25-28k fun and fast, family daily driver or keep the A6 leas

[Danzelp]

Any help with my first world predicament is welcome.

My Volvo V90 T4 goes back to lease imminently, I have an Audi A6 2.0 TFSI Sport ordered, due for delivery in June but I'm not convinced it's the right car for me for the next 3 years and can cancel upto delivery.

My alternative is to spend around 25-28k, ideally less if possible on a used car that fits the bill with abit more power... My main concern with this option is, buying now with high prices I end up with a huge less or neg equity pretty quickly..

Use case:
Once weekly/biweekly 220-250 mile round trip mainly motorway for office trip, comfort for this journey is important, ideally with adaptive cruise control. Happy to take a hit here on MPG so long as I can slog it to 30s, rather than just go for a diesel of which I've had many over the years (Octavia vrs, golfs etc), but also not completely against the diesel option, but like the idea of a fun petrol.

Occasionally used for family outings, max 3 kids, more often with 2. One 2yo in car seat, one exiting bumper seat soon.
Ideally will manage the odd family UK trip away with everything in tow.

Ideal nice to haves: <50k miles, digital dash, Android auto

Our second car is a new shape focus the partner uses as her main car for school runs etc.

Current consideration list:
mk7.5 Golf R estate (test driven, was fun, but bit fugly and uninspiring interior, hoping to skip estate for perhaps a more practical hatchback)

BMW 4 series 17 plate GC 440i/435d XDrive OR 3 series touring equivalent. Hesitation is slightly dated interior, would much prefer newer gens but waaaay over budget.

Audi S5 17plate onwards new shape (pushes budget)

New shape Octavia VRS (over priced and budget for new shape which would be only preferred version, had the previous diesel model before my Volvo and loved it)

Any inspo or advice welcome and appreciated

Edited by Danzelp on Monday 25th April 20:38

[ZX10R NIN]

Polestar V60

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204204...

XF300 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203123...

R Sport 300

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203274...

V60 T5 Inscription not fun but a good car

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201311...

[GX337]

A Giulia Veloce fits the budget.

[Gweeds]

440i GC would be ideal. And that budget should get you a 2018 model. High 30’s easily achievable on motorway runs and superb drivetrain.

[Shiv_P]

Gweeds said:

440i GC would be ideal. And that budget should get you a 2018 model. High 30’s easily achievable on motorway runs and superb drivetrain.

Definitely should not be spending £25-28k on a non-M F30 based car. Can get a G30 330i for almost 28k which in most respects is a far better car

[Gweeds]

Shiv_P said:

Definitely should not be spending £25-28k on a non-M F30 based car. Can get a G30 330i for almost 28k which in most respects is a far better car

If you want a 4-pot B48 over that B58.

[SWoll]

Not sure why you are worried about negative equity in comparison to paying for a lease car you'll never own?

If you're after comfort, long distance ability and practicality then I'd avoid the 3/4/A5 sized cars and go for a 5 series/E-Class sized car instead personally, as you were planning on an A6 anyway.

A 17 plate 540i X-Drive would be in budget, and a lot nicer place to spend time than a 3/4 series. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203093...

To add a left field choice, how about a Maserati Ghibli V6S? A low mileage 2016 car would be acheivable https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203083...

Edited by SWoll on Monday 25th April 23:09

[Shiv_P]

Gweeds said:

Shiv_P said:

Definitely should not be spending £25-28k on a non-M F30 based car. Can get a G30 330i for almost 28k which in most respects is a far better car

If you want a 4-pot B48 over that B58.

For sure, but in every other way it's a worse car

[Boringvolvodriver]

GX337 said:

A Giulia Veloce fits the budget.

That would be my choice - despite having a Volvo now, have had Alfa’s in the past and isn’t it a rule of PH that you have had to had one at some point in your motoring career?

[SWoll]

Boringvolvodriver said:

GX337 said:

A Giulia Veloce fits the budget.

That would be my choice - despite having a Volvo now, have had Alfa’s in the past and isn’t it a rule of PH that you have had to had one at some point in your motoring career?

Not the most practical for family trip though perhaps? 5 up + young kids gubbins likely to be a struggle however occasionally I'd suggest. The infotainment/tech is also a bit of a weak point.

Alfa good, Maserati better from a PH perspective? I'd go for the Ghibli personally if not a Giulia QF, and it's a bit bigger as well.

Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 26th April 10:50

[Gweeds]

Shiv_P said:

For sure, but in every other way it's a worse car

See I’d take an F30 340i over a G20 330i but that’s just me

[ninjag]

What about a Mercedes C300 Estate?

2019 with only 32k and has adaptive cruise etc plus decent performance whilst still stating 37mpg. I'm not really a Mercedes fan but this does look decent.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...

[Canon_Fodder]

OP as your use case is motorway slogs and family outings it seems as though opportunities to have fun are limited.

I suggest staying with the unfun A6 and sneaking into the wife's Focus now and then if you get the chance.

[Danzelp]

ZX10R NIN said:

Polestar V60

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204204...

XF300 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203123...

R Sport 300

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203274...

V60 T5 Inscription not fun but a good car

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201311...

Thanks, the jags look like an interesting alternative

[Danzelp]

Gweeds said:

440i GC would be ideal. And that budget should get you a 2018 model. High 30’s easily achievable on motorway runs and superb drivetrain.

Yep seems to be a good all rounder

[Danzelp]

SWoll said:

Not sure why you are worried about negative equity in comparison to paying for a lease car you'll never own?

If you're after comfort, long distance ability and practicality then I'd avoid the 3/4/A5 sized cars and go for a 5 series/E-Class sized car instead personally, as you were planning on an A6 anyway.

A 17 plate 540i X-Drive would be in budget, and a lot nicer place to spend time than a 3/4 series. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203093...

To add a left field choice, how about a Maserati Ghibli V6S? A low mileage 2016 car would be acheivable https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203083...

Edited by SWoll on Monday 25th April 23:09

Thanks! The 540i is a great shout

[Danzelp]

SWoll said:

Not the most practical for family trip though perhaps? 5 up + young kids gubbins likely to be a struggle however occasionally I'd suggest. The infotainment/tech is also a bit of a weak point.

Alfa good, Maserati better from a PH perspective? I'd go for the Ghibli personally if not a Giulia QF, and it's a bit bigger as well.

Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 26th April 10:50

The alfa looks lovely, but space is perhaps my concern

[Danzelp]

ninjag said:

What about a Mercedes C300 Estate?

2019 with only 32k and has adaptive cruise etc plus decent performance whilst still stating 37mpg. I'm not really a Mercedes fan but this does look decent.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...

Definitely a good alternative, thanks

[Danzelp]

Canon_Fodder said:

OP as your use case is motorway slogs and family outings it seems as though opportunities to have fun are limited.

I suggest staying with the unfun A6 and sneaking into the wife's Focus now and then if you get the chance.

Good chance you're right!

Really appreciate everyone's contributions, all great food for thought

[DanQyou]

I have a C300 petrol coupe on a 68 wouldn't recommend the engine / 9 speed gearbox combo, it just doesn't seem to do well if you ask anything more than smooth steady driving of it and it can get a bit unsure when pulling away hard which has bothered me enough to put mine up for sale. If you don't drive quickly or kick down off the line often then you are fine and its quick enough but just something to be aware of.

cheers

Dan