Thoughts on a new daily?

[Gunnytron]

I am looking to replace my boring, and too small, 1.4 VW Polo.

My short list changes frequently, but is currently:
Alfa Romeo 2.0T Veloce
Jaguar XE 3.0 v6
Hyundai i30n

Each of these has their pros and cons as always.

Cars I have thought about but sort of dismissed are VW Golf R estate or Cupra estate. I am not a fan of Audi or BMW.

Anyone have much experience with any on my shortlist?

[digitalsolo]

The Jag and Alfa are almost certainly bad ideas, reliability wise.    I'd still go with one of those, but I'm a bit of an idiot.

[freeskier7791]

here in the US we don't have the i30n, but we do have the Elantra N.  When I was looking for a new daily I drove the WRX, Elantra N, and GLI.  I ended up with the GLI, have about 10k miles on it and can't complain.  I would definitely buy another VW, Golf R estate sounds pretty cool to me.  I have a friend that has an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quad and he loves it, but  Iwould be concerned about reliability.

[Gunnytron]

Unfortunately my budget won't stretch to a Giulia quad. Besides, I am after "reasonable" fuel economy.

As for reliability, Jag doesn't seam any better than any other brand. I was actually surprised how bad some of the Audis are, with failing rockers and the carbon buildup.

The reason I dismissed the golf is that every review I read says they are boring when driving normally and a little numb in the steering. The 3 on my list all appear to be fun, even when not flooring it. That, and I have started to see posts about Golf-Rs randomly blowing up at 50k. Not researched that too heavily though.

[Gunnytron]

The Jag and Alfa are almost certainly bad ideas, reliability wise.    I'd still go with one of those, but I'm a bit of an idiot.

I have a similar mentality

Jag = fastest 355-380bhp but worst economy (can be tuned to 460 easily if I want that economy to be even worse).
Alfa = looks and handles the best, engine is a bit weak, lag etc.
Hyundai = most nimble, but has smallest boot (though the fastback has a little more space). Cheapest to run (tax, insurance and fuel economy).

[freeskier7791]

The reason I dismissed the golf is that every review I read says they are boring when driving normally and a little numb in the steering. The 3 on my list all appear to be fun, even when not flooring it. That, and I have started to see posts about Golf-Rs randomly blowing up at 50k. Not researched that too heavily though.

The GLI is definitely more boring than the Elantra N, but it is way more comfortable, comfort mode for the dampers is actually really nice, and you can tell a difference when you change them to sport.  The steering is pretty decent on my car, the limited slip really helps with putting power down in a corner.  I have already done some modifications, lowering springs, intake stuff, turbo muffler delete, and have more planned.  Not sure if you want to keep it completely stock or modify.

[Gunnytron]

The intention is to keep it stock to save on insurance.

[Venom13132]

id go see if you can drive one of each of these.  That may make your decision right there.

[Exidous]

I'd prefer the VW personally but last generation before all the capacitive lack o button crap.

[freeskier7791]

I'd prefer the VW personally but last generation before all the capacitive lack o button crap.

Thankfully I only have capacitive buttons on the steering wheel.  That would definitely steer me away from a Mk8, no physical buttons for climate control

[Gunnytron]

Its been a while since I posted this initial question. After agonising over different options I decided an estate probably wasn't necessary for the few times a year I would actually need it so I narrowed it down to the alfa and the jag.

I test drove them both today, and although I love the look and agility of the alfa, there was just something nicer about the jag that I can't quite put my finger on. Although Ioved the look of the alfa interior in pics, in real life I preferred the jag, which I thought looked boring in pics.

Driving wise, I found the alfa a bit annoying and jerky. Gear shifts felt a bit slow to me and the initial power was lacking when flooring it. The jag has a nicer powerband and snappy shifts, though a little jerky at very slow speeds.

So, I have decided to get a Jag. Not the one I saw but a newer 380bhp version. I insurance is actually cheaper than the alfa. Tax will be more so its a negligible difference really.

I have booked an inspection on a different car next week, so fingers crossed.