Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Good shout. On the list for test drive.

Didn't spot the size constraint.

I'm with you on the Focus. Whilst we loved our old Fiesta, and it really was the perfect car for me to practise driving in, we hired a Focus on holiday recently and it was really underwhelming.

My mate, who buys and sells cars, is currently driving a Seat Altea (I think it’s the Altea) the FR. Its like a small people carrier and he rates it highly. Good space in it and some vroom too. He says it is cheap to run too but I have no actual figures. Maybe worth a look.

Those things have some cheap tuning package from ABT tuning that really ups the power:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fau9QOFI99E

We've got a normal Ateca and love it. I took a friend's Cupra Ateca for a spin a few weeks ago and it was super fun to drive.

What's the LFGSS beef with the Ford Fiesta?

They're not a bad little car. My folks have a 2014 "sport" variety... 1.0 litre turbo triple has loads of character and a very good chassis. The interior and general build is woeful though. They've also had numerous repairs done under warranty. Door locks, power window switches, manual gearbox, diff seals, coil packs etc.

Like this?

Personally I'm dubious any of these VAG "Golf SUVs" have any advantage over whatever regular hatch they're based on.

@dan - I know you see a Golf as the boring choice, but they are good, with a load of engine choices. Have you considered just leasing something fun until you're expecting. For eg you could just go for an m140i without worry about the depreciation. Obvs your insurance would be killer.

A Leon Cupra is another "not a Golf" option. Mate has one and loves it.

Nope. I have got the model wrong. Memory is shit. I’ll ponder the model but it’s like a Leon.

It’s like this

1 Attachment

I'd rather not drive than be seen in that heap haha

Not that exact car! His is black and looks ok, and, more importantly, drives well.

Interesting M3 estate project

https://instagram.com/bmw_f81_project?igshid=bojta0yjpwc4

I had a 2 litre Altea for a few years, was really roomy inside and nice enough to drive. It is essentially a golf+ with Seat styling. Think they stop making them in 2015 or something, so for the £10k budget I would think you could probably get something newer.

Big fan of the skoda yeti as well but annoyingly 4wd petrol dsg versions don't seem to exist.

Forgot to say I spotted an M5 e61 this morning. Is the e61/e60 the only touring M5?

Sounded like an absolute beast just rolling in traffic.

There was an earlier M5 touring, but LHD only I think.

Exceptionally impressive work.

But that colour ;(

Ah thought so. Should Google, but have a feeling it was limited to one market as well.

@Colm89 My mum had one of those for a bit. Binned it after 6 months: "it's a shit car for old people" - bought another touring Merc after. She is 70 this year.

@TGR no offense to your mate, but that is horrific.

After a lotto win, I'd absolutely have an Alpina B5 Touring for the fam....

Sell one of your 15 motorbikes and child. Live the dream now.

They’re already earmarked for a cargo bike.

Not sure, but I think E34 was the first touring version of M5

It was. E28 M5 was saloon only.

Hero. M3 estate is probably my dream car that never existed.