Baby On The Way - Upgrading 2 Cars to 1

irishmotorist

My wife and I will be joined by a little Motorist in about a month and a half. We're currently driving a BMW 320d (me) and a Pug 206 (wife). We're thinking that we'll probably become a 1 car family sometime after but my wife doesn't like driving the 320d. She's quite petite and finds the stretch to the pedals a bit uncomfortable.

I like the comfort and poke of the 320d so I'm looking for something with similar performance. We'll only see if it suits both of us after trying it, so I'd appreciate all suggestions. I'd consider about 15k to be the max we'd pay (trade-ins will drop that for us), but preferably a bit less than that.

I've fancied an Impreza a bit over the last few years and the 2 litre seems to fit my performance requirements (on paper anyway) and I could get the likes of a 05 for my kind of price range. My concern about the 2l is that it might attract unwanted attention a bit. Am I over-estimating the 2l and that would only happen with a 2.5?

So, any thoughts on the Impreza or any other suggestions?

Anan1

Forester? It's basically a jacked-up Impreza turbo that nobody notices. Much more family-friendly too.

adamshred

Anan1 wrote: »

Forester? It's basically a jacked-up Impreza turbo that nobody notices. Much more family-friendly too.

^ What he said - you won't be disappointed at all - I love my Forester to bits and even from the factory they are quicker than most other day to day cars on these roads.

Here's a nice example of a Forester

Another Beaut.

Infinitely reliable, comfortable and everything you could want in a family beast!

And the fact that they are Japanese means that your other half may not have too much trouble getting at the pedals because I've found that from experience, the Japanese cars do tend to cater for the smaller individual ( With that said, I'm 6ft 3' and I can still move the seat back enough to have tons of room)

EPM

I'd be looking at a forester/legacy too. They seem ridiculous value for money compared to similar cars. Also, I'll get slated but there's great value in Octavia vrs petrols. Your budget would get you the very best 07 (very few 08's) with thousands to spare.

MugMugs

EPM wrote: »

I'd be looking at a forester/legacy too. They seem ridiculous value for money compared to similar cars. Also, I'll get slated but there's great value in Octavia vrs petrols. Your budget would get you the very best 07 (very few 08's) with thousands to spare.

But its a Skoda!

EPM

MugMugs wrote: »

But its a Skoda!

Imaginative response:p;)

MugMugs

EPM wrote: »

MugMugs wrote: »

But its a Skoda!

Imaginative response:p;)

Couldn't resist. :pac:

+1 to the forester OP. Seriously cool motors and nobody pays them a slight bit of notice unlike the other cars of its type. Plenty of room for the McLaren buggy and million other things needed for a strategic trip to the shop!

irishmotorist

Thanks for the ideas. I hadn't thought of the Forester. It's perhaps a bit industrial looking (particularly for just one baby) but I'll keep it in mind. The Octavia is worth a thought too. Just a question on that - I haven't been paying too much attention recently, but are Skoda's every bit as good as their more pricey German brothers?

Any other thoughts?

Mr Benevolent

[QUOTE=irishmotorist;73949751Just a question on that - I haven't been paying too much attention recently, but are Skoda's every bit as good as their more pricey German brothers?[/QUOTE]

They're a bit better in fact.

MugMugs

irishmotorist wrote: »

Thanks for the ideas. I hadn't thought of the Forester. It's perhaps a bit industrial looking (particularly for just one baby) but I'll keep it in mind. The Octavia is worth a thought too. Just a question on that - I haven't been paying too much attention recently, but are Skoda's every bit as good as their more pricey German brothers?

Any other thoughts?

Not a massive VAG fan but had my mates vRS for a week last year and didn't want to give it back. Skoda have a better rep than VW now imo. Good boot size too! vRS can be a bit on the thirsty side but I drive Diesels anyway so would say that. TDI Superb Sport is pretty big and like sh1t off a shovel too.

irishmotorist

I really like the performance of my own diesel and the fact that it's that little bit cheaper. Most of my driving will be reasonably local but I think I read recently on a forum that this is bad for a diesel engine. I know I'm not getting the best benefit from the diesel on shorter runs, but is it actively bad for the likes of a modern Octavia engine?

MugMugs

Give her a wee Motorway spin once a week or thereabouts with a bit of distance.