What next - Any other suggestions?

[JackLyon1]

Hi guys,

Another 'What car' thread but figured who best to put the question to for some other suggestions on what might fit the bill.

Soon parting with my 3 1/2 year old Mustang GT Manual. It's been a fantastic 'dream' car to own and have considered keeping and doing some basic mods (Exhaust / clutch spring / induction etc) but can't get away from the fact the times I really get to open her up on a road are very few and far between. My driving is either motorway or lots of twisty back roads, very little in between. I miss the feeling of a more nimble driver focussed car which is slightly smaller which I can extract more from, more of the time.

I've shortlisted the below for various reasons (mainly because i'm looking main dealer under 6 years old with warranty/support) and under £35k. Are there any other really obvious choices i've omitted?

Criteria:
fun to drive
good gearbox (either Manual or auto/DCT - both have their merits)
Smaller than mustang!
charasmatic engine / exhaust
no of seats / boot space arn't too important as it's second car between us and have the family wagon.

Shortlist:

M2 (N55 engine)
M3 (F80) - just within budget
Megane RS Trophy (300)
Abarth 124
Abarth 595 (with lots of £ left over)
MINI JCW

thanks guys!
Jack

[ZX10R NIN]

From what you describe the M2/3 would leave you in the same situation so for me it would be the Megane RS 300 Trophy or 308 Peugeot Sport GTI.

[Canon_Fodder]

Size matters

M2

[What The Deuces]

I30n

[georgeyboy12345]

Some other ideas

Jaguar F-Type V6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206166...


Lotus Elise 1.6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205115...

Enjoy attention? What about this purple wrapped Elise 1.8 S. I supposed you could always get the wrap removed
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204224...


Porsche 981 Boxster 2.7
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207238...


Honda Civic Type R GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203314...


Peugeot 308 GTi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207218...


Hyundai i30 N
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207228...


BMW M4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206146...


or for less than half your budget - Alfa Romeo Giulietta TBi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206136...

[CG2020UK]

As an M2 owner I’d discount the M cars.

More serious than fun to drive and I’d want smaller for real twistys.

Plus the m2 as great as it is you can’t get anywhere near its limits on a public road so won’t feel like your extracting everything from it.

Fiesta ST or I20N

[ninjag]

Toyota Yaris GR AWD with the circuit pack so you get front and rear limit slip differentials. A brilliant and pretty rare car for sub-100mph fun and should be reliable as well.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207268...

[JackLyon1]

thanks for all the suggestions guys really appreciate it. Now time to test some of them!

[samjlevy]

Agree with above, GR Yaris would fit the bill perfectly.

[Silenoz]

Mini JCW out of your original list, can get a very nice one for your budget

[TorqueDirty]

If you can handle the relative lack of luxury I can recommend the Megane RS.

I have the 275 Cup S and it is a hoot, although it is a pretty stiff ride with the Cup chassis.

I presume the RS 300 will be similar. Finding the right tyre pressures made a big difference to the front end feel. I think I went lower than recommended because the recommended pressures are there to give the best MPG rather than the most SPM (smiles per mile)

[biggbn]

JackLyon1 said:

Hi guys,

Another 'What car' thread but figured who best to put the question to for some other suggestions on what might fit the bill.

Soon parting with my 3 1/2 year old Mustang GT Manual. It's been a fantastic 'dream' car to own and have considered keeping and doing some basic mods (Exhaust / clutch spring / induction etc) but can't get away from the fact the times I really get to open her up on a road are very few and far between. My driving is either motorway or lots of twisty back roads, very little in between. I miss the feeling of a more nimble driver focussed car which is slightly smaller which I can extract more from, more of the time.

I've shortlisted the below for various reasons (mainly because i'm looking main dealer under 6 years old with warranty/support) and under £35k. Are there any other really obvious choices i've omitted?

Criteria:
fun to drive
good gearbox (either Manual or auto/DCT - both have their merits)
Smaller than mustang!
charasmatic engine / exhaust
no of seats / boot space arn't too important as it's second car between us and have the family wagon.

Shortlist:

M2 (N55 engine)
M3 (F80) - just within budget
Megane RS Trophy (300)
Abarth 124
Abarth 595 (with lots of £ left over)
MINI JCW

thanks guys!
Jack

Cinquecento Sporting, job done. Flat out down any wee road, huge fun, limpet like grip in the baby pirellis and a hilarious 50hp ish engine that has no apprent rev limit

Well, maybe not. Mini or Abarth 500 for me