From practical and down-to-earth to fast and with a V8: you can buy these station wagons for €8,000

Because he already has to spend so much money, we limit our budget to 8 grand. We will also not go any larger than the D segment, because our country has enough narrow streets that make it difficult to turn with a battleship. What would benefit Santa Claus: a spacious, comfortable or fast station wagon? Three portraits of various occasions.

Skoda Superb Combi 1.4TSI Greentech Ambition Businessline – 2013 – 227,122 kilometers – €7,749

The Skoda Superb Combi is so big that it could easily pass for a budget E-segmenter. With 603 as standard and thanks to the folding rear seat, no less than 1,835 liters of stowage space, it offers as much loading volume as a Mercedes-Benz E-class: enough to make many children happy in one go.

With 8 grand in your pocket, the flush is thin. In our used car range we only come across two examples: one with the sensitive, 160 hp 1.8 TSI with almost three tons on the clock and this Skoda Superb with more modest motorization and ditto mileage. Equipped with a towbar (to carry another 1,400 kilos of gifts braked) and a navigation system, because the elderly bishop has to visit a lot of addresses in a short time – driving the wrong way therefore results in children waiting in panic, so that’s a plus. Sint will have to switch gears himself, but who knows, he may have had driving lessons in a Pegaso and he is used to that. Such a down-to-earth Czech will cause few problems: the driving behavior is largely stable and neutral, with a focus on comfort rather than sportiness. As a result, you will notice that you are driving a heavy car in bends (tendencies understeering), but when it comes to agility, of course no car comes close to Ozosnel!

The interior of the black 45-ZTX-4 (two ex-owners) is efficient and businesslike, with the materials used showing that Skoda (with Seat) is at the bottom of the Volkswagen Group pecking order. As an Ambition Business Line, this used car is nice and complete and absolutely suitable for harsh and dark winter evenings: traction control, limited slip differential, heated windshield washers and xenon lighting are present, for example. If things go wrong, Sint’s fragile knees are protected by a knee airbag. If he wants to take the Superb back to Spain (plenty of room on the steamer!), the rear window offers a sunshade.

Signaling

Brand Skoda
Type Superb Combi 1.4TSI Greentech Ambition Businessline
Construction year February 2013
Mileage 227,122
Asking price €7,749
Where to buy? Wim Hofman Auto, Bergschenhoek

Technical data
Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,390 cc, turbo
Max. assets 92 kW/125 hp at 5,000 rpm
Max. couple 200 Nm at 1,500 rpm
Luggage compartment 603 l/1,835 l
Max. trailer braked 1,400 kilos
Avg. consumption 1:16.4
0-100 km/h 10.6 sec
Top speed 199 km/h
All data according to factory specifications

Citroën C5 Tourer 3.0-V6 Exclusive – 2009 – 259,772 kilometers – €7,950

Well, with the Superb Combi, space is key – for a shop-a-holic like Sinterklaas, of course, very important – but for a very elderly person who is stiff in body and limb, a good portion of comfort should not be missed. And what occasion offers that more than a hydropneumatic Citroën? Our second candidate: this Citroën C5 that is at a brand specialist in Vlissingen. Four years older than the Czech and with a little more experience, but then you have something: six-cylinder, automatic transmission, half-leather upholstery, electrically adjustable front seats including memory system (handy when Hoofdpiet takes the wheel)… Plus here too navigation and a tow bar. . The latter is nice, because the luggage space is considerably less generous than the ballroom of the Skoda (505 to 1,462 liters).

The hook can carry 1,600 kilos of toys, so that compensates a bit. In a month’s time the Frenchman will be a youngtimer, but that will make little difference to Santa, nor will an average consumption of less than 1 in 10 – then everyone will have less sweets. The biggest surprise is of course the hydraulically active suspension. No longer as floaty as before, but it still smooths out the biggest wrinkles and you don’t have to slow down at any threshold. There is even a Sport mode to make the suspension a little firmer and the steering a little more direct, but we don’t see this station wagon doing as colorful laps as the Xantia Activa was able to do at the time, especially not with Sint behind the steering wheel. Behind that hoop, Sint sees a dashboard made of beautiful materials with frivolous features here and there. The comfort is of course great: excellent, large seats (although a little too little lateral support for the narrower occupants), good sound insulation, lots of luxury (including smaller things such as curtains in the rear doors) and of course the suspension. We would not be surprised if the Good Saint chose this means of transport to travel back to Spain instead of his steamboat.

Signaling
Brand Lemon
Type C5 Tourer 3.0-V6 Exclusive
Construction year January 2009
Mileage 259,772
Asking price €7,950
b>Where to buy? Automotive company Dijkwel, Vlissingen

Technical data
Engine V6, 2,946 cc
Max. assets 155 kW/215 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. couple 290 Nm at 3,750 rpm
Luggage compartment 505 l/1,462 l
Max. trailer braked 1,600 kilos
Avg. consumption 1:9.4
0-100 km/h 10.3 sec
Top speed 222 km/h
All data according to factory specifications

Audi S4 Avant 4.2 Quattro Pro Line – 2003 – 245,398 kilometers – €7,900

We have the Superb Combi for all packages, and the C5 Tourer for the well-being of Saint Nicholas himself. That leaves one aspect: to be able to serve the entire country smoothly on December 5, a fast station wagon is necessary. Ozosnel may have been given that name, but the faithful gray horse cannot compete with the 344 peers who live in this Audi S4. Just think: in less than 6 seconds it reaches 100 km/h and only stops accelerating at 250 km/h. The four-wheel drive ensures safe handling in winter conditions. And there’s more: what about heated seats (nice for the Good Saint’s cold buttocks) and the glass sliding/tilting roof – ideal for transporting the staff in an upright position.

The used car shown is 20 years old, but has a modest mileage for that age. On the other hand: it was registered with a Dutch license plate five years ago and has been through four owners since then. Will Santa be the fifth? He is then confronted with the smallest luggage space (442 to 1,184 liters), while a tow bar is not possible. Well, that’s what you get with such a lifestyle combination. And while Sinterklaas is averse to lifestyle – he has been wearing his tabard for almost forever. But maybe it doesn’t need that much space: the average fuel consumption of 1 in 7.5 (in built-up areas even 1 in 5) takes up a large part of the household budget and what about insurance? This makes it difficult to choose, because the light S4 interior is very attractive in terms of build quality and luxury, while the existing Bose system transmits all the children’s songs crystal clear. If he takes the S4 back home, the average Spaniard will probably not see the difference between this fast orderer and the first available Seat Exeo ST, so Sint does not have to be afraid of theft. In addition, there is the alarm system.

Signaling

Brand Audi
Type S4 Avant 4.2 Quattro Pro Line
Construction year September 2003
Mileage 245,398
Asking price €7,900
Where to buy? Arno van Putten Auto’s, Nunspeet

Technical data
Engine V8, 4,163 cc
Max. assets 253 kW/344 hp at 7,000 rpm
Max. couple 410 Nm at 3,500 rpm
Luggage compartment 442 l/1,184 l
Max. trailer braked n/a
Avg. consumption 1:7.5
0-100 km/h 5.8 sec
Top speed 250 km/h
All data according to factory specifications

Which of these station wagons does Sinterklaas visit the houses on December 5?

A difficult choice: Sinterklaas buys the Skoda Superb Combi for the space, the Citroën C5 Tourer for his own well-being and the Audi S4 Avant to be able to deliver everything quickly and then quickly take off to Spain. But which used car does he take on board? Or else: which of these three occasions would you like to treat yourself to on December 5? After all, Santa only does his best at the end of November/beginning of December, while you, as a good family man, are struggling all year round! We would like to hear it!