Recommend me a fun daily

[Marc p]

So after coming to the realisation that I average about 10 miles a day in my 325d and as much as I like it, there seems to be little point having it for the daily. So looking at moving it on (probably sell my e39 as well after I realised I haven’t driven it for nearly 2 years).

So looking at a new daily(probably early next year), requirements are:

- Around £15-20k
- MPG isn’t an issue
- Something a bit ‘different’ to the norm
- Fun to drive(doesn’t need to be good handling, just fun)
- Can be LHD or RHD
- Doesn’t matter if it’s a 2 seater
- Reliable
- Don’t mind older cars but probably nothing older than 2000.

So far I’m thinking Dodge Challenger or Lotus Elise but hoping you lovely folk can maybe throw me some more recommendations I’ve not thought of.

[Whoozit]

MPG not an issue, nor LHD? Perhaps a big ol' truck. I drove a Dodge Ram last week and it was very much easier to drive than I thought it could be. Full five seats plus a truck bed for any big toys you own.

[WIWs]

Massively under budget but I have an R53 Mini Cooper S as my daily and its great fun when I want a blast, supercharger whine and all, but also good for longer drives with cruise control and decent enough power/gearing, only downside is ste MPG

[WIWs]

Also the lotus elise is not a particularly comfortable 'daily' car, especially doing 10 miles a day in the depths of winter, each to their own but from what I've heard they're not the most comfortable!

[Mark-insert old BMW]

Under budget too.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295999381898?hash=item4...

[Hol]

Renaultsport Megane.

[Alex_225]

If MPG isn't an issue, I'd probably opt for something with a V8 purely for the noise and the sheer grunt.

Personally I'd love an E63 or for a two seater an SLK55 but then I do have a thing for Mercs haha

Hol said:

Renaultsport Megane.

That would be a good shout too, they are excellent fun.

[brillomaster]

Stick with bmw.
Z4 coupe.

Or you can get some dirt cheap fast audis... s4, s5, or s6, with a v8 or even a v10...

Or porsches, boxsters or caymans in budget.

[DrEMa]

Monaro maybe for something a bit different to the norm

[CG2020UK]

Jag F Type maybe?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310153...

[Hippea]

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15762801

[jamesbilluk]

How about a twin turbo V10?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023101831...

Abarth 124 Spider
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023071396...

C5 Corvette

350/370Z

[Sway]

Problem with ten miles each way, is that anything properly 'fun' is barely warmed up by the time you get there.

That's not great for the car - but also for you as a driver. Plenty of fun cars I've owned need ten miles or more before the gearbox has nicely warmed up and is fluid.

So realistically, 'something a bit different' is a bad path to tread. You'd be better off with something pretty mainstream with a zingly little engine that's got a chance to warm up. Maybe renaultsport clio/megane, that integra is a good shout, as is Mini cooper S.

[culpz]

Something JDM could be a good shout. Something like a Chaser or a Forrester STI maybe?

[CrippsCorner]

DrEMa said:

Monaro maybe for something a bit different to the norm

Or a VXR8!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309232...

[Hippea]

CrippsCorner said:

DrEMa said:

Monaro maybe for something a bit different to the norm

Or a VXR8!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309232...

That looks cracking

[Mr Tidy]

Dodge Challenger to Lotus Elise is a pretty wide spread!

Depends whether you prefer a car with grunt or a high-revving screamer.

Grunty options have to include Monaros and various AMG V8s.

High revving motors would mean Honda S2000s and BMW Z4Ms.

Somewhere in between there are Nissan 350/370Zs, BMW 3.0Si Z4s, E9* 3 Series, V6 Audi TTs, etc.

[Brett748]

WIWs said:

Massively under budget but I have an R53 Mini Cooper S as my daily and its great fun when I want a blast, supercharger whine and all, but also good for longer drives with cruise control and decent enough power/gearing, only downside is ste MPG

I daily an R53 too. MPG isn't much better than my W204 C63 (approx 7mpg better average) but its been reliable for a year now with only consumables and suspension parts needed which were as a result of years of under maintenance by previous owners.

Mine has the factory LSD too so the handling is brilliant. I did a track day in it in Feb and have another next month, pretty much does it all for a daily beater that I can track too.

Albeit on the motorway I use noise cancelling on my AirPods...

A newer Mini Cooper S would suit the OP's requirements if they want a newer car.

[Evil.soup]

Hippea said:

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15762801

Covering the small number of miles and given the rarity of this, it would be a great candidate to hold value if not rise in value. They are also fantastic drivers cars but still easy going on a rush hour run, great option.

[braddo]

Evil.soup said:

Hippea said:

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15762801

Covering the small number of miles and given the rarity of this, it would be a great candidate to hold value if not rise in value. They are also fantastic drivers cars but still easy going on a rush hour run, great option.

Just need to drown it in anti-rust stuff first!