gingeRS

Right, been looking at newer more modern cars, mostly prompted by me seeing the newest focus ST and thinking if that could be an everyday car

I currently have a 5 series and it’s a great daily, but although a high spec, its pretty basic by modern standards, its also fairly juicy despite being a diesel due to its size and weight.
The car must fulfil the following criteria, 5 door and a big boot for the little one and all her stuff. Lots of toys, and performance should be adequate

Ive looked at lots of ST’s and I like them, but its £20k it’s a lot of money and I am gonna have to keep the car for at least 5 years.

Please don’t turn this thread into one about false economy and how new cars depreciate, as I spend 10-14 hours in my car each week, so it’s an important part of my day. Fuel economy is a consideration but im not doing mega miles, I drive in traffic and around town a lot. Don’t mind big cars.

Just hit me with your suggestions. At the moment I have three options.

1. Sell the 5 series buy a new focus ST or something esle and keep the mk1 RS
2. Sell the focus and buy a £20k sports car and keep the 5 series as a daily
3. do something else! (the kitchen if the mrs had her way!)

Ive looked at the audi RS4 and although it fits the bill im worried the fuel economy round town will piss me off, I can afford it but putting £50 in it to do 100 miles would wind me up.
Help me people!

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

320d Touring? Or even a 330d touring? RWD, good handling, and pretty good fuel efficiency, along with a big boot. Should be better screwed together than a Focus too perhaps, though no doubt I might get some abuse for that...

Johnny Knoxville

Pay off a bulk of your mortgage.

I would love a RS4 but if anything goes wrong expect big bills

zippyobrien

iTrader: (2)

If you want a rs4, have at least 4000£ in a pot spare for when it goes wrong. ( old man had one. It went wrong, often. ).

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

If you want a big boot this rules the ST out straight away!

Martin

gingeRS

the boot on the ST fits the buggy better than the boot on the 5 series

its mega big for a hatch back!

XRT_si

iTrader: (2)

EDIT: Didn't read the criteria properly

rs-tuner

iTrader: (1)

What about an Audi S4 estate big boot, lots of toys, and the 3.0 v6 is not to thirsty and can be made very fast rs4 fast.

rog

iTrader: (2)

http://www.gateway2lease.com/z_bmw_m...96_leasing.php
Not the nicest looking car but might be worth considering. They are very fast and obviously it'll reliable and does about 30-35mpg

Farmer Giles

Focus ST comes in an estate and they do look good IMO..

gingeRS

yeah, can pick up a 2009 S4 for about £20-23k from a main dealer......

louis_2012

Id go German with the likes of a diesel VW or Audi. Ill never own a Ford again, well not one that wasnt given to me

foci

Bit of a negative comment on a ford site?

The Underdog

i often wonder when i see these threads on xxx amount to spend whether people really got that cash spare hanging around or is it financed? 20k is a lot of money. if its spare cash then thats cool and im envious, if its financed your crazy.

stevecfrst1

Ive got a b7 rs4, its a nice car and i like it but i think you'l find it expensive to put fuel in and run. Mine does about 15mpg round town mixed driving, tax is dear also, £269 for 6months. Servicing is reasonable but im scared of something expensive breaking lol. Just what these cars i like i spose

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

The new st is not a great car compared to the mk2 looks nothing special and feels nothing special to drive either ! if you want a new st get a fiesta

gingeRS

i do like the fiesta ST but its 3 door so too small

i was quite impressed by the way the focus ST drives...with 250bhp its pretty urgent

also drove a revo stage 1 model...nice improvement

Straight_4_N/a

2: sell the focus and buy a atom.......

gingeRS

there still £25k so over budget

my friend has an elise and its nice but the build quality is poor and its very cramped

cfoster

Ive had an Audi S5 for a few months, lovely to drive, big enough you'll get a few k change from 20k. Touchwood had nothing go wrong with it, huge spec etc... Defo wortj considering. Fuel economy isnt great if driven hard but if driven ok its not toooo bad for a V8!!

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

This makes me wonder too lol.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

If you like the ST go and drive one and see what you think. It might look nice but might be horrid to drive but I doubt it.

gingeRS

that is a legitimate point, but spending and borrowing is a fairly broad subject, you cant assume all finance is bad, and there some good deals out there.

The Underdog

i just read these threads and start dreaming of what i could spend 20k on. im anti finance so sometimes i wonder are others just loaded and im not. wasnt having a dig its just we all have different ideas on whats acceptible debt. hope you get a good car for 20k.

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

I never found nothing urgent about the latest focus st well is quite urgent to give the keys back lol there horrid

Staffi

iTrader: (1)

What don't /didn't you like about it Jay??

I think they look nice tbh, I've never driven one though, even the previous models

mcst

Look at it this way if you have good credit and can get 0% or low apr finance deals, even if you have the cash would you not rather have that cash in your bank than sat tied up in a car?


OP, what about a 3.0tdi A6 S-line? Plenty of toys and gets down the road well enough.

The Underdog

id leave most of it in my bank and buy a cheaper car.

gingeRS

Have you driven a mk2 RS, I haven't and would be interested how they compare?

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

Yes plenty from standard to 500bhp and the more power the more pointless they are !! Fantastic cars at around 380 bhp the fwd just about copes with that and are a great car to drive around town and on the motorway and a great grin on a spirited drive

Ginge i would rather have the mk2 frs out all that's mentioned but if my only choices was a mk1 rs focus and a late st i would opt for the mk1 frs and you know i love them

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

I dont see why people chase power figures and then make there cars undriveable.


I love Audi RS4s but the repair costs put me right off.

chettle

Id sell the focus and buy one of these

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...fe-lsd/1880516

pani_k

iTrader: (1)

Surprised you haven't gone for an E60 530 or 535d. All the car you could ever want and will get you a lovely one in that budget. Could look at similar offerings from Audi also.

gingeRS

It's just too dull....the e39 at least has some character, my friend has an e60 and it's good but not for me

535d is impressive though

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Nice that..

Mister G

Maybe i'm too much of a fanboy of the newer Jags, but what about an XF? 3.0 Diesel is a belter. Still a boot rather than a hatch though...

gingeRS

That's awesome !

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

I've driven my mates 420 spec one and I'd say that was pretty good tbh. It lays down grip far better than you imagine it should for such power and fwd.

Unfortunately the mk2 FRS has become a bit chavvy. But tbh it wouldn't be a real RS if it didn't have that RS feel about it
I still love them though. Used to hate the blue ones but they'd pip the white for me btu I still like the green

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

PS Noble is a great shout. What an awesomely good looking car and extremely competent! Proper love them.

Straight_4_N/a

You can pick up the 2.0 n/a atom 1 for 20k, mostly the 300bhp models are 25k up.