£15k to spend, advice please!

[VladtheImpala]

Hi all,

I'm in the fortunate position to have £15k to spend on a car, and I'm stuck for choice.

I've always liked uncommon/rare sporty cars, so I'm hoping to find something both fun and reliable, as I don't want to be forking out thousands for new cam belts/head gaskets/clutches and so on. It will be a casual daily driver.

So far I've had a Clio 182, TT 3.2 Quattro, Mini Cooper RSP, and I often drive a Cayman S so I'm hoping for something spritely.

All I've seen are BMWs/Mercs/Audis which mostly fit the bill, however I don't really want any of those because you see a billion of them every day, usually driven by a similar sort of dhead. I'm not that guy.

Any advice is therefore appreciated, I'm sure there's something I've not thought of and I'm hoping one of you has the answer!

Thanks!

[S16KBW]

If it was me, I would be stretching the budget a little and trying to get a 2015 Audi TTS as I think they're a fantastic all round car (but like you said can blend in quite a bit), but if you're wanting something left field, Vauxhall VXR8?

[TREMAiNE]

VladtheImpala said:

Hi all,

I'm in the fortunate position to have £15k to spend on a car, and I'm stuck for choice.

I've always liked uncommon/rare sporty cars, so I'm hoping to find something both fun and reliable, as I don't want to be forking out thousands for new cam belts/head gaskets/clutches and so on. It will be a casual daily driver.

So far I've had a Clio 182, TT 3.2 Quattro, Mini Cooper RSP, and I often drive a Cayman S so I'm hoping for something spritely.

All I've seen are BMWs/Mercs/Audis which mostly fit the bill, however I don't really want any of those because you see a billion of them every day, usually driven by a similar sort of dhead. I'm not that guy.

Any advice is therefore appreciated, I'm sure there's something I've not thought of and I'm hoping one of you has the answer!

Thanks!

Surprisingly cheap to run, a good, relaxing daily driver, reliable, definitely feels special than most german things...
Not overly spritely but not slow by any stretch of the imagination.

LHD isn't a problem - my daily is LHD and I've never wished it was RHD.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006110...

[georgeyboy12345]

Peugeot 308 GTi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112030...


Renaultsport Megane 275
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110238...


Alfa Romeo Giulietta TBi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201121...


DS3 210 Performance
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110178...


Ford Focus ST
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111209...


Jaguar XE P240
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110299...


Porsche 987 Boxster 2.9 PDK
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112180...


Leggy Honda Civic Type R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201211...

[NorthernSky]

Honda S2000, one of the greatest engines & gear changes of all time & it will hold value/appreciate.

£15k will get you a good example, perhaps even with some money to spare for the insurance and tax.

Try and get a facelifted 2004 to 2006 one, before the tax doubled.

[cerb4.5lee]

What about a 370Z or a Z4M?

[Canon_Fodder]

RCZ R?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109247...

[ZX10R NIN]

For me it would be the 370Z:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201181...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111119...

[andburg]

similar position

i just bought a fiat 124 spider

rare enough to be different, makes a decent noise and should be ok for running costs

Edited by andburg on Tuesday 25th January 10:48

[Pablo16v]

Toyota GT86 or Subaru version?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110088...

[stevekoz]

I think ZX so far has it nailed it, 370z is a great car and that bit different to the others listed and certainly don't see many on the road.

However, i would maybe come at this leftfield of your brief slightly to offer a little nugget to wet your whistle. The elements you've mentioned around reliability and issues, aren't really either. They are maintenance items that any car you look at will need at some point, so things that need budgeting for on any car, regular maintenance and servicing. Especially with a hot car and especially one not driven so often.

So, as its a casual daily driver. I would recommend regular maintenance anyway to keep things fresh for those rarer occasions you use them.

On that note i present to you the -

The Alfa Romeo 147 GTA.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112280...

This thing is truly sublime to drive, to look at, the sound of it. It feels like a proper occasion when you get in it, drive it. People will want to talk to you about it. It's a proper true rare thing. It isn't the fastest, it doesn't handle the best by any means. You cannot call it "perfect" and in there lies its charm. Because i have rarely felt a more special hatchback.

Reliability wise. Budget roughly £700 every 3 years for a cambelt.

If you can find a car lightly modified with a Q2 diff - then definitely snap it up as they transform the handling from good to very good.

Look here for a helpful guide - https://www.alfaowner.com/threads/156-147-gta-buye...

But honestly. I think if you are looking for something rare and spritely and an occasion. Then the GTA ticks those boxes in abundance. Yes its more analogue than the majority of the "newer" cars listed above. But that is no bad thing.

You won't lose money on it either. They are only going one way. So the fact you can still get a manual with good miles in good condition for your budget is lucky. That won't stay that way for long.

It certainly doesn't align you with any kind of "youth" or "yob" look either. Even though its a hot hatch, its grown up and much more a proper future classic vibe.

As i said. Leftfield. But i think you'd like it given what you enjoy and want from the car.

[VladtheImpala]

stevekoz said:

I think ZX so far has it nailed it, 370z is a great car and that bit different to the others listed and certainly don't see many on the road.

However, i would maybe come at this leftfield of your brief slightly to offer a little nugget to wet your whistle. The elements you've mentioned around reliability and issues, aren't really either. They are maintenance items that any car you look at will need at some point, so things that need budgeting for on any car, regular maintenance and servicing. Especially with a hot car and especially one not driven so often.

So, as its a casual daily driver. I would recommend regular maintenance anyway to keep things fresh for those rarer occasions you use them.

On that note i present to you the -

The Alfa Romeo 147 GTA.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112280...

This thing is truly sublime to drive, to look at, the sound of it. It feels like a proper occasion when you get in it, drive it. People will want to talk to you about it. It's a proper true rare thing. It isn't the fastest, it doesn't handle the best by any means. You cannot call it "perfect" and in there lies its charm. Because i have rarely felt a more special hatchback.

Reliability wise. Budget roughly £700 every 3 years for a cambelt.

If you can find a car lightly modified with a Q2 diff - then definitely snap it up as they transform the handling from good to very good.

Look here for a helpful guide - https://www.alfaowner.com/threads/156-147-gta-buye...

But honestly. I think if you are looking for something rare and spritely and an occasion. Then the GTA ticks those boxes in abundance. Yes its more analogue than the majority of the "newer" cars listed above. But that is no bad thing.

You won't lose money on it either. They are only going one way. So the fact you can still get a manual with good miles in good condition for your budget is lucky. That won't stay that way for long.

It certainly doesn't align you with any kind of "youth" or "yob" look either. Even though its a hot hatch, its grown up and much more a proper future classic vibe.

As i said. Leftfield. But i think you'd like it given what you enjoy and want from the car.

Thank you for this thorough effort! I agree with what you've said and I wouldn't have looked at the 147, however, the closest one is 150 odd miles away (I'm in Manchester) and that's too far.

I'm spoilt for choice in my mind, but this is going to take a while to find the right car!

[VladtheImpala]

Canon_Fodder said:

RCZ R?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109247...

Points for interesting! However, what's French for ''hairdressers' car''?

[VladtheImpala]

S16KBW said:

If it was me, I would be stretching the budget a little and trying to get a 2015 Audi TTS as I think they're a fantastic all round car (but like you said can blend in quite a bit), but if you're wanting something left field, Vauxhall VXR8?

VRX8 is an amazing suggestion, however, can't get one near me for anything below £25k, and I also wouldn't spend more than £1 on a Vauxhall. I wouldn't get another TT, I appreciate it's an entirely different car from the mk1 but still, it's a TT.

[VladtheImpala]

TREMAiNE said:

Surprisingly cheap to run, a good, relaxing daily driver, reliable, definitely feels special than most german things...
Not overly spritely but not slow by any stretch of the imagination.

LHD isn't a problem - my daily is LHD and I've never wished it was RHD.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006110...

This wouldn't fit in my car parking space at home or at work, and I can't do LHD, I thump the inside door with my left hand going for the clutch, every. single. time.

[VladtheImpala]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Peugeot 308 GTi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112030...


Renaultsport Megane 275
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110238...


Alfa Romeo Giulietta TBi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201121...


DS3 210 Performance
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110178...


Ford Focus ST
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111209...


Jaguar XE P240
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110299...


Porsche 987 Boxster 2.9 PDK
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112180...


Leggy Honda Civic Type R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201211...

Thank you for this effort. Some to think about, especially the Focus, but I have driven one and it was lumpy and like driving a fast bin bag.

I also can't get a cheap Porsche, everyone will think I have a very tiny penis.

[Largechris]

VladtheImpala said:

S16KBW said:

If it was me, I would be stretching the budget a little and trying to get a 2015 Audi TTS as I think they're a fantastic all round car (but like you said can blend in quite a bit), but if you're wanting something left field, Vauxhall VXR8?

VRX8 is an amazing suggestion, however, can't get one near me for anything below £25k, and I also wouldn't spend more than £1 on a Vauxhall. I wouldn't get another TT, I appreciate it's an entirely different car from the mk1 but still, it's a TT.

Ok so I appreciate you have owned one but has there ever been a car where so much nonsense was talked about it as the TT? It's just because there's so many of them I think.

The old 225 was hilarious and the newer ones are still fun but grown up.

[VladtheImpala]

Largechris said:

Ok so I appreciate you have owned one but has there ever been a car where so much nonsense was talked about it as the TT? It's just because there's so many of them I think.

The old 225 was hilarious and the newer ones are still fun but grown up.

I had the 250bhp 3.2, and it was a fast brick basically. I did like it but it felt OLD, that's coming from me who currently drives a 93' Mini Cooper Sport! I have never liked the look of the new ones, except the one which someone put an R8 body kit on it, but I wouldn't buy that either.

How about a classic RS4, I wonder if that's in my budget..

[stevekoz]

VladtheImpala said:

I had the 250bhp 3.2, and it was a fast brick basically. I did like it but it felt OLD, that's coming from me who currently drives a 93' Mini Cooper Sport! I have never liked the look of the new ones, except the one which someone put an R8 body kit on it, but I wouldn't buy that either.

How about a classic RS4, I wonder if that's in my budget..

You'd be at the bottom end of a budget at the moment for an rs4 with a b7 convertible or a more tired saloon. I wouldn't be looking at that kind of end of the market. For me, you'd want to add a bit extra to get a good rs4. Then you'd have the associated running costs as well, which aren't cheap, something to consider if you go for a car like that.

M3 you'd get an e46 for circa 15k but its an older car, i'd say maintenance wise its cheaper than the RS4 for wear and tear items. Other issues to look out for.

Bottom end budget for teh v10 m5 too. All cars that around that mark in that kind of performance bracket are going to be risky if you go for a premium brand with bills ahead of you.

You could eek into a c63 at that bracket but same as above really, big bills ahead i think. However, far more reliable than Audi's in my experience. Not comparing RS to AMG, but brand to brand. I've had way less issues with MB than with Audi in that kind of age bracket.


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201231...

[GreatGranny]

VladtheImpala said:

I also can't get a cheap Porsche, everyone will think I have a very tiny penis.

Really?!?!?

Do you honestly think other people will think that when you drive past?