30k fun, modern(ish), low depreciation

[nunpuncher]

The sun is out, I'm on the train to work and I'm desperately wishing I had something fun and LEZ compliant for these days.

I currently have a van (for all the lifestyle ste), a 996 and a 205 GTi. I've got about £30k to spend and am looking for something more modern, more reliable, more comfortable than the rest. Would like it to be equally as fun and relatively depreciation proof.

Thinking
MK1 GR Yaris
M2
Civic type R
Evora (maybe a bit old and would rather an S)

Or maybe go cheaper and get a previous shape Megane RS

Any other ideas, experience or wisdom to share?

[jamesbilluk]

I've had the M2, GR Yaris, and FK8 type R, and Evora from that list,

For me, it would have to be the Evora, felt a very special cer to drive, and looks wise. The Yaris I never warmed to, as it only stsrted to feel special if driving with purpose, the Evora felt good at low speeds (and sounded better)

I did enjoy the M2 as well,

And the Type R was a great bit of kit.

The Evora was the most enjoyable, for me, I had an S and a NA, the NA did sound fantastic with the optional sports exhaust.

[fido]

Upgrade the 996 to a 997/991 Cabriolet. I want to do the same thing with my MX-5 turbo. Or the GTi to a Yaris GR.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

nunpuncher said:

The sun is out, I'm on the train to work and I'm desperately wishing I had something fun and LEZ compliant for these days.

I currently have a van (for all the lifestyle ste), a 996 and a 205 GTi. I've got about £30k to spend and am looking for something more modern, more reliable, more comfortable than the rest. Would like it to be equally as fun and relatively depreciation proof.

Thinking
MK1 GR Yaris
M2
Civic type R
Evora (maybe a bit old and would rather an S)

Or maybe go cheaper and get a previous shape Megane RS

Any other ideas, experience or wisdom to share?

something convertible!

[wyson]

I would have gone for a Ford RS. They seem to depreciate the least and have a big community and following, especially if holding long term.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Evora is the pick, yes the is just that bit more of everything but you won't feel short changed with non S version:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503180...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408303...

S a smidge over budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503059...

[nunpuncher]

Thank you all for the replies.

I think if anything it's confirmed my gut feeling. I probably need to go Evora and I probably need to save a bit more for an S or 400 or potentially sell the 996 to help fund. On paper the 996 and the NA Evora are too close to make sense.

[willttqs]

I have a similar dilemma but need working rear seats for two young kids

My thinking is

Type r fk8
Manual gti mk8
M4. Old shape but 2020ish
M440 new shape

[ZX10R NIN]

The only two from your list are the Type R or M4/3 actually it would be the M3.

[willttqs]

Going to see a type r and an m4 today. M3 is too expensive

[ZX10R NIN]

willttqs said:

Going to see a type r and an m4 today. M3 is too expensive

Both are great cars just different, you won't go wrong with either.

[cerb4.5lee]

willttqs said:

I have a similar dilemma but need working rear seats for two young kids

My thinking is

Type r fk8
Manual gti mk8
M4. Old shape but 2020ish
M440 new shape

I can recommend the M4, and I love mine. They're great all rounders I reckon, and I folded the rear seats down in it yesterday, and I took a load of stuff to the tip. I couldn't fold the rear seats down in the E90 330d/330i that I had in comparison for example. I'm personally not a fan of saloons, because they're useless for carrying stuff for me.

[willttqs]

Type r was lots of fun and felt very old school. Off to see the space in the m4 soon

[willttqs]

Type r was lots of fun and felt very old school. Off to see the space in the m4 soon

[ZX10R NIN]

cerb4.5lee said:

I can recommend the M4, and I love mine. They're great all rounders I reckon, and I folded the rear seats down in it yesterday, and I took a load of stuff to the tip. I couldn't fold the rear seats down in the E90 330d/330i that I had in comparison for example. I'm personally not a fan of saloons, because they're useless for carrying stuff for me.

Always amazes me that car makers give their coupes rear folding seats but don't do it on the saloons.

[willttqs]

Type r was lots of fun and felt very old school. Off to see the space in the m4 soon

[nunpuncher]

ZX10R NIN said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I can recommend the M4, and I love mine. They're great all rounders I reckon, and I folded the rear seats down in it yesterday, and I took a load of stuff to the tip. I couldn't fold the rear seats down in the E90 330d/330i that I had in comparison for example. I'm personally not a fan of saloons, because they're useless for carrying stuff for me.

Always amazes me that car makers give their coupes rear folding seats but don't do it on the saloons.

One of my bigger car purchasing errors.

When my son was born I got all sensible and traded my EP3 type R for an E90 320. Didn't even cross my mind to check if the seats folded. Which of course they didn't.

The M4 in particular does nothing for me. I prefer the look of the M3 but think they are all a bit big for the wee Scottish roads. I might still go try and M2. I just prefer the size and the looks

Edited by nunpuncher on Monday 31st March 22:09

[ZX10R NIN]

nunpuncher said:

One of my bigger car purchasing errors.

When my son was born I got all sensible and traded my EP3 type R for an E90 320. Didn't even cross my mind to check if the seats folded. Which of course they didn't.

The M4 in particular does nothing for me. I prefer the look of the M3 but think they are all a bit big for the wee Scottish roads. I might still go try and M2. I just prefer the size and the looks

Edited by nunpuncher on Monday 31st March 22:09

+1 on this I'm a coupe guy BUT for me the M3 look much better than the M4.

Test drive one they can get down a country road as well as an M2 & don't feel any wider & in reality is only 0.9 of an inch wider.

[cerb4.5lee]

ZX10R NIN said:

nunpuncher said:

One of my bigger car purchasing errors.

When my son was born I got all sensible and traded my EP3 type R for an E90 320. Didn't even cross my mind to check if the seats folded. Which of course they didn't.

The M4 in particular does nothing for me. I prefer the look of the M3 but think they are all a bit big for the wee Scottish roads. I might still go try and M2. I just prefer the size and the looks

Edited by nunpuncher on Monday 31st March 22:09

+1 on this I'm a coupe guy BUT for me the M3 look much better than the M4.

Test drive one they can get down a country road as well as an M2 & don't feel any wider & in reality is only 0.9 of an inch wider.

I personally always wanted the M2 to be lighter than the M4, because it was supposed to be the "baby BMW", but weirdly they weigh almost the same as each other though for some reason.

If the M2 had been 200kg lighter than the M4 for example, then I'd have definitely gone in the direction of the M2. But with them weighing pretty much the same though, I personally prefer the extra space inside the M4 in comparison.

[nickfrog]

True Lee but the shorter wheelbase makes the M2 somewhat more agile and "playful" although less stable of course.

I wonder if there is any less rear legroom or headroom in the M4 than in the M2, not convinced.