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[SMD]

I always thought if I had the money, I would buy a Jag XFR or an M/AMG car but now I'm ready to pull the trigger its a very hard decision.

I have gone off the idea of these types of cars now, now I want something newer ('16 + ) under 30k ideally, but still want a big petrol engine, fast (obviously), mid size - I have three young children so Omega size is unnecessary and unwanted. I was thinking along the lines of F30 3 Series or Jag XE-S but some of my friends think £25k is a lot of money and they think I should get a 6 Series GC or Range Rover.

I went to Wales on Saturday to look at a 340i, it was fully loaded but condition wasn't as I expected (or led to believe) for a 3 year old car - my 11y/o Omega was in better nick when I bought it and the dealer wouldn't let me test drive it unless I committed to but it  so I walked away.

So thinking outside the box, other than the three Germans what else can I get for my money? What would you buy?

[RossPhim]

Maybe smaller than you want and not a 'big' petrol engine, but have you thought of the Golf 'R'.
It even comes in estate guise if you need extra luggage space.
Defo ticks the 'fast' box, and relatively comfy for a gocart.
It will be high up my list when it comes to getting shot of the Mundaino!   
Good luck!   

[Doctor Gollum]

The Omega isn't that big...

F30 3 series is pretty good for cabin space, and eats miles well. Prices should be dropping off a bit for later ones as the G20 takes hold.

Manual X drive should tick most of the driver boxes, and the GT is useful if yo don't need a full estate

[Viral_Jim]

It falls just outside your budget, but I might be tempted to haggle hard for this...


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201806157534223?atmobcid=soc3

[SMD]

I think I agree with you about the size of Omegas. I can easily reverse it into my garage without folding the mirrors, something I couldn't do with the Vectra 9-3

I have noticed the 68 plate Shadow Editions F30 are rapidly coming down in price, but still out of my price range. Then its a matter of finding one with the spec I want. I'm hoping the price will come down more once the G20 M340i hits the streets. So far I have only seen 320i/330i about.

I think XEs might be a bit tight in the back, going by the reviews  and its not really feasible to take the family out to a dealership to try one. Ditto with the Golf, I think that may be even smaller

[SMD]

It falls just outside your budget, but I might be tempted to haggle hard for this...


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201806157534223?atmobcid=soc3

Which child do I leave at home? 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I always thought if I had the money, I would buy a Jag XFR or an M/AMG car but now I'm ready to pull the trigger its a very hard decision.

I have gone off the idea of these types of cars now, now I want something newer ('16 + ) under 30k ideally, but still want a big petrol engine, fast (obviously), mid size - I have three young children so Omega size is unnecessary and unwanted. I was thinking along the lines of F30 3 Series or Jag XE-S but some of my friends think £25k is a lot of money and they think I should get a 6 Series GC or Range Rover.

I went to Wales on Saturday to look at a 340i, it was fully loaded but condition wasn't as I expected (or led to believe) for a 3 year old car - my 11y/o Omega was in better nick when I bought it and the dealer wouldn't let me test drive it unless I committed to but it  so I walked away.

So thinking outside the box, other than the three Germans what else can I get for my money? What would you buy?

Fast......mid size......and with a thoroughbred petrol engine rather than the engine from a diesel cement mixer. I'd go for an Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio.

500+ BHP  from a 2.9 V6 with plenty of torque. I think you'll struggle to find one within your budget though.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

......a Range Rooney is essentially a posh van with windows.

[Viral_Jim]

It falls just outside your budget, but I might be tempted to haggle hard for this...


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201806157534223?atmobcid=soc3

Which child do I leave at home? 

Apologies, I read your original brief as:

 

I no longer have three young children so Omega size is unnecessary and unwanted.

Given the average age of the users of this forum I assumed that the family had flown the nest. 

[Nick W]

I would have thought that with three young children, Omega interior space is essential? And that's a problem, because although things like a 3 series, C-class, Insignia etc are almost as big(bigger for the Insignia) as an Omega, they are less spacious inside. That's probably because most private buyers of family cars prefer more useful MPVs like Zafiras etc.

[STEMO]

I would have thought that with three young children, Omega interior space is essential? And that's a problem, because although things like a 3 series, C-class, Insignia etc are almost as big(bigger for the Insignia) as an Omega, they are less spacious inside. That's probably because most private buyers of family cars prefer more useful MPVs like Zafiras etc.

My astra estate is great for throwing stuff in the back, but the legroom for rear passengers is very tight and, as you say, Nick, it looks bigger than an omega out side.

[Doctor Gollum]

The 3 series will seat 5 in reasonable comfort, OK not tried it for a long journey but at 6'2"/15 stone, I don't feel squashed in it, and having done Hampshire to Orkney and back in three days in it, it's a decent cruiser

Was 5 up in a Porsche Cayenne on Sunday, and whilst comfy enough, the rear seat isn't any bigger (wider) than the Golf, point being that size and space aren't always the same thing

I was going to suggest a C32 estate as an interesting aside, but too old for your requirement 

£10-15k would see you in a w211 E55/63...

[TheBoy]

Maybe smaller than you want and not a 'big' petrol engine, but have you thought of the Golf 'R'.
It even comes in estate guise if you need extra luggage space.
Defo ticks the 'fast' box, and relatively comfy for a gocart.
It will be high up my list when it comes to getting shot of the Mundaino!   
Good luck!   

I quite like them. But I can't tolerate them for any distance without needing a back transplant after.  So if you fancy one, take one on a long test drive to see if you can live with it.

[YZ250]

......
I think XEs might be a bit tight in the back .........

My sister had one, I defy anyone over three feet tall to get in the back without smacking their head on that rediculous roof line as they get in or out.
Depreciation was horrific as well.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Big Family Car! 

Big Family Car Wiv Grunt! and for less cash! 

There's a V90 Cross Country T6 with 306bhp which looks interesting, but sadly out of budget.