Practical Stablemate For Lotus Exige - £10-15k

[dan425]

Looking for the collective thoughts of the PH hive mind on a conundrum.

I currently daily a 2016 Lotus Exige 350 Sport. It's great fun and makes every journey an adventure, but I'm thinking of getting a second car for the following reasons:

1. A bit less intense for the commute (90mi, 2hr return trip, mostly motorway);
2. Better on mpg (currently getting 30mpg out of 99RON) for commute and longer trips;
3. Something I feel more comfortable leaving parked overnight at train stations, etc when I'm away with work;
4. More practical for various things like trips to the tip;
5. Something winter appropriate for when it's snowy;
6. Put fewer miles on the Exige to help residuals and to keep it feeling special.

Looking for a 5dr automatic hatchback. Budget somewhere between £10-15k.

I can't decide whether to get something super opposite to the Lotus, an automatic commuting tool with a more economical engine (Giulietta? 420i Gran Coupe?), or whether to try and tick that performance box slightly with a DSG GTI or Cupra type choice (though these start to inevitably push the budget slightly further than £15k for a good one).

My gut tells me to get something a little less performance focused, as I'll get more for my money, but obviously my heart wants something zoomy.

Thoughts?

Edited by dan425 on Monday 16th October 19:11

[garylythgoe]

I had a similar dilemma back in 2019 with my Exige 350. I bought a 2016 Mini JCW, fully loaded and it was a great station car, nipping to the shops, grim weather etc. Good stereo, great bum warmers, comfy, super fun as a manual, well made, etc.

[samoht]

I got a C55 estate as a practical counterpart to a sports car, however I don't need my car for commuting so the thirst isn't such an issue. It does the rest nicely though.

Opposite end of the spectrum would be to look at an EV, which would certainly save money and emphasise the Exige feeling special - the 64kWh Kona is down around £15k now, or the Ioniq is available for a bit less.

[bennno]

As it’s for leaving at the station, a Skoda yeti.

Vw golf in a scroat resistant outfit.

[braddo]

I'd be looking at a RWD saloon rather than a hatch, unless you need the practicality. Something like an XF Jag or a 3 series where there is comfort and refinement but a decent chassis underneath too.

This one's an old-man spec green and beige, but an idea of what's around for the budget (V6 rather than older V8 given your commute):

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304166...