Estate or saloon with roof rack....but still with performance :)

Cheesedoodles

I have a conundrum…it’s not strictly moneysaving but here goes (a bit long but I hope it all makes sense)…

I currently have a 4 seater coupe sports car which I LOVE but it isn’t really practical for lugging things around, nor is it comfortable for the poor people who sometimes have to sit in the back (parents, parents in law, friends etc). We’ve just bought a house and will at some point in the future start a family.

With all of that in mind I do need to get rid of the “other” love of my life and get something more practical. But I do still want to have a bit of fun so I’m currently looking at the various options to ensure I still have some fun J

I am VERY interested in the Mazda 6 MPS which is a much bigger car but the drawback is that this car is a saloon…and due to its design the seats don’t fold. The boot is quite big (much bigger than my sports car) so it will do just fine for holidays, golf clubs, buggies, shopping etc.

However, there are occasions where I need to move large awkward items that would easily fit in an estate car. Due to the fact the MPS is a saloon longer and bulkier items will not fit.

I was also looking at larger performance diesel estates or even a hatchbacks. These can carry the load and the MPG is high (but still quite punchy)…but the price is also high.

I’m hoping there are other “hobby drivers” around there who has had similar decisions to make….I’m interested in how you approached this very sensitive subject.

As I see it I have a number of options…bear in mind I commute roughly 1,000 miles per month.

1) Get the Mazda 6 MPS and buy a roof rack for those bulky items. This means I get my “sport performance car”…and satisfy the wife’s requirements for moving large bulky items. Total cost roughly £10,000. MPG 27.

2) Get a “performance” diesel estate. This would satisfy my need for performance and the carrying capacity. Total cost roughly £13,000 but the MPG is around 47 so my fuel cost will be lower.

3) Back down on everything and get a “normal” diesel estate. Total cost £8000 and MPG around 50.

So…economically, options 3 is best. So that is the real moneysaving option. However, I can afford both of the other options too (even with the high fuel cost).

I am really edging towards option 1…my main worry is that using a roof rack to carry the odd awkward item might not work in theory…

I’m hoping there are other people on this board who have been (or is) in the same situation as me…..what did you choose in the end?

Very interested to have your opinions and experience.

PS! Just to clarify. I'm not a boy racer! No boy racer would like to be seen in a Mazda!
I'm not the kind who drives as fast as possible wherever I can. I'm just a sensible 35 year old who abide by the speed limit....but still want some fun within those limits!

What really satisfies me..is that KICK when I accelerate up to the speed limit....and also have the ability to quickly overtake someone if needed (but not dangerously).

spiro

Another option, get a 'normal' saloon with a towbar and a trailer for the odd times you need to move bulky items.
The problem with roof racks is if you dont take them off when not in use you decrease your mpg.

wba31

My uncle has a Mazda 6, 2.2 Diesel, its 185BHP, has masses of kit on it, and goes like a rocket. it's an 09 reg, i think he even has an estate (which shocked me as he has ALWAYS had saloon cars before - Volvo S60, Passat, Audi A6 etc etc).

Much cheaper, i previously had a 54 plate accord, 2.2 diesel. this was only about 150bhp, but was so fast when you needed it (overtaking like you mention) but got decent MPG figures.

But on the Mazda 6, i think it's a stunning car, and you could get a "sensible diesel" which will shock you when you push your right foot to the floor...

fivetide

Subaru WRX Sportwagon.

30mpg (seriously assuming you don't go everywhere like you stole it) downside - they do like super unleaded rather than normal.

Sticks to the road like glue, 4x4 so good in winter (with sensible driving/tyres).

Just thought i'd put that up as a curve ball. Oh and roof bars in place plus seats fold down. Forester is also a good car, performance is about the same but the insurance could be a bit less...

5t.

jaydeeuk1

Just get an alfa 159 estate.
2.4 turbo diesel, cracking car to drive, even in estate form. Can get a nice one for under £10k (although more likely to be the 1.9 deezle or 2.2 petrol)

Not as badly built as alfas of old, but with the same character and performance - yet still kinda decent on fuel.

LandyAndy

wba31 wrote: »

My uncle has a Mazda 6, 2.2 Diesel, its 185BHP, has masses of kit on it, and goes like a rocket. it's an 09 reg, i think he even has an estate (which shocked me as he has ALWAYS had saloon cars before - Volvo S60, Passat, Audi A6 etc etc).


But on the Mazda 6, i think it's a stunning car, and you could get a "sensible diesel" which will shock you when you push your right foot to the floor...

I have the 163bhp version on a 59 plate. Very spacious, decently quick (although clearly not a match for an MPS)and well equipped in TS2 spec. I usually get around 50mpg and recently 350 miles of cruising at 65 on the motorway returned 56.6mpg.

Servicing on the later diesels is not as expensive as the earlier models, typically £200 -£240 a pop.

Also, the saloons/hatchbacks have been criticised for poor headroom in the back. The estate, with its higher roofline cures this.

getmore4less

Scoda Octavia VRS estate.
or the 140bhp diesel is probably quick enough, L&K comes with good spec but a bit more expensive.


I also had a look at the Avensis T180 estate.

boyse7en

I'll second the towbar suggestion.

Get the car you want, spend a couple of hundred on getting a towbar fitted and buy a trailer (second-hand is fine, you don't have to look posh or smart with a trailer on). That way you can carry far heavier loads than is permitted on a roof-rack and you can always hire/buy trailers in the future for special requirements (moving a boat, horsebox, motorbike trailer, track-day car, whatever)

R34GTT

Consider a Nissan Stagea 2.5 Turbo

300BHP easily attainable from what is basically a large estate with the engine from a Single Turbo Skyline.

They're not the best looking car but you'll surprise quite a few people with its performance.

Only found as an import but this has never caused me any problems.
My previous car was an R34 GTT Skyline.

Cheesedoodles

Thanks for some very helpful advice.

I'm not keen on the Subaru.. It just isn't me... I've never liked Scooby doos

I've done some calculations on various cars and the running cost...and it looks like the MPS is coming out ok (or perhaps it's because I WANT it to come out on top!!). The cost difference between the MPS and the 2.2 185ps Diesel is waaay to much. I need to keep the car for 5 years before I've saved the difference to the petrol MPS.

What I need to do is test drive the various versions. I'm not opposed to a Skoda either..their good cars! But I think I would then want the VRS version...which means it will take me 3 years before it's more economical than the MPS.......



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vikingaero

What about the Mazda 3 MPS. Completely bonkers 260 PS (bhp-ish) for overtaking. A real stealth car and a hatchback.