Fast, reliable family estate for £15000
Discussion
Looking for reliable, family estate for the wife, we are 2 adults and 2 under 5s.
2017 or newer. Below 100k miles. No insurance write-offs.
Manual is preferable. Don't want a very stiff ride.
Main duties will be multiple short journeys around Bristol of 1 to 3 mile journeys a day. Occasional 250 mile round trips as well as planning to take it to Spain or Italy in Spring for a family holiday.
Leg room isn't too important as we're all tiny (I'm 5ft 8 and wife is 5 ft, both very slim) but being able to squeeze and adult in back with two child seats would be nice. Or be able to put a child in front and 2 adults + 1 child in back. We generally pack light when going away.
Head says get a luke warm Mazda6/Mondeo (maybe a bit large for city use?), Ibiza Leon FR (the 1.8tsi) or slightly warmer Octavia VRS.
Heart says get a higher mileage F31 330i, Leon Cupra 280/290/300 or Golf R (but seems hard to find an unmolested example).
Bit concerned about running a more performance orientated vehicle for such short journeys.
Finally, steering feel is quite important. I currently drive a 150k mile 2005 325i saloon that will eventually die leaving me sharing the estate with Mrs Santi. I found my folks mk7.5 cooking version Golf to have terrible steering feel but drove a mk4 Octavia diesel recently abroad and found it quite good. Seems hard to know which VAG cars will have good or terrible steering feel without trying that specific car.
I know I'm asking a lot!
TLDR: Golf R vs 330i touring vs Octavia VRS vs Cupra ST vs something else?
2017 or newer. Below 100k miles. No insurance write-offs.
Manual is preferable. Don't want a very stiff ride.
Main duties will be multiple short journeys around Bristol of 1 to 3 mile journeys a day. Occasional 250 mile round trips as well as planning to take it to Spain or Italy in Spring for a family holiday.
Leg room isn't too important as we're all tiny (I'm 5ft 8 and wife is 5 ft, both very slim) but being able to squeeze and adult in back with two child seats would be nice. Or be able to put a child in front and 2 adults + 1 child in back. We generally pack light when going away.
Head says get a luke warm Mazda6/Mondeo (maybe a bit large for city use?), Ibiza Leon FR (the 1.8tsi) or slightly warmer Octavia VRS.
Heart says get a higher mileage F31 330i, Leon Cupra 280/290/300 or Golf R (but seems hard to find an unmolested example).
Bit concerned about running a more performance orientated vehicle for such short journeys.
Finally, steering feel is quite important. I currently drive a 150k mile 2005 325i saloon that will eventually die leaving me sharing the estate with Mrs Santi. I found my folks mk7.5 cooking version Golf to have terrible steering feel but drove a mk4 Octavia diesel recently abroad and found it quite good. Seems hard to know which VAG cars will have good or terrible steering feel without trying that specific car.
I know I'm asking a lot!
TLDR: Golf R vs 330i touring vs Octavia VRS vs Cupra ST vs something else?
Of your suggestions, I'd be going for the Cupra 300 or the best version of that which I could find.
Running costs, whilst more than the lesser models you've stated, won't be that bad and so long as you're not ragging it cold I can't see why a modern 4 pot petrol engine is going to struggle with short distances.
Running costs, whilst more than the lesser models you've stated, won't be that bad and so long as you're not ragging it cold I can't see why a modern 4 pot petrol engine is going to struggle with short distances.
Class leader has got to be Octavia VRS, I'm 6'3" and my 5'9" Wife can still sit behind me in relative comfort.
Rear facing child seat can also go in and if in the front the wife doesn't have her knees up by her chin.
I appreciate your family aren't as tall but if you're looking for space and shiftability it's hard to look past the Octavia VRS.
Rear facing child seat can also go in and if in the front the wife doesn't have her knees up by her chin.
I appreciate your family aren't as tall but if you're looking for space and shiftability it's hard to look past the Octavia VRS.
Sslink said:
Class leader has got to be Octavia VRS, I'm 6'3" and my 5'9" Wife can still sit behind me in relative comfort.
Rear facing child seat can also go in and if in the front the wife doesn't have her knees up by her chin.
Thanks for reply. Have you tried 2 adults and a child seat in the back in your VRS? I'm guessing rear width is unrivalled in the Octavia size class.Rear facing child seat can also go in and if in the front the wife doesn't have her knees up by her chin.
MrSanti said:
Thanks for reply. Have you tried 2 adults and a child seat in the back in your VRS? I'm guessing rear width is unrivalled in the Octavia size class.
I'd take (& did) the Mondeo over the VRS everytime:https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408172...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408112...
Not the sharpest steer but still quick as well as being leftfield, is the Kia Optima h, you'll also have some warranty left too:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402066...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407262...
Kia ProCeed GT:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405169...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406030...
Right now my pick would be the 508h in either GT Line/Allure spec:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408082...
Or GT:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407242...
MrSanti said:
Thanks for reply. Have you tried 2 adults and a child seat in the back in your VRS? I'm guessing rear width is unrivalled in the Octavia size class.
I've tried 3 adults in the back (snigger) over a few short journeys, 2 of them being 6'+ there were no complaints but they had 2 options, make do or walk XD.If you can find one, the Renault Megane GT Sport Tourer 1.6 TCE 205 is worth a look. Basically the Clio RS / Juke Nismo engine in an estate.
They’re relatively rare - none on autotrader at the moment (there are a few hatches), but they do come up from time to time:
https://www.press.renault.co.uk/assets/documents/o...
Seven speed flappy paddle, not manual though.
They’re relatively rare - none on autotrader at the moment (there are a few hatches), but they do come up from time to time:
https://www.press.renault.co.uk/assets/documents/o...
Seven speed flappy paddle, not manual though.
I've driven many miles in a Cupra Hatch and estate and a golf hatch. I found the SEAT a much more crashy harsh ride on the 19's over the Golf on 18's. The SEAT has a bit more about it, more shouty and crisp exhaust note but I prefer the dash/switchgear in the golf. Both very capable cars for the money, Golf a little dull but still more than fast enough
How much of that back seat room do you actually need?
I had a very similar requirement at point and it clashed against reality - two high back boosters take enough width when ISOfix mounted, that only kids/teens will be able to sit comfortably even in bigger cars.
The widest ISOfix placements (inner to inner rail) Ive seen so far was on V90/XC60/90.
Moment you have no high backs and just a simple bum booster, the person in the middle will rest their back on the actual rear seat back, otherwise forget it.
In fact - try in in your 3 series now as its all very much case dependant, but BMW rear sofa is peculiar and their isofix placement is towards riding 2+2, not 2+3.
I had a very similar requirement at point and it clashed against reality - two high back boosters take enough width when ISOfix mounted, that only kids/teens will be able to sit comfortably even in bigger cars.
The widest ISOfix placements (inner to inner rail) Ive seen so far was on V90/XC60/90.
Moment you have no high backs and just a simple bum booster, the person in the middle will rest their back on the actual rear seat back, otherwise forget it.
In fact - try in in your 3 series now as its all very much case dependant, but BMW rear sofa is peculiar and their isofix placement is towards riding 2+2, not 2+3.
MrSanti said:
My BMW is atrocious for rear space. Comfortable for two adults but not three as a lot of space taken up by the side bolsters.
We're considering Superbs. I'm worried it'll be quite boring. I imagine even a Mondeo will be more enjoyable to drive.
The Mondeo is the better steer but I'd also suggest test driving the 508 I listed above as it's a very good car.We're considering Superbs. I'm worried it'll be quite boring. I imagine even a Mondeo will be more enjoyable to drive.
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