Right - time for on of our weekly 'what car' thread as I'm looking to replace my 156 Sportswagon (2.4 jtd).

Boxes to tick:

1. Most important thing, it needs to be mountain bike friendly. Bikes need to be ideally carried on a tow bar or roof mounted rack. Saying that that, it could be anything from a coupe to an estate.

2. FUN - It'll be used daily so don't really want a van/pickup etc. My commute is twisty b-roads, I live in the sticks and rarely drive motorways so rather something fun rather than eco-mile muncher.

3. No kids but 2 (small) dogs - happy enough on the back seat or in the boot (obviously in an estate/hatch before anyone gets onto the rspca!)

4. Manual

5. Diesel or petrol but sensible running costs preferred

6. The other half will drive it so nothing too highly strung

7. Budget £3-5k but flexible for the right car.

Thats about it really. I've a few ideas but having nearly always driven Italian cars I'm looking for some inspiration.

Current shortlist:
Impreza wagon (chavy? Expensive to run but ticks the fun/bike friendly)
Clio 182 cup (as above but cheaper to run)
Honda CTR (similar to 182 but a bit more grown up)
Alfa 159 sportwagon (bit dull but great looking car)
Alfa GT (bit long in the tooth now)
BMW 330d touring (sensible choice maybe?)

Any thoughts on options or what to avoid?

Skoda estate vrs thingy?

I rather like these

6.6 to sixty Ssssaaaab

Both good suggestions, I'd looked at the Skodas but struggle to get excited about anything VAG… will have to have a drive.

The Saaaaab… I like the idea of that - bit of a sleeper too. Wonder what the tax/running costs are like

One of our salesmen has a similar Saab.
I think he said he gets about 25-27 mpg out of it.

Tax is £475 pa and they can be tuned to over 300bhp for around £100.

Yes, the Saab is a bit of a Q car - I really like them, but I fear that you will need to brush up on your "alternative justifications for purchase" if economy is important!

Though it does sound appealing its probably at the very end of the justifiable scale of "sensibleness".

Unfortunately same league as the 156 GTA Sportwagon, though the Saab would probably prove far more reliable.

Au contraire!

This takes sensibleness outside and punches its lights out.

clearly a 159 SW Ti is the way forward here

This would do nicely… though maybe pushing the realms of "sensibleness" right out the window!

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=29611

159 SW is probably the best looking estate you could buy, the 1.9jtd is a bit gutless even when mapped.

Spec B manual is super quick. Great all round family and Drivers car in any Spec. You'll love driving these.

I had one of those for a short time. The auto gearbox is utter C*ap, and completely spoilt the car.

MPG was around 25 average, and really did not feel quick at all. Suspension and steering were nice, but all considered I'd rather have an Imprezza sti...

That's why I said the Spec B Manual not auto and I wasn't recommending it for you The Imprezza is chavvy as has been said.
Your right on the petrol consumption it is heavy.

330d just for the engine and torque :-)

Hopefully going to have a look at a few 330ds this week.

The seem to tick the most boxes out of all of the above - plus they're a nice size too, not too big but still enough room for bikes, kit, dogs etc.

Plus the missus approves so that's a big part of it taken care of!

My dad has had 330d's for the last 5 or 6 years and they're surprisingly quick for a diesel.
He has an 11 plate m-sport coupe at the mo with the paddle shift and it goes like stink!

The 330d Touring doesn't have as much space as you'd think!

In fairness I don't need much space - the current 156 has an appalling load space for a wagon but suits me fine. It more about being able to put the dogs in the back and the bikes on the roof/towbar and having space for 2 passengers and a weekends race kit.

Think the missus might complain if I put the dogs in the boot of a saloon though.

Right - time to drag this thread back up.

Need to sort out a car in the next week but really struggling to work up the enthusiasm, just can't get excited enough about any car to buy one.

I've driven a few e46 330ds and the newer shape (e90?) tourings. Strangely I didn't like those as much as the older model, must be used to driving older cars I guess… whilst I did like the e46 I'd want a 6 speed manual m-sport so very little to chose from. In fact just this one at the moment. Which ticks the boxes but I think a bit pricey for the milage - plus is on the south coast!

Hot hatches are unfortunately off the menu as are the Saabs and Subarus. Though I am going to have a look at this Golf GTI thats just up the road at some point.

Still tempted by a 159 but didn't like the 1.9jtdm and heard bad things about the 2.4

Any suggestions/advice appreciated!

I'll wash my mouth out for mentioning VAG cars on a Fiat forum but:

Fabia vRS - getting old
Leon FR TDi - plenty of room and fast
Older Audi A4 / A6 avant TDi of 2L or 2.5 / 2.7 V6.
Volvo with the 5 cyl diesel engine e.g. V70 D5. The older D5 engine is supposed to be a belter.
Focus ST (5 cylinder) not sure it's in the price range.

What about a 5 series? I've got an 02 530d saloon which I run as a daily, I can fit my bike in the boot, it's running 290hp and does 40ish to the gallon. Handles well for its size and a fair bit cheaper than its 3 series equivalent. The estate version is fairly cavernous but the air suspension on the rear doesn't ride quite as well as the coil springs on the saloon.

I did think about a 5 series but in reality I just don't want something that big.

A friend had a 530d Tourning which was a cracking car but did feel it's size.

Most of my commute is on narrow b roads or single file country lanes so smaller the better really, bikes will go on the roof or a tow bar mounted rack ideally.

vRS (Fabia or Octavia) I'd like to try. Just need to find one locally.

Just had a look at the FR tdi and the Cupra, look a lot of car for the money and fairly practical so will have a look.

Can't face an Audi and wouldn't be able to get a Volvo passes the missus.

Focus ST2s are in budget and a 2.5t 5 pot would be fun...

The Fabia VRS diesel is getting rare now and they hold their value too, so the Leon may be a better bet as there should be plenty around. We still have our mk 2 leon 140bhp tdi and had it from new. Now on 115k miles and the engine and clutch are still great. No serious problems either.

Would an Audi S3 be a stupid idea...

Same chassis as a Leon. Similar size. Don't see why not. More money though.

Anyway, you said "Can't face an Audi...."

Loved my Fabia VRS and still a few of the last run specials in metallic blue with the leather trim out there!

My Dad has one ! A Limited Edition one in blue.

It's his second and he loves it.

Found a few Cupra Rs and Fabia VRSs fairly locally so going to have a look at those today.

Also found a very reasonably priced new shape Octavia VRS estate - probably down to the fact that it's.... yellow. Couple of rolls of vinyl would sort that out though!