Summer fun for £5k?

[ChrisRF1]

Hi all, after selling my track car last year I've had some money burning a hole in my pocket and ended up not being sure exactly what I wanted to do with it. Part of me wanted another hot hatch as I've had a string of them including the stripped, caged and modified track car I sold last year, but my daily is a hot hatch too so I also wondered if I was missing a trick with some sort of RWD sports car. I've never owned RWD and feel now would be a good time whilst I don't have a family or anyone to shout at me not to get one, but I'm still young enough for it not to be a midlife crisis

Essentially, what can I get for £5k to give me some fun as a second car over the summer, the sort of thing I can drive out to car meets/events in, Sunday morning runs for breakfast and just generally enjoying my motoring. I don't have so much time to get to track days at the moment so it doesn't need to be a track beast, but similarly I feel I have to draw a line at some of the older, slower and unfortunately rustier MX5's as hot hatch power is a minimum, and any time I've even briefly considered an MX5 before it's been a complete minefield. As mentioned, I'm not against a hot hatch but would be interested in my eyes being opened to something I'm not familiar with and is a bit different.

Cheers!

[blue_haddock]

MK3 MR2 would be my choice, £5k would get you a decent later model with the 6 speed box.

Not massively quick but brilliant handling and would be at home on the occasional track day.


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402156...

Edited by blue_haddock on Thursday 7th March 12:17

[Gastons_Revenge]

Mk2 Audi TT is the obvious choice. The base 2.0TSFSI has the same engine with the same power output as the Golf GTI of the same generation. The 3.2 V6 is heavier so more suited to be a smooth tourer if you can stomach the VED!
Can get one of these in either of the above engine variants for under your budget.

[davek_964]

Gastons_Revenge said:

Mk2 Audi TT is the obvious choice. The base 2.0TSFSI has the same engine with the same power output as the Golf GTI of the same generation. The 3.2 V6 is heavier so more suited to be a smooth tourer if you can stomach the VED!
Can get one of these in either of the above engine variants for under your budget.

The 2.0 TFSI is a nice enough car - but it isn't RWD.

[Samw1se]

BMW Z4 (E85) is a good choice, with the 3.0 M54 or the 2.5/3.0 N52 units.

[M.F.D]

On the relevant forums you may be lucky to grab a 2zz converted Mk3 MR2. That would be awesome fun for weekend blasts.

[Silvanus]

Stretching the brief a bit, how about an Abarth 500c, great fun and the roof folds.

[Jamescrs]

If it were me I would be looking at a 3 litre Z4, I may well look at them myself next year.

I would advise against a cheap Boxster as I have been there and done it myself, they are really good cars even the 2.7 versions but the running costs can be very high at times even when using a specialist, I quickly found out that many parts were only available directly from Porsche who are very good at supporting their older cars but the prices can make your eyes water and i'm used to maintaining BMW's which aren't cheap either.

For cheap motoring as said above a Mk3 MR2 is also a good choice.

Maybe a Nissan 350Z if you can get comfy in it too, I found it was too small inside for me but i'm 6ft4

[ZX10R NIN]

350Z would get my vote:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402096...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306118...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311113...

[cerb4.5lee]

ZX10R NIN said:

350Z would get my vote:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402096...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306118...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311113...

Same.

[Tiglon]

MK3 MR2 would get my vote as well, but it won't have the power you want unless you find a modified one.

The mid-engined rear wheel drive setup is definitely worth experiencing, they are as fun to drive as the far more powerful cars I've owned.

[Lincsls1]

ZX10R NIN said:

350Z would get my vote:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402096...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306118...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311113...

Watched an old (2022) Fifth Gear at the weekend, Vicki Butler-Henderson was throwing a 350z around a track as a 'used' alternative to a new sports car. She really rates these and she clearly knows her stuff.

[Mr Tidy]

A BMW Z4, Nissan 350Z or Boxster would all let you scratch that RWD itch and have 6 cylinders in a world of downsizing!

My only concern with a Boxster would be the potential for big bills with the engine being fairly inaccessible.

[chris116]

I saw a link to this posted elsewhere yesterday, I know they can end up costing but it seemed alot of Boxster for the money.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16336703

[OutInTheShed]

Motorbike?
Decent mountain bike?

I was tempted by an old kit car '7' style thing for £5k, spend the summer with spanners on the drive.

[cerb4.5lee]

Lincsls1 said:

ZX10R NIN said:

350Z would get my vote:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402096...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306118...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311113...

Watched an old (2022) Fifth Gear at the weekend, Vicki Butler-Henderson was throwing a 350z around a track as a 'used' alternative to a new sports car. She really rates these and she clearly knows her stuff.

They drive really nice, and they have a lovely older school feel to them I reckon. However they aren't for everyone though, because they are a bit more GT than sports car really I think.

[AnhBanhBao]

Won’t be the quickest thing, but a Smart Roadster would be a bit different. Might struggle to get a Brabus edition for £5k.

[bennno]

Slightly over but rwd, drop top, 3L straight six, manual box, plenty of toys, modern enough,

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024022569...

[soad]

M.F.D said:

On the relevant forums you may be lucky to grab a 2zz converted Mk3 MR2. That would be awesome fun for weekend blasts.

There’s one on eBay (out of budget as heavily modified).

[culpz]

davek_964 said:

Gastons_Revenge said:

Mk2 Audi TT is the obvious choice. The base 2.0TSFSI has the same engine with the same power output as the Golf GTI of the same generation. The 3.2 V6 is heavier so more suited to be a smooth tourer if you can stomach the VED!
Can get one of these in either of the above engine variants for under your budget.

The 2.0 TFSI is a nice enough car - but it isn't RWD.

I'd also say it's most definitely not the obvious choice, even with that aside, and I'm a big fan of that engine for sure. A nice all-round daily with a bit of power and fun when needed, but running that alongside a hot-hatch seems pointless. I'd be going for something a bit more impractical and special/raw.