All show... no go!

[CrippsCorner]

Still on the hunt for a family car for the missus (and me to drive occasionally)

We're after something that looks decent, but doesn't necessarily need to go decent.

The reason I'm making this thread is for cars that have less performance but still look the same as their higher powered versions. We're looking at estates, for around £4k. Some examples:

3 Series Touring or possibly X3 (M Sport) 318i etc.
A4 Avant (S Line) 2.0L non-T available, or 1.8T I think? Or diesel...
Ibiza/Leon (FR) not seen many of these but again diesels are an option
Volvo (R Design)

What others have I missed? Prefer manual and petrol, but it appears diesel may be my best option. Example, this is my current favourite:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-12-Volvo-V60-1-6D-...

Nice to get a newer shape/facelift where possible. I know something's got to give at our budget, which I accept will be mileage most probably. Would like to keep it under 125k if possible. It doesn't absolutely have to be less powerful, but more power is kind of irrelevant for her, plus it means higher running costs of course.

Many thanks

[Jag_NE]

OP have you looked at the more mainstream brands?

Things like Insignia or Laguna can be had with more like 60k miles.

[SO27]

Alfa 159 Sportwagon?

[ZX10R NIN]

C180 Sport Edition

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101147...

Avantgarde SE not as showy but nearly 30k less on the clock

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101137...

2.3 Mondeo Titanium but they're auto only

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...

Mazda6 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010275...

[CrippsCorner]

Thanks, I did see a facelift Mazda6 Sport the other day, but it was sold within 24 hours! Still going quickly even through lockdown eh.

This looks like a good deal...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101067...

Decent mileage

[stevekoz]

As always ZX's list is pretty much spot on.

To offer a few leftfield choices.

Saab 9-3, always felt these looked quite nice as a wagon and are readily available within your budget under 100k. This example is the warmer aero 2.0T but you can pocket the change for running costs.

Reliability - i had a 9-5 and it was really good. Still plenty of independents about, whether the fact there are fewer parts out there makes a difference or not i'm not sure. I noted a fair few things to be interchangeable with GM. They look nice and they go quite well too -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011266...

Second on the list, Skoda Octavia VRS. 2.0 petrol model isn't ruinous to run - far from it. Bags of space and for an estate i think they have a lot of character. Reliability is quite high and the maintenance side is quite simple, relatively cheap and straightforward. May cost a bit more to run but again, a few under budget. Higher miles of course. But pocket the (quite substantial) difference for the maintenance and running side of things.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101288...

No experience of driving this one. But from what i know. The ride is really quite good. Very comfortable and compliant. The estates i think are particularly "handsome" looking. Sweeping lines and if you can find one with the panoramic roof it looks great from inside.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011095...

[DaveyBoyWonder]

mk2 Octavia vRS is a decent shout although going from a mk2 vRS into a similar vintage 3-series, the BMW was light years ahead in build and ride. The Octavia was also starting to show its age and given we got rid 6 years ago, I bet some of them feel really leggy now.

Even the most expensive 9-3s (fully loaded 2.0T Aeros) are sub-£5k now aren't they? I'd be seriously thinking about one of those.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011266...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012177...

[MorganP104]

SO27 said:

Alfa 159 Sportwagon?

Most of those go a bit, but I will agree they do look "fast". Faster maybe than their engines can manage.