£5-15k with lots of character for station duties
Discussion
Context: Two (small) kids and a dog. We've got a big, new EV (ID Buzz) for family duties. Need a second car, mostly for trips to the station which is three miles away. It'll often get left there overnight. Will be pressed into family duties from time to time.
Budget: £5-15k - could spend more, but I'd rather insulate from any price corrections in the next 12 months. Like the idea of spending a bit less and shedding about really.
It's got to be fun, with lots of character, which means makes you smile on the normal commute. We've two small kids so it really needs to have four doors otherwise I'd buy a 996 or an E46 M3. Capable of doing the odd long motorway drive to a client site. Not going to break down or be annoying. Ideally it would have a sunroof, I like fresh air. Prefer manual but not a deal breaker. Don't really mind about running costs. Don't mind occasional spannering.
Struggling with imaginative ideas. Some thoughts so far:
Budget: £5-15k - could spend more, but I'd rather insulate from any price corrections in the next 12 months. Like the idea of spending a bit less and shedding about really.
It's got to be fun, with lots of character, which means makes you smile on the normal commute. We've two small kids so it really needs to have four doors otherwise I'd buy a 996 or an E46 M3. Capable of doing the odd long motorway drive to a client site. Not going to break down or be annoying. Ideally it would have a sunroof, I like fresh air. Prefer manual but not a deal breaker. Don't really mind about running costs. Don't mind occasional spannering.
Struggling with imaginative ideas. Some thoughts so far:
- Impreza Wagon - I like these, pricing seems all over the place
- Mk7 Golf GTi - bit dull but does everything
- Leggy C63, just about in budget - bork factor? Auto only
- M135i - sound great but I don't want one
- BMW 130i
- Mini Cooper S - always loved a Mini.
- S3 - these seem good value
- BMW 330i?
- MG ZS/ZT
- Fast Renault?
- B7 RS4
Takeflight said:
XF is a great shout - lot of car for the money available there. Good looking cars. Cupra Leon a good alternative to the Golf.
The Alfa I want to love but I don't. Not sure why, I've had a 146 and a 157 and liked both a lot. I think it's the engine, doesn't seem special enough.
Wafty plus RWD and looks good. Not sure about how they drive, I have heard they are quite a nice steer. Not that obvious I guess compared to other stuff. The Alfa I want to love but I don't. Not sure why, I've had a 146 and a 157 and liked both a lot. I think it's the engine, doesn't seem special enough.
Slightly leftfield but a very good car is the Clio RS220 Trophy Nav:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309091...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311133...
The Peugeot Sport 308 GTI is a very good option:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309041...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306018...
With your needs the XE S 340, falls nicely into budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310293...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309041...
Fully leftfield is the 3.0TT Q50 this is a proper sleeper with the 400Z drivetrain under the bonnet:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311133...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309091...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311133...
The Peugeot Sport 308 GTI is a very good option:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309041...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306018...
With your needs the XE S 340, falls nicely into budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310293...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309041...
Fully leftfield is the 3.0TT Q50 this is a proper sleeper with the 400Z drivetrain under the bonnet:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311133...
So today I purchased this for exactly the same reasons as you have explained:
It's quirky, loads of fun, very nippy, and will fit into the smallest of spaces at the airport / station car park.
This is a 2017 595 competizione with 180 bhp and weighs about the same as my left gonad. It feels like an 80's Renault 5 GT Turbo or 205 Gti to drive. Lots of torque steer through the "powerband" .... it's awesome.
It has all the latest gadgets and whilst the ride is firm, it's also fairly compliant so will easily crunch motorway miles in relative comfort. I live in Lincolnshire and I drove this car back from the dealership in Manchester and felt fine.
Can you tell I like it?
It's quirky, loads of fun, very nippy, and will fit into the smallest of spaces at the airport / station car park.
This is a 2017 595 competizione with 180 bhp and weighs about the same as my left gonad. It feels like an 80's Renault 5 GT Turbo or 205 Gti to drive. Lots of torque steer through the "powerband" .... it's awesome.
It has all the latest gadgets and whilst the ride is firm, it's also fairly compliant so will easily crunch motorway miles in relative comfort. I live in Lincolnshire and I drove this car back from the dealership in Manchester and felt fine.
Can you tell I like it?
WarmSince74 said:
So today I purchased this for exactly the same reasons as you have explained:
It's quirky, loads of fun, very nippy, and will fit into the smallest of spaces at the airport / station car park.
This is a 2017 595 competizione with 180 bhp and weighs about the same as my left gonad. It feels like an 80's Renault 5 GT Turbo or 205 Gti to drive. Lots of torque steer through the "powerband" .... it's awesome.
It has all the latest gadgets and whilst the ride is firm, it's also fairly compliant so will easily crunch motorway miles in relative comfort. I live in Lincolnshire and I drove this car back from the dealership in Manchester and felt fine.
Can you tell I like it?
It's nice, but it definitely doesn't have the four doors requested.It's quirky, loads of fun, very nippy, and will fit into the smallest of spaces at the airport / station car park.
This is a 2017 595 competizione with 180 bhp and weighs about the same as my left gonad. It feels like an 80's Renault 5 GT Turbo or 205 Gti to drive. Lots of torque steer through the "powerband" .... it's awesome.
It has all the latest gadgets and whilst the ride is firm, it's also fairly compliant so will easily crunch motorway miles in relative comfort. I live in Lincolnshire and I drove this car back from the dealership in Manchester and felt fine.
Can you tell I like it?
MG with a Mustang V8. Unlikely to get unwanted attention while parked at the station?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023091017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023091017...
Takeflight said:
Context: Two (small) kids and a dog. We've got a big, new EV (ID Buzz) for family duties. Need a second car, mostly for trips to the station which is three miles away. It'll often get left there overnight. Will be pressed into family duties from time to time.
It's got to be fun, with lots of character, which means makes you smile on the normal commute. We've two small kids so it really needs to have four doors otherwise I'd buy a 996 or an E46 M3. Capable of doing the odd long motorway drive to a client site. Not going to break down or be annoying. Ideally it would have a sunroof, I like fresh air. Prefer manual but not a deal breaker. Don't really mind about running costs. Don't mind occasional spannering.
A BMW 130i is the solution to every automotive problem in my eyes but sounds like a feasible option for what you’re after. Inexpensive to buy and run, decently robust and reliable, relatively compact but still quite practical (has a bigger boot than the Golf R32 of the same age) and pretty inconspicuous - especially if debadged.It's got to be fun, with lots of character, which means makes you smile on the normal commute. We've two small kids so it really needs to have four doors otherwise I'd buy a 996 or an E46 M3. Capable of doing the odd long motorway drive to a client site. Not going to break down or be annoying. Ideally it would have a sunroof, I like fresh air. Prefer manual but not a deal breaker. Don't really mind about running costs. Don't mind occasional spannering.
I find it very characterful with lightweight straight-six stuffed practically under the dashboard in a small, pretty lightweight rear wheel-drive hatchback body, with the benefit of short gearing and lots of torque - catering equally for easy cruising on a motorway as well as redlining it along a country road.
RoVoFob said:
A BMW 130i is the solution to every automotive problem in my eyes but sounds like a feasible option for what you’re after. Inexpensive to buy and run, decently robust and reliable, relatively compact but still quite practical (has a bigger boot than the Golf R32 of the same age) and pretty inconspicuous - especially if debadged.
I find it very characterful with lightweight straight-six stuffed practically under the dashboard in a small, pretty lightweight rear wheel-drive hatchback body, with the benefit of short gearing and lots of torque - catering equally for easy cruising on a motorway as well as redlining it along a country road.
I have a 130i that also fulfills a very similar role to what the OP is looking for! I find it very characterful with lightweight straight-six stuffed practically under the dashboard in a small, pretty lightweight rear wheel-drive hatchback body, with the benefit of short gearing and lots of torque - catering equally for easy cruising on a motorway as well as redlining it along a country road.
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