What’s the best performance car under 50k for rough roads?
What’s the best performance car under 50k for rough roads?
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Discussion

toasty

Original Poster:

8,323 posts

246 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
quotequote all
I’m currently staying at the in laws in Hungary and there are some lovely driving roads interspersed with really rough and rutted tarmac.

Given a budget of 50k (sadly no 911 Dakar in budget) what would you buy for all round duties plus fun? No commuting or school runs required.

Dave.

7,851 posts

279 months

WCZ

11,383 posts

220 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
quotequote all
that's a tricky one I think, possibly a SVR, cayenne turbo or something?

Alorotom

12,739 posts

213 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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Ariel Nomad

plfrench

4,583 posts

294 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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GeniusOfLove

5,308 posts

38 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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WCZ said:
that's a tricky one I think, possibly a SVR, cayenne turbo or something?
This, the actual usage case for these things. On the smallest wheels that fit over the discs.

I used to take my MX5 on the smaller wheels on some very broken roads and lanes but it got beached more than once hehe

smithyithy

7,853 posts

144 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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Gad-Westy

16,327 posts

239 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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Alorotom said:
Ariel Nomad
Yes! There's one on AT for £45k as we speak. Seems ideal.

Juan B

651 posts

30 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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Gad-Westy said:
Alorotom said:
Ariel Nomad
Yes! There's one on AT for £45k as we speak. Seems ideal.
This was my first thought too

Ranger 6

7,609 posts

275 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
quotequote all
Dave. said:
cloud9

I remember watching that!!

Lefty

20,519 posts

228 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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Alorotom said:
Ariel Nomad
I came here to post that. Sounds like the perfect car for the situation really.

Scootersp

4,001 posts

214 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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ebay "Subaru Forester STI 2004 SG9 677BHP Fully forged GT35Turbo" could be interesting biggrin

toasty

Original Poster:

8,323 posts

246 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
quotequote all
The Nomad sounds like a hoot but too impractical for daily driver. Subaru was initial thought but like the idea of the G-wagen. Do these actually handle?

Lefty

20,519 posts

228 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
quotequote all
Not really.

You want something with small-ish wheels and decent sidewall height. Good suspension travel and not too low. But it has to be refined enough as a daily driver? And fun?

That’s a tricky combination!

Some kind of fast 4x4 seems the obvious choice.

A forester turbo is a great shout but I wouldn’t be spending that kind of money on one.

How about an Evo 5 or 6? They have decent wheel travel and you can easily get bash plates off the shelf for diff and sump.

LRDefender

681 posts

34 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
quotequote all
Having driven many thousands of kilometres on Eastern European roads I'd suggest save some a bit of money for some trick suspension to give yourself some greater ground clearance.

This is an effort by one of the locals....



Although I'd be very tempted by that G Wagon.

Josemartinez

446 posts

16 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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Dave. said:
This is a great website especially for a lottery win.

MC Bodge

28,479 posts

201 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
quotequote all
toasty said:
I’m currently staying at the in laws in Hungary and there are some lovely driving roads interspersed with really rough and rutted tarmac.

Given a budget of 50k (sadly no 911 Dakar in budget) what would you buy for all round duties plus fun? No commuting or school runs required.
A Dacia Duster with suspension mods.

Timoo

66 posts

82 months

Friday 22nd August 2025
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What about a GR Yaris? If you wanted something a bit smaller then the above suggestions.

Not amazing ground clearance but could always raise it slightly/change suspension if you found it was too low.

littleredrooster

6,260 posts

222 months

Friday 22nd August 2025
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I'll take an Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrofoglio, please Bob.

ZX10R NIN

30,315 posts

151 months

Friday 22nd August 2025
quotequote all
Shogun Evo job jobbed wink