Fast and fun commuting machine - HELP!

[Batster]

Need a commuting car for a 110 mile daily round trip commute on mainly fast A and B roads with plenty of twisty bits and some overtaking opportunities as quite a lot of dawdling traffic , so it needs to have the following qualities:
1. Fun ( doesn't need to be practical), 2. Fast/great acceleration, 3. Relatively economical (average 30 mpg or better) and sensible running costs, 4. Handle well and an engaging drive , 5. Not offend the eye.

Let's stick to new cars as fancy a few years warranty and possible service package. Budget is upto c£45k but happy to spend a lot less, petrol or diesel.

Ideas please....

Batster

[CYMR0]

You could get this and map it.

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/details/0,,1156_...

[LukeSi]

CYMR0 said:

You could get this and map it.

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/details/0,,1156_...

They look really good without a front number plate. Why bikes can't have front plates but cars have to I don't know. I wish they would ditch the rule of cars having to run a front number plate.

[Batster]

Had an e92 m3 a year ago for three years so think this would feel a backward step in terms of overall package

Something smaller is my first thought - am wondering which hot hatch has best power to weight ratio when standard and potentially that can be remapped ?

[CYMR0]

Quickest hatch that evo has tested is a Mégane 265... very unlikely to be tunable beyond that though.

BMW 135i would have to be an option even if it were a step down.

Audi S3 or a lightly used Focus RS might be alternatives too.

[carreauchompeur]

CYMR0 said:

You could get this and map it.

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/details/0,,1156_...

To me, the wheels just look wrong. It's a proportion thing maybe.

[Locke]

How about an Clio Sport 200? Great handling ideal for twisty A/B roads an also quite fast 0-60 in around 6.5 seconds. Would also manage over 30mpg and you would still have plenty of your budget left over even if you bought a new one.

[EarlOfHazard]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-BMW-ALPINA-D3-/1407...

[carreauchompeur]

EarlOfHazard said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-BMW-ALPINA-D3-/1407...

Noice.

Rarity value? Check.
Well within budget? Check.
Economy/performance? Check.

[Japveesix]

Golf R (unlike most cars likely to be mentioned it might actually see 30mpg from time to time)


A5 3.0 TDi Quattro


Alfa Giulietta cloverleaf (might hit 30mpg if you're lucky). I think they look lovely


Chevvy camaro SS - it won't do 30mpg, but it'll look really really cool not doing it


Jaj XF 3.0D

[busta]

Locke said:

How about an Clio Sport 200? Great handling ideal for twisty A/B roads an also quite fast 0-60 in around 6.5 seconds. Would also manage over 30mpg and you would still have plenty of your budget left over even if you bought a new one.

Definitely this. Some of the other cars mentioned are quicker on paper but the Clio will be the most fun to throw down a B-road and most economical.

[Jimbo.]

Mini Cooper S? Good balance of fun, economy, handling and refinement, non?

[okie592]

Im afraid that when this falls into budget, why you would choose a clio.

Fast, amazing to drive, quiet, suits any occasion

it will do 30mpg at a push

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3221147.htm





Or, a brand new skoda superb estate v6 4x4 which is all the car you need, but its no jag

[zippyprorider]

No question exige/ Elise easily see 40mpg and perfect for the roads you drive on and more capable than the cars mentioned previously and in the case of an exige s faster too.

[NadiR]

I've chosen a range of cars here.

New BMW 6 Series
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

C63 AMG
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

XKR
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

RS3
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

1M
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

535d
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

NSX
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Megane 250
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Cooper S
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Octavia VRS
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

[DanDC5]

CYMR0 said:

Quickest hatch that evo has tested is a Mégane 265... very unlikely to be tunable beyond that though.

BMW 135i would have to be an option even if it were a step down.

Audi S3 or a lightly used Focus RS might be alternatives too.

New Megane is easily tuned beyond 265bhp. KTEC's demo car was running 350bhp or so with relatively basic mods.

[thinfourth2]

A Lotus elise?

Or if you are serious on the not needing to be practical bit a Caterham 7 costs washers to run and does 30MPG

[Batster]

zippyprorider said:

No question exige/ Elise easily see 40mpg and perfect for the roads you drive on and more capable than the cars mentioned previously and in the case of an exige s faster too.

Interesting, but having had an exige s in 2007 for six months, not sure I could live with the impracticalities and irritating build quality issues five days a week. Certainly could for half a week though!

[joe_90]

DanDC5 said:

CYMR0 said:

Quickest hatch that evo has tested is a Mégane 265... very unlikely to be tunable beyond that though.

BMW 135i would have to be an option even if it were a step down.

Audi S3 or a lightly used Focus RS might be alternatives too.

New Megane is easily tuned beyond 265bhp. KTEC's demo car was running 350bhp or so with relatively basic mods.

Yep, the 300 bhp for £400 quid give a much better car.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqNNU0Frfck
lots of bang for the buck there.

So get that, and a 2 seater caterham for the weekend

[Batster]

Any thoughts on a focus RS? I see they can be chipped to c350bhp but never driven one or known anyone who has one. Am almost 40 so not sure if I would look "all wrong" in one!!

Might go and have a go in a megane but looks ( the rear end) are a stumbling block..

Went to my local subaru dealer and they had an impreza cosworth which might be interesting but want £45k for it and it's three years old!