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Currently, I drive and A4 saloon. But I'm starting to think about changing it. I've had my eye on a 3series touring, as I think they look lovely, decent power/fuel consumption and better load lugging capability.
However, me+missus have no kids, no plans for kids, and I can't help but feel a smaller, 3 door car might be desirable. I don't want to sacrifice practicality, but I'd like something fun, with decent economy that will still allow us to fit plenty in the boot. I've never been fully convinced by the styling of the 1 series, although the coupe is nice.
What else should I be looking at for 13-14k?
EDIT:Second-hand.
New or SH? me and my fiancee went for an Alfa Mito but then im an alfa nut 🙂 also looked at the little Volvo C30
My missus doesn't drive, so I pretty much get to decide what I want without taking her opinion into account 🙂 Besides, I'll be paying for it!
Also, I think I want an auto box, messing with a clutch in stop start traffic does my head in. I think the Mito looks a bit small, I like the look of the Volvo, so I'll take a closer look at it.
I like how my A4 drives, it's solid on the road and grippy, I'm a bit concerned a smaller car will be more 'flighty'. I can easily take both hands off the wheel and the car maintains it's line, before slowly drifting with the camber.
I have this idea that only a BMW is likely to drive noticably better. I certainly don't want to change to anything with a poorer driving experience.
The new BMW 1 series coupe. 😀
Not sure on what the price is but if you like Audi's what about an A3
Focuses are good these days, not a luxury brand but some of the higher spec models are great. Dunno about autos though.
123D for fun. or A3 Sportback if you want space for the bikes still in the back.
Bikes go on the roof. 🙂
I'm starting to think Audis have corrosion issues, based on some ancdotal evidence from a few fellow owners, so am thinking about a move away from the brand. I think the A3 is a bit long in the tooth now TBH, in need to a significan t update. I drove a 2011 A4 a few months ago, nice enough to drive, but noticibly plastickier than my 2003 model inside.
I'm a bit tempted by the 1 series, how's the carry capacity?
EP3 civic typeR loads of change, Golf GTI?, Mazda3 MPS, 320d is a beautiful motor though and if it wasn't for the snowy miles I do every year and the slight lack of space that's what I would have ordered.
The new focus isn't as good as it used to be IMO.
1 series is seriously small.
If the bikes are going on the back, how much space do you need?
How about an Ibiza Cupra? 170 brake with dsg box...?
How about a LandRover FreeLander?
You'll get a decent one for your budget, with the newer body shape and serious off-road capability. They do about 40mpg and have loads of space and are really practical 8)
Plus you won't look like a w@nk#r as you do/will in a BMW/Audi 😛
glitchy double post for some reason
I like how my A4 drives, it's solid on the road and grippy
If you like how an A4 drives, then you will not like any BMW 🙄
... or any decent driving car for that matter. The BMW is everything that the Audi is not, and vice cersa.
The 3 series tops everything else in it's class for handling. The Audi A4 isn't particularly sparkling in that regard. It's much like driving a Golf or Passat.
But, to me it sounds like you want an armchair on wheels. So get a Merc or a Jag...
Not interested in a Jag or Merc, and not looking for a sofa either, thought the 3 series might be a happy medium, between performance vs practicality. I like how my Audi drives in relation to the Saab that preceded it, I don't see how that precludes me from enjoying a BMW.
Not sure about a freelander, no real use for a 4x4. Besides Discovery/Range Rover driver are even bigger ****s than Audi/BMW drivers IMO. I doesn't matter how fast you drive, there will be a Ranger Rover up your arse soon enough...
Don't see how that precludes me from enjoying a BMW
Of course it doesn't.
Might open your eyes to how awful the A4 is 😉
I received a 3 seies touring as a company car, just before Christmas. Before that I had loan of an A4 Avant for 6 weeks.
As different as chalk and cheese
330 Coupe 8)
Or a current generation TT 2.0tfsi
Smaller car? £14k?
Porsche 996. Obvious, really.
VW scirocco. 🙂
on the brand front you are going to say dull and no
on the bang for your buck you'll say 'that looks worth looking at'
mazda 6 sport - you'll get a relatively new one, stick a removable tow bar on with a decent bike carrier - sorted
We bought a mk1 TT 🙂
Not the most sensible choice, but hey, we're having a fun car while we don't have kids.
As MF said, a 335i Coupe would be top on my list, or if you want an oil burner a 335d. Sub 6s to 60 on both!
Or if you can forget fuel a E46 M3 😀
You want to be able to drive around without holding onto the steering wheel, but you don't want a sofa?
JamieMc - Member
VW scirocco.
+1
The wee Volvo is also nice
Not that I've driven one, but surely a 320 estate is a bit sluggish bearing in mind it has all that body work and only a 2 litre engine. A mate has a 540 touring, now that is an interesting drive!
+1 VW Scirocco.
Mrs PixelMix and I have one. Can get one (or two if need be) bikes in the boot just with front wheels off and the back seats folder. I also have a roof rack which gets put on for bigger trips away when we will have 4 people in the car. Fun enough in the twisty stuff and our diesel one does 45-50mpg easily.
You should be able to pick an early one up for your budget now.
A few folks have mentioned the C30. I quite like it but my folks have one as a second card and Mrs PixelMix's folks have one too and it is definitely not as big as the Scirocco (boot space in particular) so might be a bit of a pain coming from an A4
Try the 3 series.. I went from a Leon to a 325D Touring last year and haven't looked back. Love the way it drives and I found it really doesn't [i]feel[/i] any bigger than the Leon.
[quote=toby1]Not that I've driven one, but surely a 320 estate is a bit sluggish bearing in mind it has all that body work and only a 2 litre engine.
Only a fraction of a second down on the saloon.. and about the same as the equivalently powered A4... certainly not noticeable I would say.
Audi Quattro, something with the 2.0 TSFI engine. Choose whatever body shape suits your needs and style best. That or my concession to to a BMW would be a 3 series coupe 330 Ci.
20 odd posts in and no Skodas have been mentioned yet,the StW massive is slacking.
Get a Skoda Yeti, as good as Bmw's are they are 10 a penny even the 3 series now outsells the rep car of choice(Mondeo) there that common.
Audi A5 3.0 TDi Quattro.
Another totally random choice........
Fiat 500 Abarth essesse
20 odd posts in and no Skodas have been mentioned yet,the StW massive is slacking.Get a Skoda Yeti, as good as Bmw's are they are 10 a penny even the 3 series now outsells the rep car of choice(Mondeo) there that common.
Fabia VRS with a mild remap and a strut brace across the engine bay and your laughing really. You can even get a diesel VRS Which is very very fast and probably great on fuel when driven "normally".
Rs4 avant. You only live once.
I quite like the look of the new citroen DS5.
This seems a bit strange to me as it is very different from my actual dream car - a Land rover Defender. The rest of my family have rebelled against my admittedly perverse Defender love so we now have a compromise - a Freelander 2. Its Ok but I still lust after its crude country cousin.
350z, or a 370z at the top of your budget.
Either that or the previously mentioned Civic Type R, or maybe even a DC5 Integra? You'd get a pristine one for about £10k, and they are reputedly the best handling FWD car ever produced. 200bhp+, that awesome VTec noise, and decent economy when driving like a granny.
What about a Seat Leon FR or Cupra, they really are a great car and you get so much value for the money, they also drive fantastically, handle well and quiiiick. Our old one was almost as fun as the wifes TT! 😀
Merc c63
Going to get a kicking for this on here, but Megane Sport of some variety (don't go near a 'standard' Meage though). The right size, quick as you like and handles superbly. We have roof bars for our bikes but for a quick getaway it'll also easily take two bikes in the back with the seats down and front wheels out.
slainte 😀 rob
Scirocco for the win. Can you get them for that price? Gorgeous motors.
Or an Eos if you want something open top. Not that sporty but should be comparable with an A4 I'd guess. Sometimes speed isn't the most important thing 🙂
kkep the audi and get an MX5 too
molgrips - Member
Scirocco for the win. Can you get them for that price? Gorgeous motors.Or an Eos if you want something open top. Not that sporty but should be comparable with an A4 I'd guess. Sometimes speed isn't the most important thing
your predictable VAG obsession is proper boring 😈
£14,999 will get you a brand new Volvo C30 2.0 R Design petrol for cash or 50% deposit and the balance over 3 years interest free.
Ferrari f 40
your predictable VAG obsession is proper boring
It's what I know 🙂
There are plenty of other cars I like, I just don't know how much they are or their specs and so on.
Can't think of another car I like the look of as much as a Scirocco though or a convertible as practical as an Eos that isn't mega bucks (and isn't a Peugot). Those BMW ones are very expensive aren't they?