Struggling to decide where to go next
Discussion
Ive had garage soft top cars for 20 years now and find myself using them less due to lifestyle, weather etc so am thinking of getting a semi interesting daily driver.
Dont want something ruinous to run so have looked at the following, i only do about 25 miles a day to work on reasonable roads but would like something i could enjoy on the weekend too.
Ideally id like to try 4wd this time around, i had a 300 bhp Golf Edition 30 and although it had the best tyres and suspension bushes etc it still struggled to put the power down.
Budget £27500 max.
Merc A35/A35 AMG love the interiors on the Mercs, we currently have a GLA, probably the top contender.
RS3 Fantastic noise but a bit dull and expensive.
Focus RS Mk 3 Build quality scares me.
M2 Not 4wd i know but looking a bit ruinous to run.
Ownership feedback would be great.
Dont want something ruinous to run so have looked at the following, i only do about 25 miles a day to work on reasonable roads but would like something i could enjoy on the weekend too.
Ideally id like to try 4wd this time around, i had a 300 bhp Golf Edition 30 and although it had the best tyres and suspension bushes etc it still struggled to put the power down.
Budget £27500 max.
Merc A35/A35 AMG love the interiors on the Mercs, we currently have a GLA, probably the top contender.
RS3 Fantastic noise but a bit dull and expensive.
Focus RS Mk 3 Build quality scares me.
M2 Not 4wd i know but looking a bit ruinous to run.
Ownership feedback would be great.
Belle427 said:
........a semi interesting daily driver........c it still struggled to put the power down.
....
Isn't that mostly the point?....
Something that you have to actually work at driving within its limits is much more fun than driving something that's capable of effortlessly going way faster than you think you can get away with.
I'm not suggesting going back to the 'excitement' of a classic with knackered suspension and bald crossply remoulds.
But driving such things to ttheir limits was real fun motoring without being so fast that you're always catching up with the next group of tourists.
OutInTheShed said:
Belle427 said:
........a semi interesting daily driver........c it still struggled to put the power down.
....
Isn't that mostly the point?....
Something that you have to actually work at driving within its limits is much more fun than driving something that's capable of effortlessly going way faster than you think you can get away with.
I'm not suggesting going back to the 'excitement' of a classic with knackered suspension and bald crossply remoulds.
But driving such things to ttheir limits was real fun motoring without being so fast that you're always catching up with the next group of tourists.
An M2 N55 (2016-2018) might not be as pricey to run as you’d think.
Pros
Probably the most fun car you can buy and actually daily drive. It’s basically a grown up RWD Fiesta ST. Ridiculous breadth of ability can carry 4 adults, do a track day without issue and return 30mpg on the run home. The upgraded N55 is basically bulletproof and they are very reliable cars never mind by M car standards! Sounds brilliant even in stock. Can put in seriously fast lap times on track or skid about to your hearts content. It’s very Jekyll and Hyde on normal road speeds, it feels faster than it actually is doing and skids about a bit too much but on track it’s brilliant on the limit so predictable and actually a gift. Doesn’t need to be driven fast to be fun!
Cons
You’ll have issues putting the power down the car is just set up to be naughty and oversteers on whim (BMW toned the M2 Comps down for a reason). In winter you’ll need winter tyres as they are dangerous on summer tyres. It is comfortable enough but it’s very stiff car certainly not to everyone’s cup of tea! Yes you can get 30mpg but realistically you’ll get 23-25mpg. Exhaust even standard is very loud, mine will set off cars in a car park in winter so might be worth considering if leaving very early in the morning. DCT gearbox is brilliant especially when you are on it but not as smooth as normal auto boxes, manual isn’t great to use. Takes a lot of skill to get the most out of the car and it’s wasted if you don’t/can’t drive it hard enough.
The M2 is very different to the A35, RS3 or Focus RS which are all great cars. I’d really recommend test driving one and it will be quite clear if it’s for you or not.
Absolutely love mine it’s perfect for me and it’s impossible not to like if you are into cars but can certainly see how’s it not for everyone to own. I do 10k miles a year in mind and honestly just love it.
Pros
Probably the most fun car you can buy and actually daily drive. It’s basically a grown up RWD Fiesta ST. Ridiculous breadth of ability can carry 4 adults, do a track day without issue and return 30mpg on the run home. The upgraded N55 is basically bulletproof and they are very reliable cars never mind by M car standards! Sounds brilliant even in stock. Can put in seriously fast lap times on track or skid about to your hearts content. It’s very Jekyll and Hyde on normal road speeds, it feels faster than it actually is doing and skids about a bit too much but on track it’s brilliant on the limit so predictable and actually a gift. Doesn’t need to be driven fast to be fun!
Cons
You’ll have issues putting the power down the car is just set up to be naughty and oversteers on whim (BMW toned the M2 Comps down for a reason). In winter you’ll need winter tyres as they are dangerous on summer tyres. It is comfortable enough but it’s very stiff car certainly not to everyone’s cup of tea! Yes you can get 30mpg but realistically you’ll get 23-25mpg. Exhaust even standard is very loud, mine will set off cars in a car park in winter so might be worth considering if leaving very early in the morning. DCT gearbox is brilliant especially when you are on it but not as smooth as normal auto boxes, manual isn’t great to use. Takes a lot of skill to get the most out of the car and it’s wasted if you don’t/can’t drive it hard enough.
The M2 is very different to the A35, RS3 or Focus RS which are all great cars. I’d really recommend test driving one and it will be quite clear if it’s for you or not.
Absolutely love mine it’s perfect for me and it’s impossible not to like if you are into cars but can certainly see how’s it not for everyone to own. I do 10k miles a year in mind and honestly just love it.
Edited by CG2020UK on Thursday 4th April 23:49
CG2020UK said:
An M2 N55 (2016-2018) might not be as pricey to run as you’d think.
Pros
Probably the most fun car you can buy and actually daily drive. It’s basically a grown up RWD Fiesta ST. Ridiculous breadth of ability can carry 4 adults, do a track day without issue and return 30mpg on the run home. The upgraded N55 is basically bulletproof and they are very reliable cars never mind by M car standards! Sounds brilliant even in stock. Can put in seriously fast lap times on track or skid about to your hearts content. It’s very Jekyll and Hyde on normal road speeds, it feels faster than it actually is doing and skids about a bit too much but on track it’s brilliant on the limit so predictable and actually a gift. Doesn’t need to be driven fast to be fun!
Cons
You’ll have issues putting the power down the car is just set up to be naughty and oversteers on whim (BMW toned the M2 Comps down for a reason). In winter you’ll need winter tyres as they are dangerous on summer tyres. It is comfortable enough but it’s very stiff car certainly not to everyone’s cup of tea! Yes you can get 30mpg but realistically you’ll get 23-25mpg. Exhaust even standard is very loud, mine will set off cars in a car park in winter so might be worth considering if leaving very early in the morning. DCT gearbox is brilliant especially when you are on it but not as smooth as normal auto boxes, manual isn’t great to use. Takes a lot of skill to get the most out of the car and it’s wasted if you don’t/can’t drive it hard enough.
The M2 is very different to the A35, RS3 or Focus RS which are all great cars. I’d really recommend test driving one and it will be quite clear if it’s for you or not.
Absolutely love mine it’s perfect for me and it’s impossible not to like if you are into cars but can certainly see how’s it not for everyone to own. I do 10k miles a year in mind and honestly just love it.
I've been thinking about one for a while but I leave for work at 5 30 some mornings and the noise is a concern, would maybe need to run a cheap third car because of it which kind of defeats my object.Pros
Probably the most fun car you can buy and actually daily drive. It’s basically a grown up RWD Fiesta ST. Ridiculous breadth of ability can carry 4 adults, do a track day without issue and return 30mpg on the run home. The upgraded N55 is basically bulletproof and they are very reliable cars never mind by M car standards! Sounds brilliant even in stock. Can put in seriously fast lap times on track or skid about to your hearts content. It’s very Jekyll and Hyde on normal road speeds, it feels faster than it actually is doing and skids about a bit too much but on track it’s brilliant on the limit so predictable and actually a gift. Doesn’t need to be driven fast to be fun!
Cons
You’ll have issues putting the power down the car is just set up to be naughty and oversteers on whim (BMW toned the M2 Comps down for a reason). In winter you’ll need winter tyres as they are dangerous on summer tyres. It is comfortable enough but it’s very stiff car certainly not to everyone’s cup of tea! Yes you can get 30mpg but realistically you’ll get 23-25mpg. Exhaust even standard is very loud, mine will set off cars in a car park in winter so might be worth considering if leaving very early in the morning. DCT gearbox is brilliant especially when you are on it but not as smooth as normal auto boxes, manual isn’t great to use. Takes a lot of skill to get the most out of the car and it’s wasted if you don’t/can’t drive it hard enough.
The M2 is very different to the A35, RS3 or Focus RS which are all great cars. I’d really recommend test driving one and it will be quite clear if it’s for you or not.
Absolutely love mine it’s perfect for me and it’s impossible not to like if you are into cars but can certainly see how’s it not for everyone to own. I do 10k miles a year in mind and honestly just love it.
Edited by CG2020UK on Thursday 4th April 23:49
The tyres would also concern me as i wouldn't be willing to keep swapping over.
It would be DCT for me too, I prefer an Auto these days.
Belle427 said:
CG2020UK said:
An M2 N55 (2016-2018) might not be as pricey to run as you’d think.
Pros
Probably the most fun car you can buy and actually daily drive. It’s basically a grown up RWD Fiesta ST. Ridiculous breadth of ability can carry 4 adults, do a track day without issue and return 30mpg on the run home. The upgraded N55 is basically bulletproof and they are very reliable cars never mind by M car standards! Sounds brilliant even in stock. Can put in seriously fast lap times on track or skid about to your hearts content. It’s very Jekyll and Hyde on normal road speeds, it feels faster than it actually is doing and skids about a bit too much but on track it’s brilliant on the limit so predictable and actually a gift. Doesn’t need to be driven fast to be fun!
Cons
You’ll have issues putting the power down the car is just set up to be naughty and oversteers on whim (BMW toned the M2 Comps down for a reason). In winter you’ll need winter tyres as they are dangerous on summer tyres. It is comfortable enough but it’s very stiff car certainly not to everyone’s cup of tea! Yes you can get 30mpg but realistically you’ll get 23-25mpg. Exhaust even standard is very loud, mine will set off cars in a car park in winter so might be worth considering if leaving very early in the morning. DCT gearbox is brilliant especially when you are on it but not as smooth as normal auto boxes, manual isn’t great to use. Takes a lot of skill to get the most out of the car and it’s wasted if you don’t/can’t drive it hard enough.
The M2 is very different to the A35, RS3 or Focus RS which are all great cars. I’d really recommend test driving one and it will be quite clear if it’s for you or not.
Absolutely love mine it’s perfect for me and it’s impossible not to like if you are into cars but can certainly see how’s it not for everyone to own. I do 10k miles a year in mind and honestly just love it.
I've been thinking about one for a while but I leave for work at 5 30 some mornings and the noise is a concern, would maybe need to run a cheap third car because of it which kind of defeats my object.Pros
Probably the most fun car you can buy and actually daily drive. It’s basically a grown up RWD Fiesta ST. Ridiculous breadth of ability can carry 4 adults, do a track day without issue and return 30mpg on the run home. The upgraded N55 is basically bulletproof and they are very reliable cars never mind by M car standards! Sounds brilliant even in stock. Can put in seriously fast lap times on track or skid about to your hearts content. It’s very Jekyll and Hyde on normal road speeds, it feels faster than it actually is doing and skids about a bit too much but on track it’s brilliant on the limit so predictable and actually a gift. Doesn’t need to be driven fast to be fun!
Cons
You’ll have issues putting the power down the car is just set up to be naughty and oversteers on whim (BMW toned the M2 Comps down for a reason). In winter you’ll need winter tyres as they are dangerous on summer tyres. It is comfortable enough but it’s very stiff car certainly not to everyone’s cup of tea! Yes you can get 30mpg but realistically you’ll get 23-25mpg. Exhaust even standard is very loud, mine will set off cars in a car park in winter so might be worth considering if leaving very early in the morning. DCT gearbox is brilliant especially when you are on it but not as smooth as normal auto boxes, manual isn’t great to use. Takes a lot of skill to get the most out of the car and it’s wasted if you don’t/can’t drive it hard enough.
The M2 is very different to the A35, RS3 or Focus RS which are all great cars. I’d really recommend test driving one and it will be quite clear if it’s for you or not.
Absolutely love mine it’s perfect for me and it’s impossible not to like if you are into cars but can certainly see how’s it not for everyone to own. I do 10k miles a year in mind and honestly just love it.
Edited by CG2020UK on Thursday 4th April 23:49
The tyres would also concern me as i wouldn't be willing to keep swapping over.
It would be DCT for me too, I prefer an Auto these days.
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