One car to do all??

[campbell]

When family turns up you need to accept compromise. Well some do. In which case I totally see Mike's position.

I'll get flamed for this but you could probably acquire an early Octavia vRS 2.0 TDI PD (hatch if you really must!) for £10k.

With an uprated brake pad compound and a breathed on ECU, you have an occasional track car returning 43mpg per tank minimum and 50+ on the m-way. A decent chassis to enjoy on the B-roads. And all the space you will ever need for baby smash.

Other contenders would be SEAT Leon FR TDI, probably better chassis out of the box and whilst it's a slightly smaller boot, it looks less like a family barge / repmobile / Central European blandmobile (delete as appropriate) yet still accomodates all of you in comfort. I think the Megane idea could be a stroke of genius though.

Alternatively, abandon the track day idea - sort of like I did, for a whiley - and get what's right for family and B-roads only. Chances are some trusting and accomodating pals will let you drive their car(s) on track until such times as junior is old enough to enjoy being out paxing in a sportscar at which point you can pick up another Elise

[j2 lot]

Focus RS.£210 for road tax.

Are you sure it's not in the £400+ bracket ?

Mind you, if you're willing to sell me yours for £10k I would be prepared to put up with that

100% sure it's not £400+

225g = £245 p.a

[Doc883]

Does anyone have any experience of running the current shape Audi S3 (5dr Sportback) as an everyday motor ? I have been looking for a while with the intention of trading my A4 1.9 Tdi Avant (52 reg) and my RX-8 R3 (59 reg) for one car. I have 2 young kids, 6 and 8 plus a 4 month old border collie hence the Sportback. My roundtrip commute is 56 miles mainly motorway so the A4 takes the strain there and the RX-8 gets out on the odd weekend but can't help thinking my money is going down the drain paying 2 x insurance, tax and servicing etc

[Stevoraith]

When family turns up you need to accept compromise. Well some do. In which case I totally see Mike's position.

<snip>

Alternatively, abandon the track day idea - sort of like I did, for a whiley - and get what's right for family and B-roads only.

100% agree with Campbell. The trackday requirement makes the compromise impossible I'd say. Something like an e46 330d (which I know you've already had) fits every other criteria you mention and is an absolute blast on a b-road. But I'm pretty sure it'd be awful on track. Plus, do you really want to risk the family's only car on the track? Accidents happen

A late e46 330d sport touring with average miles could just about be had for £10k and is really the best compromise I can think of. We've just ordered an Octavia vRS TDI to be the family barge and while I'm sure it'll be better than my e46 saloon at family stuff, I don't think it'll be as much fun when taking the long way home from work (hence why the 330d is staying too!)

[campbell]

aw Steve, for a moment there someone was actually steering the conversation away from fecking Skodas

[Mike Scib]

I did love and still do miss my 330d, but dare i say it....some E46's are looking a little dated these days. I would rather just go for a E90 320d i think

Octavia Estate is probably still in with a shout. Something like....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2433380.htm

So we have Megane 175 DCI and a Octavia Estate so far on the short list

Doc, i had the older shape S3 which was excellent IMO, and it was the longest i kept a car, nearly 14 months

[woody]

I did love and still do miss my 330d, but dare i say it....some E46's are looking a little dated these days. I would rather just go for a E90 320d i think

Octavia Estate is probably still in with a shout. Something like....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2433380.htm

So we have Megane 175 DCI and a Octavia Estate so far on the short list

Doc, i had the older shape S3 which was excellent IMO, and it was the longest i kept a car, nearly 14 months

I've seen a few e90's 320d's and had that thought as well, but the ones at £10k> are almost all in manky, basic, specs.

[BigD]

I did love and still do miss my 330d, but dare i say it....some E46's are looking a little dated these days. I would rather just go for a E90 320d i think

Octavia Estate is probably still in with a shout. Something like....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2433380.htm

So we have Megane 175 DCI and a Octavia Estate so far on the short list

Doc, i had the older shape S3 which was excellent IMO, and it was the longest i kept a car, nearly 14 months

You can get an 06 Passat 2.0TDI Sport Estate for about £7k albeit the seats are not as nice as the VRS but the dash/interior is better quality. Spend the £3k saving on an MR2.

[kenny]

Buy Donalds Evo

[BigD]

Buy Donalds Evo

Don't think I could sell it to someone I know.

[Scotty C]

Buy Donalds Evo

Don't think I could sell it to someone I know.

[campbell]

Ah, MaxiDot. The one option we really miss on ours. Other than that, that's a loaded VRS, Mike, all the toys and whilst great VFM, still inpires me to see that a 3-yr-older version of the car than ours is carrying a £10k price tag

Donald is making a fair point re: the Passat but not sure how they really handle / perform? The Octavia is based on the Golf V platform, which as we know is pretty well respected.

Enjoy the choosing!

[BiggestNizzy]

the Passat but not sure how they really handle / perform?

work has one and it's rubbish, a few rep's that come in have them too and are not to keen, they where garbage in the snow

[campbell]

In fairness the Octy wasn't much cop in the deep snow either, although winter rubber will fix that for next season

The Passat will feel slightly more spacious, so if it can equal the Octavia handling etc, could just be a nose in the lead.

Sheesh. Comparing Octavias and Passats on SE. Whatever next.

[GBOBM]

I wonder if the EXEO is going to measure up to the Octavia/Passat?

I'd like to see a nice sports version of this: