stevos

OK guys got a bit of a dilema. I currently have a mk2 mazda 3 mps but looking to start a family and I have always loved the look of an estate car.
I have been looking at the focus st estate but is there anything also with similar power around 260 bhp that I'm missing.
The mazda is a 2010 so don't want to go any older than that and also looking for something with no more than 40k on it.
I will have 13k max to spend.

mk1turboestate

iTrader: (2)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-12-BM...wAAOSwLnBX6u~z

Maybe not an ex police but an example and for your budget should get lower mileage

JasonPD

I'm a fan of the Octavia VRS - they come in both petrol or deisel and the boot on the estate version is huge!

gcfcos

Mazda 6 MPs drove a few when I worked at Mazda and went like stink.

Edited as just realised you wanted an estate

stevos

The vrs is a good shout I was looking at the saloon before I bought my mps.
I'm not really a bmw guy although I used to have a 525 and it was a good car.

Caddyshack

BMW 530d estate, they are good value, quick and nice spec. You might even find a 535d, with a remap those are C63 Amg quick.

It's Czech Mate

Octy vrs, massive boot and load space for the size of car, petrol ones pretty good to drive, reliable and. Heap to run. Diesel are ok but not as good to drive and only a bit better on fuel

burnzy

E-class Mercedes if you want comfort and space.

cossynut2

+1, my Daughters partner who runs his own garage had a turbo diesel VRS , fast , reliable and good mpg with loads of room.

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

Ive got a 62 plate ST estate, had it just over a year and got it on 26k miles, now on 37k.
Was a tossup between the VRS and the Focus, the focus has more power and less old manish.

Can get the family in easily and decent sized boot, i cant fault it.

The boots on the BMWs are not that big.

Fullflush

Could get an RS4 for that money

bigdel

I've got a loan VW Passat TDI estate whilst my Mondeo's in for repair, and the thing goes like a train. Nicely equipped and comfortable
Mate of mine's just bought a 2010 Mondeo Estate with the 203bhp 2.0 Ecoboost engine in it. He paid just under 8500 for it so you'd have plenty of change from your 13k

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

I also had a look at a passat R36, but didnt take it for a test drive as it had a DSG gearbox, just shy of 300bhp but seem to have higher milage on them.

Remembering now, thats why i didnt go for the VRS as all the newer ones are DSG and need a cam belt every 60k miles

stevos

More leaning towards a petrol as I probably only do 5k a year in a car. Octavia vrs is a good choice although would need a remap to liven it up.
Would love an rs4 but couldn't justify the running costs on one.

Caddyshack

The dsg box is really good, I used one on a 3.2tt that my mate had and it worked perfectly in full auto or flappy paddle

Caddyshack

5k per yr, you really wouldn't have much running costs in any car, even a Bentley

stevos

I know mate but I refuse to pay inflated prices for parts.
The wife may use it also but she is looking for a 1.0 ecoboost focus so it may just sit there as I use my work van during the week.

Fullflush

+1 on the DSG box, it is amazing.

RS4 parts aren't as bad as you think

It's Czech Mate

The dsg is great in petrol cars, the octy diesel is less good with dsg, it needs the new 7sp one, ratios in the 6 sp feel wrong

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

I have only ever driven a passat diesel with DSG and hated it. So therefore wont buy a car at the mo with it.
But that is of course my opinion...

burnzy

My mate bought a cat c mk5 golf 1.9tdi DSG with 160k iirc, had a dmf rattle when he bought it, the timing belt nearly snapped and I luckily found it and let him know before it went bang, he has done god knows how many miles in it, filled it with petrol more times than I care to ask, damaged most the panels ragged it from cold all the time, it's done well over 210k miles now and he has never replaced the dmf and just had the dsg serviced properly once iirc, he has done normal servicing but not on time, and it still gets bladdered everyday, that's bloody good going if you ask me, it wasn't even a tidy example when he bought it (against my advice)

So I'd not shy away from a DSG unless it was just personal choice.

It's Czech Mate

I don't think Fudgey was worried about the reliability. More how they drive

I don't like em in diesels either, well the 6sp ones Ive driven

smiley

Volvo v60 r design 2.0 5 cyl d mines a 2011 awesome car great engine 48 mpg at 90 amazing sound system just great all round 178 bhp has sport mode very stable at high speeds smooth at low speeds like a van with the back seats down only thing I would say is a bit big when it comes to car parks best car I've owned

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

If you are starting a family, buy something cheaper for a couple of grand. You will have baby vomit everywhere, wet / muddy push chair in and out the boot all the time etc. Give it a couple of years then buy yourself something a bit nicer!

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

This, it changed gear at whatever rpm it was even if you didnt pull the paddle, or in tiptronic touch the shifter it would change gear, i cant remember what else i didnt like about it as it was a few years ago

We have one of these as a pool car at work, i used it to visit site a few weeks ago, the boot on my focus is bigger/better shape

I bought a tailored load liner for my focus off ebay for Ł50, quite expensive for what it is but it keeps the boot clean as i usually have a bike in the boot.

Supercharge6

Saab 95 Aero estate - 260HP easily upped to 300. Ultra reliable, parts not expensive, is a missile on the motorway with great midrange power. Cheap to buy...

smiley

Focus estate? I had a v50 befor deffo more space in the boot think these are classed as a sportbrake I've got 3 kids plenty of room unless you actually keep your kids in the boot?

stevos

They are nice motors my brother in law had a saloon one years ago and it went well. Looking for something a bit newer though.

stevos

I'm kind of using the starting a family as an excuse to get an estate as I have always wanted one.

24v4x4

335D Touring Xdrive. I have one and can't fault it.

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

My mate has a V50 on a 56 reg and the boot is way smaller than the focus, i can easily get 2 road bikes in mine with wheels on, have to take the front wheel off to get them in his.

Supercharge6

I hear you mate.. Just saying you could get a 2010 model for good money.. Check out the interior etc, you might be quite surprised. Most comfortable leather seats bar none

smiley

Good luck with whatever you get sounds like you know what you want another focus

bj928

mondeo with the 5 cylinder turbo engine should go well, and from my experience the mondeo has a massive boot on the estate, also i have an E class estate merc, and they are big in the back, mine is the 3.2 diesel but i used to have a 4.3 v8 saloon and that went like stink.

Supercharge6

Don't discount the 2010 Saab 95 Aero estate my friend .. Huge boot, very fast on motorway, front seats most comfortable in class, cheaper than the competition...

Just sayin

stevos

I have searched for the 5 pot mondeo but couldn't see any for sale.
The Saab is a good shout mate I forgot they made them that new.

Supercharge6

I hear you mate keep us posted on progress...

james kiely

iTrader: (5)

V70 d5 for me

They make a sweet 5 cylinder diesel that has plenty of ooomph