New £30k or under 'fun' cars - What is there?
Discussion
Moderator team, this thread isn't really about car buying. I'm not, I'm just chatting about cars. Which is why I've posted in the GG forum. Thank you 
Preamble:
On the Lotus thread recently there was talk about how prices have changed for an Elise, relative to other players and what they used to cost. This thread isn't about Elises though. But it did get me thinking of a certain type of buyer and what these people could look at buying today. And specifically how little choice there actually is
regardless of if you are a cash buyer or looking at PCP deals.
So this thread is more about what is available today in 2019.
It seems there is a group or groups of potential buyers. Either youngish and freespirited, or maybe older with some cash to spend. That simply want a "fun" and "sporting" car that they can enjoy. The key aspects being:
-affordable to buy (my arbitrary £30k limit)
-good to look at, i.e. probably more striking than understated
-fun/interesting inside
-enjoyable to drive
-probably not the most practical
-but practical enough to use everyday or have as your only car
-and likely to make a statement about You!
Thinking about this a bit. I think the same "types" of people exist in different countries. Only they have been interested in different types of cars, due to pricing and availability.
UK & Europe
For instance, in the UK especially and probably other parts of Europe, sports cars have fulfilled this role for a long time. From the likes of MG's, Triumphs, Healeys and many others. The Japanese got in on this game with the 240z, MR2 and plenty of Euro offerings from Alfa, Lancia and Fiat.
I suspect much of the time, these cars were bought by people who would likely have considered themselves to be "car people". They wanted something that looked great, didn't blend in with the rest and was fun and enjoyable to be in and drive. Ultimate performance wasn't really the concern. Fun factor and experience was.
Hot hatches may have taken a bit of the limelight away from these. But the hot hatch isn't the same sort of thing. None really look all that good in an exciting/striking way. And all are designed for practicality, i.e. you would buy a hothatch for very different reasons.
In the mid/late 1990's there was a real resurgence of sports cars including the MGF, MX-5, MR2, Elise, Z3, Barchetta, Spyder and others.
USA
Across the pond in the USA, sports cars seem to be rarer. The wide open roads and long distances mean the sports car probably suits less well there than it does in the UK and Europe. Also anything European imported tended to cost more. But I believe the same sorts of people exist. And back in the 1960's onwards, this seems to have been fulfilled by the "pony" car. The most notable being the Mustang. But would also include cars like the Camaro, Firebird, Nova, Challenger, Roadrunner and many others. These are cars that while totally different to sports cars in design, size, performance, power and looks. Seem to achieve many of the same traits. And for all intensive purposes are generally owned for the same sorts of reasons.
And today, there seems to be a resurgence with this type of car, that has been ongoing since around 2005. Buyers, at least in the USA, are spoilt for choice.
And there are also a good number of cars which almost transcend these two groups. Such as the 370z, even the GT86 and until recently the Genesis Coupe.
Current Market offerings?
In the UK do we have much choice for this "type" of car?
I know comparing prices from country to country can be difficult, but I think it's reasonably fair to say, that a £30k car in the UK is similarly affordable and attainable as a $30k car is in the USA for same sort of person doing the same sort of work. Maybe slightly biased to being more affordable in the USA, but probably not by much.
Meaning that for Mr Jo Average in either country, a 30k budget in their own currency should give comparable results.
So with all that preamble out of the way.
What choices are there?
To help clarify the type of car it is NOT ; a saloon, hatchback, estate.
It is likely to be; a coupe, roadster, fastback
For the UK I can think of 3 1/2 cars that are available. The most obvious being the Mazda Mx-5, starting from around £19k rising to mid 20's.
But many more options seem to exist in the USA. Including all that are available here and things like this, being available for $27k
Preamble:
On the Lotus thread recently there was talk about how prices have changed for an Elise, relative to other players and what they used to cost. This thread isn't about Elises though. But it did get me thinking of a certain type of buyer and what these people could look at buying today. And specifically how little choice there actually is
regardless of if you are a cash buyer or looking at PCP deals.So this thread is more about what is available today in 2019.
It seems there is a group or groups of potential buyers. Either youngish and freespirited, or maybe older with some cash to spend. That simply want a "fun" and "sporting" car that they can enjoy. The key aspects being:
-affordable to buy (my arbitrary £30k limit)
-good to look at, i.e. probably more striking than understated
-fun/interesting inside
-enjoyable to drive
-probably not the most practical
-but practical enough to use everyday or have as your only car
-and likely to make a statement about You!
Thinking about this a bit. I think the same "types" of people exist in different countries. Only they have been interested in different types of cars, due to pricing and availability.
UK & Europe
For instance, in the UK especially and probably other parts of Europe, sports cars have fulfilled this role for a long time. From the likes of MG's, Triumphs, Healeys and many others. The Japanese got in on this game with the 240z, MR2 and plenty of Euro offerings from Alfa, Lancia and Fiat.
I suspect much of the time, these cars were bought by people who would likely have considered themselves to be "car people". They wanted something that looked great, didn't blend in with the rest and was fun and enjoyable to be in and drive. Ultimate performance wasn't really the concern. Fun factor and experience was.
Hot hatches may have taken a bit of the limelight away from these. But the hot hatch isn't the same sort of thing. None really look all that good in an exciting/striking way. And all are designed for practicality, i.e. you would buy a hothatch for very different reasons.
In the mid/late 1990's there was a real resurgence of sports cars including the MGF, MX-5, MR2, Elise, Z3, Barchetta, Spyder and others.
USA
Across the pond in the USA, sports cars seem to be rarer. The wide open roads and long distances mean the sports car probably suits less well there than it does in the UK and Europe. Also anything European imported tended to cost more. But I believe the same sorts of people exist. And back in the 1960's onwards, this seems to have been fulfilled by the "pony" car. The most notable being the Mustang. But would also include cars like the Camaro, Firebird, Nova, Challenger, Roadrunner and many others. These are cars that while totally different to sports cars in design, size, performance, power and looks. Seem to achieve many of the same traits. And for all intensive purposes are generally owned for the same sorts of reasons.
And today, there seems to be a resurgence with this type of car, that has been ongoing since around 2005. Buyers, at least in the USA, are spoilt for choice.
And there are also a good number of cars which almost transcend these two groups. Such as the 370z, even the GT86 and until recently the Genesis Coupe.
Current Market offerings?
In the UK do we have much choice for this "type" of car?
I know comparing prices from country to country can be difficult, but I think it's reasonably fair to say, that a £30k car in the UK is similarly affordable and attainable as a $30k car is in the USA for same sort of person doing the same sort of work. Maybe slightly biased to being more affordable in the USA, but probably not by much.
Meaning that for Mr Jo Average in either country, a 30k budget in their own currency should give comparable results.
So with all that preamble out of the way.
What choices are there?
To help clarify the type of car it is NOT ; a saloon, hatchback, estate.
It is likely to be; a coupe, roadster, fastback
For the UK I can think of 3 1/2 cars that are available. The most obvious being the Mazda Mx-5, starting from around £19k rising to mid 20's.
But many more options seem to exist in the USA. Including all that are available here and things like this, being available for $27k
IAmTupperware said:
Abarth 124.
Maybe not as technically good as the MX5 but buckets of fun and a massive amount of character. I'd choose this over any hot hatch any day.
Yeah these 3 1/2 cars I could think of where the Nissan 370z, MX-5, GT86 and the half going to the Fiat Maybe not as technically good as the MX5 but buckets of fun and a massive amount of character. I'd choose this over any hot hatch any day.
Maybe not really fair calling it a half. But as it's largely an MX-5. I did have a look at the Fiat site yesterday at them. My word Fiat make it hard to find them on there....
I was also slightly surprised by the cost, they are under £30k, but only just. Something like £29,795. And to be honest, I struggle to see where the extra money is over the Mazda. I know you have a 1.4 turbo engine, which is either a plus or a con point depending on your view point. And it seemed to have some nice leather seats. But the rest seemed the same. The MX-5 in essentially the same spec is only just over £24k. Which makes the Fiat badge seem pricey at £5000 extra.
I do think it is a shame we don't get cars like this over here. I mentioned it in my op, but went and had a proper look on the build configuration tool.
Obviously it would be nice to always have more. But I specced this one to a level that I'd have happily bought it.
3.6 direct injection Pentastar V6, 305bhp, 0-60mph in 6.0 sec and 0-100mph in about 15 sec. Claimed 30mpg (US gallons/Highway).
If I could walk into a showroom in the UK and drive out in one of these for £28,000 I would. With the irony being, a straight currency conversion, this car is only £21,850 in the US.
Tired said:
This thread's going pretty much as expected, isn't it?
"Here's a suggestion"
"Yeah, well here's one I like better. It's American."
I thought it was a discussion?"Here's a suggestion"
"Yeah, well here's one I like better. It's American."
So why not contribute. Can you think of any cars in the UK apart from the (3 mentioned) already fit the criteria? There may well be some gems not thought about.
300bhp/ton said:
Ramble, ramble...
self-indulgent ramble...
But many more options seem to exist in the USA. Including all that are available here and things like this, being available for $27k
As soon as I started reading your post (in my head you have a sort of nasal whine when you speak), I immediately scanned down for the reference to American cars. I'm almost disappointed it took you until the last line of that absolute tome to drop it in.self-indulgent ramble...
But many more options seem to exist in the USA. Including all that are available here and things like this, being available for $27k
Never change.
Interesting topic - hope the thread doesn't turn into some lame argument lke so many others.
Sorry to be pedantic (because I'm generally not, I just fume quietly to myself rather than say anything), but what are "intensive purposes"?
The expression is "to all intents and purposes".
And re your thread - I agree with whoever posted about the Abarth 124. I have an Abarth 500 and a 124 is firmly on the radar.
300bhp/ton said:
I thought it was a discussion?
So why not contribute. Can you think of any cars in the UK apart from the (3 mentioned) already fit the criteria? There may well be some gems not thought about.
Jimny.So why not contribute. Can you think of any cars in the UK apart from the (3 mentioned) already fit the criteria? There may well be some gems not thought about.
Also, "making a statement" is the worst reason for picking a car, ever.
300bhp/ton said:
If I could walk into a showroom in the UK and drive out in one of these for £28,000 I would. With the irony being, a straight currency conversion, this car is only £21,850 in the US.
Ford will sell you a Mustang here. But the base spec is out of your criteria at £37,000 in the UK. In the US it's $26,000 (about £20,000)Tickle said:
edd344 said:
Fun? New?Why can a hatchback not be fun? Hyundai i30 N, Civic Type-R and Fiesta ST represent great value and I have seen FK8’s selling for sub £30k. New Golf GTI Peformance Pack can be had for under £30k, I don’t know about the Clubsport. These are amongst the most fun cars around right now, I would consider a hot hatchback more fun than a Challenger even if the Challenger is simply one of the most awesome cars to grace the road.
BBR MX5 Super 200 - just brilliant
Used market? Clio 182 Trophy - probably the most fun car in THE WORLD that has usable seats and a windscreen and it is under £10k. In terms of more hardcore metal, there are hosts of Atoms and Caterhams, and you can’t go wrong with a Lotus Exige or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, either.
More exotic metal, a Porsche Cayman.
BBR MX5 Super 200 - just brilliant
Used market? Clio 182 Trophy - probably the most fun car in THE WORLD that has usable seats and a windscreen and it is under £10k. In terms of more hardcore metal, there are hosts of Atoms and Caterhams, and you can’t go wrong with a Lotus Exige or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, either.
More exotic metal, a Porsche Cayman.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 1st February 11:36
I was going to suggest the Peugeot RCZ, but they're so uncommon I'd not noticed they were discontinued three years ago!
As the OP has said Fastbacks are ok, how about this:
https://www.hyundai.co.uk/new-cars/i30-fastback-n
It's £29995, so exactly on the price limit, and it's a "Fastback" and not in any way a slighty longer 5 door i30 hatchback with a similar roof profile to a Mondeo ...... Still a pretty good car for the money though.
As the OP has said Fastbacks are ok, how about this:
https://www.hyundai.co.uk/new-cars/i30-fastback-n
It's £29995, so exactly on the price limit, and it's a "Fastback" and not in any way a slighty longer 5 door i30 hatchback with a similar roof profile to a Mondeo ...... Still a pretty good car for the money though.
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