How do I enjoy cars again?

Wednesday 5th March

Hi guys, apologies for what might turn out to be an essay but if anyone makes it to the end, I'd appreciate some third party thoughts on what car I can get to help me enjoy motoring again!

Background
Before COVID, I had a Renaultsport Clio track car and a Mini JCW daily. I used to enjoy track days and taking both cars to shows and meets, chatting with other owners and the occasional conversation with a fellow enthusiast in a petrol station or car park who might take an interest in whichever car I was driving at the time (the Mini was quite a lairy spec so got more attention than you'd think!).

For the past few years, I've been pottering around in a financed 2020 Polo GTI and sold the track car as I don't get to use it as often. I work from home a lot too so even the daily doesn't do more than about 6-8k a year. Whilst it's all been very sensible and practical and the Polo is a decent car, I miss having something with a community around it and that I want to drive for the sake of a quick Sunday morning blast to a coffee shop or car show, or just to get some photos of somewhere scenic.

Options, budget etc.
I've kind of ruled out having two cars for cost and space reasons, plus I barely do enough mileage for one car to feel well used to be honest. As I see it, my two options are go and finance (loan, PCP, etc.) something like an M2/Yaris GR/etc., but finance deals are pretty rough at the moment and do feel like a financial burden, plus I worry about the attention a car like that might get from the wrong people. The other way is pay cash for a <15k do it all car, but I might miss some of the creature comforts like CarPlay, adaptive cruise etc. when I do the longer journeys into the office or to see friends. I flip-flop between these two routes and always find fault with both options.

For an idea of what I like and might fit me and my life, I've had many hot hatches and am a big hot hatch guy, but I'm also not against a sports car - I don't have kids or any need for practicality beyond getting my golf clubs and trolley in, although I do sometimes go on a trip with a few friends so back seats can be useful it's not the end of the world. Also if it could be comfortable enough for doing longer trips in, that'd be great.

As I say, looking for the thoughts of others on what direction I could go in, especially if it challenges my way of thinking or offers something new as I've got myself rather stuck in a loop mentally!

Jayho

2,285 posts

182 months

Wednesday 5th March

Porsche 996 911 or a 987 Cayman / Boxster? Might not be able to fit the golfing criteria needs though. In terms of community I believe there's many local groups around the country with plenty of opportunities to meet like minded people.

cwoodsie2

351 posts

221 months

Wednesday 5th March

You haven't mentioned running costs, but beyond fuel and tax would a 5 litre XKR suit? The golf clubs led me there (i'd be the same!) If spending some of your hard earned i'm struggling to think of a reliable (ish?) 500bhp+ option before we all get pushed electric.

Alternatively a 370Z?

(admit carplay may be a retro-fit for both)

nordboy

2,238 posts

62 months

Wednesday 5th March

Another JCW?

I actually chose a Cooper S Sport over a JCW. I had a 2012 JCW which i think was about 210bhp. My CS is a 2018 and has 192bhp so doesn't feel any slower and rides much better. You can tune the pre lci engined CS to over 300bhp if that's what you wanted to do?

paddy1970

1,082 posts

121 months

Wednesday 5th March

The sweet spot might be finding something with enough modern conveniences to serve as a decent daily, enough character to make you want to drive it on Sundays, and enough of a following that you'll never lack for conversation at a cars and coffee event.

Based on your history with hot hatches but openness to sports cars, I'd particularly look at the Mk7 GTI, GT86/BRZ, or the FK2 Civic Type R.

Leftfootwonder

1,205 posts

70 months

Wednesday 5th March

paddy1970 said:

The sweet spot might be finding something with enough modern conveniences to serve as a decent daily, enough character to make you want to drive it on Sundays, and enough of a following that you'll never lack for conversation at a cars and coffee event.

Based on your history with hot hatches but openness to sports cars, I'd particularly look at the Mk7 GTI, GT86/BRZ, or the FK2 Civic Type R.

100% this. Something pre-electric steering and you'll be fine. I thought I craved carplay or whatever but now I have it I barely use it. Back to basics is the only way to enjoy motoring again.

Jamescrs

5,124 posts

77 months

Wednesday 5th March

I you are looking to get into a car for the social side of it I would suggest joining the owners groups on Facebook for whatever car you are looking at to get a feel for what the community you are joining.

I say this as I have always joined the owners groups for any car i've owned, some are very decent and some are pretty full of people I wouldn't pass the time of day with.

I generally find Mini owners groups are pretty decent in the main.

Belle427

10,217 posts

245 months

Wednesday 5th March

Civic Type R or Megane if you want to stay with a hot hatch. 2 of the best you can buy.
M2 is a great car though and what I'd pick if funds allowed.

ZX10R NIN

28,905 posts

137 months

Wednesday 5th March

CG2020UK

2,480 posts

52 months

Wednesday 5th March

I’m very similar to yourself.

I still love cars but think I can now admit to myself my priorities in live have changed and I’m pretty happy no matter the car. I’m a massive hot hatch guy and think that’s what I just enjoy. I just have no interest in a car being the master of my life.

I owned an M2 for 2 years and adored it. I always describe it as a Fiesta ST for adults/on roids. I done trackdays, daily driving and tours in it and it was fantastic. It’s very clearly a level above a hot hatch and blends the sports car and practicality side of things brilliantly. I’d really recommend giving one a test drive especially the N55 cars. Very special cars.

37,312 posts

209 months

Wednesday 5th March

nordboy said:

Another JCW?

I actually chose a Cooper S Sport over a JCW. I had a 2012 JCW which i think was about 210bhp. My CS is a 2018 and has 192bhp so doesn't feel any slower and rides much better. You can tune the pre lci engined CS to over 300bhp if that's what you wanted to do?

Brakes become problematic very quickly when you increase the power on the Cooper S.

I'd mine at around 240BHP and the brake fade from speed was cheek clenching.

You can retrofit the JCW front brake setup (the rears are the same), but you still lose out on the bigger servo which the JCW has. Also you then need JCW wheels as the Cooper S wheels (even in 18 format) dont fit over the big calipers.

I ran a 2018 Cooper S for 2 years from new, with the power upgrade, induction kit and JCW exhaust. I absolutely loved it but i was doing it again i'd go JCW for the aforementioned reasons.

37,312 posts

209 months

Wednesday 5th March

CG2020UK said:

I’m very similar to yourself.

I still love cars but think I can now admit to myself my priorities in live have changed and I’m pretty happy no matter the car. I’m a massive hot hatch guy and think that’s what I just enjoy. I just have no interest in a car being the master of my life.

I owned an M2 for 2 years and adored it. I always describe it as a Fiesta ST for adults/on roids. I done trackdays, daily driving and tours in it and it was fantastic. It’s very clearly a level above a hot hatch and blends the sports car and practicality side of things brilliantly. I’d really recommend giving one a test drive especially the N55 cars. Very special cars.

Another vote for the M2 in N55 form. I ran a 2018 one for two years and like you, adored it. Amazing car. A very special car and a relative bargain.

Pickle_Rick

452 posts

72 months

Wednesday 5th March

Quite telling that the owners of these cars suggested so far only kept them for 2 years. You'll be bored too with a numb modern beemer or mini

Maybe something classic. 928, elise, chimera, perhaps a maserati of some flavour.

All far more interesting than an identikit m2 you see in every council estate.

CG2020UK

2,480 posts

52 months

Wednesday 5th March

Pickle_Rick said:

Quite telling that the owners of these cars suggested so far only kept them for 2 years. You'll be bored too with a numb modern beemer or mini

Maybe something classic. 928, elise, chimera, perhaps a maserati of some flavour.

All far more interesting than an identikit m2 you see in every council estate.

I wonder when you typed this out did you just submit it or did you read it back to yourself first and not have the ability to comprehend how stupid and ignorant you’d come across as? biglaugh

For the record although you can fit 4 adults in an M2 unfortunately my mother in laws wheelchair and baby’s pram system would not fit in the boot in this case. I’d buy another M2 without a moments hesitation and it was the 2nd longest I’ve kept any car.

ZX10R NIN

28,905 posts

137 months

Wednesday 5th March

Or just go off piste & get yourself a bike, something like a GSX-R750 is a nice sweet spot:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/146428451186?_skw=gsxr+...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267030745881?_skw=gsxr+...

I say this because if you're considering a Caterham why not go for the proper thing & get a bike as you can see they're a lot cheaper too wink

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Wednesday 5th March 21:08

37,312 posts

209 months

Wednesday 5th March

Pickle_Rick said:

Quite telling that the owners of these cars suggested so far only kept them for 2 years. You'll be bored too with a numb modern beemer or mini

Maybe something classic. 928, elise, chimera, perhaps a maserati of some flavour.

All far more interesting than an identikit m2 you see in every council estate.

Lolz.

The JCW (and Cooper S), and M2 are all a hoot to drive and own. Great fun.

The numb comment suggests you've no experience of either.

I'd say 2 year ownership is fairly typical, where people move on to something else that tickles their fancy.

Thats what i did. driving

braddo

11,744 posts

200 months

Thursday 6th March

Deep Thought said:

The numb comment suggests you've no experience of either.

Your numb comments suggests you've no experience of (or have forgotten about) how much more tactile and feelsome older drivers' cars are. Steering especially but also pedal and gearlever feel.

Steering with hydraulic assistance or none
Throttle pedals actually connected to throttle bodies
Brakes with less servo assistance
Clutch pedals without CDVs
Gearlevers that sprout from the gearbox itself rather than via linkages (or are DCT/auto)

In my opinion, to "enjoy cars again" the OP needs to:
- Separate the boring driving from fun driving by having two vehicles
- Try something different and get away from hot hatches. A tactile, light/old sportscar (Caterham, Elise, 944, RX7, hot MX5, maybe a 90s 2.5 Boxster, Chimaera etc).

37,312 posts

209 months

Thursday 6th March

braddo said:

Deep Thought said:

The numb comment suggests you've no experience of either.

Your numb comments suggests you've no experience of (or have forgotten about) how much more tactile and feelsome older drivers' cars are. Steering especially but also pedal and gearlever feel.

Steering with hydraulic assistance or none
Throttle pedals actually connected to throttle bodies
Brakes with less servo assistance
Clutch pedals without CDVs
Gearlevers that sprout from the gearbox itself rather than via linkages (or are DCT/auto)

In my opinion, to "enjoy cars again" the OP needs to:
- Separate the boring driving from fun driving by having two vehicles
- Try something different and get away from hot hatches. A tactile, light/old sportscar (Caterham, Elise, 944, RX7, hot MX5, maybe a 90s 2.5 Boxster, Chimaera etc).

I'm not disputing any of that, however an M2 is not - by any stretch of the imagination - "numb" to drive. Nor is a JCW.

Its very possible to enjoy and be thrilled by cars without having to resort to something impractical and / or 20+ years old, with all the problems that can bring.

Derek182

177 posts

92 months

Thursday 6th March

For £15k I would be looking at a Renaultsport Megane 275 Cup S with Recaros, Ohlins and an Akrapovic.
It will get plenty of attention from people who know what it is and there's a good scene around French cars and Renaultsport.
Or Porsche, TVR or Lotus all have strong owners clubs with plenty of events to attend.
Having done trackdays and amateur motorsport for many years my (more expensive) solution to a similar question was an Alpine A110 which has opened doors to car shows, supercar drive outs, Alpine owners events and much more.

braddo

11,744 posts

200 months