Advice - what to buy!

[Jonathan-co1jm]

Looking for some thoughts on interesting cars to go after!
I’m in the lucky position where I feel spoilt for choice, looking for some opinions!

I’m looking around 30-40k region (PCP finance so can stretch for crazy deals) for a fast fun car! It needs some basic practicality (I have kids) but can be compromised as I have a estate car for family! My primary concern is wow factor from performance perspective.

Currently thinking about some new:
- GR Yaris
- Golf R
- A45S
- Megane RS
- CTR

Did consider some older cars e.g. TTRS or M2 but warranty and very modern car does appeal.

Any thoughts, comments or opinions welcome!!

[J1990]

Jonathan-co1jm said:

Looking for some thoughts on interesting cars to go after!
I’m in the lucky position where I feel spoilt for choice, looking for some opinions!

I’m looking around 30-40k region (PCP finance so can stretch for crazy deals) for a fast fun car! It needs some basic practicality (I have kids) but can be compromised as I have a estate car for family! My primary concern is wow factor from performance perspective.

Currently thinking about some new:
- GR Yaris
- Golf R
- A45S
- Megane RS
- CTR

Did consider some older cars e.g. TTRS or M2 but warranty and very modern car does appeal.

Any thoughts, comments or opinions welcome!!

GR Yaris - I think I saw a comment on here recently that a chap was all excited about the GR Yaris but quickly fell out of love with the idea after finding out the earliest they could get one was spring 2022.

Golf R - Very capable cars but they're just so mundane and uninspiring to drive, unless you're coming from a 1.0 Fabia or similar.

A45S - I fell in love with these but I just can't get behind the pricing. I could be wrong but I don't think you'll get an S for your budget without finding yourself looking at a used model, at which point the APR climbs drastically for finance seeing as you're not a cash buyer. If that meant 'just' getting the A45 I don't think I could compromise, not because the A45 isn't enough but because if I'd wanted the S and couldn't I'd regret it.

Megane RS - Haven't driven, can't really comment.

CTR - I'm not sure what this is.

I wouldn't look past a significantly cheaper but very fun option of the i30N, that 5 year warranty (including track use) and fantastic tune that comes out of the exhaust make it a really good car that can be easily had for 22-25k for near-new condition. The facelifted model is due out soon and will offer a DCT gearbox as well.

Could also be worth considering the Kia Stinger 3.3 GT S for some similarly fun, high warranty, V6 goodness.

[Blanchimont]

Jonathan-co1jm said:

Looking for some thoughts on interesting cars to go after!
I’m in the lucky position where I feel spoilt for choice, looking for some opinions!

I’m looking around 30-40k region (PCP finance so can stretch for crazy deals) for a fast fun car! It needs some basic practicality (I have kids) but can be compromised as I have a estate car for family! My primary concern is wow factor from performance perspective.

Currently thinking about some new:
- GR Yaris
- Golf R
- A45S
- Megane RS
- CTR

Did consider some older cars e.g. TTRS or M2 but warranty and very modern car does appeal.

Any thoughts, comments or opinions welcome!!

The Yaris looks great, but some comments on here haven't been the most positive on them.

Golf R is dull. It's quick, but so detatched it's not funny.

A45s. See Golf R, but faster.

Megane RS. The new ones have gone auto only, and you can only get a cup pack (which is vital) with a trophy.

CTR - This would be my choice, or a lightly used manual Megane RS.

Have you thought about an i30N?

[Jonathan-co1jm]

Thanks, I have a deposit down on Yaris for a mid year delivery so not long but due to comments I’m doubting my choice! I’ve never been able to test drive it due to lock down and when you start looking around you’re almost spoilt for choice!

A45S is really top budget almost blowing the budget so going for that would be base spec and I’d be very poor! Lol so it would have to be mighty, it’s about double the monthly cost and a bit more! So interesting to hear if it’s actually worth that for most...

I’d liked the old meganes and the new ones look great, auto doesn’t put me off but they seem to have lost their sparkle for most!

Never considered the I30... I’ll add that to the list to look at.

On second hand market is there anything out there that’s recommended? I keep coming back to TTRS which on 18 plate could fit the budget similar to golf R and Yaris on monthly’s... any opinions on similar cars that are worth a shout and still in PCP range?

[SlowV6]

Sounds like you really want a TTRS! So I would cancel the Yaris and buy that. I imagine the unusual 5 cylinder engine note, 0-60 in 3.7 seconds and the virtual cockpit would all be extremely pleasing.

[HustleRussell]

I don’t know how people end up with such a chalk & cheese list of cars and expect to choose between them without driving or even sitting in them.

[Trevor555]

SlowV6 said:

Sounds like you really want a TTRS! So I would cancel the Yaris and buy that. I imagine the unusual 5 cylinder engine note, 0-60 in 3.7 seconds and the virtual cockpit would all be extremely pleasing.

The noise makes the car.

Makes you go out driving looking for tunnels.

You just have to decide if you want a DSG gearbox as the MK3 doesn't come with the manual option.

[Truckosaurus]

If I was spend that money I'd get a used Lexus RCF or GSF purely for being the last NA V8s on the market - enjoy it while you can etc.