Jamesemt

Hi guys, due to the iminent arrival of our first baby, I reckon the Fabia vRS which the wife has will be a bit too small. So I'm half looking for something else.

She does 250 miles a month, and it would be the main 'family' car. She works in a rough area, so something which looks ordinary (but isn't) would be best (sadly no Evos...one day ).

Her only criteria is that it must feel as quick as the Skoda.

My only criteria is that it must be a different experience to my Ibiza TDI (which is a keeper ). Must be able to slip it past Mrs Jamesemt as a normal car (so a Scoob without a spoiler is out, cos she'll recognise it )

No older than about X reg, maximum budget of £11k or £220pm (PCP/ 5 year finance).

Does anything immediately spring to mind? Would prefer 30mpg on a run, too

I am completely at a loss!! Must be able to sell the idea as baby friendly !!

Curtiz

iTrader: (2)

clio 172, leon cupra r? look quite discrete to a non-car fanatic

scooby_matt

Have a look at the Mazda 6 range.
Loads of engines to choose from, and a 250 bhp one in the line up I believe.
All have good reviews, handle well and you should be able to pick one up 2-3 years old within your budget.
Edited to say, you should have no trouble with it catching much attention either

Jamesemt

Clio is as small as the Fabia. I've considered the Leon Cupra, but would it provide a vastly different driving experience to my Ibiza?

Accord Type R?

Jamesemt

Don't think the Mazda 6 MPS (err is that what the 250bhp one is called?) has been out that long?

TBH I should have made the dodgy parking comment a bit clearer. The car is parked in a school car park - what I don't want is something with a large wing that would draw attention, something maybe a bit rare that debadged wouldn't draw scroatbags to have a closer look.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Audi S3
BMW 330i/330D touring
MG ZTT
Merc C270CDI
Mondeo ST
Astra GSI Turbo
Focus ST/RS
Volvo S60 T5

Jamesemt

Must be a 5 door, on thinking about it (only 3 door I would try and convince her with would be the Focus RS...and I'd be worried about it being parked up after dark - it has such a prescence).

MG ZTT sounds interesting...

At the moment, the shortlist has a Leon Cupra and a Golf TSI (although the Golf may be just outside budget at present).

RobEvo5

iTrader: (9)

Literally just upgraded the family motor to a Vectra GSI on an 03 plate.

Probably have rose tinted goggles at the moment, but bloody fantastic car and has really opened my eyes up as to what can be had for relatively little money compared to some of the older jap stuff. Or younger german stuff.

The car has better build quality than my previouls 'T' reg 5 series. Much, much better interior, VERY solid car and built any bit as good as a audi or BMW IMHO. Very spacious for a family, and goes like stink with loads of low end grunt. Feels much quicker than paper figures would suggest. Handles well despite what Clarkson might think. In real world driving on real world road conditions with pot holes and the like. I think they have got the perfect balance, for a fast, comfortable, luxury hatch. On a 03 its depreciated well over 50% but probably won't depreciate hardly any more.

If your not a badge snob, they well worth consideration. If not the 3.2 V6GSI, the turbo diesals are probably worth a look as well.

I test drove a ST220, but much prefer the GSI as a family car.

MattOz

BMW 330i Sport Touring. Cracking car and can be had for reasonable money these days. I'm running an 02 plate 330i Sport saloon at the moment and it's averaging over 30mpg. Fantastic soundtrack from the straight 6 too!

Matt

Andy M3

Or diesel equivalent in some of those

bobthebodger

Bmw

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

I wouldnt bother with the Focus RS if you are planning to get baby and baby seat in the back, as we had my girlfriends neice and her baby seat in my Focus RS the otherday and it was a bloody nightmare, personally id only look at 5 door car for your needs!

FlightMan

Had an ATR myself, with 2 small ( 5 and 2 ) kids at the time. Plenty big enough, huge boot, 380 miles on 55 litres if your carful. 250 if the kids aren't there.

Wife loved it as well. She doesnt like "sporty" cars, but unless your booting it, its like a good handling saloon. Boot it and woah baby!!

5 Star Evo rating, and the chavs dont spot 'em.

Jamesemt

Yeah understand that, just trying to hang onto a dream of owning one

Jamesemt

How bad are they on fuel? I presume they are TDI torquey?

Only experience of Vectras was round about T reg, and I thought they were bloody appauling (SRI).

What type of money are they? Never worked out the badging on them? Some V6's are badged as SRI, some GSI?? What's all that about?

Definately another to add to the list!!

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

How about another skoda?
The octavia VRS drops in nicely with plenty of cars under 10k from dealers with lowish miles (under 30k) which would suit you? Plus you could always remap it

Tony

KiwiGTI

£9000 for an 06

http://www.motorpoint.co.uk/search_r...aspx?offer=385

logiclee

Make
FORD ModelMONDEO DerivativeEDGE TDCI 155 Engine2.2 T/D Body Style5 DR HATCH TransmissionMANUAL Year06(APR06) Mileage11K Reg No06-RegRef No:67154SpecificationAIR CONDITIONING, ALLOY WHEELS, HEATED FRONT SCREEN, 6 SPEED, PARKING SENSORS, ELECTRIC PACK, A B S, MULTI AIR BAGS, POWER ASSISTED STEERING, CENTRAL LOCKING

www.dmservices.co.uk/dmsextranet/databases/Direct/images/67154.jpg
http://www.dmservices.co.uk/dmsextra...s/67154_02.jpg

How about the above for £10999, similar economy to the vRS but quicker. 155PS and 300lbft.

Cheers
Lee

ScoobyDoo555

With a baby in mind (and your other half), I would seriously be looking at something with 4 doors. A 3dr is going to be hard going - think about putting in the car seats, and then putting baby in as well....hunched over trying to fit in etc....... also something with a big boot. Think about the pram/pushchair combi things and then shopping on top of that!!! Also what about when you need to go somewhere (or even overnight) - it is SHOCKING the amount of junk you need to take with you!!

I'd recommend something German (audi tdi?) or perhaps a Legacy (big boot)

My first Scoob wagon was pretty good for this, but the second saloon was rubbish.
Wifey had a Mondeo hatch.
Now our kids have gone past that stage, we've got an Audi S4 Avant (big enough for the family, and it quenches my thirst for performance.....at the moment! ) and Wifey's got a 306 GTI6. Yes, it's a 3dr, but she missed her hot hatch days, plus the kids can get in and out on their own

Hope this is of *some* use

Dan

scooby-d71

I'd go with the leon cupra r but thats only coz i got one already

the skoda octavia would be worth look too though

Dream Weaver

I'm in the same boat at the moment, will be selling our 320 Coupe soon as there is no way a pram etc will fit in.

It's a difficult choice, but you need to forget performance stuff really, so the LCR/172 offerings are pie in teh sky in reality.

I've looked at some of the new Focus etc, but the interior quality is poo after having the Beemer for the last few months.

We're going Diesel, as the Beemer gives 40mpg minimum now, and its also quick enough for the family car.

May be worth looking at a 320/330 Diesel Touring as MattOz says, nice motor. The next test drive for us is an Audi A3 Sportback, or maybe a Golf of some sort will be OK?

Jamesemt

Cheers for all the replies.

Might take a look at the old shape Leon FR TDI...

Maybe a Golf?? The 2.2 Mondeo does look very nice, wonder if the Mrs would struggle to park it

danDREAD

what about my legacy RS? , its 4 door , will definately be powerful enough, very understated, AWD, nobody knows what they are so not highly nickable , shes got alarm immobilizer and RAC tracker , large boot and full leather ???

all for £2700! (so you save a packet too! )

check pistonheads for pics

good luck wi the quest

Izzy

I'd second one of those as well. Practical, understated & quick.... I was taken round the Nurburgring as a passenger in one with just an exhaust & remap - was very quick.....

logiclee

It's got parking sensors.

Cheers
Lee