bigandy
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| posted on 8/1/13 at 11:18 AM |
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New Tin-top recommendations
Hi folks,
SWMBO and I are expecting our second little 'un this year, and it has drawn into question our car. We have a little 07 plate Fabia vRS (mk1
version), and it is already a bit tight for space if we go away for a few days. So, we are wondering about getting a larger car to fit all the guff
in associated with us pair and two little ones under the age of 3.
I don't have too many requirements, just that it can fit in a pushchair, two car seats, a travel cot, and a couple of holdall type bags, plus
some toys etc. Oh, and the four of us too. Ideally, I would like something that is nippy, at least as good as the Fabia is performance wise,
preferably a bit more if possible! I'm not too fussed about petrol or diesel, it will only be doing about 7000 miles per year, mostly short
trips of 5-10 miles or so, with the occasional longer run. Sensible servicing costs and tyre costs would be nice too.
So, does anyone have any suggestions? Our budget is around 10k, possibly a little more if I can scrape together some more cash.
up to now I've consider an Octavia estate (vRS), and that's about it...
Andy
Dammit! Too many decisions....
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BangedupTiger
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| posted on 8/1/13 at 12:25 PM |
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Only mpv with decent performance I can think of os the zafira vxr.
Cheap to maintain and run, plus you'll get plenty of change from your budget.
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Slimy38
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| posted on 8/1/13 at 12:25 PM |
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My first suggestion would also have been an Octavia vrs if you're happy with the Fabia. Although the saloon version might be sufficient for what
you need.
I am extremely biased though, I want one!
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britishtrident
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| posted on 8/1/13 at 12:32 PM |
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Something VW group or Ford or Mazda or Toyota it also might be worth a trip to your local Kia or Hyundai dealers to check if they
have any 2010 or 2011 trade-ins or ex-demos.
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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robinj66
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| posted on 8/1/13 at 12:40 PM |
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I also liked the Octavia VRS as a replacement for my Leon FR. Unfortunately you won't get the latest spec for that money. Instead I ended up
with a 2.0 diesel Mondeo (140) which has the same room as the Octavia, is still quite nippy and is comfortable for the family ( I found the VRS to be
a little on the firm side - great for me but not so for the family).
I got a 10 plate hatch for £9800 in February. Worth a look
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tegwin
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| posted on 8/1/13 at 02:35 PM |
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How about something like this?
2001 Audi RS4 2.7 TWIN TURBO 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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roadrunner
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| posted on 8/1/13 at 04:38 PM |
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I have just got an Audi A4 Quattro 2.0t fsi Avant.
Great car, cracking handling, even better if you put the RS rear anti roll bar on for less than £100. Plus for £150 ish you can remap upto 250bhp.
On long runs it is quite frugal for a turbo petrol.
Plus , they hold there value too.
Brad.
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twybrow
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| posted on 8/1/13 at 04:48 PM |
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For your mileage, I would xteer well clear of a diesel - they are more expensive to buy and to service - you woul dneed to be doing more than 15k a
year to make it worth considering.
Octavia VRS would be great - you could easily get into one about the same age as your Fabia for that budget...
I would also suggest a 3 series beemer, a passat or an A4 as above...
For a bit more leftfield, you might want to look at an Impreza (WRX), or even a larger hatchback such as a Focus (ST). Personally, I would avoid
Vauxhalls like a plague!
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roadrunner
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| posted on 8/1/13 at 07:47 PM |
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Just to add, the insurance quotes on the Quattro where quite a lot cheaper than any other car I was looking at , at the time.
Skoda Octavia VRS
Audi A4 diesel
VW Passat.
Dont know why a 200bhp petrol car would be cheaper to insure than a 140bhp diesel, but the difference easily covered the difference in road tax.
Brad.
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sdh2903
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| posted on 8/1/13 at 08:04 PM |
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focus st no good space wise, I have one and its a squeeze with kids in the back. Echo the comments about insurance, I really don't know what
they're on lately, my St was 45 quid cheaper than the 320d I had previously, 2.5 turbo petrol vs 2.0 diesel?
anyway back to the subject, if you want lots of space the Smax is a great car and you can a 2.5t one too. if you could live with a regular estate the
Audi is a good shout, expensive to buy but hold their money. 3 or 5 series tourer with a 3.0 petrol would be worth a look too.
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Rosco
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| posted on 8/1/13 at 08:08 PM |
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An out of the box suggestion maybe, but if you like your existing motor and just need extra space for the odd long journey then perhaps consider a
roof box. You only need all that baby stuff for a couple years, unless your planning more, so seams a shame to buy a lumbering monster for that.
Keep the cash in your pocket.
I used to have a big Volvo that I convinced myself I needed, but then realised we only need the space a few times a year for trips to the tip and the
odd campling weekend. So I downsized and got a little trailer.
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BangedupTiger
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| posted on 8/1/13 at 08:18 PM |
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That audi is very nice, but its £5k over budget and 12 years old. Focus st is way too small and too thirsty.
When doing 5-10 min journeys and 7,000 miles a year I wouldnt even consider a diesel. I'd only look at turbo'd petrol.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
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JoelP
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| posted on 8/1/13 at 08:24 PM |
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We're in the same position as you and manage fine with a jeep Cherokee or an a6 Quattro. Both need packing well for hols though. A roof box is a
good solution. Beware old fast audis , they take a lot of maintaining.
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Dave Ashurst
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| posted on 8/1/13 at 08:43 PM |
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I know you can be put off by the diesel, but these are allegedly OK and achieve around 50mpg with full-time 4x4 and limited-slip differentials, plus
the gear-driven camshafts mean there are no cambelts to worry about.
Linky:
Diesel Subaru perhaps?
Time will tell how bombproof the innovative, smooth-running, lightweight, all-aluminium-with-integral-cast-iron-cylinder-linings, boxer diesel engine
is. Perhaps there are some reviews out there..
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skodaman
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| posted on 8/1/13 at 08:59 PM |
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Porsche Boxster is now within budget and leave the kids at home.
Skodaman
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