Most Fun For 30k? GR Yaris, FK8 Type R, Focus RS MK3, M2 OG
Discussion
Can't for the life of me decide which one to buy. Been flirting between the 4 for months on end. I think I've finally decided on one, then I find a reason as to why another is better. Non negotiable is I need rear seats which will be used occasionally, doesn't matter about practicality, I will make it work.
Currently drive a 385bhp M135i, sounds amazing and great for traffic light grand prix but other than that I am fed up of it. Its soulless and handles like a boat, don't enjoy it and don't particularly look forward to driving it either. In fact I feel like a bit of a nob driving it about now as they are well within the price range of chavs. Feels like it's gonna kill me when I push it with the lack of LSD and awful handling. I don't even find it a nice place to be interior wise, just dull and boring - One of the reasons why I haven't gone straight for the OG M2, can just image it will feel like I'm sat in my 1 series.
Will be used everyday, very short commute. Love a good B and country road bash in the evenings and weekends, or some good long sweeping roads in the Peak District. I do want to get into track days (never done it before).
I just want something that feels special, will have me grinning after every drive (spirited), feels raw and connected to the road, handles great and feels nimble, gives me that wow factor. I get they are quite different cars and all have negatives and positives... but they are also very similar in ways - What the hell do I get?!
Currently drive a 385bhp M135i, sounds amazing and great for traffic light grand prix but other than that I am fed up of it. Its soulless and handles like a boat, don't enjoy it and don't particularly look forward to driving it either. In fact I feel like a bit of a nob driving it about now as they are well within the price range of chavs. Feels like it's gonna kill me when I push it with the lack of LSD and awful handling. I don't even find it a nice place to be interior wise, just dull and boring - One of the reasons why I haven't gone straight for the OG M2, can just image it will feel like I'm sat in my 1 series.
Will be used everyday, very short commute. Love a good B and country road bash in the evenings and weekends, or some good long sweeping roads in the Peak District. I do want to get into track days (never done it before).
I just want something that feels special, will have me grinning after every drive (spirited), feels raw and connected to the road, handles great and feels nimble, gives me that wow factor. I get they are quite different cars and all have negatives and positives... but they are also very similar in ways - What the hell do I get?!
SiberianHills said:
Can't for the life of me decide which one to buy. Been flirting between the 4 for months on end. I think I've finally decided on one, then I find a reason as to why another is better. Non negotiable is I need rear seats which will be used occasionally, doesn't matter about practicality, I will make it work.
Currently drive a 385bhp M135i, sounds amazing and great for traffic light grand prix but other than that I am fed up of it. Its soulless and handles like a boat, don't enjoy it and don't particularly look forward to driving it either. In fact I feel like a bit of a nob driving it about now as they are well within the price range of chavs. Feels like it's gonna kill me when I push it with the lack of LSD and awful handling. I don't even find it a nice place to be interior wise, just dull and boring - One of the reasons why I haven't gone straight for the OG M2, can just image it will feel like I'm sat in my 1 series.
Will be used everyday, very short commute. Love a good B and country road bash in the evenings and weekends, or some good long sweeping roads in the Peak District. I do want to get into track days (never done it before).
I just want something that feels special, will have me grinning after every drive (spirited), feels raw and connected to the road, handles great and feels nimble, gives me that wow factor. I get they are quite different cars and all have negatives and positives... but they are also very similar in ways - What the hell do I get?!
Whilst sitting in an M2 OG will feel exactly like your M135i, you're very much aware, via your mirrors of the broad wheel arches behind you. And of course, start the car up, and everything changes.Currently drive a 385bhp M135i, sounds amazing and great for traffic light grand prix but other than that I am fed up of it. Its soulless and handles like a boat, don't enjoy it and don't particularly look forward to driving it either. In fact I feel like a bit of a nob driving it about now as they are well within the price range of chavs. Feels like it's gonna kill me when I push it with the lack of LSD and awful handling. I don't even find it a nice place to be interior wise, just dull and boring - One of the reasons why I haven't gone straight for the OG M2, can just image it will feel like I'm sat in my 1 series.
Will be used everyday, very short commute. Love a good B and country road bash in the evenings and weekends, or some good long sweeping roads in the Peak District. I do want to get into track days (never done it before).
I just want something that feels special, will have me grinning after every drive (spirited), feels raw and connected to the road, handles great and feels nimble, gives me that wow factor. I get they are quite different cars and all have negatives and positives... but they are also very similar in ways - What the hell do I get?!
They are an entirely different car to the M135i / M140i. Everything you expect of it, it will do and thrive on. And it'll have you smiling like a chesire cat while it does it. That said, even taking it to the shops for a pint of milk is an occasion. Yet drop the car in to comfort mode and its a big pussycat.
BlueJ said:
Type R or Yaris, in that order. Each meets your driving criteria and obviously the Civic is a lot more practical.
They were criticised for their OTT looks when new, but every time I see one (rare) I think they look great. Car design has become so bland it's interesting to stand out.
In all honesty these are the main two out of the 4 that I keep coming back to. Absolutely hated the looks of the FK8 when it first come out, saw one in person a while ago and thought they actually looked great, like you say, they look unique and stand out. Think they have great road presence too. They were criticised for their OTT looks when new, but every time I see one (rare) I think they look great. Car design has become so bland it's interesting to stand out.
I think the GR looks great, but from certain angles can look a little awkward, prefer the FK8.
I am going to have to test drive them both extensively. They just seem to cancel each other out when comparing them
Deep Thought said:
Whilst sitting in an M2 OG will feel exactly like your M135i, you're very much aware, via your mirrors of the broad wheel arches behind you. And of course, start the car up, and everything changes.
They are an entirely different car to the M135i / M140i. Everything you expect of it, it will do and thrive on. And it'll have you smiling like a chesire cat while it does it. That said, even taking it to the shops for a pint of milk is an occasion. Yet drop the car in to comfort mode and its a big pussycat.
I guess I really need to test drive one, same as the others. The interior on my M135i just does nothing for me and is what is really putting me off the M2. I also felt the same about my 2007 Z4, albeit it was older and felt a bit more analog, It's not that the interior is bad, I just don't think I like BMW interior.They are an entirely different car to the M135i / M140i. Everything you expect of it, it will do and thrive on. And it'll have you smiling like a chesire cat while it does it. That said, even taking it to the shops for a pint of milk is an occasion. Yet drop the car in to comfort mode and its a big pussycat.
Regards to how it compares to my M135i, I can fully believe it's on another level, everyone has the same view on the BMW forums, but really, it's how it compares to the cars I've listed, and that's what is throwing me.
SiberianHills said:
Regards to how it compares to my M135i, I can fully believe it's on another level, everyone has the same view on the BMW forums, but really, it's how it compares to the cars I've listed, and that's what is throwing me.
They're all really good cars in isolation, and they've all reviewed well in the motoring press too, so you arguably can't lose with whichever car you go for I think. So it will just depend on what your personal priorities are when it comes to the way a car drives really I reckon. Do you prefer RWD/4WD/FWD?
Plus do you prefer 3 or 4 or 6 cylinder engines for example?
They are the things that you need to decide on for me.
Really depends what you want & what your priorities are.
My two penneth, two years into FK8 ownership (in dark grey to tone it down a bit!) it’s an incredible piece of engineering.
I too hated the looks when I saw the prototype in Evo in 2017 but now really like it, & I’m hardly what may be perceived as a typical owner.
I had a MK7 Fiesta ST & E92 M3 before & wanted to combine them. The FK8 is incredibly comfortable & easy to drive but astounding when on it & yet engaging on the everyday in a way few moderns are & I say that as someone who drives 80’s/90’s cars too.
I tested a GRY too & it was to similar to the FST but with far far more sophisticated suspension. Great car but not an all rounder.
The only issue with the FK8 is where do you go next?!
My two penneth, two years into FK8 ownership (in dark grey to tone it down a bit!) it’s an incredible piece of engineering.
I too hated the looks when I saw the prototype in Evo in 2017 but now really like it, & I’m hardly what may be perceived as a typical owner.
I had a MK7 Fiesta ST & E92 M3 before & wanted to combine them. The FK8 is incredibly comfortable & easy to drive but astounding when on it & yet engaging on the everyday in a way few moderns are & I say that as someone who drives 80’s/90’s cars too.
I tested a GRY too & it was to similar to the FST but with far far more sophisticated suspension. Great car but not an all rounder.
The only issue with the FK8 is where do you go next?!
SiberianHills said:
Can't for the life of me decide which one to buy. Been flirting between the 4 for months on end. I think I've finally decided on one, then I find a reason as to why another is better. Non negotiable is I need rear seats which will be used occasionally, doesn't matter about practicality, I will make it work.
Currently drive a 385bhp M135i, sounds amazing and great for traffic light grand prix but other than that I am fed up of it. Its soulless and handles like a boat, don't enjoy it and don't particularly look forward to driving it either. In fact I feel like a bit of a nob driving it about now as they are well within the price range of chavs. Feels like it's gonna kill me when I push it with the lack of LSD and awful handling. I don't even find it a nice place to be interior wise, just dull and boring - One of the reasons why I haven't gone straight for the OG M2, can just image it will feel like I'm sat in my 1 series.
Will be used everyday, very short commute. Love a good B and country road bash in the evenings and weekends, or some good long sweeping roads in the Peak District. I do want to get into track days (never done it before).
I just want something that feels special, will have me grinning after every drive (spirited), feels raw and connected to the road, handles great and feels nimble, gives me that wow factor. I get they are quite different cars and all have negatives and positives... but they are also very similar in ways - What the hell do I get?!
The answer is the Evora S:Currently drive a 385bhp M135i, sounds amazing and great for traffic light grand prix but other than that I am fed up of it. Its soulless and handles like a boat, don't enjoy it and don't particularly look forward to driving it either. In fact I feel like a bit of a nob driving it about now as they are well within the price range of chavs. Feels like it's gonna kill me when I push it with the lack of LSD and awful handling. I don't even find it a nice place to be interior wise, just dull and boring - One of the reasons why I haven't gone straight for the OG M2, can just image it will feel like I'm sat in my 1 series.
Will be used everyday, very short commute. Love a good B and country road bash in the evenings and weekends, or some good long sweeping roads in the Peak District. I do want to get into track days (never done it before).
I just want something that feels special, will have me grinning after every drive (spirited), feels raw and connected to the road, handles great and feels nimble, gives me that wow factor. I get they are quite different cars and all have negatives and positives... but they are also very similar in ways - What the hell do I get?!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503250...
Evora:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504071...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408303...
The yaris would definitely be my choice. You'll be bored in any souless modern beemer. Civic is a great option too, not particularly fast but great fun to drive.
I've no experience of the focus, but I'd place it last on that list, mainly as the brand has no appeal to me and they seem to be driven by nobs
I've no experience of the focus, but I'd place it last on that list, mainly as the brand has no appeal to me and they seem to be driven by nobs
Have you considered buying an EV? They're faster and greener and orange musk man have crashed the whole world for ever. They cost absolutely nothing to run or buy and you'd be absolutely bats
t crazy to not get one.
I'd personally buy the GR as it's very understated and I imagine an absolute blast to drive. BMW meh, Focus and Type R are chavtastic.
t crazy to not get one. I'd personally buy the GR as it's very understated and I imagine an absolute blast to drive. BMW meh, Focus and Type R are chavtastic.
Edited by Cliodci12235 on Wednesday 9th April 21:33
cerb4.5lee said:
renmure said:
Genuinely can’t see anything in the GR Yaris that would make me ever want one, which admittedly confirms that I must be odd.
You aren't odd, because I don't want one either. But I do appreciate that they're very well liked generally though. They hark back to the old homologation rally days, Deltas, 6R4's and Quattro's.
Cliodci12235 said:
cerb4.5lee said:
renmure said:
Genuinely can’t see anything in the GR Yaris that would make me ever want one, which admittedly confirms that I must be odd.
You aren't odd, because I don't want one either. But I do appreciate that they're very well liked generally though. They hark back to the old homologation rally days, Deltas, 6R4's and Quattro's.
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