Reliable fun "family" car for ~£10k

[Participant]

Can it be done?

I'm thinking

- Mk5 Golf GTi
- Oldish BMW
- Audi A3
- Skoda something or other
- Ford Focus ST

Do any of the above light your fires or would you steer clear? I'm hoping that it isn't going to be too boring, but the wife is more keen on the practicalities than me, otherwise I'd be looking for Elises and Z4s .

Boot space isn't the most important factor but 5 doors would be nice.

Thanks for any opinions.

 

[wez130]

i've got an audi A3 2.0TFSi, quick and practical and if driven normally, not bad on fuel either. I've got the DSG box in mine which is good. you'll get easily for £10k now. You'll get a decent bimmer too in this price range, a 325i would be my choice i think.

 

[[TW]Fox]

You'll get a decent bimmer too in this price range, a 325i would be my choice i think.

Why a 325i?

 

[Barks]

Isn't that enough performance for most people. He asked for a family car not a high performance rice rocket.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Isn't that enough performance for most people. He asked for a family car not a high performance rice rocket.

It's a pointless car as it has 330i running costs but doesn't have 330i performance. Why pay for the running costs of a 330i in order to benefit from the performance of a 325i?

 

[Morba]

have to agree with fox. the 330 is in budget so might as well be purchased.

 

[Vigoro]

I say the A3 and the ST are good ones to go for, hatchbacks normally help with families too.

 

[Barks]

It's a pointless car as it has 330i running costs but doesn't have 330i performance. Why pay for the running costs of a 330i in order to benefit from the performance of a 325i?

Ah I see your point. I thought this was only the case with the E9x series. Can the 325i not be tuned or modified to "unlock" the 330i performance?

 

[Morba]

Ah I see your point. I thought this was only the case with the E9x series. Can the 325i not be tuned or modified to "unlock" the 330i performance?

take the cost of the upgrade and the insurance and just add it to the cost of the 325 and buy..... a 330.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Ah I see your point. I thought this was only the case with the E9x series. Can the 325i not be tuned or modified to "unlock" the 330i performance?

Whats the point? It's a 2.5 whereas the 330i is a 3.0. Just.. don't bother with it.

 

[Muffin`]

Are 325's lots cheaper than 330's?

 

[Barks]

Whats the point? It's a 2.5 whereas the 330i is a 3.0. Just.. don't bother with it.

I thought with the latest model the 330i/d and 325i/d had identical engines, just tuned to a lesser extent with the latter model?

 

[[TW]Fox]

I thought with the latest model the 330i/d and 325i/d had identical engines, just tuned to a lesser extent with the latter model?

Yes but this guy has £10k to spend not £20k+ so what difference does this make

 

[[TW]Fox]

Are 325's lots cheaper than 330's?

Not really

 

[wez130]

i assumed it was the case of the 323 / 325 being the same, not the 325 / 330, otherwise i would have said the 330 lol.

 

[[TW]Fox]

i assumed it was the case of the 323 / 325 being the same, not the 325 / 330, otherwise i would have said the 330 lol.

All Six Cylinder BMW's within a class have virtually identical running costs, including fuel economy, so only ever buy the largest one.

 

[Lum]

Since BMWs have already been done:

Subaru WRX wagon
Subaru Legacy GTB
Nissan Stagea RS V (or RS Four if you prefer AWD over RWD)
Mitsubishi Legnum VR-4

All of these may be a bit thirsty though

Also, can't you pick up an Audi S4 for under 10 grand these days?

 

[[TW]Fox]

Mitsubishi Legnum VR-4

I can't imagine a 10 year old+ Galant being any many peoples 10 grand shortlist

But if we are doing that I'll chuck a 1997 Mondeo into the mix.

 

[Kappa]

I can't imagine a 10 year old+ Galant being any many peoples 10 grand shortlist

But if we are doing that I'll chuck a 1997 Mondeo into the mix.

LOL

I'd opt for a Focus ST 2 5dr!

Or a 3.2 V6 VW Phaeton....

what?...its got 4 doors right?!

 

[Sukh]

Octavia?