Best performance car under 20k

[Woodyyyy]

I am looking for a performance car as my only car comfort mpg don’t really matter my important points are fun, good handling, quick 0-60 and good looking. I look to spend 20k maybe 25k at a push if the car is perfect. Currently on my list is focus rs mk3 bit over budget, 240i, e92 M3. Please leave your suggestions much appreciated

[ZX10R NIN]

The best performance car is the one YOU like the most as you're idea of a performance car will be different to others.

I'd say the 370Z Nismo is a great option for under 20k:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105212...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009093...

VXR8 cracking steer with a great V8 to back it up.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107124...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106264...

M240i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107124...

SLK55 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105132...

[Stu-nph26]

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11947457

[Woodyyyy]

ZX10R NIN said:

The best performance car is the one YOU like the most as you're idea of a performance car will be different to others.

I'd say the 370Z Nismo is a great option for under 20k:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105212...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009093...

VXR8 cracking steer with a great V8 to back it up.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107124...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106264...

M240i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107124...

SLK55 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105132...

Have you owned any of the above cars? Like the look of the 370z and the 240i

[cerb4.5lee]

I've had an E92 M3 and I've currently got a 370Z Roadster and a F82 M4. I really like the idea of the 370Z Nismo suggested for sure.

I ran the E92 M3 as a daily for 10k miles, and I loved the chassis and the engine is special no doubt, but be aware that it doesn't really shine until very high revs. Plus at times if you are in the wrong gear it can actually feel pretty flat. So for me as a daily driver I'd personally prefer the M240i, because it will feel more punchy for more of the time.

[Woodyyyy]

cerb4.5lee said:

I've had an E92 M3 and I've currently got a 370Z Roadster and a F82 M4. I really like the idea of the 370Z Nismo suggested for sure.

I ran the E92 M3 as a daily for 10k miles, and I loved the chassis and the engine is special no doubt, but be aware that it doesn't really shine until very high revs. Plus at times if you are in the wrong gear it can actually feel pretty flat. So for me as a daily driver I'd personally prefer the M240i, because it will feel more punchy for more of the time.

Thanks for the feedback, m240i is definitely on my list would love an m2 comp but sadly can’t afford one yet. Also I think 240i just more likely to be reliable than the e92 as as 20k one is going to be about 10 years old.

[mike9009]

Here would be my choice....

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11894917

[Jasandjules]

TVR Chimaera 5.0.

[Welshbeef]

cerb4.5lee said:

I've had an E92 M3 and I've currently got a 370Z Roadster and a F82 M4. I really like the idea of the 370Z Nismo suggested for sure.

I ran the E92 M3 as a daily for 10k miles, and I loved the chassis and the engine is special no doubt, but be aware that it doesn't really shine until very high revs. Plus at times if you are in the wrong gear it can actually feel pretty flat. So for me as a daily driver I'd personally prefer the M240i, because it will feel more punchy for more of the time.

And by shining that actually means you can only access 1st gear for maximum power in the U.K. 2nd gear your over speed limit. All other gears as it’s a rev engine are weak at low speeds.

Compare it vs a C63 4TT it’s destroyed literally.

[cerb4.5lee]

mike9009 said:

Here would be my choice....

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11894917

Jasandjules said:

TVR Chimaera 5.0.

I need to grow some bigger balls...because I wouldn't want to daily either of those!

I get peed off climbing in and out of the VX220 everyday, and I'd worry about the Chimaera breaking down every 2 minutes!

[mike9009]

cerb4.5lee said:

mike9009 said:

Here would be my choice....

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11894917

Jasandjules said:

TVR Chimaera 5.0.

I need to grow some bigger balls...because I wouldn't want to daily either of those!

I get peed off climbing in and out of the VX220 everyday, and I'd worry about the Chimaera breaking down every 2 minutes!

I used my VX220 as a daily for two years....admittedly I was 20 years younger and whether I could contort myself daily to get in now....I don't know

[Mr Tidy]

It depends what your preferences are really.

If you don't mind stripped out, lightweight and driver-focussed an Elise (if they are in budget) or the Vauxhall VX already suggested.

If you want luxury with some speed now and again and don't mind an Auto maybe an XKR or some sort of AMG Benz.

Something in between but manual maybe an E46/E92 M3, a Z4MC, Boxster S or 370Z.

Whatever you choose enjoy the search - for me that's part of the fun!

[Welshbeef]

VX220 Turbo now I don’t think I’ve ever seen one actually not even seen the N/A one either rare.

The Elise are from my experience far more common.

[Belle427]

Hard to look past an M140/240 to be honest.

[ZX10R NIN]

Woodyyyy said:

Have you owned any of the above cars? Like the look of the 370z and the 240i

Owned neither but supplied a few Nismo's & a fair few M240i's, out of the two I'd take the Nismo everyday it's the better steer & just feels more special.

That's not to say the 240i isn't a good car because it is but I've never driven one & it feel anything other than a good car, as an example I didn't really get on with my F30 M3 but there were times when it just felt next level.

Which is something I've never experienced in the 140/240i but is something I've felt in the Nismo.

If you want a BMW then I'd say stretch the budget & get an M4 & buy the BMW Approved warranty for added peace of mind:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101318...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107094...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106304...

The Leftfield option is one of these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103160...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101087...

They handle as well as an M3 still have a decent exhaust not & ride sublimely whilst having M3/4 performance & you'll have something you don't see a lot of.

Admittedly you'd want to be doing over 10k a year but they're a phenomenal my OH loves hers.

[GreatGranny]

As featured in GG

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11936275

[Zumbruk]

cerb4.5lee said:

I get peed off climbing in and out of the VX220 everyday, and I'd worry about the Chimaera breaking down every 2 minutes!

I ran a Chimaera for 13 years. It broke down ... never.

[cerb4.5lee]

Zumbruk said:

I ran a Chimaera for 13 years. It broke down ... never.

Fair play!

My Cerbera left me stranded in London once, and it wouldn't start for me on countless occasions, and it chewed through starter motors/wiper motors/boot locks like they were going out of fashion! I was just chuffed that I always ran another car alongside it to be fair.

However when it was working it was absolutely epic for sure.

[Woodyyyy]

Thanks for all the suggestions chaps some good suggestions, has anyone else got anymore experience with e92 m3 I know rod bearings and throttle act cause problems but if these are done anything else go look out for ? Just feel like they are such good value for money at the moment at sub 20k

[Woodyyyy]

Also looking at the market there seems to be a lot of e93 convertibles as well for good money, what option is better and are you losing performance going for the convertible