Practical Drivers Car 15-25k

[SamJD]

Hello all

I’m looking for a new car in the 15-25k range,
Criteria as follows,

-Fun to drive
-4 seats (ideally)
-manual (ideally)
-N/A or interesting engine (no silly fake pops/bangs)
-reasonable running costs or strong residuals
-no huge interest in convertibles

Shortlist is:

E92 M3
Porsche 996 C4S
Porsche 997 CS / C
Jaguar XKR? Not manual
DB9? Scares me running costs and top of budget
Maserati Granturismo - no manual and running costs ??
V8 vantage - 2 seats and scary running costs?
F82 M4 - less drawn to this than e92 due to engine etc
Mustang- honestly don’t know much about these.

It’s a second car but want the flexibility of throwing the kid (18 months) in the back or for longer trips as our primary car is electric.
Need it to be fun on other days.

I have owned an e92 m3 before and enjoyed it but feel just getting another one is a bit boring… although the one I sold 2 years ago is worth more than I sold it for…

Any help appreciated.

And merry Christmas !

[Billy_Whizzzz]

996 ugly and 997 bore score. I’d go Boxster if you want a Porsche but you can’t take kids. M3/4 ‘easiest’ choice but most boring. I’d go manual Aston as a wild card and keep my fingers crossed.

[Heathwood]

Other than those cars listed, I can only think of the OG M2 as a possible option that might meet your criteria. Ok, it’s not NA, but the N55 is very characterful, sounds lovely and doesn’t really pop and bang like the S55 in the comp.

[ITP]

Mint condition 156GTA

[LayZ]

Maserati GranSport also for consideration alongside GranTurismo. I have one and I am convinced they are a total bargain. Repair costs not that bad but some parts are scary, mainly clutch and suspension arms. Proper event to drive, and more of a sports car than a GranTurismo, which I think is a bit big.

Gearbox is Ferrari F1 / flappy and terrible in traffic but engaging if you are getting your foot down. It is not like an auto in that you have to be involved to drive it.

[nickpan]

B7 RS4 in the right colour and the wingbacks.

That is the only "practical" car that I have ever set an alarm for to go and drive around aimlessly at 4AM on a Sunday morning.

[roca1976]

A very decent 968 Sport should look after you

[paddy1970]

Get the 997 C2S. It's different enough from the E92 to feel fresh, it'll hold value better, and it won't bankrupt you in maintenance. Make sure it has full service history and budget for immediate consumables (tyres, brakes, fluids).

Or just buy another E92 M3 and stop overthinking it. Your past self already did the research.

[ZX10R NIN]

SamJD said:

Hello all

I m looking for a new car in the 15-25k range,
Criteria as follows,

-Fun to drive
-4 seats (ideally)
-manual (ideally)
-N/A or interesting engine (no silly fake pops/bangs)
-reasonable running costs or strong residuals
-no huge interest in convertibles

Shortlist is:

E92 M3
Porsche 996 C4S
Porsche 997 CS / C
Jaguar XKR? Not manual
DB9? Scares me running costs and top of budget
Maserati Granturismo - no manual and running costs ??
V8 vantage - 2 seats and scary running costs?
F82 M4 - less drawn to this than e92 due to engine etc
Mustang- honestly don t know much about these.

It s a second car but want the flexibility of throwing the kid (18 months) in the back or for longer trips as our primary car is electric.
Need it to be fun on other days.

I have owned an e92 m3 before and enjoyed it but feel just getting another one is a bit boring although the one I sold 2 years ago is worth more than I sold it for

Any help appreciated.

And merry Christmas

I'd suggest taking a look at the F80 M3 (they look more special than the M4 imo sorry Lee) the engine isn't as special as the V8 but it's a good car but hard to find, more so if you want a manual:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512128...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505082...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511087...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512178...

C63 Premium auto only but still special:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511278...

Edition 125, NA auto only but a cracking car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511198...

RC-F these are a sleeper car that grows on you, I'd put it on your test drive list at least:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511288...

Mustang, you'll get a manual & have something special there are a couple of moods that makes them a better steer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510277...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511258...

6.2 VXR8 very much a drivers car & they tick all of your boxes, plus they're at the lower end of your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511218...

I'd say the GranSport is the better pick than the GT at this price point:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510036...

RS4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509046...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511147...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512128...

Leftfield & well under budget is the G37:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512158...

[fflump]

LayZ said:

Maserati GranSport also for consideration alongside GranTurismo. I have one and I am convinced they are a total bargain. Repair costs not that bad but some parts are scary, mainly clutch and suspension arms. Proper event to drive, and more of a sports car than a GranTurismo, which I think is a bit big.

Gearbox is Ferrari F1 / flappy and terrible in traffic but engaging if you are getting your foot down. It is not like an auto in that you have to be involved to drive it.

If a manual is non negotiable a 4200 GT is an option. Like the Gransport they have stopped depreciating.