Cheap simple reliable sports car. I think you mean the MX5. Maybe with something like a BBR tune to make it more fun.
This thread just goes to show what everyone’s idea of fun is can be very different. As long as the driver is enjoying a drive the car can be somewhat immaterial.
I suppose that depends on what you find to be dull Tim 😉
Dunno! I'd find spending thousands a year on routine servicing extremely dull 🙂
I'm in the position soon where I don't need a big car anymore and could fund a fun 25k car (on PCP) - can't see past a nearly new GT86 or MX5. Or chuck £6k at a 10 plate MX5, or even go lower and chuck 3k on a very clean MG TF.
Not interested in hot-hatches, TTs, Corrados, BMWs.
After a 2 seater soft-top or coupe (or 2+2) - power not the main focus.
Thinking back my old original Mini was great fun - just loved ragging the arse off it everywhere!
Doesn’t this thread highlight that cars are just **** dull nowadays no matter how much you spend.
Something with a load of power, automatic gearbox and 4wd. Just point and shoot and in not a lot of time you'll be where you wanted to be.
Interesting - mk1 MX5 with a turbo conversion and £15k for fuel. Mini Clubman JCW. Mini GP#. A friend had an M4 for a while and it was undeniably lovely. F series M3 actually looks better IMHO and is more practical. No idea how much they are.
In fact I've just checked - Maserati Granturismo. Can be had for under £25k and IMHO are one of the most beautiful looking cars ever made.
No Andy, test drives are starting in October.
I usually buy my cars on eBay so it'll be an expensive culture shock.
Something with a load of power, automatic gearbox and 4wd. Just point and shoot and in not a lot of time you’ll be where you wanted to be.
I really don't get why 'drivers' get so hung up about having a manual box.
4wd vs RWD I get, but still, I'd rather be able to go round a corner on rails, than sideways on a public road at least. On a track, yes, I'll take RWD
<£25k
Interesting
Not under 10 years old
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1251547
/blockquote>F'inell, that's nice - surprised it's not worth more tbh
If I had a garage to house it in, I'd be doing a bit more research and warming the credit card up
Define "interesting"
Been going through something similar, though no where near that budget".
I've come to the conclusion of something small, light and i can thrash the s#$t out of without reaching light speed in the process, fun handling.
So my conclustion was either st170 or fiesta st150 and a second hand nissan leaf to get to work and back in silence. Plus some left over to play grand tourismo in real life and "upgrade". (Though i do like fixing cars at times).
Or for sirs budget scare yourself silly untill the first bend with this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2014-DAX-Rush-HAYABUSA-TURBO-Petrol-Manual/202897660100?hash=item2f3da498c4:g:zcgAAOSwGTReY9Wa
Bit more interesting than an MX-5? If it was me I'd opt for an Abarth 124 Spider.
If I had £25k then it'd be a Honda Civic Type R FK8 above anything listed above, likely faster than everything listed so far bar the Caterham 7. Bikes easily slide in the huge boot, pussycat in comfort mode, hot hatch in sport mode, track day car in R+ mode.
My mate is selling his Merc C63 AMG for £21,500. It's a well looked after car too!
If I had £25k then it’d be a Honda Civic Type R FK8 above anything listed above, likely faster than everything listed so far bar the Caterham 7. Bikes easily slide in the huge boot, pussycat in comfort mode, hot hatch in sport mode, track day car in R+ mode.
Could you bear to look at it every day though?
I would class my m135 interesting to drive, just sub 5 0-60 with the auto gearbox according to the internet, albeit impossible without spinning out in reality.
Don’t think I’ve ever red-lined it, does about 80 in 1st gear before getting to 8k revs, so that might count against it in interest stakes.
Could get an average one for half the budget then spend the rest on coke and hookers.
Hehe, I'm in the minority but I think Civic Type R FK8s looks stupidly OTT great, the suggestion was for special cars, CTR FK8 certainly not normal!
Don’t think I’ve ever red-lined it, does about 80 in 1st gear before getting to 8k revs, so that might count against it in interest stakes.
The M135i is a great car, but those figures are nonsense
60 not 80 STR, you are correct.
I like the fast Audi's but I wouldn't say they have character unless it really was special (RS2, Quattro, R8), maybe the V8 RS4 slips in there too
For interesting and character I'd be looking for something manual. Have a little browse on the collecting cars platform, lots above your price bracket but some very interesting ones in there too
Porsche is a good shout. Don't know how much M2s are these days, manual one of them would be a good shout.
4 door Skyline for £10k. Cheaper and more interesting (to me) than the equiv. Audi
60 not 80 STR, you are correct.
Not even close - 34 for a 2016 and 41 for a 2008 says the internet
And your redline is 7k, not 8k, unless youve had it mapped out 😉
My Audi, however - 8250rpm and I redline it every time I go out 😉
Will do these speeds in each gear
1st Gear redline - 41.5 MPH
2nd - 68.4
3rd - 98.2
4th - 130.3
5th - 167.3
6th - 205.5 (theoretical) limited to 155 as a standard car, 174 deristricted, but read they are actually good for 190
I like the fast Audi’s but I wouldn’t say they have character unless it really was special (RS2, Quattro, R8), maybe the V8 RS4 slips in there too
Agreed, no-one would say my car has character, but the grip is phenomenal and when you have a chopped down Lambo engine screaming at you, it sort of adds to the character 😉
For 25k I'd be looking for an Exige S2 or just a nice Elise 111R with cash left over.
So my conclustion was either st170
Or absolutely anything else - they are shite
Jaguar xkr 5.0 plus supercharger
Over 500bhp, i think they did an rs version with 575bhp
All autos though but look good on the drive, cant speak for the reliability
W c a had a merc cabrio with silly horsepower but it became unreliable
M3 cabrio not float your boat?
I'd put the GR Yaris against the Type R, it'll be interesting to see a head to head on a twisty track,the Yaris would certainly kick ass on a wet track.
And your redline is 7k, not 8k, unless youve had it mapped out 😉
7.2K according to the internet, looks much closer to 8k on the dial. You’ve got quiet a high opinion of yours for what is still quite a cheap Audi. I wouldn’t downgrade to a 6 speed personally, I can still get 40mpg on the M1 if I want to.
You will also get most of your money or more back on these two. Since I think that a convertible is more fun and what the OP was looking for, Elise!
For 25k I’d be looking for an Exige S2 or just a nice Elise 111R with cash left over
You’ve got quiet a high opinion of yours for what is still quite a cheap Audi. I wouldn’t downgrade to a 6 speed personally, I can still get 40mpg on the M1 if I want to.
I posted the wrong figures - it's 7 speed
Cheap? It was nearly £70k new with the options?
So my conclustion was either st170
Or absolutely anything else – they are shite
Really, thought they got good reviews?
Hmmm scrap that then, have to carry on with the ST capri build might actually finish it this decade 😁
Personally I would say that an M4, F-type, Boxster, or some kind of fast Audi are in no way interesting at all. Kinda the Specialized or Trek's of the car world.
Personally I would say that an M4, F-type, Boxster, or some kind of fast Audi are in no way interesting at all.
I know what you mean monkeyboy and others. A more extreme lotus/ Caterham/ Morgan/tvr/etc would be a great fun car but there are always other considerations.
For me, boxster is something that also appeals to my wife and excites her. That matters a lot when it comes down to it!
I’ve also been doing this and strangely am likely to go for a Tesla, all the petrol performance stuff is actually not that fast Anymore and aren’t likely to be the cheapest to maintain and run.
BTW Just sorting the fuel pump in my Boxster, I think they’re possibly the best bang per buck but you either need to be able to spanner or have a good indie.
I do like my smart convertible thou possibly more for arsing about.
Three cars ago was a 135i: loved it, but handling was a bit low rent. Changed if for a Golf R: rapid, but zero enjoyment in driving it, too capable. Currently in a 340: rapid, but feels like a big heavy bus in the corners.
£25k to spend without any consideration towards practicalities would steer me away from anything heavy like I’ve had above (or elsewhere on the thread). I’d be buying a Cayman. Everytime.
I have spent some time on a track in a CTR though, and it’s astoundingly good for a practical, family car. Also quite like how gopping it looks.
Edit. Test drive a Tesla 3P yesterday. Stupidily quick, too quick really, and it cornered very flat and rode very well - I was really impressed. Can’t disguise the weight though, it feels like the big heavy car it is. It’s brilliant, but you wouldn’t call it a drivers car.
Some great cars mentioned but all seem very sensible in comparison to the original request 'not practical, character, fast' etc.
Huge power, creature comforts and lots of smiles are no doubt evident with 90% of cars mentioned so far but character and 'non euro box' (I know that wasn't one of the criteria) they certainly aren't.
Think I'd be looking towards Caterham or even Westfield (not sure how good they are nowadays) for something with character.
Completely out performed by most but I also like the big V8s, Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang.
Just different whilst being fast enough to scare you occasionally.
Or dial down the character a bit and bring in M2, RS4 etc etc - assuming the OP can cope with running costs.
I think I've suggested it before on similar threads, but find the cleanest mx-5 MK1 or 2 possible and put a rocketeer V6 kit in it. Don't think you can get much more character for the money. Admittedly much older than 10 years ...
Or absolutely anything else – they are shite
I didn't think so, thought mine was great, especially for the remit the poster suggested. I guess you drive a Audi though so...... 😉
How much are the Alpine A110 going for theses days? A lovely looking car!
Or howabout an old Alfa
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1254663
Currently in a 340: rapid, but feels like a big heavy bus in the corners
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Alpine is a great shout but I doubt you'll get one in budget that's good?
Have you got a garage and are you worried about residuals?
You could find something really fun and quirky that wouldn't be practical - Morgan, Elise, Ariel Atom, KTM X Bow
Civic FD2 Type R for half the budget
I think you need to refine your requirements a bit and really think hard about what you will value in this car. At the moment it feels like you have a Venn diagram with no intersection. For example will you value the experience of perfecting a heel-toe downshift going into a corner or are you more bothered about the car being a thing of beauty? Obviously the two are not mutually exclusive but I think taking a step back and really being honest with yourself will help. £25K is a lot of money so ideally you want to get this right 1st time around.
If you really value a 'drivers' car IMO you need to be focussing on naturally aspirated over forced induction, 3 pedals, RWD and a proper diff. Engine placement not really a constraint but even with the 1st 3 constraints the list is already very small without even thinking about how the thing looks, age, mileage etc. I think the Cayman is a good shout and then depending on if you have a garage something like an Elise.
I don't think BMWs fit the bill unless you go something a bit older like a really tidy E92 M3 with a manual 'box, but TBH they're like hens teeth. The modern BMWs are lovely things but all the current/newish M cars are turbocharged and things like the M135/140 don't have a proper diff.
I had a facelift M135i with the N55 engine and ZF8HP auto 'box and whilst it was a great little car it's not the absolute weapon people make them out to be. Fantastically fast in a straight line and fine in the corners but only up to about 7/10ths.. it's pretty prickly beyond that and things get out of sorts quite quickly!
Robowns - you really should redline your car! That engine and gearbox combo is sublime. Just make sure everything is up to temp, pop it in sport mode (gearbox and car) and give it some beans (on an appropriate piece of tarmac of course). Leave it in auto if you're afraid off bouncing off the limiter (easy done 1>2 on the paddles) and it will give you lovely and perfect whip-crack upshifts time and time again. The 4.9s 60 time is easily achievable in the dry on the Pilot Supersports.
I traded my M135 in for a Tesla 3P so agree with the comments above about the performance. It is an absurdly fast car.. the 3.2s 60 time feels conservative and it has 4 doors and 5 proper seats! not to mentioned running costs of approx. 1.5 pence per mile. But a drivers car it is not.. The steering is very direct and it corners very flat but there is no hiding 1.8 tonne of saloon car.
The Alpine A110 is a great shout but £25K won't cut the mustard. That Boxster Titusrider linked to is very nice indeed, lovely motor and I certainly wouldn't discount a Boxster over the Cayman suggestion, but as above just need to work out what is important to you. I would absolutely love an Elise but I've no where to keep one and don't have the £17K or so I need to get the one I would want.. it's in the plan but it is a long term one.
Cheap? It was nearly £70k new with the options?
Wasnt a dig mate - might’ve been £70k but that was a good few years ago. Just think you rate it highly for a reasonably priced car, a great thing in my book.
And aye to the above, a sad state of affairs from me. Live and work in central London so it sits on my drive 99% of the time.
F’inell, that’s nice – surprised it’s not worth more tbh
If I had a garage to house it in, I’d be doing a bit more research and warming the credit card up
I suspect because although its a factory V8 and serms tidy it's not "original" with all those flares and spoilers.
Really good original cars are £25k, conocurs ones even more.
