Which car is the most fun especially with summer holidays?

[l-murcielago]

Hey guys I just need some help choosing a car that would simply be the most fun to drive, especially in the summer holidays coming soon! I would really appreciate any input from anyone who has any knowledge or experience of the cars listed below or can even recommend something else.

I am 24 years old and after patiently waiting many years, I hope to purchase my first car. As this will be my first, I'm aware that insurance will limit my options, but still any input would be much appreciated. Budget not confirmed but probably anywhere between £5K and £12.K (absolute max). Annual Mileage will be low - say 3000 miles. Only looking for manual gearbox. Fuel economy is important, but ultimately driving satisfaction & reliability is the highest priority. Something which I could thrash on the B-roads and drive hard would be great. Also, I'm open to the idea of a remap later on for a small performance boost. Love my music, so would want high quality speakers in the car (probably aftermarket).


Options:

BMW 320D M sport 2.0 (hardtop convertible)

177bhp / 0-60: 8.6 s / 258lbs/ft 53mpg

Seat Ibiza FR SC 2.0 TDI

141bhp / 0.60: 8.2 s / 236lbs/ft 60mpg

Renault Megane 2.0 RS R26 F1

230hbp / 0-60: 6.5 s / 229lbs/ft 33mpg

Renault Clio 2.0 RS200 Cup

197hbp / 0.60: 6.9 s / 158lbs/ft 33mpg

Mini JCW (1.6 hatch)

211bhp / 0-60: 6.5 s / 192lbs/ft 41mpg

Citroen DS3 Racing 1.6

207bhp / 0-60 : 6.5 s / 192lbs/ft 44mpg

Volkswagen Scirocco GT 2.0 TSI

207 bhp/ 0-60 : 6.9 s / 207lbs/ft 38mpg


Which one to choose?


Many Thanks

[l-murcielago]

Hey guys I just need some help choosing a car that would be the most fun to drive, especially in the summer holidays coming soon! I would really appreciate any input from anyone who has any knowledge or experience of the cars listed below or can even recommend something else.

I am 24 years old and after patiently waiting many years, I hope to purchase my first car. As this will be my first, I'm aware that insurance will limit my options, but still any input would be much appreciated. Budget not confirmed but probably anywhere between £5K and £12.K (absolute max). Annual Mileage will be low - say 3000 miles. Only looking for manual gearbox. Fuel economy is important, but ultimately driving satisfaction & reliability is the highest priority. Something which I could thrash on the B-roads and drive hard would be great. Also, I'm open to the idea of a remap later on for a small performance boost. Love my music, so would want high quality speakers in the car (probably aftermarket).


Options:

BMW 320D M sport 2.0 (hardtop convertible)

177bhp / 0-60: 8.6 s / 258lbs/ft 53mpg

Seat Ibiza FR SC 2.0 TDI

141bhp / 0.60: 8.2 s / 236lbs/ft 60mpg

Renault Megane 2.0 RS R26 F1

230hbp / 0-60: 6.5 s / 229lbs/ft 33mpg

Renault Clio 2.0 RS200 Cup

197hbp / 0.60: 6.9 s / 158lbs/ft 33mpg

Mini JCW (1.6 hatch)

211bhp / 0-60: 6.5 s / 192lbs/ft 41mpg

Citroen DS3 Racing 1.6

207bhp / 0-60 : 6.5 s / 192lbs/ft 44mpg

Volkswagen Scirocco GT 2.0 TSI

207 bhp/ 0-60 : 6.9 s / 207lbs/ft 38mpg


Which one to choose?


Many Thanks

[helix402]

The 2 Renaults will be the most fun of the cars on your list.

[LarsG]

Any car that gets me to the airport without breaking down for our annual two month summer getaway.

[magooagain]

And I just happen to have a very nice Clio 200 rs full fat for sale.

[ChrisNic]

If you are doing 3k miles a year why is fuel economy of any great concern?

Diesels get the job done but aren’t exactly fun in my experience, even quick ones.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

The ds3 will end in tears with a broken engine usually

[ghost83]

I’d be suprised is you will get insured on a 320 convertible or Mini JCW as a first car

But I’d go with the mini personally

[l-murcielago]

ChrisNic said:

If you are doing 3k miles a year why is fuel economy of any great concern?

Diesels get the job done but aren’t exactly fun in my experience, even quick ones.

Yeah that's true - fuel economy shouldn't be a great concern. I heard diesels are great for torque, but if they're no fun, then will leave it out?

[l-murcielago]

helix402 said:

The 2 Renaults will be the most fun of the cars on your list.

Ok thanks - that helps a lot. I guess the Renaults are more 'chuckable' than the BMW?

[l-murcielago]

ghost83 said:

I’d be suprised is you will get insured on a 320 convertible or Mini JCW as a first car

But I’d go with the mini personally

OK thank you. I heard the mini feels similar to driving a go-kart - sounds fun lol

[CJ1]

Although at the top end of your budget, if you do like Mini’s you could just about afford a “F56” which is the newest generation of Mini much more advanced than the older JCW models you would be looking at. For £12k you could get a really high spec Cooper S with Head Up Display and as you like music Harman Kardon Speakers.

I’m 20, my Cooper S cost me £10,900 in 2018. Absolutely love it. 0-60 in 6.8 Seconds with 200hp. Yet averaging 41MPG and only cost me £800 to insure!

Something like this?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[caelite]

l-murcielago said:

helix402 said:

The 2 Renaults will be the most fun of the cars on your list.

Ok thanks - that helps a lot. I guess the Renaults are more 'chuckable' than the BMW?

I'll be honest, I never saw the appeal of BMWs. Owned an early 00s 328 and driven a late 00s 530d. I imagine the 1 series might be better but the big ones drive like any other ton-and-a-half of saloon. No amount of 'driving pleasure' marketing can change the fact they are big and heavy.

Clio sports are great fun though, not driven a newer one but spent a lot of time at Knockhill in a 187 (my friends, whilst he was going around sideways in my Mx5).

[l-murcielago]

magooagain said:

And I just happen to have a very nice Clio 200 rs full fat for sale.

Nice! I'm Interested but first got to decide which car to go for

[LarsG]

Ford Focus, 1.6 or the 1.5 ecoboost 180bhp.
138mph 7.8sec 0-60
Can be remapped too to almost 195bhp

Drives exceptionally well, great spec in titanium X.

Insurance companies love it as it sneaks under the radar and it's not considered a performance car.

Ok,so it doesn't have to fancy badge but it's great to drive, cheap to insure, cheap to service and you can get 5 in it at a squeeze.

[shake n bake]

Clio R.S is a great machine as is the Megane R.S.

To be honest you’ll get far more out of ringing the neck out of something underpowered, you learn the craft of maintaining momentum through corners too. I’m not sure a new driver is best in any of the cars you listed, that’s assuming you’re new to the roads.

[helix402]

I’m a huge fan of BMWs but I wouldn’t call a 320d Conv a fun car to drive.

[l-murcielago]

caelite said:

I'll be honest, I never saw the appeal of BMWs. Owned an early 00s 328 and driven a late 00s 530d. I imagine the 1 series might be better but the big ones drive like any other ton-and-a-half of saloon. No amount of 'driving pleasure' marketing can change the fact they are big and heavy.

Clio sports are great fun though, not driven a newer one but spent a lot of time at Knockhill in a 187 (my friends, whilst he was going around sideways in my Mx5).

Yeah I see what you mean - Renault sounds like the way forward then!

Any idea if the Clio RS200 or the Megane R26 F1 is the most fun? I think can't go wrong with both though...

[l-murcielago]

helix402 said:

I’m a huge fan of BMWs but I wouldn’t call a 320d Conv a fun car to drive.

Fair enough. Unfortunately, insurance costs prevents me from going for the more powerful BMWs, unless I go for a ridiculous insurance excess which seems too risky. Maybe later on once I've built up that NCD...

[Alex-wfh8j]

Without a doubt, none of those. Cut your teeth with an mx5. Any version from the mk1 (pop up headlights) to current will be a absolute hoot.