The car I want doesn't exist - help me!

[Robmarriott]

I need to replace my slightly tired E60 525d before I get a big bill (it needs a steering rack and several shock absorbers and I don't want to spend the money on it) but I'm really struggling to decide what to buy.

I like estates, the 5 series is not an estate and it bugs me constantly getting stuff (like me bike) in and out of it, I could probably live with a mid size hatch though, I've had my bike in a Corsa before and it was just about ok so something bigger would be fine.

I don't want anything slow and I'm not too bothered about MPG either.

My budget is around £6k, not a penny more though.

So far, I've considered a Megane 230, a first generation S3, Golf Edition 30, 130i and a few others but I think deep down I want an estate.

The problem is, the perfect car for me would be one of the above as an estate, a Megane 230 wagon would be THE car but they didn't build them.

I've even considered getting a mk1 Octavia 4x4 estate and giving it S3 power, but I can't find one...

So, what fast, but not humungous, estate cars are there for my money?

tl:dr - I'd like a fast, medium size estate (or hatch at a push) for £6k please

[ericmcn]

The obvious choice is a Subaru Legacy wagon...

[300bhp/ton]

Probably won't find one in the UK though.

[Robmarriott]

I’d thought about an Impreza but I don’t really like the associated image with them, hadn’t thought about the Legacy though, not sure about them but I’ll have a look.

Funny you mention the 9-2X, no chance of finding one here but I had looked at a 9-3 Turbo X, they don’t come up often though and they’re normally over budget. The alternative is an Insignia VXR but that’s a hard no after my previous Insignia experience!

[InitialDave]

You can probably just about find a 335i touring for that money.

[KarlMac]

Was in a similar pickle and I ended up with a 2007 Audi A6 Allroad 3.0 V6 TDI. So far it's been a great family bus and a bargain at £3500. MPG is decent and it has some poke. Think this falls down on your criteria though cause it's a bit of a tank.

I was looking at petrol Saabs, Foresters, A4 Avants and Merc C class estates. Theres quite a bit of choice out there if your patient.

[Robmarriott]

I think an A6 is too big, yes, might have a look at a B6 S4 though, that would meet a lot of the criteria

[AshVX220]

Try and find Merc C320 CDi estate. I have the saloon version and it's great. All the toys, plus pretty quick for what it is (0-60 in a smidge over 7 seconds). Handles well, returns on average 30mpg.

[kiethton]

A few options....

Skoda VRS? - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mini Cooper S Clubman? - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Leon estate (maybe try to find a 2.0 petrol) - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Passat R36? - maybe a bit big? - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[irocfan]

kiethton said:

A few options....

Mini Cooper S Clubman? - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

a Clubman is actually quite small in terms of load-space (though they are fun).

A3 estate of some flavour?

[Phil Dicky]

Get a peleton in the back of one of these.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Robmarriott]

Octavia VRS mk2 I'm not a fan of, I like the mk1 and I used to have a mk3 but I'm just not keen on the mk2 at all.

Leon is worth a look though, I'll check them out.

Mini Clubman I vaguely thought about before so I'll have another look.

Superb is too big really, as is the Passat, which is a shame because I'm a sucker for a VR6!

[ericmcn]

Legacy here, go for a drive - it may surprise yourself.

Manuals are better but harder to get but the Auto box is sharp too

https://www.elizabethjamescars.com/used-cars/subar...

[fiju]

Z4 coupe. First hit on ebay is a 2006 3.0 si for £5600.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mazda6 Sport 2.5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

3.2 Passat SEL

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

W8 Passat

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

3.2 159

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2.0T JDM Legacy haggle & you'll get it for 6k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

S4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or if you're feeling brave there's the RS6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

C32 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

330i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

545i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

530i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[DoubleD]

fiju said:

Z4 coupe. First hit on ebay is a 2006 3.0 si for £5600.

I think he wants something a little bigger.

[Mr Tidy]

DoubleD said:

I think he wants something a little bigger.

Well if just a little bigger, a BMW 130i would work. But if that isn't big enough then maybe a 330i Touring.

Or a Golf GTi, Seat Leon Cupra, Skoda Octavia VRs, etc.

Or maybe even a Subaru of some description.

[ericmcn]

fiju said:

Z4 coupe. First hit on ebay is a 2006 3.0 si for £5600.

wtf

[Lazydriver23]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Opel-Vectra-VX...

Possibly one of these, quite hard to find one for decent money but may be worth a look?

[Robmarriott]

Found something, viewing it on Sunday.

Small-medium estate
4wd
250bhp ish
heated leather
big brakes
completely unassuming

not a colour I'm 100% sold on though but fingers crossed.

nobody else will like it too so that's even better