£10k car options - best 'drivers' car

[georgefreeman]

Good evening,

So I'm going to try again with suggestions for my next car as I seem to have fallen out of love with my Golf R32.

I want to spend £10k and I would like the best 'drivers' car I can get for the money. it doesn't need to be the fastest thing, although preferably faster than my current R32.

I have no kids, and only a girlfriend to worry about chauffeuring around so it can be a sports coupe. I'd like it to be an event, whatever I choose. I love the sound of my R but it doesn't seem to be that special, after all it is just a Golf!

I travel 10 miles to work so efficiency isn't important.

Please hit me with some ideas.

[Torquey]

Vx220 or s1 elise. Simples

[Codswallop]

Best drivers car for £10k?

Answer in order of driver-li-ness
1) Caterham
2) S1 Elise
3) S2 Elise/ VX220

[Heathwood]

Boxster S?

[Al U]

S2000 is worth considering. Get a nice one for £10k and values are firm even for high mileage. Not faster than an R32 in a straight line but it's more of a driver's car for sure. Mine has made me realise power isn't everything, the delivery is what makes it special.

[MJ85]

A nice E46 M3. Nearly the practicality of the Golf, much faster.

[DoubleSix]

Sounds like a two seater is what you need.

However if you want something with similar practicality to your R32 but far more enjoyable from a drivers point of view then take a look at a 130i.

[ZX10R NIN]

Better cars the they're given credit for handle well & a stonking V8 as well:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-CLK-5-4-CL...

I am biased as I have Three of them, a 63amg 55amg & 320 CDI Sport.

Obvious choice a bit more highly strung than the Merc but a good steer
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Future Classic:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Alternative Good Steers:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Honda-Integra-2-0I-...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[speedtwelve]

Agree with the Elise/VX220 ideas, as that's exactly what I was looking at recently with a similar brief and budget. Reckon a Caterham would be a bit of a stretch for £10k, though? I had an S2k; it was fun, pointy and sounded great, but fell short on steering feel.

[Lordbenny]

You won't get a Caterham, you will get a very nice Westfield that will out performa VX220 in EVERY way. I should know I've got a nice Westy now and sold my Lightning Yellow VX220 in order to get it.

[MissChief]

Not sure how well your GF will get along with a Westfield or VX220. As said earlier, E46 M3.

[georgefreeman]

Thanks for the suggestions! Not sure I could live with a Westfield / caterham let alone the girlfriend.

E46 m3, dare I say it, just looks like a 3 series. I'd like something loud and shouty. It also seems that there are hardly any low ish mileage cars left that have not been fettled with.

Budget could be stretched to £15k....

[Jasandjules]

Torquey said:

Vx220 or s1 elise. Simples

He was first and he is right. But I'd say the Elise..

[jmcc500]

£15k would just about get you into a Cayman S. Love mine. Considered Caterhams, Elise's etc, but the Cayman is so much more useable, is still fairly brisk, and has one of *the* great chassis. Not quite as telepathic as the lightweights, but way better resolved than many cars at that price Look out for (ie read up on and think about) engine issues - bore scoring and IMS are worries :-(

Or take a punt on a 996...

Good luck.

Edited by jmcc500 on Tuesday 5th May 19:55

[shake n bake]

I'm biased, but a TVR will make your heart race every time you start it up. They're certainly not as unreliable as the Clarkson clones make out either.