Looking for the do it all car that doesn't exist

[CEB011]

Now there is nothing better than starting your week with your car failing it's MOT after driving from London to Wales and back over the weekend without any issues. Hey ho, I will still get it fixed to keep me on the road a while longer, now the hunt begins for the impossible daily, the do it all car.

I have been looking at estates and 5dr hatchbacks, I wouldn't be opposed to finance but with the current interest rates my 8k budget is my lot for the time being. I have had my eyes on Volvo V70R, Volvo V50 T5, Subaru Legacy, Audi A4 avants, BMW E46/ E91 325i/330i, Honda Accord type S imports for Japan. The market for German cars is mental currently and the price your paying for some of the miles on cars I think is generally a bit mad, but that's the world at the moment!

I know this is a dead horse being beaten as so many others has asked the exact same questions I have but it never hurts to ask again, what have others experienced looking for the do it all car?

The do it all car for me
- fun to drive
- estate or large hatch (I need the boot for dogs)
- Mile muncher it will be doing alot of miles especially on weekends, but short communities daily so petrol is my only preference
- 200hp as a minimum
- not fussed about auto or manual happy with either
- cruise control is a must!
- preferably with heated seated, if not I will install them myself
- Reliable
- I would prefer AWD but not a absolutely must
- can do the once in a blue moon track day as I can't afford two cars

The car will have a tent box on top some weekends so it also needs to handle that.

Feel free to advise me on how this car doesn't exist or which cars I have mentioned you feel are appropriate and which are not, perhaps ones I haven't considered?

I look forward to the discussion cheers!

Edited by CEB011 on Tuesday 8th August 12:05

[Edible Roadkill]

Think I’d look for one of the later Impreza wrx S ??

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307119...

[Shabaza]

Skoda Octavia VRS
The estate is cavernous, weirdly the normal hatchback in terms of usable capacity isnt far off either.

[hunt123]

Golf GTI.

[Edible Roadkill]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307179...

[What The Deuces]

3 Series Tourer, most flavours are 200bhp+ and good to drive, stay rwd if you enjoy 'driving'

Octavia VRS Wagon

Golf R Wagon

[Edible Roadkill]

If your not put off with higher miles
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307029...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307109...

[shtu]

Shabaza said:

Skoda Octavia VRS

That, or maybe an S4 if it floats your boat.

I didn't see a budget mentioned, and some of the requirements are a bit subjective \ moon on a stick.

"fun" but must also be a motorway pounding cart horse...

[CEB011]

hunt123 said:

Golf GTI.

I should want one, but prices for these I find are a bit crazy currently. I just find the golf slightly boring everyone has one, but for good reason to be fair.

[CEB011]

What The Deuces said:

3 Series Tourer, most flavours are 200bhp+ and good to drive, stay rwd if you enjoy 'driving'

Octavia VRS Wagon

Golf R Wagon

I have looked at golf R wagons, while interest rates are sky high I won't be financing anything so that crosses that for my list, I have also looked at 3 series touring and they are very sought after current which makes finding a good example very hard, but I am keeping my eyes out.

I should look more at an Octavia VRS, just haven't seen many about near myself that don't have silly milage on them.

[CEB011]

Edible Roadkill said:

If your not put off with higher miles
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307029...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307109...

I have read about the reliability on this generation of S4 being rather patchy very hit n miss. I once didn't care about mileage I always thought as long as the car was looked after and maintained they would be okay, however my last 3 cars all have been high mileage cars with great service history, but all have been problems and money pits. Maybe I have just had a bad run on luck?

[CEB011]

Shabaza said:

Skoda Octavia VRS
The estate is cavernous, weirdly the normal hatchback in terms of usable capacity isnt far off either.

I need to look into these more, just hard to find one without silly mileage.

[budgie smuggler]

I've got a VRS and it's a great do-everything car, while still being cheap to run and quick enough. However i wouldn't necessarily say it's fun. In fact I've owned a few and would say that each generation has got more competent and less fun.

Still great though.

[CEB011]

shtu said:

Shabaza said:

Skoda Octavia VRS

That, or maybe an S4 if it floats your boat.

I didn't see a budget mentioned, and some of the requirements are a bit subjective \ moon on a stick.

"fun" but must also be a motorway pounding cart horse...

I mentioned my budget was 8k, I have looked at an S4 of various generations, however I find the reliability can be rather suspect from what I have read and again hard to find an example that are not on silly high milage or in examples. I'm kind of adverse to high mile cars currently due to my last 3 cars being high mile cars with good history but have all been money pits. The Mrs would love me in an Audi, she loves them! Haha

[biggbn]

CEB011 said:

Now there is nothing better than starting your week with your car failing it's MOT after driving from London to Wales and back over the weekend without any issues. Hey ho, I will still get it fixed to keep me on the road a while longer, now the hunt begins for the impossible daily, the do it all car.

I have been looking at estates and 5dr hatchbacks, I wouldn't be opposed to finance but with the current interest rates my 8k budget is my lot for the time being. I have had my eyes on Volvo V70R, Volvo V50 T5, Subaru Legacy, Audi A4 avants, BMW E46/ E91 325i/330i, Honda Accord type S imports for Japan. The market for German cars is mental currently and the price your paying for some of the miles on cars I think is generally a bit mad, but that's the world at the moment!

I know this is a dead horse being beaten as so many others has asked the exact same questions I have but it never hurts to ask again, what have others experienced looking for the do it all car?

The do it all car for me
- fun to drive
- estate or large hatch (I need the boot for dogs)
- Mile muncher it will be doing alot of miles especially on weekends, but short communities daily so petrol is my only preference
- 200hp as a minimum
- not fussed about auto or manual happy with either
- cruise control is a must!
- preferably with heated seated, if not I will install them myself
- Reliable
- I would prefer AWD but not a absolutely must
- can do the once in a blue moon track day as I can't afford two cars

The car will have a tent box on top some weekends so it also needs to handle that.

Feel free to advise me on how this car doesn't exist or which cars I have mentioned you feel are appropriate and which are not, perhaps ones I haven't considered?

I look forward to the discussion cheers!

Edited by CEB011 on Tuesday 8th August 12:05

Subaru Forester Turbo or Legacy with the big six pot engine?

[CEB011]

I have been looking actively at a Legacy I have been leaning more towards a jap import just due to the lower road tax and slightly better fuel consumption. I kinda like Forster's but yet to see one that floats my boat for sale.

[CEB011]

budgie smuggler said:

I've got a VRS and it's a great do-everything car, while still being cheap to run and quick enough. However i wouldn't necessarily say it's fun. In fact I've owned a few and would say that each generation has got more competent and less fun.

Still great though.

What generation would you say was the best of the bunch?

[CEB011]

Edible Roadkill said:

Think I’d look for one of the later Impreza wrx S ??

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307119...

I prefer a legacy over these personal which is why I haven't looked at them, but thank you for the suggestion!

[a311]

Well spec'd merc with moon mileage?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307280...

[What The Deuces]

CEB011 said:

budgie smuggler said:

I've got a VRS and it's a great do-everything car, while still being cheap to run and quick enough. However i wouldn't necessarily say it's fun. In fact I've owned a few and would say that each generation has got more competent and less fun.

Still great though.

What generation would you say was the best of the bunch?

For me

Mk2 Pre Facelift. Ive also had them all and that one for me was a really great car. Such a good engine