£30k for a fun, dog carrying, daily driver

[V8OW]

I'm finally having to let go of my Cayman, and need something more practical to allow us to carry the dog (Vizsla) and make it easier to carry bikes etc. I still can't quite decide what to go for, so would be keen for any additional suggestions or hopefully some ideas I've not thought of!

Sub £30k (mid 20s ideally).
Petrol (or petrol hybrid, but no diesel or plug-in)
Decent performance - 300bhp+ / sub 6 0-60
Capable of 30mpg+ on a run
Boot big enough for a large dog
Ideally some toys - android auto, cameras, decent sound system (digital dash a bonus!)

Currently I'm considering:
GLC 43 (2018+) or C43 estate
SQ5 (2018+)
S4 Avant (2018+)

I've also thought about:
Alfa Stelvio (2021+) which I like, but my partner isn't as keen on, and depreciation is likely to be a bit more painful!
BMW m135i or S3 hatchback - would likely be ok for occasional dog duties but it probably needs to be more practical
Macan S - boot is a little small, and ideally I'd want the facelift version which breaks the budget
X3 M40i - would be ideal, but over budget
Cupra formentor/ateca - my partner isn't convinced!
RR Sport - insurance costs and risk of self-destruction is putting me off

Is there anything obvious (or not so obvious) that I've not listed above, or should be considering? A higher budget does open up more possibilities, but i'm trying to be sensible on that front for this car!

Thanks in advance

[alscar]

Not sure I’d ever see a Cayman as either a dog or bike carrier!
We had a succession of X5’s and then Cayennes for dog duties and other load lugging and then my wife wanted something smaller.
Had an S3 for a while and then an RS3 but whilst good cars living with them just said too small.
Replaced with an RS4 which does everything we could ask of it and probably the car we should have bought to replace the Cayenne.
It’s not our only car but would be quite happy if it were.
Different model years obviously around but your existing budget may struggle to match your wish list.

[V8OW]

alscar said:

Not sure I’d ever see a Cayman as either a dog or bike carrier!
We had a succession of X5’s and then Cayennes for dog duties and other load lugging and then my wife wanted something smaller.
Had an S3 for a while and then an RS3 but whilst good cars living with them just said too small.
Replaced with an RS4 which does everything we could ask of it and probably the car we should have bought to replace the Cayenne.
It’s not our only car but would be quite happy if it were.
Different model years obviously around but your existing budget may struggle to match your wish list.

The Cayman isn't either (although I have used it to carry my road bike to races in the past!), but unfortunately it predates us getting a fast-growing puppy. My girlfriend has an Evoque which is fine for the time being, but doesn't fit the criteria for my 'fun' car.

I'd be keen on an Cayenne, but as with the Macan I'd want the facelift version, and my current budget doesn't reach, and I'm trying to be strict on scope/budget creep!

I'm leaning towards the S4 at the moment, but we'll see what else crops up.

[BenB91]

Mercedes C63 estate or BMW 540i Touring.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd suggest taking a good look at the Velar/F Pace in 3.0 form they're actually very robust & spacious:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405089...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404259...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405250...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407021...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407091...

F Pace:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405139...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404168...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311284...

Maserati Levante:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405049...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404058...

[V8OW]

BenB91 said:

Mercedes C63 estate or BMW 540i Touring.

Thanks - a 5 series hadn't cropped up in my searches so I will take a look. And a C63 does sound great, but I feel like the 43 is probably the more sensible choice, even if not quite as fun!

[V8OW]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd suggest taking a good look at the Velar/F Pace in 3.0 form they're actually very robust & spacious:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405089...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404259...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405250...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407021...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407091...

F Pace:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405139...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404168...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311284...

Maserati Levante:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405049...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404058...

F Pace was one of my original favourites, but I think I was scared off by some potential engine issues, but worth a revisit and some more research.

If we were swapping my girlfriend's evoque then I'd look at a Velar (subject to insurance!) but they are probably a bit too similar.

The Levante also look like a great left-field option, but again seem to have a higher likelihood of emptying my pockets!

[Summit_Detailing]

Macan GTS or Turbo was my first thought.

MINI Clubman/Countryman JCW?

340i estate?

Leon Cupra estate?

[PomBstard]

My answer to any thread where someone wants a large wagon with a large engine but wants to retain a comfy ride and also not the large running costs - import your own…



https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2017-hold...

6.2-litre V8 with just over 400bhp as the starting point
RWD, 6-sp auto
0-60 in 5s
Space for your dog and five adults
30mpg on a (gentle) run
Seriously cheap to run for what it can do - lack of any warranty really doesn’t matter - it’s never going to throw a £10k bill at you.

Sportier versions are available, and the previous generation had a 6.0-litre V8 for around 360bhp.

But it’s not German and has few trinkets inside though it also won’t melt in the sun…

[Roger Irrelevant]

V8OW said:

X3 M40i - would be ideal, but over budget

Are they? A quick look on Autotrader shows a fair few under £30k, even an approved used one, to my untrained eye for one with equivalent mileage they're about the same as the 2018-on SQ5s you're also looking at. This is probably where my money would be going (albeit on the M40d, which I keep coming back to as our next car).

[SP_]

Audi S5 Sportback?

[V8OW]

Summit_Detailing said:

Macan GTS or Turbo was my first thought.

MINI Clubman/Countryman JCW?

340i estate?

Leon Cupra estate?

The Macan boot is a little small unfortunately, as that would have been close to the top of my list, but the facelift would also stretch the budget (I'd likely go for an S).
Mini - I like these, but heavily vetoed by the other half!
340i - could be a contender. I'm wondering now whether this ends up being an S4/C43/340 shootout.
Leon - same as the mini!

PomBstard said:

My answer to any thread where someone wants a large wagon with a large engine but wants to retain a comfy ride and also not the large running costs - import your own…

Nice idea, but I think something slightly more mainstream would be sensible

Roger Irrelevant said:

Are they? A quick look on Autotrader shows a fair few under £30k, even an approved used one, to my untrained eye for one with equivalent mileage they're about the same as the 2018-on SQ5s you're also looking at. This is probably where my money would be going (albeit on the M40d, which I keep coming back to as our next car).

You are right actually. I think some must have been over my mileage limit, as when I originally started looking I'm sure it was only the dark blue 30k one that came up in my results. Maybe they go back on the list, although I need to gauge how big they are inside.

SP_ said:

Audi S5 Sportback?

I think I'd struggle with the dog in the boot

[Wheel Turned Out]

With your reasonably sensible trousers on the C43 is an excellent shout.

Buuuuuut you only live once

[silentbrown]

V8OW said:

I'm leaning towards the S4 at the moment, but we'll see what else crops up.

Remember that SQ5 and S4 2019 onwards is a diesel.

I'm about to part with my 2015 S4, which has been brilliant.

[dai1983]

Not sure it's "fun" but neither are a lot of the other suggestions including your own. It's an import but already here and they did sell the 4.7 twin turbo in e class coupe or s class .

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405290...

[8IKERDAVE]

SP_ said:

Audi S5 Sportback?

+1, althought maybe not as fun as some of the others mentioned I ran one for 3 years and it made for a great family car, lug loader, dog carrier and was pretty quick when I felt in the mood.

[Uncle Meat]

In budget with a bit of a haggle?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407121...

[Pixel Pusher]

Left field choices

V90 XC

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405179...

Arteon

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407091...

V60 Polestar (a bit old though)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407071...

[interstellar]

My immediate thought was 540i touring.

[dave123456]

I had this quandary just over a year ago. Had a c43 saloon and to be frank I couldn’t find a reason not to go for the estate. I tried a c63 and just found it a bit too much for daily use, it’s a bit like having your favourite curry for dinner every day.

C43 does me 35mpg, comfortable, reliable, doesn’t stand out to much but is a bit more interesting than the bmw equivalent.