Best fun car for daily commute/weekend drives

[Delta-Tango]

So I've already asked about this, but I get different answers each time; the cars below are ones that always crop up, but I want to be thorough and make sure I've not missed out on anything else. Would prefer a convertible, maybe a saloon. As for hatchbacks, it'd be like a sporty VW Golf or Polo.

I'm 23, got a 9-5 and getting fed up of driving there and back in my bog standard 2004 Astra H. Wanting leather seats.

Was recommended a Z3, Z4, MX5 or Mk3 MR2. Currently trying to decide between a Z3 (always loved the looks) or an MR2.

Am I over-looking anything else?

If I've missed out on any specific details, go easy on me, I'm a noob with forums relatively speaking.

Cheers

[DoubleD]

The most important thing youve missed is your budget?

[Delta-Tango]

Oh st haha

Budget: Ideally around 2k - 4k. Up to 5k at a push and 6k absolute tops if I fall in love.

[RobM77]

The general rule for most driver's cars is that lighter and smaller is more fun, which sadly means they're not as good for long commutes, so it's always a balance between the two, apart from the very few notable exceptions of course. Further compounding this issue is the stereotyping by car manufacturers whereby they assume anyone driving a long distance doesn't want steering feel, or keen responses in the chassis, and vice versa. So, the first step is to look at the length of your commute and work out what the most fun car is that you wouldn't mind driving on it daily. If, like me in my 20s, you have a short B road commute, something like an Elise, Caterham, VX220 etc would be perfect (although that may be out of budget); for longer but still twisty commutes then cars like the Z4, Boxster, etc come into their own, and for commutes that are mainly straight lines there's just no point in driving a fun car, unless your weekends are filled with B roads and you don't have the space or money for two cars.

When my commute was 15 minutes of B roads I owned an MR2, then when I'd saved up enough I bought a Caterham as well, before swapping them both for an Elise, which covered both genres supremely well. All were utterly superb cars. Now that my commute is almost all motorway I own a 3 series and a track car for weekends. Horses for courses.

From the cars you mention, I must prefer the MR2, but if it was for longer journeys I'd go for the Z3.

HTH

[KevinCamaroSS]

Second most important thing you missed out is your annual mileage.

[CrouchingWayne]

If you like the Z3 you could pick up a 2.8 for a pittance.

[akirk]

I have a z3 - great country road car - tedious motorway / a-road cruiser as it is noisy (hood up is noisier than hood down!)
Generally a convertible is not the ideal long distance commuter unless you are buying quite a luxurious convertible...

the z3 is a lot of car for the money - esp. if you stretch to the 3.0litre face lift - straight-6 yumminess

[SebringMan]

Delta-Tango said:

So I've already asked about this, but I get different answers each time; the cars below are ones that always crop up, but I want to be thorough and make sure I've not missed out on anything else. Would prefer a convertible, maybe a saloon. As for hatchbacks, it'd be like a sporty VW Golf or Polo.

I'm 23, got a 9-5 and getting fed up of driving there and back in my bog standard 2004 Astra H. Wanting leather seats.

Was recommended a Z3, Z4, MX5 or Mk3 MR2. Currently trying to decide between a Z3 (always loved the looks) or an MR2.

Am I over-looking anything else?

If I've missed out on any specific details, go easy on me, I'm a noob with forums relatively speaking.

Cheers

Z3 is not a bad shout but I'd prefer an MX-5 over one. But they have zero practicality as much as I liked my Mk1 1.6. I'd avoid a 4 banger or 2.0 Z3/4 and IMO you'd need about £5k to get a nice Z4.

Is a Clio 1*2 out of the question. They are quite long lived, practical, frugal and a right hoot. If you fancy going into trackdays they would definitely be on the radar ; they are near enough ready for a trackday out of the box.

Is driving your 9-5 daily out of the question?

[Delta-Tango]

KevinCamaroSS said:

Second most important thing you missed out is your annual mileage.

soz... 6k miles a year. but if i'm loving driving whatever it is, it'd go up to 7 i guess.

[CaptainCosworth]

Seat Leon Cupra would be a cheaper alternative to a Golf GTI if you're after a hatch.

[Delta-Tango]

SebringMan said:

Is driving your 9-5 daily out of the question?

As in keeping my Astra? I can do, just fancied selling it on before the mileage hits 40k and it's not tickling my duck anymore. I was contemplating changing some things on it like getting blue interior lights or leather seats, but it's really not worth it for such a basic car.

[Bennet]

I'd warn anyone off a Z4. My wife has one and I cannot wait for her to get rid of it so I never have to sit in or drive it.

If you just want to go fast without crashing and care about nothing else it's probably quite good. Fast enough, loads of grip and strong brakes. Or if you think it makes you look cool (like my wife does) you might like it for that reason.

I hate it. Poor steering feedback, poor visibility, hard ride, stupid clutch, awkward gearbox, claustrophobic and oppressive inside with the roof up. It's ok with the roof down, because there isn't much buffeting from the wind and the sensory overload of going reasonably quickly in an open top car distracts you from all of the above.

[Bennet]

Delta-Tango said:

SebringMan said:

Is driving your 9-5 daily out of the question?

As in keeping my Astra? I can do, just fancied selling it on before the mileage hits 40k and it's not tickling my duck anymore. I was contemplating changing some things on it like getting blue interior lights or leather seats, but it's really not worth it for such a basic car.

Ha ha. He means he has a 9am-5pm job, not a Saab 9-5. I think.

[s m]

Delta-Tango said:

So I've already asked about this, but I get different answers each time; the cars below are ones that always crop up, but I want to be thorough and make sure I've not missed out on anything else. Would prefer a convertible, maybe a saloon. As for hatchbacks, it'd be like a sporty VW Golf or Polo.

I'm 23, got a 9-5 and getting fed up of driving there and back in my bog standard 2004 Astra H. Wanting leather seats.

Was recommended a Z3, Z4, MX5 or Mk3 MR2. Currently trying to decide between a Z3 (always loved the looks) or an MR2.

Am I over-looking anything else?

If I've missed out on any specific details, go easy on me, I'm a noob with forums relatively speaking.

Cheers

On the hatchback front consider a 130i or 325ti as well as a Golf/Polo

[perpetualtraveller]

OP, if you're comfortable in your own skin.....how about a boxster?

[RobM77]

Bennet said:

I'd warn anyone off a Z4. My wife has one and I cannot wait for her to get rid of it so I never have to sit in or drive it.

If you just want to go fast without crashing and care about nothing else it's probably quite good. Fast enough, loads of grip and strong brakes. Or if you think it makes you look cool (like my wife does) you might like it for that reason.

I hate it. Poor steering feedback, poor visibility, hard ride, stupid clutch, awkward gearbox, claustrophobic and oppressive inside with the roof up. It's ok with the roof down, because there isn't much buffeting from the wind and the sensory overload of going reasonably quickly in an open top car distracts you from all of the above.

I can't comment on the roadster, but I had a Z4 Coupé and really liked it, so I think it's just a matter of what you prioritise in a car. Yes, there are some downsides: DBW throttle lag, clutch delay valve, no steering feel at all, and a jiggly ride. However, at least with the coupé there were plenty of upsides: the engine sounded utterly fantastic, the performance was good, the economy surprising (I could get over 40mpg if I tried - not bad for 260bhp!), the handling was decent (very neutral and playful in the wet, although a bit too understeerey for my tastes in the dry), it was very light for what it was, the boot was huge, it was comfortable and roomy if you're my height (1.77m), and not too big. I hate cars that are unnecessarily big and heavy for what they are (like the 350Z/370Z for example). Ultimately I got fed up with the DBW throttle lag, but that was the only real show-stopper for me. I did get used to driving without steering feel after a while. It depends where your priorities lie.

[DoubleD]

I had a Z4 3.0 and rather enjoyed it. Ueah not the best for steering feel, but as an overall package it was rather nice. You can ditch the runflats and that helps with the ride.