Unexpectedly fun car?

[drgoatboy]

I'm thinking of a car change, one thing that really is key is fun. It's not quite a weekend car but it won't get driven much.
It doesn't need to be fast or be amazing on a track (although that is fine too), but must make you smile when you drive it.

For example cars I have found incredibly fun include a Suzuki Jimmy, saxo vtr, mx5, nissan Figaro, vx220, lotus Evora, mitsubishi colt czt and a few others. Some of those are rather predictable. Others really surprised me.

I guess it needs to have character and make you smile for some reason, that may be it's quirky, or has fantastic steering feel, or feels cheeky or some little nugget that brings joy.

Being fast in a straight line doesn't qualify as fun in this context. Most German cars I don't find fun, all a bit too capable and clinical.

I know it's very subjective, but hoping the pistonheads masses can throw up some odd ball choices to think over.

Other requirements is it must be at least 4 usable seats and 2010 or later. Budget up to £25k but less is better.

Any thoughts?

ETA sorry if this has been asked before, a Google reveals lots of similar threads but they mostly seem to end up talking about 0-60!times and the like which is relevant but not the main factor.

Edited by drgoatboy on Sunday 17th January 20:06

[whj]

Chris Harris bangs on about those 205 Rallye as being the best fun cars, if you can find one.

[300bhp/ton]

£25k would get you a current Jimny, late 'proper' Defender or Jeep Wrangler.

Any real reason for the 2010 condition? Not saying you shouldn't, but it would open up a lot of vehicles at the £25k mark.

Would something like a V8 Mustang have practical enough seating? Should be some in budget, they just need a burbly exhaust.

[Peanut130]

Austin A35 great fun

[drgoatboy]

205 is exactly the kind of thing but just a bit old.

2010 limit is slightly arbitrary but I find once cars get over 10 years they just need that little bit extra up keep which I just don't have time for at the moment.

Austin A35 I am sure is a hoot but a smidge old

[RonnieHotdogs]

Mégane 250 / 265 / 275?

[drgoatboy]

RonnieHotdogs said:

Mégane 250 / 265 / 275?

Nice thought. Any experience driving a new hot Mégane variant?

A few hot hatches are circuling round as thoughts including a Mégane and the latest civic type r...

A drive would be required to understand fun levels though. Danger being they are good but only at illegal speeds...

[RonnieHotdogs]

drgoatboy said:

Nice thought. Any experience driving a new hot Mégane variant?

A few hot hatches are circuling round as thoughts including a Mégane and the latest civic type r...

A drive would be required to understand fun levels though. Danger being they are good but only at illegal speeds...

I drove a 275 a few years back, and almost bought the perfect spec car, but it was the one that got away.

They're still fun at "normal" speeds, and believe me I appreciate that more than anyone after owning a Giulia Quadrifoglio for a few months!

[ZX10R NIN]

None of the cars below are unexpectedly fun but they are all very good enjoyable & exploitable:

Astra VXR a very good steer underrated with a nice amount of go:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009103...

The i30N ticks a lot of boxes & the warranty isn't affected by trackday use with great feel as well aas feeling alive.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012177...

Now the Megane RS is a great steer & a future classic

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101117...

An Evora just scrapes in:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011126...

Yaris GRMN much better than I expected it to be lose the stickers & you have (no it's not as good as the Fiesta ST but still fun) a proper sleeper.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012106...

[Welshbeef]

The following were surprisingly good.

Mk1 Fabia vRS so much better looking the flesh the basic design it’s extreme frugality and great overtaking ability.

S-Max, I was dreading the day of having to progress up to this but 3 kids kind of limit options. But I get it it’s very comfy plenty of space a good steer (relatively speaking)

[drgoatboy]

ZX10R NIN said:

None of the cars below are unexpectedly fun but they are all very good enjoyable & exploitable:

Astra VXR a very good steer underrated with a nice amount of go:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009103...

The i30N ticks a lot of boxes & the warranty isn't affected by trackday use with great feel as well aas feeling alive.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012177...

Now the Megane RS is a great steer & a future classic

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101117...

An Evora just scrapes in:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011126...

Yaris GRMN much better than I expected it to be lose the stickers & you have (no it's not as good as the Fiesta ST but still fun) a proper sleeper.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012106...

Thank you. Had forgotten about the vxr. Worth a look although I am not normally a vauxhall fan.

Had forgotten about the Yaris too...

Already drive an Evora S...

Edited by drgoatboy on Sunday 17th January 22:11

[drgoatboy]

Welshbeef said:

The following were surprisingly good.

Mk1 Fabia vRS so much better looking the flesh the basic design it’s extreme frugality and great overtaking ability.

S-Max, I was dreading the day of having to progress up to this but 3 kids kind of limit options. But I get it it’s very comfy plenty of space a good steer (relatively speaking)

I had a seat Ibiza cupra diesel forna fee months and it was amazing quick but I just didn't gel with it, also exceptionally uncomfortable!!

S-max is a surprising choice, like your thinking, left field as requested (not sure it's for me though )

[ZX10R NIN]

drgoatboy said:

Thank you. Had forgotten about the vxr. Worth a look although I am not normally a vauxhall fan.

Had forgotten about the Yaris too...

Already drive an Evora S...

Edited by drgoatboy on Sunday 17th January 22:11

The Vauxhall has a good chassis you'll be surprised & the interior is decent too.

As you have an Evora you'll really like the Megane it'll be a great fillet to your S.

The Yaris is a creeper as it'll get under your skin.

[300bhp/ton]

Late model Impreza Turbo?



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011286...

[drgoatboy]

300bhp/ton said:

Late model Impreza Turbo?



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011286...

That was definitely on the list but I am struggling to get over the fact I can have a civic type r or the same age for the same money. Everyone rants about the R, nobody likes the Subaru.

[300bhp/ton]

Just slightly over the conditions asked for. But I daresay a very interesting car.



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012026...

[PrinceRupert]

Camaro?

[300bhp/ton]

This one is £27k, but it is practically new. Says you can get 0% finance on it too.



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012217...

[Nickp82]

Suzuki Swift Sport , Mazda RX-8 R3.

[anonymous-user]

Panda Cross 4x4

Just look at it, all weather beast and a wading depth that beats loads of much more expensive cars. Not owned one but really must be best smiles per gallon you can buy.