VW Transporter,370Z Nismo or Audi S4 Avant?

[Yorkshire_LY]

So for my next car - i quite like the idea of going to the lakes/yorkshire dales and camping overnight for hikes with the dogs - the VW Transporter with the camper conversion ticks those boxes.

But then i also like my rare,quick head turner cars,so im also thinking a 370Z Nismo.

And straight down the middle of these two is the Audi S4 Avant (or possibly the BMW Touring)

Budget of £20K.

Any other options? Does anyone else have two sides of the extreme they need to decide on haha?

[Simon_GH]

Typical debate in my head. It’s a case of which one would give you the most pleasure most frequently, it’s probably the fast estate to carry your dogs and a basic B & B.

[Cakey_]

I bought a van with the dream of a van and all the freedom it gives you as the main reason.

Once the novelty wears off you realise the reason you don't go camping regularly isn't because you don't have s camper but more because it's a huge faff, owner a transporter doesn't really change that.

From my personal opinion, they drive like s**t, anyone quoting they drive just like a car must've driven some awful cars.
They're big and cumbersome, loads of road noise, I never found the drivers seat overly comfortable although obviously the space is nice. They feel massively underpowered and aren't great on fuel either.

In your situation I'd buy the s4, it's still practical and you can comfortably throw as much as you like in it and drive to the lakes and stay in the comfort of an air BnB or similar.
You've also got a car that a nice place to be, which I never found the van to be other than spacious.
MRC can get some serious power out of the S4 too with a different pulley which would make it even more intresting.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're looking for a down the middle car then I wouldn't spend the 20k on an in betweener, I'd say the Insignia VXR estate is well worth a look:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303044...

In reality I'd be buying the 370Z Nismo

[Yorkshire_LY]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you're looking for a down the middle car then I wouldn't spend the 20k on an in betweener, I'd say the Insignia VXR estate is well worth a look:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303044...

In reality I'd be buying the 370Z Nismo

Im not too keen on Vauxhalls hehe. I do like the high powered estates - Passat R36 was another option.

I do have a 350Z atm - but the 370Z Nismo just feels to be a bit more of 'special' car to own imo. Plus they look much better than standard 370s.

[ZX10R NIN]

Yorkshire_LY said:

Im not too keen on Vauxhalls hehe. I do like the high powered estates - Passat R36 was another option.

I do have a 350Z atm - but the 370Z Nismo just feels to be a bit more of 'special' car to own imo. Plus they look much better than standard 370s.

If you get a chance to drive the R36 (which I do like) & VXR back to back you'll find the VXR is clearly ahead in pretty much every way but I get what you mean,

Get the Nismo bought

[320touring]

Buy a Nissan Elgrand (e51)

Can get them with camper conversions and the 3.5 V6 out the 350z.

Basically the campervan with good noises and some poke

[Yorkshire_LY]

320touring said:

Buy a Nissan Elgrand (e51)

Can get them with camper conversions and the 3.5 V6 out the 350z.

Basically the campervan with good noises and some poke

Yeah i looked at them - its just getting my head around driving them as a daily haha. Also looked at a Delica,but theyre a bit smaller.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Passat R36 and 7/8k grand back in your pocket.

[ninjag]

Late 2014/15 supercharged S4 Avant with the CREC engine. Ticks a lot of boxes:

Performance
Traction
Space (estate)
Reliability
Reasonably economical
Easy to service
Good B&O sound system

[ChocolateFrog]

Yorkshire_LY said:

320touring said:

Buy a Nissan Elgrand (e51)

Can get them with camper conversions and the 3.5 V6 out the 350z.

Basically the campervan with good noises and some poke

Yeah i looked at them - its just getting my head around driving them as a daily haha. Also looked at a Delica,but theyre a bit smaller.

Alphard and Stepwgn are the other options in that category, the Alphard being my pick.

Transporter is a decent shout. I wouldn't personally have a camper conversion I'd have a Combi or Caravelle and chuck an airbed in the back.

I do miss not having a van in the fleet, it got used as a van way more than it did as a camper.

[Yorkshire_LY]

ninjag said:

Late 2014/15 supercharged S4 Avant with the CREC engine. Ticks a lot of boxes:

Performance
Traction
Space (estate)
Reliability
Reasonably economical
Easy to service
Good B&O sound system

Yeah,ticks a lot of boxes...but just looks a bit...dull?

Its definatly a sleeper that would show up a lot of sports cars...

[Yorkshire_LY]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

Passat R36 and 7/8k grand back in your pocket.

Yeah it looks a good leftfield option compared to the Audis....i do like the look of the Focus ST estate aswell - but maybe not as good build quality as the Germans.

[ninjag]

Yorkshire_LY said:

ninjag said:

Late 2014/15 supercharged S4 Avant with the CREC engine. Ticks a lot of boxes:

Performance
Traction
Space (estate)
Reliability
Reasonably economical
Easy to service
Good B&O sound system

Yeah,ticks a lot of boxes...but just looks a bit...dull?

Its definatly a sleeper that would show up a lot of sports cars...

I agree it's pretty understated, which I actually prefer at my age lol It still has some subtle design cues that there's a little something special going on. Nice stock exhaust note as well.

[SWoll]

FFS OP just come to a conclusion and get something bought will you? You've been procrastinating for 6+ months about a huge amount of different cars and varying budgets, and now talking about vans. Don't think I've ever seen so many car buying threads from a single poster.

[Yorkshire_LY]

SWoll said:

FFS OP just come to a conclusion and get something bought will you? You've been procrastinating for 6+ months about a huge amount of different cars and varying budgets, and now talking about vans. Don't think I've ever seen so many car buying threads from a single poster.

Dont read them then?? New options and budgets keep coming into play.

[Ilovejapcrap]

Transporters are over priced, I'd buy a different van and not bother with scene points myself.

[Cakey_]

You'll be greatful for those scene points when you come to sell it though.

We had a caravelle for a couple of years bought it for a reasonable price, sold it 2.5yrs later after putting 30k on the clock for the same price which still seemed reasonable.

Everyone looks at the vw vans and worry about the price, so long as you buy a good one, there's less decent vans for sale than there is buyers hence the price.
Prices will always be high but you'll always sell easily so swings in roundabouts.

[Trevor555]

Ilovejapcrap said:

Transporters are over priced, I'd buy a different van and not bother with scene points myself.

It's going to get worse, VW have just closed the order books for new ones.

[SWoll]

Yorkshire_LY said:

SWoll said:

FFS OP just come to a conclusion and get something bought will you? You've been procrastinating for 6+ months about a huge amount of different cars and varying budgets, and now talking about vans. Don't think I've ever seen so many car buying threads from a single poster.

Dont read them then?? New options and budgets keep coming into play.

I look forward to your "£25k, Caterham or RV?" thread next month.