£10k - Fun Car

[WakeFlakes]

Hi all,

So I’m trying to decide what I should buy, looking for a bit of inspiration and suggestions.

I’ve got about 10k, I want something that’s fun and engaging to drive but isn’t going to beat me up. I quite like doing longer journeys into Europe and try and do 4/5 a year so will have to be fairly decent on longer journeys (in terms of road noise, comfortable and preferably a basic form of cruise control), but doesn’t need to be super practical I.e. 2 seaters are fine. It just needs to get through the motorway miles relatively painlessly and be fun when it gets to the destination roads!

There are a few options in the lower end of the S2000 market which I’m looking at. Was also looking at an E46 330Ci. But never had a BMW before so it’s not a car I’m overly familiar with.

[andburg]

10k gets you a wide church

Can fully recommend a 124 spider, lacks a bit of outright power but the little turbo motor pulls well enough while making a decent noise.

Rx8? 10k would get the best one possible or - really good one for 7 leaving a pot to fix it

[Jimjimhim]

What about a BMW E92, very comfy and lots of choice when it comes to engines

[WakeFlakes]

andburg said:

10k gets you a wide church

Can fully recommend a 124 spider, lacks a bit of outright power but the little turbo motor pulls well enough while making a decent noise.

Rx8? 10k would get the best one possible or - really good one for 7 leaving a pot to fix it

Not sure what a “wide church” means 😂.

The 124 is a great shout though! I had looked at the Abarth 124 and they are still just a bit too much. I’d forgotten the regular Fiat one. I’ll give those a look!

Not sure on the RX8, had an FD RX7 for 5 years and only just got rid of it so not keen to go back into a Rotary juuuust yet!

[andburg]

Just means there are a lot of options

Alfa gtv? 3.0 v6 and some spare change for running repairs
2nd gen jag xk gets you a v8 waft mobile with top down ability

[ZX10R NIN]

124:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406261...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406090...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407121...

370Z:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405250...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407041...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407101...

Z4 30i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406200...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309222...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407111...

[horaldo72]

Fantastic on the right road but the S2000 isn’t for motorways/long stretches behind the wheel - too noisy/unrefined. Totally understand why you’d want one but just didn’t work for me as my only car.

[cerb4.5lee]

I was going to suggest the 370Z as well. They're fun when you want them to be, but they also do the cruisey/GT thing well too.

[Dog Biscuit]

horaldo72 said:

Fantastic on the right road but the S2000 isn’t for motorways/long stretches behind the wheel - too noisy/unrefined. Totally understand why you’d want one but just didn’t work for me as my only car.

I fell in love with the idea of the S2000 and bought into the dream blindly.

Had it 3 weeks and got rid. I really couldn't see the appeal tbh

The engine takes an age to wind up into the power zone, its noisy, cramped, steering wheel too low....

To really appreciate it then it needs to be driven like a mongoose and after a few of those special 'moments' then I just couldn't be arsed.

They like to rust also

[Mr Tidy]

If you want fun I'd recommend a 3 litre BMW Z4 ahead of an E92 Coupe.

I've had two 3.0Si Z4s and currently have an E90 330i as a daily and while it is very competent it isn't exactly fun!

Nissan Z is a good option too, or there are loads of hot hatches to chose from. I quite like the idea of a BMW M135i as well, but I've never driven one.

[Wheel Turned Out]

Often underrated, I think.

[cerb4.5lee]

The GT86 is a good shout as you say. I see a lot for sale with high mileages as well, so I presume that they're comfortable enough to do the miles in.

[WakeFlakes]

Some awesome options!

I’m quite taken with the 124 or the 370z. I will look more into those I think.

I had a GR86 last year and liked it, so I think the GT86 would feel to similar in that respect.

[jaydeeuk1]

andburg said:

10k gets you a wide church

Can fully recommend a 124 spider, lacks a bit of outright power but the little turbo motor pulls well enough while making a decent noise.

Rx8? 10k would get the best one possible or - really good one for 7 leaving a pot to fix it

£10k will cover about 2 years VED for the rx8 by the middle of this labour govt

[edc]

A Porsche Boxster is a good all rounder. Top down, 2 boots for practicality, reasonable level of power, good balance between outright handling and ride comfort. Not fun in the drift it everywhere style but really strings the corners together nicely.

[junglie]

I’ve had a few of the cars being discussed so perhaps I can add my tuppence worth.

2 seats more fun than 4 (as Mr Tidy has alluded to).

Some lovely options mentioned but I would go for a convertible to maximise the ‘fun’ aspect.

Hard or soft top - each has pros and cons.

For refinement, it is probably a safe bet for a hard roof.

My money (which will be happening soon) would go on an E89 Z4 (30/35i) or SLK 350 (facelift).

What about a circa 2007 SLK55 AMG?

[Rotary Potato]

I was surprised at how well my 986S Boxster ate up the miles. It was really a very comfortable place to spend time. I currently have a GT86, and if you asked me to choose one to do a European tour (or similar) in, I'd prefer the Porsche every time.

Cruise control was an option on the 986 (as was pretty much everything that wasn't 4 wheels and the engine!) so if you do decide to go down that route, work out what options are important to you (for me it was heated seats and upgraded headlights) and use that to narrow down your pool of cars.

£10k would get you a very nice, lower mileage example with good service history.

[WakeFlakes]

Having looked through the options. I did look at 986 Boxsters but I’m quite put off by the IMS and bore scoring issues.

It did lead me down a Porsche rabbit hole though as I’ve always quite fancied a Porsche. Now looking at a 944 S2 which is right at the top end of the budget and doesn’t seem to have been a popular option for cruise control but I think they look so good!

[culpz]

I've got an E92 and it's more of comfy cruiser. Although, it is nice to now be able to have some fun when it's wet, which is something you can't really do with FWD hatchbacks.

Speaking of which, 10k will get you a Megane 250, which is the most engaging you can get on two wheels at the front.

[Deep Thought]

Jimjimhim said:

What about a BMW E92, very comfy and lots of choice when it comes to engines

As big an advocate as i am of the E92, i dont think they're special enough to be a go to choice for £10K fun car.

Great all rounder, yes, absolutely. But not as a fun car.