20k "high performance" car with the lowest running costs?

[white_goodman]

A big thank you if you already replied to my "poor man's M3 thread". I'm still on the fence on whether to go for a new/nearly new junior hot hatch (Cooper S/JCW/Abarth 595/Fiesta ST) to replace my R56 Cooper or something a bit more "special". I used to own a "Blobeye" Impreza WRX and it was very reliable and inexpensive to run (petrol aside). It seems that to go up a step in performance from that, you're looking at significantly higher running costs and actually 0-60 in 5.9 seconds for that car is still setting a pretty high bar. So, accepting that some of the suggestions so far are going to be equally expensive to run as an E90/E92 M3 (AMG) and others seem to be rarer and more difficult to find (ISF/VXR8), what "high performance" cars offer the LOWEST RUNNING COSTS for 20k or less? I'm willing to spread the net a bit further to include 2-seater coupes/convertibles and automatics but must meet the following criteria.

More than 4 cylinders
Not a traditional hatchback (a coupe with a "hatchback" is fine)
300bhp+
150mph+ top speed
0-60 in low 5s or less
RWD (or at a push rear-biased AWD)
Preferably a manual transmission

So before I go out and buy a new/nearly new small hot hatch, what more exciting used alternatives should I consider? I guess the Americans have the option of V8 Mustangs/Camaros/Chargers/Challengers. Relatively cheap to run and fix compared to European performance cars but still offering a similar level of performance. I'm not really seeing an equivalent over here (RHD Mustang GTs don't seem to be down to 20k as of yet).

Nissan 350Z, BMW Z4 Si Coupe or 987 Boxster/Cayman S maybe? The Porsche is a little under on bhp but "on point" in terms of performance. Any thoughts on these as options or any alternatives that I have not yet considered?

Many thanks. white_goodman.

Edited by white_goodman on Tuesday 15th May 16:37

[Janosh]

You mentioned the VXR8, but if you don't need 4 doors then you should look at a supercharged Monaro:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

I've been running a Monaro / VXR8 for a few years now, seems to fit your criteria

[captain_cynic]

white_goodman said:

More than 4 cylinders
Not a traditional hatchback (a coupe with a "hatchback" is fine)
300bhp+
150mph+ top speed
0-60 in low 5s or less
RWD (or at a push rear-biased AWD)
Preferably a manual transmission

So before I go out and buy a new/nearly new small hot hatch, what more exciting used alternatives should I consider? I guess the Americans have the option of V8 Mustangs/Camaros/Chargers/Challengers. Relatively cheap to run and fix compared to European performance cars but still offering a similar level of performance. I'm not really seeing an equivalent over here (RHD Mustang GTs don't seem to be down to 20k as of yet).

Nissan 350Z or 987 Boxster/Cayman S maybe? The Porsche is a little under on bhp but "on point" in terms of performance. Any thoughts on these as options or any alternatives that I have not yet considered?

Alteratively, BMW E89 Z4 35i or 335i, some can be found in manual. The 335i is a family saloon (or coupe based on one) so it's not going to be as nimble as the others.

But out of the 3 the one with the lowest repair bills will be the 350z, however it's the highest VED. The BMWs and Boxter/Coxter might be better on fuel (never looked to be honest) and VED, but the moment a repair bill comes around they'll be more expensive.

[Gad-Westy]

I suspect it's not what you're looking for but an Elise offers genuinely low running costs on account of minimal depreciation and low weight meaning fuel economy is excellent and tyres, brakes and just about every thing else leads a relatively easy life. Insurance is cheap too. Not 300bhp but all models offer decent performance at normal speeds.

A Caterham is all of the above turned up to 11 but I suspect you'd have thought about them already if you were so inclined.

[TheAlastair34]

Gad-Westy said:

I suspect it's not what you're looking for but an Elise offers genuinely low running costs on account of minimal depreciation and low weight meaning fuel economy is excellent and tyres, brakes and just about every thing else leads a relatively easy life. Insurance is cheap too. Not 300bhp but all models offer decent performance at normal speeds.

A Caterham is all of the above turned up to 11 but I suspect you'd have thought about them already if you were so inclined.

I agree, i have run an Elise and before that a vx220 for 6 years now, both cars increased in price and other than disks and pads have not put a foot wrong in 40k

i dont use mine as a daily anymore but did for 2 years, i run a jcw r56 clubman for those duties

if you can keep two cars id genuinly look at a Elise or a VX220, will feel special when you get in it and they drive amazing its not all about going fast in a straight line!

[white_goodman]

TheAlastair34 said:

I agree, i have run an Elise and before that a vx220 for 6 years now, both cars increased in price and other than disks and pads have not put a foot wrong in 40k

i dont use mine as a daily anymore but did for 2 years, i run a jcw r56 clubman for those duties

if you can keep two cars id genuinly look at a Elise or a VX220, will feel special when you get in it and they drive amazing its not all about going fast in a straight line!

Thanks. Perhaps an Elise/VX220 is a bit too hardcore for my needs but I was looking for some leftfield suggestions too and it got me looking. I really wanted a VX220 Turbo back in the day and it's certainly quick and "special".

[white_goodman]

captain_cynic said:

Alteratively, BMW E89 Z4 35i or 335i, some can be found in manual. The 335i is a family saloon (or coupe based on one) so it's not going to be as nimble as the others.

But out of the 3 the one with the lowest repair bills will be the 350z, however it's the highest VED. The BMWs and Boxter/Coxter might be better on fuel (never looked to be honest) and VED, but the moment a repair bill comes around they'll be more expensive.

Did the early "Twinpower" 335is have some reliability issues? I guess the newer ones (such as in the M135i) are sorted now but that's why I was leaning towards the NA Z4 Coupe rather than the later Z4 35i.

[anonymous-user]

Elise, Exige, Evora (alothough i don’t think any are below £20k).

A 335 or S5 etc won’t feel very special as they are just a fast rep mobile, I’d avoid any S3 or what not.

I’d go American V8, Camaro, Challenger, Corvette for that budget.

Or the best SL55 you can find, but that won’t be cheap to run, but future appreciation may offset it ...

[cerb4.5lee]

white_goodman said:

I really wanted a VX220 Turbo back in the day and it's certainly quick and "special".

Iirc it was the quickest thing you could buy for £25k when it was new, and that's always stuck with me. I've always liked them a lot and I don't understand why they get slated so much for the badge.

[anonymous-user]

Janosh said:

You mentioned the VXR8, but if you don't need 4 doors then you should look at a supercharged Monaro:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

I've been running a Monaro / VXR8 for a few years now, seems to fit your criteria

I’d say this is your answer.

[MaxSo]

Z4 coupe is more like 10k than 20k I would have thought. Leaves a lot left over to spend on freshening it up, some choice mods and plenty of petrol.

[Mo28]

Z4 M is well within budget and their values are only going one way.

[MaxSo]

TTRS ?

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a two door that's a bit special & is a real drivers car RWD with sensible maintenance costs, then I'd say go for one of these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The hardest bit will be finding one.

Or take the IS-F's & VXR8's I posted on your M3 thread.

[MrBrightSi]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you want a two door that's a bit special & is a real drivers car RWD with sensible maintenance costs, then I'd say go for one of these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The hardest bit will be finding one.

Or take the IS-F's & VXR8's I posted on your M3 thread.

ZXR10 always throws good and viable choices in these threads. I'm in the same dilemma as most of the 20k+ performance car threads and he's shown me cars i'd never considered. For a budget of 20k would an slk55 tick the boxes too? I'd love to have a Sunbeam Tiger, 2 seats, tiny and big v8 wedged for the hell of it but you wont find one for anywhere near 20k so the slk55 has always been a modern alternative in my eyes and if you go for the later r171(?) you'll get cheaper brakes but full fat amg v8 goodness.

[Mr Tidy]

MaxSo said:

Z4 coupe is more like 10k than 20k I would have thought. Leaves a lot left over to spend on freshening it up, some choice mods and plenty of petrol.

I'm on my 2nd Z4C, and after 4 years still think they are great - but if I had £20K I'd be straight onto a Z4MC!

Which may have the "M" tax on running costs, but may increase enough in value to cover that!

[Heaveho]

A Lexus IS-F is always the answer. What's the question again?

[white_goodman]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you want a two door that's a bit special & is a real drivers car RWD with sensible maintenance costs, then I'd say go for one of these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The hardest bit will be finding one.

Or take the IS-F's & VXR8's I posted on your M3 thread.

Thanks ZX 10R another great suggestion. I've always preferred the styling of the 350 to the 370 and I've read/watched some lukewarm reviews (Chris Harris for example). I have to say it looks great in Nismo spec, especially in black though and that one is great value. Certainly another option to add to the list.

[Yiliterate]

Audi S5 seems to meet your list of requirements. My dad has had 50k miles virtually trouble-free with his. The supercharged V6 is cheaper on the petrol than the V8 though if you’re keeping an eye on costs...

[MaxSo]

Mr Tidy said:

MaxSo said:

Z4 coupe is more like 10k than 20k I would have thought. Leaves a lot left over to spend on freshening it up, some choice mods and plenty of petrol.

I'm on my 2nd Z4C, and after 4 years still think they are great - but if I had £20K I'd be straight onto a Z4MC!

Which may have the "M" tax on running costs, but may increase enough in value to cover that!

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=106106