and a fair bit of stop-start, petrol makes more sense than diesel.

I'd like something up to 4-5 years old and the obvious choices would be a Mk3 Skoda Octavia vRS estate or a Focus ST estate.

Are there options I've not considered? Saloons won't work with the dog but by the time I've filled a boot with dog and luggage, might a hatch work?

Any dog owners able to share ways they make non-estates work?

Many thanks,

Blearyeyedboy

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the Mondeo Titanium X Sport is more than worth a look with 240bhp as well as being a better steer than the VRS plus being loaded with just as much equipment.

Mondeo Titanium X Sport 22k 240bhp (these come loaded with pretty much all the kit you'll need)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Or another alternative is a VW Passat R36 300bhp but it'll be hard to find newer ones as owners tend to hold onto them.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

If you don't mind something smaller then these are worth a look but some are up to 6 years old.

2010 Audi S3 50k 300bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2012 Focus ST-3 16k 250bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

As above but a 2013 model 42k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2010 325i M Sport 42k 220bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Leftfield:

2010 VXR Insignia 53k 350bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[DSLiverpool]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=519...

Just bought a 3.0 older one and I love it

[blearyeyedboy]

DSLiverpool said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=519...

Just bought a 3.0 older one and I love it

No, I'm good thanks.

[blearyeyedboy]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say the Mondeo Titanium X Sport is more than worth a look with 240bhp as well as being a better steer than the VRS plus being loaded with just as much equipment.

Interesting thought, thank you.

[blearyeyedboy]

Bump thread.

Still looking. Saw a nice Renault Megane estate today- the detuned 220bhp ones that have been vaguely parked near the Renaultsport department at some point... Mind you, the suspension's been fiddled with so I thought I'd have a look.

It's not as quick as other cars I've looked at but it had a long warranty left so I thought I'd have a look.

... And was surprised that the child seat was a significant squeeze. It just about fits with an ISOFIX mount but it's such a squeeze that I know it'd annoy me. I didn't even take it for a drive. I didn't want to waste the salesman's time joy riding something I knew I wasn't going to buy.

So the search continues.

[bmwmike]

I've got an f10 530i and it's great for family duties. Appreciate you don't want to put the would be mutt into the boot so perhaps a 535i f11...

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to say it looks smart low miles & a chunk of warranty left.


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Also take a look at these I drove one the other day & it was a decent drive:

2015 200bhp Peugeot 508 GT 2 years Warranty left

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 14th October 23:49

[briang9]

blearyeyedboy said:

Dear PHers,

I need some inspiration. I have a budget of £15,000 to purchase a used vehicle.

It needs to carry two adults, up to 2 children and their paraphernalia, and have a boot that's big enough for a small to medium sized dog. (Dog doesn't exist yet but we'd like it to in the next year or so; thinking cocker spaniel sized.)

I'd still like it to be passable fun. Because I do about 10,000-12,000 miles per annum and a fair bit of stop-start, petrol makes more sense than diesel.

I'd like something up to 4-5 years old and the obvious choices would be a Mk3 Skoda Octavia vRS estate or a Focus ST estate.

Are there options I've not considered? Saloons won't work with the dog but by the time I've filled a boot with dog and luggage, might a hatch work?

Any dog owners able to share ways they make non-estates work?

Many thanks,

Blearyeyedboy

Never driven the Ford, but always thought they were a bit "Chav" however had an Octavia estate when kids were younger and it was a great all rounder. No dog though

[jimreed]

Try this: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...

I fit two dogs in mine.

[blearyeyedboy]

ZX10R NIN said:

I have to say it looks smart low miles & a chunk of warranty left.


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Also take a look at these I drove one the other day & it was a decent drive:

2015 200bhp Peugeot 508 GT 2 years Warranty left

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 14th October 23:49

That's the one. A bit over what Glass' would suggest but with light haggling could be a good buy for someone.

If anyone's reading this though, the outside edges of the front tyres are worn out of proportion, making me think it's been driven hard for its brief life so far. Wouldn't totally put me off but I'd look closely...

The Pug looks nice but I do a lot of stop start driving and I'd clog up a DPF in a short while. Petrol for me, thanks.

Edited by blearyeyedboy on Sunday 16th October 11:52

[blearyeyedboy]

jimreed said:

Try this: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...

I fit two dogs in mine.

Sorry, link doesn't work.

[ZX10R NIN]

Focus ST-3
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Mondeo

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[blearyeyedboy]

^ Interesting, thanks.

Man flu stopped play this weekend so I'll have another look when able. I'm thinking that the Focus will be what I want. The Focus was nice to drive when I tried one, but the one I tried wasn't the right money and there were question marks about a possible crash history, so I walked from it. I could easily see myself in a Focus.

I've found myself looking at Octavias more and more. The main reason I'd not gone for an Octavia previously is because I'd driven a Mk2 hatch for 7 years and fancy a change. However, when I looked at the mix of value, pace, modernity and space it remains a decent option, and trying something worse for the sake of being different would be a bit silly. I haven't driven the Mk3 Octavia yet though, so it'd be interesting to try one before committing myself to a Focus.

Certainly blearyeyedgirl prefers the Octavia estate to the Focus... but she has a lower tolerance for the Focus' "Essex-style charms" than I do.

As a left-field option... I know that a Volvo V60 will be as much fun as completing a tax return, but my god, it's such a comfy place to sit! I'm left with an existential crisis: I'd always thought of myself as a petrol-head who wants a fun car to drive but I'm now left wondering about my priorities. With a child on the way and most of my driving being A14/M11 commutes, I do wonder how much I'll appreciate comfy seats and 47 million airbags more than a fun steer... Perhaps I could temper that by finding a T5 for a bit of Ecoboost charm (the T6 being too expensive to run for me) but they're rare as hen's teeth.

If I get a V60, I'll hand in my PH card on the way out...

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're considering the Octavia then to my mind I'd buy the Mondeo as it's nigh on the same size plus most tests rank it as the better steer & when it comes to kit they pretty much come fully loaded, but for the sake of an easy life get the one the OH has the least resistance to

[PomBstard]

blearyeyedboy said:

^

As a left-field option... I know that a Volvo V60 will be as much fun as completing a tax return, but my god, it's such a comfy place to sit! I'm left with an existential crisis: I'd always thought of myself as a petrol-head who wants a fun car to drive but I'm now left wondering about my priorities. With a child on the way and most of my driving being A14/M11 commutes, I do wonder how much I'll appreciate comfy seats and 47 million airbags more than a fun steer... Perhaps I could temper that by finding a T5 for a bit of Ecoboost charm (the T6 being too expensive to run for me) but they're rare as hen's teeth.

If I get a V60, I'll hand in my PH card on the way out...

I thought the same about 18 months ago and bought a V70 T6 - AWD, near 300bhp and apparently comfy seats. Couldn't wait to shift it 8 months later- just so dull. A V60 might be less dull but, jeez, I couldn't do it.

Left field - how about a Forester XT - 2013-on are plenty big enough, though I've no idea about UK prices.

[IanCress]

I had a V60, and as long as you class them as a small estate they're fine. Plenty of space for my medium sized dog.

I wanted a T5 but as you say they are very rare (I've seen 2 manual T5's advertised on Autotrader in the past 2 years), so I ended up getting the T4. Should have held out for a T5, as the T4 hides its 180bhp very well.

They drive better than you think though, I was reasonably impressed with the handling for the size of car. The downside is the ride quality isn't what you would expect of a Volvo family car, being a little too stiff.

[blearyeyedboy]

IanCress said:

I had a V60, and as long as you class them as a small estate they're fine. Plenty of space for my medium sized dog.

I wanted a T5 but as you say they are very rare (I've seen 2 manual T5's advertised on Autotrader in the past 2 years), so I ended up getting the T4. Should have held out for a T5, as the T4 hides its 180bhp very well.

They drive better than you think though, I was reasonably impressed with the handling for the size of car. The downside is the ride quality isn't what you would expect of a Volvo family car, being a little too stiff.

Thanks, That's helpful to know. I'm surprised about the ride. Which version did you have (R Design or other?).

[blearyeyedboy]

PomBstard said:

I thought the same about 18 months ago and bought a V70 T6 - AWD, near 300bhp and apparently comfy seats. Couldn't wait to shift it 8 months later- just so dull. A V60 might be less dull but, jeez, I couldn't do it.

Left field - how about a Forester XT - 2013-on are plenty big enough, though I've no idea about UK prices.

Thanks, but 2013+ Foresters are jut out of reach. (Nearer £17-18k, I think except for ones with high mileages. I can't stretch to that budget.) Interesting thought though.

Hmm... I wonder what Outbacks go for...

[spookly]

Just bite the bullet and get an estate. It'll be far easier in the long run. You can get a boot divider to split into an area for the dog and an area for luggage.