Update - Help (Not So) New Dad, Needs New Car

[jimborae]

Hi All,

See update : http://forums.hexus.net/automotive/2...ml#post3254545

So big change has happened in my life in the last week, I've become a dad for the first time.. Hooray!

Unfortunately it's already becoming quite apparent that my cars are not compatable with this new change...Boooo

So the Audi TT Quattro Sport and the BMW E46 330Ci M-Sport will have to go and be replaced by something more practicle. Trouble is I don't know what so i need some help please.

Budget is between 10K-16K,
4 Doors
Full leather interior
Fast
Good handling
Can be diesel
4 wheel drive would be handy but not essential
Low mileage

To give you an idea I'm currently looking at 2nd hand Focus ST-3's and was considering a brand new Skoda Fabia VRS. The Fabia is a great little run around but the lack of leather option, creature comforts and issues cropping up with the engine has put me off.

As you can see little cars are an option as well as bigger, thirstier ones as I do very few miles a year, so suggestions please. Anybody have opinions on the Fiesta ST as that looks like it could fit the bill.

Cheers

J

[abaxas]

New A3 should hit older A3 second hand prices.

Might be a bargain or two about.

[kalniel]

New A3 should hit older A3 second hand prices.

Might be a bargain or two about.

While easy to get in leather trim, quattro is expensive and eats into boot space. Also while fast enough, handling leaves a little to be desired, certainly in terms of driver involvement.

[jimborae]

While easy to get in leather trim, quattro is expensive and eats into boot space. Also while fast enough, handling leaves a little to be desired, certainly in terms of driver involvement.

My thoughts exactly, I'd probably only consider an S3 and for the money I have I think I can get better value and thrills else where. Also to be honest I don't think they're really powerful enough with all the weight they carry and it's difficult to get much more out of them

[jimborae]

Actually looking into it, it seems the S3 2ltr TFSI engine can be remapped to 300+bhp so the power requirement could be met. Hmm could be a possibility then.

[Biscuit]

What about a subaru legacy r-spec?
~250Bhp 3.0 boxer engine without having the same 'image' thats behind the impreza

Leon Cupra
Can get a lot of Seat for that kind of budget

Skoda Octavia vRS

Golf
GTD or GTi

BMW 5 Series?

How about a sporty Volvo?

[DanceswithUnix]

Congratulations!

Keep one of the fun cars, trade the other in for a big shed.
Really, it doesn't matter what it is, it just needs boot space. Enough that if you go stay somewhere for the night you can take pram, travel cot, steralizer, nappies, clothing, cloths for wiping up the sick, more clothing because the last lot has sick on it. High chair, bottles. Cloths for wiping up the sick.

Bucket seats are a pain for finding a booster seat that fits.

Oh, and crayon never quite comes out of cream leather

[jimborae]

Congratulations!

Keep one of the fun cars, trade the other in for a big shed.
Really, it doesn't matter what it is, it just needs boot space. Enough that if you go stay somewhere for the night you can take pram, travel cot, steralizer, nappies, clothing, cloths for wiping up the sick, more clothing because the last lot has sick on it. High chair, bottles. Cloths for wiping up the sick.

Bucket seats are a pain for finding a booster seat that fits.

Oh, and crayon never quite comes out of cream leather

Thanks for the handy advice but no need to buy a big shed, the other half has a Kia Sportage so that's the Donkey Wagon. It's really car for me to drive and then use on long journeys as I can't stand driving the Kia any distance.

I should probably point out that while I'm a first time dad, the missus has a 10yr old so she at least is quite familiar with trials of traveling with kids.

[jimborae]

Subaru legacy R-Spec may just be a bit too big, I'd have too see one in the flesh, same with a 5 Series.

Skoda Octavia vRS I'm open too as I am a Golf GTI or GTD

[Scainer]

335d

[Guy]

Wow, congratulations James! Best wishes to all of you!

Your requirements scream to me 335i. Hits all the criteria bar 4WD, but if you were that concerned nothing a spare set of alloys wearing winter rubber will sort out!

Otherwise off the top of my head fast rally offering, Evo or Impreza? Granted they aren't the most practical, or refined.

For your mileage I wouldn't even think about a diesel, false economy.

Tbh I keep coming back to the 335i. VERY tuneable, can be found in 2 door coupe, 4 door saloon, or 5 door estate. Not too large, exceptional handling (I've tracked mine LOTS) highly spec'd, and can be found in both manual & automatic.

[jimborae]

Wow, congratulations James! Best wishes to all of you!

Your requirements scream to me 335i. Hits all the criteria bar 4WD, but if you were that concerned nothing a spare set of alloys wearing winter rubber will sort out!

Otherwise off the top of my head fast rally offering, Evo or Impreza? Granted they aren't the most practical, or refined.

For your mileage I wouldn't even think about a diesel, false economy.

Tbh I keep coming back to the 335i. VERY tuneable, can be found in 2 door coupe, 4 door saloon, or 5 door estate. Not too large, exceptional handling (I've tracked mine LOTS) highly spec'd, and can be found in both manual & automatic.

Hi Guy, thanks a lot mate, was hoping you'd see this & chip in. I think an Impreza is out of the question as although I'd love one probably an 07 Sport wagon, the other half just thinks they're Chav wagons and would hate to see it on the drive. Even a GB270 Sport Wagon which is what I'd want if I could justify the premium.

The other thing is that I do love the quality of my current bimmer so a 335i Touring could make sense, however my current E46 330ci has depreciated so much over the last 2yrs I'd be scared of getting another. If I went for a 335i what year should I be looking for and what are my tuning options bearing in mind that i consider my 330ci too slow.

Cheers

J

[DanceswithUnix]

I think my key advice in the section above was that crayon doesn't quite come out of the leatherwork. You can't keep an eye all the time on what little kids are up to in the back, and there is a good chance they will trash the back of the car. The back of my seat is scuffed to hell with footmarks from being kicked from behind, christ only knows what has been dropped on the seats. Car was only worth 4K when I bought it, that was 6 years ago so its worth sod all now, so I don't need to get precious about it getting mucky.

This is in an Alfa 166, it's a pretty big car but I have had trouble because it is a saloon and some prams were a pain to get in and out of the boot. It has 190bhp which isn't quick but wafts me around nicely enough and the car is lovely on long journeys.

Any car you have had for a bit you will consider a bit slow. For the weekends I have a Stratos replica, so having a not that quick and slightly trashed car for general transport is fine by me.

[jimborae]

Yeah one of the reasons the current 330ci has to go is that it has light grey leather interior, I suppose my only real option is black leather. .

The problem with regards to speed is that I came from a supercharged, 300bhp Civic Type-R to the bimmer & TT, so anything compared to the Civic seems slow now.

[abaxas]

Just a note.

All previous shavp 3 series are a focus/golf size of car. It may look bigger, but not on the inside

[Guy]

I'd be more than happy to come over so you could have a poke around and see if an E91 (3 series touring) would be big enough and practical enough for your needs.

The x35i engine is leaps and bounds over the old x30i. You still have a lovely 3 litre straight 6, but with the addition of two turbo's (later revisions went to a single blower setup).

Just to give you an idea of what can be done, with only a proper remap you'd go from 306 - 360bhp & 295 - 340 ft lb of torque. So even in standard form it's no slouch.

After that it depends on what you want, and how big your wallet is. Larger front mount, induction, exhaust, 6 pot brakes, the list is endless.