Fun car ideas?

S32B

S32B

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I'm after some ideas for small-mid sized fun sporty cars that don't cost the earth to maintain and are reliable!

Target price is £25k max new or under 12 months old, as long as there are 2 seats and rather not go for an old model! :)

Up to now I've come up with the following:

VW Golf GTi PP (used) new one coming out next year puts me off a bit.
VW Polo GTi+ (new)
Ford Fiesta ST3 (new) Test drive done, it sounded nice but I wasn't blown away.
Mazda 2.0 MX5 RF (new) Test drive done, good fun and made me smile.
Mini JCW hatch (new or used depending on spec)

Any non obvious ones???
 
Nissan 370z Nismo, probably a bit outside the age period but could probably get a 2 year old one for around £25k I'd guess, never driven one but always liked the idea of one.
 
 
I am an advocate of the GTI, I test drove a MK7 PP. Very solid car, so efficent for the performance, very practical but fun car. There are a few things I don't like about it such as the soundaktor and it's all a bit fiddly with all the performance/economy options, but so are all newer cars.
 
S32B said:
I'm after some ideas for small-mid sized fun sporty cars that don't cost the earth to maintain and are reliable!

Target price is £25k max new or under 12 months old, as long as there are 2 seats and rather not go for an old model! :)

Up to now I've come up with the following:

VW Golf GTi PP (used) new one coming out next year puts me off a bit.
VW Polo GTi+ (new)
Ford Fiesta ST3 (new) Test drive done, it sounded nice but I wasn't blown away.
Mazda 2.0 MX5 RF (new) Test drive done, good fun and made me smile.
Mini JCW hatch (new or used depending on spec)

Any non obvious ones???
Click to expand...

Out of them, Fiesta ST3 every time.

Hyundai i30-N get good reviews too.
 
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Toyota gt86 is nice to drive and probably less hairdresser like to the mx5.
I’m a big Honda fan so the type r if you can stretch that far.
 
Type R isn’t a bad shout

The Fiesta suggestions to me reminds of spotty faced little cretins doing handbrake turns down the local retail park.
 
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S32B said:
I'm after some ideas for small-mid sized fun sporty cars that don't cost the earth to maintain and are reliable!

Target price is £25k max new or under 12 months old, as long as there are 2 seats and rather not go for an old model! :)

Up to now I've come up with the following:

VW Golf GTi PP (used) new one coming out next year puts me off a bit.
VW Polo GTi+ (new)
Ford Fiesta ST3 (new) Test drive done, it sounded nice but I wasn't blown away.
Mazda 2.0 MX5 RF (new) Test drive done, good fun and made me smile.
Mini JCW hatch (new or used depending on spec)

Any non obvious ones???
Click to expand...
You've answered your own question.
Mazda 2.0 MX5 RF (new) Test drive done, good fun and made me smile.
 
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Any reason your not open to cars over 12 month old? you would get so much more performance & styling for your money if you looked at older cars
 
The VW GTI is a great car......do not know your age but a 2018 Honda Civic type R might be the ticket for you and definitely a fun car to drive.
 
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Cheers for the replies guys.

Adam14 said:
Nissan 370z Nismo, probably a bit outside the age period but could probably get a 2 year old one for around £25k I'd guess, never driven one but always liked the idea of one.
Click to expand...
Been around years and very dated inside, no boot space at all either! plus a new one is on the cards.
HertS3 said:
Stretch the budget a bit and get a Type R :rockwoot:
Click to expand...
If I stretch the budget no point in downsizing! Plus I'm not 21 anymore :(:p

A1DEYB said:
BMW M140.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201909262631713?radius=60&advertising-location=at_cars&maximum-badge-engine-size=3.0&postcode=bd228hb&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&sort=relevance&price-to=25000&model=1 SERIES&make=BMW&page=1

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201909242564325?advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&postcode=bd228hb&price-to=25000&maximum-badge-engine-size=3.0&model=1 SERIES&radius=60&make=BMW&sort=price-desc&page=1

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201909122161354?maximum-badge-engine-size=3.0&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&price-to=25000&radius=60&model=1 SERIES&make=BMW&postcode=bd228hb&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=price-desc&page=1

For example.
Click to expand...
It's f-ugly :) only a mother could love it :p

wab172uk said:
Hyundai i30-N get good reviews too.
Click to expand...
Good shout, forgot about them and a standard 5 year warranty :)

AlS3BE said:
Toyota gt86 is nice to drive and probably less hairdresser like to the mx5.
I’m a big Honda fan so the type r if you can stretch that far.
Click to expand...
New one due out and I took one for a test when they first came out and thought the inside was very cheap.

A1DEYB said:
The Fiesta suggestions to me reminds of spotty faced little cretins doing handbrake turns down the local retail park.
Click to expand...
lol said exactly the same to a mate, each time I see one I look at the driver and they have all been young...err dare I say yob looking!!!

scobie140 said:
Any reason your not open to cars over 12 month old? you would get so much more performance & styling for your money if you looked at older cars
Click to expand...
Want at least 2 years of standard warranty, can't be ***** messing around paying out to get things fixed etc. Yes extended warranties can be bought but that's another expense.

Flying Scotsman said:
The VW GTI is a great car......do not know your age but a 2018 Honda Civic type R might be the ticket for you and definitely a fun car to drive.
Click to expand...
Far too old for a car that's been driven through Halfords :p
 
S32B said:
I'm after some ideas for small-mid sized fun sporty cars that don't cost the earth to maintain and are reliable!

Target price is £25k max new or under 12 months old, as long as there are 2 seats and rather not go for an old model! :)

Up to now I've come up with the following:

VW Golf GTi PP (used) new one coming out next year puts me off a bit.
VW Polo GTi+ (new)
Ford Fiesta ST3 (new) Test drive done, it sounded nice but I wasn't blown away.
Mazda 2.0 MX5 RF (new) Test drive done, good fun and made me smile.
Mini JCW hatch (new or used depending on spec)

Any non obvious ones???
Click to expand...

Has to be the RF, puts a smile on my face everyday, feels a lot quicker than it is, averages 40mpg easy.

Just as enjoyable to drive roof up or down.

Despite my friends taking the p### out of me for it being a hairdressers car they all really like the look of it.

I’m pretty sure production has been halted due to emissions, might be better off picking up a year old one. Just make sure you get the 184bhp.
 
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wab172uk said:
Out of them, Fiesta ST3 every time.

Hyundai i30-N get good reviews too.
Click to expand...
I agree with @wab172uk
Was going to put the question on here whether I trade in my S3 for a Hyundai I30N. Great track car from what I,ve heard.
 
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TYb said:
might be better off picking up a year old one. Just make sure you get the 184bhp.
Click to expand...
The 181 was the test drive one :) TBH maybe it is the one I should get, out of all of them it's the only one I can 100% say "I like the look of it".
Can get a 19 plate Sport Nav+ with under 1,000 on the clock for £21k the GT Sport Nav+ for a bit more. 12 month old GT but Auto https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201909252615304? has to be manual in that car!
 
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S32B said:
The 181 was the test drive one :) TBH maybe it is the one I should get, out of all of them it's the only one I can 100% say "I like the look of it".
Can get a 19 plate Sport Nav+ with under 1,000 on the clock for £21k the GT Sport Nav+ for a bit more. 12 month old GT but Auto https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201909252615304? has to be manual in that car!
Click to expand...
Don’t go auto, the gearbox is a big part of the fun.
 
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I’d vote for MX5 manual, was in a 2003 MX5 this summer and had so much fun in it with the roof down I considered getting a sub £5k one myself as a second car.

I’ve seen a few RFs and would definitely not say they are a hairdressers cars. Most manly MX5 I’ve seen.

I’d echo comments about yobs driving fiestas. That’s not to say the Fiesta isn’t a good car.

The civic is the one the fiesta owners want but can’t afford so pretty much see 50+ year olds in them looking silly.

While I appreciate the value of the i30N it still looks a bit toy like and the depreciation is probably a *****
 
Last edited:
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TYb said:
Don’t go auto, the gearbox is a big part of the fun.
Click to expand...
Yeah same as if I got a JCW think I'd go manual with that also. Mate of mine loves his Golf GTi's and is gutted you can no longer get a manual one.

The_Ironist said:
The civic is the one the fiesta owners want but can’t afford so pretty much see 50+ year olds in them looking silly.
Click to expand...
Yep 49 next birthday and couldn't do it lol.
 
If I had 25k to blow on a weekend toy I’d get an old 911


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
What about Renault Megane/Clio not sure on the pricing
 
A1DEYB said:
Type R isn’t a bad shout

The Fiesta suggestions to me reminds of spotty faced little cretins doing handbrake turns down the local retail park.
Click to expand...

Audi drivers have a worse reputation than Fiesta drivers.

I have an ST and a clear complexion.
 
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Depends upon which manufacturer forums you happen to on at the time as to reputations...
 
KenL said:
Audi drivers have a worse reputation than Fiesta drivers.

I have an ST and a clear complexion.
Click to expand...

When i clicked post i knew it wouldn't be long before you come across this thread as i'd seen your thread about you getting an ST.

I'm sure it's a decent motor, i've seen the reviews etc.. but during my youth car 'cruises' were all the rage.. Fiestas hand braking around the retail park happened, along with the kitted up (or bad boy'd as it was known) Vauxhall Corsa's and a handful of Astra GTEs/GSIs doing the same... oh and the good old chocolate brown Vauxhall nova too haha.

It's just what sticks in my mind.

Of course, all Audi drivers are tools or so you hear, same go's for BMW drivers (so that's me and my wife firmly in the tool category).
 
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cuke2u said:
Depends upon which manufacturer forums you happen to on at the time as to reputations...
Click to expand...

It's perception isn't it.. i don't know KenL, but my perception from the name isn't a person who drives an ST... a 19 year kid drives an ST whilst sipping on his red bull eating a McDonalds cheese burger sat at the lights.

BMW drivers are perceived to not be able to indicate, Audi drivers are c0cks, middle aged men driving a soft top car are having a midlife crisis etc.. Dacia drivers are either potless or frugal with the pennies.. it could go on and on.

Not you personally or KenL.. but lets not start getting offended, its all in jest.
 
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A1DEYB said:
It's perception isn't it.. i don't knew KenL, but my perception from the name isn't a person who drives an ST... a 19 year kid drives an ST whilst sipping on his red bull eating a McDonalds cheese burger sat at the lights.

BMW drivers are perceived to not be able to indicate, Audi drivers are c0cks, middle aged men driving a soft top car are having a midlife crisis etc.. Dacia drivers are either potless or frugal with the pennies.. it could go on and on.

Not you personally or KenL.. but lets not start getting offended, its all in jest.
Click to expand...

You leave my MX5 alone ;-) although mine is hard top.
 
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A1DEYB said:
Looks nice in grey too.. assuming yours is the one above your user name.
Click to expand...

yeh that’s mine, front and side profiles are nice and aggressive, the rear is a bit soft though.
 
MikeParkin said:
What about Renault Megane/Clio not sure on the pricing
Click to expand...
Yeah I like the look of the Megane after seeing a GT line one at the lights a few months back. However, a guy I work with had one and he said it cost him a small fortune in repair bills :(

TYb said:
yeh that’s mine, front and side profiles are nice and aggressive, the rear is a bit soft though.
Click to expand...
Did you ever get that ding sorted on it mate?

Call me mad but I see this:
0da8e65729f84241ac10f500087b2ecb.jpg


When I see this:
9e551c1aa4004521b7bee0e953539aa5.jpg
 
S32B said:
Yeah I like the look of the Megane after seeing a GT line one at the lights a few months back. However, a guy I work with had one and he said it cost him a small fortune in repair bills :(


Did you ever get that ding sorted on it mate?

Call me mad but I see this:
0da8e65729f84241ac10f500087b2ecb.jpg


When I see this:
9e551c1aa4004521b7bee0e953539aa5.jpg
Click to expand...

I see what you mean, just needs to be a bit more squat. Ignore yet but booked in.
 
BMW M140i. Square set up, remap and LSD should do the trick.

I have been doing a lot of research on these cars as I'm considering one but think I would miss the all weather capability of a S3 so still not made my mind up.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
 
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Is the m140 not available with x-drive?
 
S32B said:
The new one just out is. Not the old one.
Click to expand...

Correct.

I never understood why the old one wasn't available with x drive, maybe something to do with the orientation of a 3.0L motor in the engine bay.
 
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A1DEYB said:
Correct.

I never understood why the old one wasn't available with x drive, maybe something to do with the orientation of a 3.0L motor in the engine bay.
Click to expand...
Thing is it was I believe, just never brought to UK markets for some reason
 
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