Manual, reliable and fun - 10k max
Discussion
Hi all need some serious help,
Currently struggling to choose which car I'd like. Had my eyes set on a Mk3 Mx5 but then changed my mind and wanted the mk3.5 due to the facelift changes and better styling. I realised I was then spending 10k on an mx5 which seems absurd and I could get something much nicer for that money.
My short list was/is:
Mk3/3.5 Mx5
Mk3 Mr2
Z4 Coupe
Megane 250
Very different cars I know but something about each of them I like. My priorities were manual, reliable and fun. Rwd is preferable and the less I have to pay the better. Lower running costs would also be great.
I'm not interested in track days and I've not been in the situation where a car has made me want to get up early to just go for a drive. My commute is A roads and motorway, and B roads when I collect the girlfriend from work. Have I missed any cars or am I heading in the right direction with my shortlist?
Currently struggling to choose which car I'd like. Had my eyes set on a Mk3 Mx5 but then changed my mind and wanted the mk3.5 due to the facelift changes and better styling. I realised I was then spending 10k on an mx5 which seems absurd and I could get something much nicer for that money.
My short list was/is:
Mk3/3.5 Mx5
Mk3 Mr2
Z4 Coupe
Megane 250
Very different cars I know but something about each of them I like. My priorities were manual, reliable and fun. Rwd is preferable and the less I have to pay the better. Lower running costs would also be great.
I'm not interested in track days and I've not been in the situation where a car has made me want to get up early to just go for a drive. My commute is A roads and motorway, and B roads when I collect the girlfriend from work. Have I missed any cars or am I heading in the right direction with my shortlist?
Z4 coupe would be the pick of the bunch if it were me, total ownership cost including depreciation it would without a doubt beat the rest. Its not stupidly fast so you can enjoy the performance and it makes a great noise. Second wouldbe megane sport, never driven one but they've always intrigued me.
Off your list I've had a Z4 Coupe and my current steed is a Mk3 MR2.
The Z4 Coupe was a lovely every day sports car. The engine was strong, it was a lovely place to sit and a gorgeous car to look at. I did enjoy owning it. It was a good car to have some tail out antics, but the handling was a bit blunt for me, it didn't really feel very happy being driven at 10/10ths, more of a 7/10ths type of car. Lots of grip but the actual handling for me was not as good as I would have hoped, in fact, I'd actually say my old E46 handled better (though it was much more dull), and the ride is too hard for country roads.
I have to say if its fun you want, the MR2 has it comprehensively beaten even though its a quarter of the price. OK its not a "fast" car, but ignore the figures, and focus on the experience it gives you. The ride and handling (note, NOT grip) is far superior to the Z4, it dismisses rough roads and potholes so well and the overall feel is a very pointy, darty car with hyper sensitive steering. Despite the relative lack of power, its a car that feels like you're going much faster than you really are. It's not really an every day car though as its bit raw and impractical for that. If like me you fancied an Elise but couldn't justify the cost, you wouldn't be disappointed, and I rate it higher than the Mk1 MX5 I had (a Eunos RS Limited as well, no less!). Wonderful little cars. Downside? Well the engine isn't as nice as the Z4 obviously but it sounds pretty meaty if you stick a good dual exhaust on it like I have.
The Z4 Coupe was a lovely every day sports car. The engine was strong, it was a lovely place to sit and a gorgeous car to look at. I did enjoy owning it. It was a good car to have some tail out antics, but the handling was a bit blunt for me, it didn't really feel very happy being driven at 10/10ths, more of a 7/10ths type of car. Lots of grip but the actual handling for me was not as good as I would have hoped, in fact, I'd actually say my old E46 handled better (though it was much more dull), and the ride is too hard for country roads.
I have to say if its fun you want, the MR2 has it comprehensively beaten even though its a quarter of the price. OK its not a "fast" car, but ignore the figures, and focus on the experience it gives you. The ride and handling (note, NOT grip) is far superior to the Z4, it dismisses rough roads and potholes so well and the overall feel is a very pointy, darty car with hyper sensitive steering. Despite the relative lack of power, its a car that feels like you're going much faster than you really are. It's not really an every day car though as its bit raw and impractical for that. If like me you fancied an Elise but couldn't justify the cost, you wouldn't be disappointed, and I rate it higher than the Mk1 MX5 I had (a Eunos RS Limited as well, no less!). Wonderful little cars. Downside? Well the engine isn't as nice as the Z4 obviously but it sounds pretty meaty if you stick a good dual exhaust on it like I have.
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Saturday 14th January 18:49
Also an ex Z4 Coupe owner so can thoroughly vouch for them, great car and once people have stopped making hairdresser comments and sit in it, they all quickly love it as well.
Agree with the above comments, the handling is good up to 7 or 8/10 but above that it's too 'sketchy' and becomes a little unpredictable, especially on a country road. I would have another one for total ownership (looks, sound, engine, interior) as it all fit well for me, but I still miss my Swift Sport more than it? I think this is purely for not being able to give it 10/10 and trust it at the same time.
Hope this helps
Agree with the above comments, the handling is good up to 7 or 8/10 but above that it's too 'sketchy' and becomes a little unpredictable, especially on a country road. I would have another one for total ownership (looks, sound, engine, interior) as it all fit well for me, but I still miss my Swift Sport more than it? I think this is purely for not being able to give it 10/10 and trust it at the same time.
Hope this helps
Thanks for the feedback all. Unfortunately I'm in need of something a bit more practical as a primary car now. So 2 seaters are ruled out as of now, I still like the sounds of the mk3 mr2 so I'll keep my eye out of a nice cheap one. They do sound fantastic as a second car proposition!
The comments you all made really do resonate with what I've read elsewhere. It's more of a junior Gt car that loves A roads and the motorway. Not being able to push it hard on a country road is a real killer for me in terms of £/fun ratio. Shame because they're beautiful outside and in and the engine, if anything like my E46 330ci, must be sublime!
Currently now looking at 5 door hot hatches as a good all rounder which will be fast, fun and practical. The Mk2 facelift focus ST and Mk5 Gti have taken my fancy. Any opinions on them?
The comments you all made really do resonate with what I've read elsewhere. It's more of a junior Gt car that loves A roads and the motorway. Not being able to push it hard on a country road is a real killer for me in terms of £/fun ratio. Shame because they're beautiful outside and in and the engine, if anything like my E46 330ci, must be sublime!
Currently now looking at 5 door hot hatches as a good all rounder which will be fast, fun and practical. The Mk2 facelift focus ST and Mk5 Gti have taken my fancy. Any opinions on them?
Get the Megane RS it's a blast on country roads & also practical 10k gets you a nice Focus ST to which isn't quite as sharp as the Megane but is a nice all rounder plus you also get that great 5 cylinder engine.
2010 Focus ST-3 40k FFSH
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2010 Megane RS250 30k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
2010 Focus ST-3 40k FFSH
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2010 Megane RS250 30k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
I looked at the 335i coupes and love the shape and interior however the potential for large bills put me off.
Looked at the focus st and the Mpg was awful plus insurance is hefty, close to 1k... And those looks, ghastly.
The five door requirement isn't rigid at all, just means I don't have to faff with folding seats. Although I do need fairly usable 2 seats, even if it means my passengers travel in discomfort.
Dammit everytime I see a Rs250 I fall for it! Think they look awesome, they also sound awesome to drive. People mentioned in another thread I posted that they do great at being sedate cruiser and an animal unleashed. Any idea if they return 30mpg+ on a cruise? Sadly only have 8k at the moment so will be another 2 months saving which is annoying. Problem is I change my mind like the wind! However the Megane is definitely on the short list. Any other suggestions that I could of missed?
Looked at the focus st and the Mpg was awful plus insurance is hefty, close to 1k... And those looks, ghastly.
The five door requirement isn't rigid at all, just means I don't have to faff with folding seats. Although I do need fairly usable 2 seats, even if it means my passengers travel in discomfort.
Dammit everytime I see a Rs250 I fall for it! Think they look awesome, they also sound awesome to drive. People mentioned in another thread I posted that they do great at being sedate cruiser and an animal unleashed. Any idea if they return 30mpg+ on a cruise? Sadly only have 8k at the moment so will be another 2 months saving which is annoying. Problem is I change my mind like the wind! However the Megane is definitely on the short list. Any other suggestions that I could of missed?
If you'd like to know more about the RS250 have a read of this thread:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I have no experience of running a Megane RS but I've had some nice modern hot hatches 2.0 ST, MKII Focus RS, Golf R and all achieved well over 30mpg on economy runs, I should imagine that the Megane would do it with no problem at all, in fact it wouldn't surprise me if it was 35-40 on a run.
If the 335 scares you, what about a 330i? Plenty available in all body forms under £10k this one looks a nice spec: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330i-Msport-Manual-M...
If the 335 scares you, what about a 330i? Plenty available in all body forms under £10k this one looks a nice spec: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330i-Msport-Manual-M...
ZX10R NIN said:
If you'd like to know more about the RS250 have a read of this thread:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Thanks for the link, that was a fantastic thread to read and to continue to follow! I'm almost pretty much sealed on a Rs250, just need a good test drive or two and a look around one to finalise my decision! http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Tuvra said:
I have no experience of running a Megane RS but I've had some nice modern hot hatches 2.0 ST, MKII Focus RS, Golf R and all achieved well over 30mpg on economy runs, I should imagine that the Megane would do it with no problem at all, in fact it wouldn't surprise me if it was 35-40 on a run.
If the 335 scares you, what about a 330i? Plenty available in all body forms under £10k this one looks a nice spec: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330i-Msport-Manual-M...
That's great to hear! Mpg certainly isn't a concern when going for a blast but when I'm just trundling to and from work it starts to make a difference. I was spending £60 a week, 25mpg, with my E46 330ci which seemed rather pointless when I was just going from A to B. If the 335 scares you, what about a 330i? Plenty available in all body forms under £10k this one looks a nice spec: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330i-Msport-Manual-M...
Looked at them as well but I discounted them as they're basically the same as my old E46 just obviously improved. They're great for cruising around but not much fun on a B road
AB57 said:
I looked at the 335i coupes and love the shape and interior however the potential for large bills put me off.
Looked at the focus st and the Mpg was awful plus insurance is hefty, close to 1k... And those looks, ghastly.
The five door requirement isn't rigid at all, just means I don't have to faff with folding seats. Although I do need fairly usable 2 seats, even if it means my passengers travel in discomfort.
Dammit everytime I see a Rs250 I fall for it! Think they look awesome, they also sound awesome to drive. People mentioned in another thread I posted that they do great at being sedate cruiser and an animal unleashed. Any idea if they return 30mpg+ on a cruise? Sadly only have 8k at the moment so will be another 2 months saving which is annoying. Problem is I change my mind like the wind! However the Megane is definitely on the short list. Any other suggestions that I could of missed?
Are you talking of the 2.5s?Looked at the focus st and the Mpg was awful plus insurance is hefty, close to 1k... And those looks, ghastly.
The five door requirement isn't rigid at all, just means I don't have to faff with folding seats. Although I do need fairly usable 2 seats, even if it means my passengers travel in discomfort.
Dammit everytime I see a Rs250 I fall for it! Think they look awesome, they also sound awesome to drive. People mentioned in another thread I posted that they do great at being sedate cruiser and an animal unleashed. Any idea if they return 30mpg+ on a cruise? Sadly only have 8k at the moment so will be another 2 months saving which is annoying. Problem is I change my mind like the wind! However the Megane is definitely on the short list. Any other suggestions that I could of missed?
At home we have two Mondeo 2.5Ts. Both do around 25MPG around town and low 30s on a run. If you stick to 70mph you'll hit 35MPG. In most respects they are a solid engine.
If it were me I'd be very tempted with a BMW 335i but the potential repair bills would put me off.
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