Predictable post about what car should I buy?

[TheBollard]

Soooo I've come in to a small chunk of money. Let's call it 10k. Lucky, I know, and perfect timing, as it's getting close to new car time and I need some pointers to help steer me vaguely the right direction, as my head is on fire both with the prospect of slapping 10k down on something brand new like a Focus ST (just an example) but then I'm locked in to a PCP deal (is that such a bad thing? I'm quite frugal but the monthly repayments would be tiny)... Or I could probably find a super nice, used 350Z...

My only criteria for a car is that it can't have super high maintenance costs, it must be low mileage (just for peace of mind) very reliable, and fun (fast). Fuel economy and practicality are secondary, possibly tertiary considerations.

Please helpppppp! I'd like to narrow it down to maybe five cars, nothing too rare as I live in rural Cambridgeshire and getting about is an @rsehole.

[Nickp82]

PCP would be a terrible idea imo, yes you will have a nice shiny car for a few years with low monthly payments but at the end you will come out with nothing or close to it and won’t be able to get a similar car unless you accept substantially increased payments as the deposit won’t be as high next time around.

How about a GT-86?

[irocfan]

depends on what you want TBH - I'd be another saying no to a pcp on a new car.

A few (weird ideas):

Fiat 124 Spider - quite a few around mid/high teens. Look great (IMO) and are apparently good cars
C5 Corvette - low teens upwards, pretty near bombproof mechanically and surprisingly good on juice
Crossfire SRT6 - bang on the money, quite rapid and rare
Monaro - all sorts available at most prices ranges, including the £10k upwards one
Mini JCW of some flavour

[ZX10R NIN]

Firstly you need to decide if you want to take a PCP/Lease or a good low mileage used car.

Hot hatch wise you can get some very good metal for your 10k (or just a smidge over) leaving you without the monthlies which you can put towards running costs.

Hot hatch wise you should be able to get something 2012 or newer & with 60K ish on the clock.

Astra GTC VXR a very nice reliable daily with sensible running costs & some good thrills

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

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

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

Giulietta Cloverleaf

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

Megane RS265 Cup the best drivers hot hatch full stop

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

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

Focus ST-3 not the best looking generation but still a cracking drive

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

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

Mazda3 MPS

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

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

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

R32 Golf

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

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

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

Now coupe wise you have some good options some with more expensive tax/running costs than others but they're still reliable.

Audi TTS

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

CLK55 AMG a properly enjoyable car I loved mine & these are a solid car with this being a last of the line model it'd would be my pick.

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

E350 Coupe Sport

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

Convertible

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

Nissan 370Z

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

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

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

Infiniti G37 S

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

S5 Coupe

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

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

210 A5 Black Edition

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

330i M Sport

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

135i M Sport

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

[TheBollard]

That's a massive help. Ta!

[Mr Tidy]

If a 350Z is an option you might want to consider a BMW Z4 Coupe as well.

[spikeyhead]

I'd find a Boxster with a Hartech engine rebuild