What car? £10k

[_Rob_]

Hi all,

I've been lurking on here for a while but this is my first time posting. My current lease (MK7 Astra Elite Nav) is due to end in June this year so I've started doing some shopping to see what I could buy for £10k. I'll be doing about 8k miles a year.

Ideally it would be:
Petrol as I do a lot of short trips (I do some longer trips but not enough to keep a diesel healthy)
Relatively quick
mpg 25+ ish (around town)
sub 70k miles
2008 onwards
No preference on body style (hatch, saloon etc.). Most of the time I'm in the car by myself so practicality isn't top priority but it is nice to have
I would prefer to have built in nav for site visits as I find it easier than using nav on my phone
Can be manual or auto

Best options I've found so far:
Golf MK6 GTI - A bit concerned about reliability, especially after reading the buying guide on PH!
Audi S3 8P Facelift - I'm not sure if I'll be able to find a decent one within budget but I really like these.
Fiesta ST MK7 - A lot of car for the money and would meet 95% of my needs. Not convinced about the interior though.
Megane RS MK3 - Would struggle to find a cup chassis car with nav for under £10 I think. Not sure whether it would be as good of a daily as some other cars on this list.
Astra VXR (GTC shape) - Really like the look of these but my past 2 cars have been Astras so I would prefer to try something different. I would also likely struggle to get one within budget.

I did briefly consider an S5 with the 4.2 V8 and a 370z as I've always loved them but I think the running costs of either would reduce me to tears! My ideal car would be a B8 S4 but they are still a bit too expensive.

Any suggestions/thoughts would be much appreciated. I can be fairly flexible on the above criteria so any ideas are welcome.

[ajguk]

If you can get away with 2 seats, I bought a Z4 (E89) 18 months ago and I love it. It's got the 3.0 N52 engine which is cracking, pretty quick and sounds fantastic. The folding hardtop gives a degree of practicality.

Plenty on here will tell you they're a bit soft, but I'm not tracking it and it's a nice thing to have, especially when you can get the roof down.

Alternatively a 350/370Z?

edit: sorry just noticed your 370Z comment! Mine is £325 (ish?) tax, and even screwing it around I'm usually getting mid-20s. Better than my new V90!

Edited by ajguk on Thursday 5th March 15:23

[_Rob_]

ajguk said:

If you can get away with 2 seats, I bought a Z4 (E89) 18 months ago and I love it. It's got the 3.0 N52 engine which is cracking, pretty quick and sounds fantastic. The folding hardtop gives a degree of practicality.

Plenty on here will tell you they're a bit soft, but I'm not tracking it and it's a nice thing to have, especially when you can get the roof down.

Alternatively a 350/370Z?

edit: sorry just noticed your 370Z comment! Mine is £325 (ish?) tax, and even screwing it around I'm usually getting mid-20s. Better than my new V90!

Edited by ajguk on Thursday 5th March 15:23

I've seen the Z4 mentioned a fair bit on here before yet for some reason I never really considered one. I'll have a look on autotrader later on.
Tracking may be something I try later on down the line but for the foreseeable future its not something I'm really thinking about,

I saw a 370Z on my way home from work yesterday which has got me thinking about them again. To me eye its one of the best looking cars on the road, especially in Nismo trim. Maybe I'll have to do some maths again

Thanks for the suggestion!

[browna]

mk3.5 facelift focus ST with less torque steerness, start around 10k.

[cerb4.5lee]

_Rob_ said:

I saw a 370Z on my way home from work yesterday which has got me thinking about them again. To me eye its one of the best looking cars on the road, especially in Nismo trim. Maybe I'll have to do some maths again

Agree and the 370Z Nismo is a great looking car to my eyes as well. I have a 370Z GT Roadster and I love it to bits so I'm slightly bias!

I'm also a fan of the folding hardtop E89 Z4 that has been mentioned too.

Good luck with your search with whatever you go for.

[cerb4.5lee]

Although well under budget now...a few years ago I wanted a good all round petrol engined car with a budget of £10k and I opted for a 2006 E90 330i(N52 engine). It wasn't especially exciting to drive but as an all round car I thought that it was brilliant.

[_Rob_]

browna said:

mk3.5 facelift focus ST with less torque steerness, start around 10k.

For some reason I didn't think the facelift would be anywhere near the budget but it turns out they're much cheaper than expected. Thanks

[_Rob_]

cerb4.5lee said:

Although well under budget now...a few years ago I wanted a good all round petrol engined car with a budget of £10k and I opted for a 2006 E90 330i(N52 engine). It wasn't especially exciting to drive but as an all round car I thought that it was brilliant.

I did briefly look at 330i's but I must have forgotten about them after looking at 335i's. I decided the 335i wasn't for me due to the potential for big bills but as I understand it the 330i is much less likely to go pop. I'll add them to the shortlist as they seem like they could be ideal.

I might be slightly be slightly jealous about your 370Z

Thanks for the help!

[cerb4.5lee]

_Rob_ said:

I did briefly look at 330i's but I must have forgotten about them after looking at 335i's. I decided the 335i wasn't for me due to the potential for big bills but as I understand it the 330i is much less likely to go pop. I'll add them to the shortlist as they seem like they could be ideal.

I might be slightly be slightly jealous about your 370Z

Thanks for the help!

Cheers.

I've just had the tax reminder come through for the 370...so I've gone off it a little bit now!

You're welcome.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Megane is the pick of the hot hatches there are Cup Chassis I really wouldn't worry about the Nav but I would lookout for the Recaro's but you may have to stretch & haggle a bit but they are out there:

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

The Astra GTC VXR is a very good option

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Audi S5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

370Z

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Audi TTS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Infiniti G37 S

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

Giulietta Cloverleaf

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[romeodelta]

987 Boxster/Cayman or 8J TT 3.2/TTS.

[cerb4.5lee]

I'd also throw in a thumbs up for the Audi TTS as well. They make a cracking daily...and the performance/relative lightweight and small dimensions make them very enjoyable to drive for me.

[Mr Tidy]

If a Nissan 350/370Z is an option, would a BMW Z4 Coupe fit the bill? I had 2 for over 5 years and loved them.

And as good as my 330i is to drive, the Z4 Coupe with the same engine is way more exiting!

Road tax for either is 325 a year, and both of mine easily exceed 30 mpg overall (but I don't commute any more).

I like them because I prefer RWD and more than 4 cylinders, but I'd like to try a 5 cylinder Focus ST - they seem to be pretty highly rated.

Good luck anyway.

[Blanchimont]

The Megane RS is a great car (I've had 3). If you're not going to be tracking it, or driving it really hard on the road, I would suggest getting a "non-cup" car, as the ride is a little less crashy and works well on the road. The Diff and the like is great for on the track, so if you do plan to track it then a Cup chassis car is what to go for.

The Sat nav systems in them are based off of a Tomtom unit, and work well. However they're getting old and need the maps updating. I would stick with your phone, and get a mount.

If you've got any questions on them, feel free to ask

[_Rob_]

ZX10R NIN said:

Some useful ideas

You're not helping with those 370Z and S5 links
The Megane, VXR and TTS all seem like brilliant cars so I'll have to look more at these. The Alfa isn't bad at all but I definitely prefer the others.
Thank you for the links, much appreciated

romeodelta said:

987 Boxster/Cayman or 8J TT 3.2/TTS.

I love the idea of a Cayman but I think that it may be a little out of my reach. The TTS is a brilliant suggestion though. They never even crossed my mind despite me driving past one every day! Thank you

cerb4.5lee said:

I'd also throw in a thumbs up for the Audi TTS as well. They make a cracking daily...and the performance/relative lightweight and small dimensions make them very enjoyable to drive for me.

I'll look into them a bit. I appreciate the feedback

Mr Tidy said:

If a Nissan 350/370Z is an option, would a BMW Z4 Coupe fit the bill? I had 2 for over 5 years and loved them.

And as good as my 330i is to drive, the Z4 Coupe with the same engine is way more exiting!

Road tax for either is 325 a year, and both of mine easily exceed 30 mpg overall (but I don't commute any more).

I like them because I prefer RWD and more than 4 cylinders, but I'd like to try a 5 cylinder Focus ST - they seem to be pretty highly rated.

Good luck anyway.

The Z4 was suggested above and it has got me thinking about one. I can definitely see the appeal of one. Its good to hear positive feedback from an owner.
I remember seeing those 5 cylinder ST's back when I was at school at telling myself I'd own one when I was old enough. I still like them now (especially the sound they make!) but I can think of some other options that I'd rather have at the moment.
Thanks

[_Rob_]

Blanchimont said:

The Megane RS is a great car (I've had 3). If you're not going to be tracking it, or driving it really hard on the road, I would suggest getting a "non-cup" car, as the ride is a little less crashy and works well on the road. The Diff and the like is great for on the track, so if you do plan to track it then a Cup chassis car is what to go for.

The Sat nav systems in them are based off of a Tomtom unit, and work well. However they're getting old and need the maps updating. I would stick with your phone, and get a mount.

If you've got any questions on them, feel free to ask

I remember seeing a couple of your Reader's cars threads about your Meganes before. Stunning looking cars! They do seem brilliant and I rarely hear anything bad said about them (apart from the stereo). Even though I don't plan on tracking it I would still prefer a cup car. I'm fairly close to Wales so plenty of good roads to go exploring on.
It wouldn't be a huge deal to do without the nav especially being as I have way more data on my phone than I'll ever need. Its just me being awkward
I appreciate the help, thank you

[Blanchimont]

_Rob_ said:

Blanchimont said:

The Megane RS is a great car (I've had 3). If you're not going to be tracking it, or driving it really hard on the road, I would suggest getting a "non-cup" car, as the ride is a little less crashy and works well on the road. The Diff and the like is great for on the track, so if you do plan to track it then a Cup chassis car is what to go for.

The Sat nav systems in them are based off of a Tomtom unit, and work well. However they're getting old and need the maps updating. I would stick with your phone, and get a mount.

If you've got any questions on them, feel free to ask

I remember seeing a couple of your Reader's cars threads about your Meganes before. Stunning looking cars! They do seem brilliant and I rarely hear anything bad said about them (apart from the stereo). Even though I don't plan on tracking it I would still prefer a cup car. I'm fairly close to Wales so plenty of good roads to go exploring on.
It wouldn't be a huge deal to do without the nav especially being as I have way more data on my phone than I'll ever need. Its just me being awkward
I appreciate the help, thank you

I'm in Bristol, but often in Wales for those roads! There's quite a few people in and around South Wales with Meganes. I would join up to the groups on Facebook, as people often sell tidy cars through there.

If you have any questions about them, or want a second opinion on them or whatever, send me a DM

[_Rob_]

Just a little update:
My mom has sent her motability car back as she no longer feels fit to drive so I may have to give her a lift occasionally. This means that any low sports cars are out of the running for the time being. I don't think she would appreciate trying to climb out of a TTS or Z4! I think a hot hatch along the lines of a golf gti would be ok. Maybe I should install an ejector seat instead

I have also had a little think about my priorities so I'm reducing my budget to about £8k. My top picks right now are:
MK6 Golf GTI - considered a bit boring by some people but would be enough for me, especially with a remap. Still concerned about reliability and also older than I'd like but still a good choice I think.
MK7 Fiesta ST - smaller than I'd like and not sure how mom would find the seats, especially on longer journeys. I love the idea of running one of these although I would probably want something bigger after a year or two.
MK3 Leon FR 1.8 - weird addition considering the rest of the list but would probably be the easiest/least worrying to live with. Similar performance to my current car and still quite modern inside but obviously less fun than the other options.

Thank you all for your help, there were some great suggestions!

Blanchimont said:

I'm in Bristol, but often in Wales for those roads! There's quite a few people in and around South Wales with Meganes. I would join up to the groups on Facebook, as people often sell tidy cars through there.

If you have any questions about them, or want a second opinion on them or whatever, send me a DM

I know this isn't on the list above but I am still thinking about one. Thank you

[anthonysjb]

Mk7 Fiesta ST for sure. I'm picking up my second one at the weekend.

Great drive, economical, fast enough, cheap running costs and lots of tuning potential, and if you get on with the seats it is actually pretty comfortable on a long journey. I've driven Brighton - Edinburgh in mine and it was completely fine. Very comfortable at high speed cruising also, plenty of torque.

[_Rob_]

anthonysjb said:

Mk7 Fiesta ST for sure. I'm picking up my second one at the weekend.

Great drive, economical, fast enough, cheap running costs and lots of tuning potential, and if you get on with the seats it is actually pretty comfortable on a long journey. I've driven Brighton - Edinburgh in mine and it was completely fine. Very comfortable at high speed cruising also, plenty of torque.

I only ever hear great things about them and I can see why, as a package they seem brilliant. There is a car supermarket not too far away so I might pop down soon and sit in one to see how I feel about it.