Advice on automatic AWD cars

Clauric

I'm looking for some advice in buying a new car in the next 12 months or so. The thing is, I'm not sure what cars currently meet my requirements. The current car I'm replacing is a Vovlo S40 2.4L Turbo Estate. However, I find the boot quite small compared to previous estates I've had, like the Subaru Outback.

The main specs I'm looking for are:

Good carrying capacity (2x golfbags and electric carts)
All wheel drive
Fully automatic
Roof rack
Big enough engine for cross continent driving
Good suspension
High reliability and low maintenance costs
Preferably petrol over diesel
Not an SUV
Max budget is about €45k

Any suggestions?

NIMAN

Skoda Superb? (except the all wheel drive).

MuppetCheck

There is a diesel superb 4x4 but you don't want one.

You'll have slim pickings over here. Would you import?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201412139625855/sort/atcustom/postcode/rg15sb/radius/1501/make/AUDI/model/a4_allroad/page/1/usedcars

braddun

diesel is better for long distance



http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/recommended/ten-best-estate-cars

First Up

Clauric wrote: »

I'm looking for some advice in buying a new car in the next 12 months or so. The thing is, I'm not sure what cars currently meet my requirements. The current car I'm replacing is a Vovlo S40 2.4L Turbo Estate. However, I find the boot quite small compared to previous estates I've had, like the Subaru Outback.

The main specs I'm looking for are:

Good carrying capacity (2x golfbags and electric carts)
All wheel drive
Fully automatic
Roof rack
Big enough engine for cross continent driving
Good suspension
High reliability and low maintenance costs
Preferably petrol over diesel
Not an SUV
Max budget is about €45k

Any suggestions?

Subaru Legacy or Outback.

Breffnigolfer

NIMAN wrote: »

Skoda Superb? (except the all wheel drive).

Exactly what the OP is looking for and it does have the All Wheel Drive. It's an outstanding car with a very economical engine and the same Haldex drivetrain as in the VW/Audi 4motion/Quattro range of cars. It also has the magnificent DSG gearbox.

MuppetCheck wrote: »

There is a diesel superb 4x4 but you don't want one.

............

Pray tell, why ever not?

Oafley Jones

The Superb does seem like the best fit for the requirements.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Oafley Jones

Patww79 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Because it ticks all of the boxes and there really isn't that many options out there for new(er) cars at that price. There's a V6 TFSi version, but why you'd want that over the diesel I wouldn't know, you'd also have to get it in the UK. I'm saying this as someone who really doesn't care for diesels.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Breffnigolfer

The OP said petrol was preferred over diesel, not an absolute requirement.

In any case, the diesel Superb is probably best engine for the DSG box.

There is also an Opel Insignia 4x4 available, but probably only in diesel also.(I haven't checked)

Oafley Jones

Patww79 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I've a 2.5L V6 petrol in the IS250 and the wife has a 170 DSG Superb Combi. I've no problems with the way it drives.

Special Circumstances

Breffnigolfer wrote: »

Exactly what the OP is looking for and it does have the All Wheel Drive. It's an outstanding car with a very economical engine and the same Haldex drivetrain as in the VW/Audi 4motion/Quattro range of cars. It also has the magnificent DSG gearbox.



Pray tell, why ever not?

This post is awesome. Have you ever considered a career in car sales or as an estate agent?

On a more constructive note, I like the xc70, and the outbacks. North of 10k for a car is an alien universe for me though so no idea of how they compare to other options for value.

bazz26

OP will struggle to find anything in petrol here. Best bet is importing from the UK but VRT could be high.

copacetic

only really slightly sensible option is a pre 08 petrol auto 2.5 outback, pretty cheap at 6 or 7k but not great pick up
for long travels. Shame that it is, petrol is less and less of an option, especially in anything newish.

you are left with the newish diesel auto the outback, or maybe the superb. Alternatively you should be able to pick
up a 12 3.0TDI A6 quattro avant for that money. Not the allroad, but the new model. Probably the best option possible.

I've had to switch to diesel myself and had a very similar dilemma to yourself. It's a bit annoying but not too bad.

Casati

Im getting a new Superb Combi next year but I wouldn't recommend buying a new Auto 4WD if the OP is concerned with resale- really any Skoda costing north of 30k/35k is going to lose a lot of value. You'll struggle to get one used too, or alternative is to buy one of the 2014 Tour De France specials in the UK and importing- though not sure many auto's around

The immediate option Im thinking of is a 320i XDrive Touring - they are coming with Leather/ Sat Nav for free in 2015 - list price is a bit over your budget but cash discount should bring it very close http://www.carzone.ie/new-cars/bmw/3-Series/2.0-320I-XDRIVE-SE-TOURING-AUTO/718691020141101

The V70 / XC70 is fairly old hat now, so if going that route I would be looking in the UK for a 2013 and spending no more than 25k/ 30k max. Legacy's dont seem to be available in auto/ diesel, and the older petrol auto's would be really expensive to drive across Europe

If Diesel is okay, then the Peugeot 508 linked might be worth looking at as an outside bet - good value for money too
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/peugeot/508/used-2013-131-peugeot-508-2-0-hdi-sw-tipperary-fpa-44213941964465640

Casati

Another option for you - Golf R Estate is launching in spring, no idea if it will make it to Ireland but assuming it does this should be within budget and would have 'adequate' power. Boot is massive and hatch Golf would have more space that your current S40.

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/First-Official-Pictures/VW-Golf-R-Estate-2015-revealed-a-new-Q-car-champion-/

We need more car options like this!

Breffnigolfer

Casati wrote: »

Im getting a new Superb Combi next year but I wouldn't recommend buying a new Auto 4WD if the OP is concerned with resale- really any Skoda costing north of 30k/35k is going to lose a lot of value. You'll struggle to get one used too, or alternative is to buy one of the 2014 Tour De France specials in the UK and importing- though not sure many auto's around

The immediate option Im thinking of is a 320i XDrive Touring - they are coming with Leather/ Sat Nav for free in 2015 - list price is a bit over your budget but cash discount should bring it very close http://www.carzone.ie/new-cars/bmw/3-Series/2.0-320I-XDRIVE-SE-TOURING-AUTO/718691020141101

The V70 / XC70 is fairly old hat now, so if going that route I would be looking in the UK for a 2013 and spending no more than 25k/ 30k max. Legacy's dont seem to be available in auto/ diesel, and the older petrol auto's would be really expensive to drive across Europe

If Diesel is okay, then the Peugeot 508 linked might be worth looking at as an outside bet - good value for money too
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/peugeot/508/used-2013-131-peugeot-508-2-0-hdi-sw-tipperary-fpa-44213941964465640

You talk about depreciation yet the options in the BMW X-drive will be discounted 100% when it comes to sell and you recommend a Peugeot, the leasing companies' worst nightmare when it comes to costing resale values.

The Skodas are holding their value as good as any marque.
There is a new Passat AWD on the way, also.

bazz26

Current Superb is being replaced by a new model in the summer so current models will take a fair hit on depreciation too. In saying that if people are that concerned about depreciation then buying brand new is not the best approach.

Breffnigolfer

bazz26 wrote: »

Current Superb is being replaced by a new model in the summer so current models will take a fair hit on depreciation too. In saying that if people are that concerned about depreciation then buying brand new is not the best approach.

All the more reason to negotiate an extra discount if buying now?

If one was in the mind, the discounts on the runout models in the UK will be huge(typical UK discounts would be = VAT, discounts not possible in Ireland due to the fixed OMSP determined by Revenue) and a good time to import one of your choosing, OP.

Oafley Jones

Top spec/power DSG Combis are holding their value really well owing to the fact that they're really hard to come by. New Superb is out next year, but the new Combi isn't out until 2016.

Oafley Jones

Casati wrote: »

The immediate option Im thinking of is a 320i XDrive Touring - they are coming with Leather/ Sat Nav for free in 2015 - list price is a bit over your budget but cash discount should bring it very close http://www.carzone.ie/new-cars/bmw/3-Series/2.0-320I-XDRIVE-SE-TOURING-AUTO/718691020141101

That's still using the N47? If so, I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. Edit: just saw the i as opposed to d. Interior is disappointing though. Fair bit smaller than a Superb, especially in terms of rear legroom.

Casati wrote: »

The V70 / XC70 is fairly old hat now, so if going that route I would be looking in the UK for a 2013 and spending no more than 25k/ 30k max. Legacy's dont seem to be available in auto/ diesel, and the older petrol auto's would be really expensive to drive across Europe

I love Volvos, but old hat is putting it mildly. Archaeologists are probably finding them on digs.

Casati wrote: »

If Diesel is okay, then the Peugeot 508 linked might be worth looking at as an outside bet - good value for money too

I wouldn't be using the term "Good value" when looking at the residuals on French D Segment cars. Particularly that example.Maybe in few years years it'll be a good buy Edit 2: Actually maybe not. It's the hybrid. I've yet to see anyone say anything positive about those Peugeot hybrids, especially in terms of practicality. Maybe in few years years it'll be a good buy. Any one who pays 30k for that ain't seeing a lot of it back.

Casati

Oafley Jones wrote: »

That's still using the N47? If so, I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. Edit: just saw the i as opposed to d. Interior is disappointing though. Fair bit smaller than a Superb, especially in terms of rear legroom.

Everything Ive been in has less rear legroom than a Superb, but the new 3 series is quite spacious, certainly would be bigger all round than the OP's S40. My brother bought one of these and it has a fair whack of power- think they are 184bhp. Another poster pointed out that the X Drive premium might be lost come resale time, but if we get another sprinkle of snow I think a lot of Beemer customers could find a couple of extra grand for four wheel drive- )maybe?)

I love Volvos, but old hat is putting it mildly. Archaeologists are probably finding them on digs.


I wouldn't be using the term "Good value" when looking at the residuals on French D Segment cars. Particularly that example.Maybe in few years years it'll be a good buy Edit 2: Actually maybe not. It's the hybrid. I've yet to see anyone say anything positive about those Peugeot hybrids, especially in terms of practicality. Maybe in few years years it'll be a good buy. Any one who pays 30k for that ain't seeing a lot of it back.

Okay, fair point - this is a left-field choice but certainly one with rarity factor. If the OP wants to drive it for two years and trade in, I agree it will probably lose another 10k/15K, but if he wants to keep this car 6/8 years the lower entry price will get him a lot of tech and a unique driving experience. Its certainly not a vanilla option


I know the Superb is being replaced, but I'm told first cars won't arrive till Sept, which will mean in reality first customer ordered cars will be 161's. Skoda are strangely not giving any extra discounts on out-going cars though, in fact the Octavia gets the same discount percentage and now also comes with 0% finance, where as the Superb is 3.9%. Bit annoying as I would have gone with a VRS rather than Superb if the 0% finance was offered when I ordered

Thinking about it, an Octavia Scout 184bhp DSG TDI might fit the bill for the OP