What car do I get next?

[GoughieJr]

So I'm looking for a different car. I used to own a 2007 Suzuki Swift Sport. Then for some unknown reason thought a 2006 Audi TT would be good choice and ditched the Swift. Having owned the TT for just 7 months I'm now bored sick of it. I miss the feel of the Swift and how chuckable and confidence inspiring it was.

So for my next car I've decided speed doesn't matter, just how FUN it is. My budget is around £8k tops but willing to spend less too. Ideally a reasonable MPG would be appreciated as i do 20k miles a year. Also due to the millage nothing too old.

Currently thinking either Abarth 500 essesse, Clio 197, or r32 Megane.

What else has the FUN factor?

Forgot to mention, I'm 19 so practicality really isn't an issue but massive engines are

Edited by GoughieJr on Thursday 7th August 22:06

[Jim the Sunderer]

MX5

[GoughieJr]

Test drove one but too many of my friends own them, not sure it would be the nicest car to do the 20k miles in either, good suggestion though

[FussyFez]

If it were my money, looking for a 'fun' drivers car, I'd buy something like this.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...



Or if you really want a FWD tin top, this
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...

Edited by FussyFez on Thursday 7th August 21:05

[Qwert1e]

Personally I wouldn't want to be doing 20,000 miles a year in a shopping car with a big engine and stiff suspension.

You won't like it, but the usual answer to your question is 3-series BMW.

The problem you have is TT is quite a good car. Where do you go from there??

[Poopipe]

Megane 2 is fun

You need the diff and a remap for hilarity

You also need to be accepting of "characterful niggles"

[GoughieJr]

Well I was doing the 20k miles in the swift, at the time wasn't keen, but now looking back, the B road blast made up for the noise on the motorway, I'm up for putting up with characterful niggles.

[Blayney]

If you could stretch the budget the new Swift Sport isn't that far off. 6 speed box apparently helps on the motorway. I don't think it looks quite as nice though.

If anyone has a good answer for this one as I'm in a similar situation.

[GoughieJr]

Ive been eyeing up them new swifts too, they have cruise control, and bluetooth too, seems like they actually listened to the niggles of the old one

[Blayney]

This one just came up. Only a little haggling brings it into budget.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...

[jc84]

You should be able to get a Renaultsport Clio 200 for that budget. Surely the best B road car? Difficulty will be insurance at 19.

[Twin2]

I'm 20 and had one of these before the Twingo RS. Insurance was 1300 with no no claims at 19, so you have a decent idea.

It's a different kind of fun, a bit "twitchy" but also fast in a straight line.
And of course the exhaust pops and bangs which is a bonus....

Also a nice place to sit on the motorway, you'll not feel too much of a difference compared with the TT, but having recently driven 350 raucous miles in the twingo, it's nice.

Only major problem is at ~50-60k the chain tensioner will break, the engine will rattle. But you can buy the parts to fix that for 3-400 so it's cool

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

[GoughieJr]

Mini is a great idea, never drove one so may have to book a test drive in for Monday, is it worth going for the john cooper works over the standard s?

[Twin2]

I never test drove a works model but you'd struggle to get one for the budget I reckon, you'd maybe have to go for an R53, the older model, supercharged one?

I assume it'd hold its value better though and be a bit more fun.

[Blayney]

jc84 said:

You should be able to get a Renaultsport Clio 200 for that budget. Surely the best B road car? Difficulty will be insurance at 19.

They are, but he's doing 20k miles. reading the owners forums they are getting low 30's MPG out of them.

It's what has stopped me looking at them.

[BorkFactor]

Way below budget, but how about a sorted E46 325ti sport?

[Cemesis]

GoughieJr said:

Mini is a great idea, never drove one so may have to book a test drive in for Monday, is it worth going for the john cooper works over the standard s?

The JCW is ludicrously stiff. I cannot imagine driving one on the roads around here.

[EricE]

Minis are extremely fun to drive, I’m struggling to replace ours. Of the newer cars I‘ve driven so far only a Cayman R came close.

But to be honest I am not sure if I would want to do 20k miles per year in one because they can be somewhat exhausting to drive over long distances. Stiff suspension, very twitchy steering, short wheelbase... it just requires your attention at all times. Although if you are young that’s probably no problem.

[jc84]

Blayney said:

They are, but he's doing 20k miles. reading the owners forums they are getting low 30's MPG out of them.

It's what has stopped me looking at them.

Depends what you class as reasonable mpg. Only OP can answer that question...

[GoughieJr]

BorkFactor said:

Way below budget, but how about a sorted E46 325ti sport?

I test drove a 330ci yesterday, even though on paper it's supposed to be as quick as my TT it really didn't feel it! Not sure if it'll be all that fun either, the one I test drove was an automatic and I'd rather a manual