What are the best "drivers' cars" that are still pratical?

[sxmwht]

Sometimes I find myself daydreaming about my next car, and I'd like something that's engaging, and has a modicum of practicality about it, while not being too big.

Some background:

• 25 yo
• Currently own drive a Mk7.5 GTI
• Have a partner, but no children, and not likely in the next 3-4 years
• Have a small dog
• Occasionally travel to stay 1-2 nights with family

Quite like the M2, but I wonder if it has that "feeling factor" about it. Love the Alfa 4C, but isn't very practical. Love the Giulia QF, but think it would just be a bit too big/"mature" for me, if that makes sense. That feels like a car for an older person.

Don't think I would want a "full size" saloon when it's only me in it for the most part.

I honestly don't know where to begin looking. We have another car in the house, a GLC 220D, which is obviously pratical, but that's the OH's car and she wants something smaller next. We don't really share the cars, it's very much "hers" and "mine", and we try and share the long journeys to families out, depending on whose side of the family we are going to see. That's why both cars need to be kind of practical

Edited by sxmwht on Wednesday 20th May 17:33

[UTH]

People try and tell me my Evo 6 isn't practical, but it can fit 5 people plus a boot of luggage and still absolutely fly!

Service intervals and fuel economy might suggest otherwise, but it's bloody good fun. Can carry all the gear to a track day, beat most people there, then drive it all home.

[twocolours]

GT86/BRZ? Not the quickest but certainly a good drive. If its just the 2 of you then the rear seats being (very) small won't be an issue and with them folded down you've got a load of luggage space - can even fit a bike in if you want

Edit: missed the bit about the dog, he/she might fit on the back seats if they're not too wriggly!

[keo]

Lotus Elise has a surprisingly big boot. Cheap to run makes everything this side of a caterham feel lardy

[Jamescrs]

UTH said:

People try and tell me my Evo 6 isn't practical, but it can fit 5 people plus a boot of luggage and still absolutely fly!

Service intervals and fuel economy might suggest otherwise, but it's bloody good fun. Can carry all the gear to a track day, beat most people there, then drive it all home.

I don't see whats impractical about an Evo 6 at all if i'm honest, yeah i'm with you on the service intervals but otherwise i'd say it's very practical

[CABC]

keo said:

Lotus Elise has a surprisingly big boot. Cheap to run makes everything this side of a caterham feel lardy

correct. surprisingly practical, if everyone is 'willing'.
Dog?

[Petrolsmasher]

civic type r new shape?

[V8fan]

I feel I have to suggest a Porsche Boxster.

Storage front and back and even on the shelf inside, and normally with a spare wheel (on the older models) if you have weekends away. Many modern cars have no spare, foam is great for a nail but nothing else.

[Equus]

Budget would be helpful.

Porsche 911 and Lotus Evora are both small-dog-friendly possibilities, for example.

[sxmwht]

Budget - £40k at the top end, and I'd be doing a PCP or similar.

I realise I should have said in my OP that I _drive_ a Golf GTI, not own one. That's 2 years into its PCP

[UTH]

sxmwht said:

Budget - £40k at the top end, and I'd be doing a PCP or similar.

I realise I should have said in my OP that I _drive_ a Golf GTI, not own one. That's 2 years into its PCP

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mitsubishi/evo-vii--ix/mitsubishi-lancer-2-0-evo-viii-fq-300-4dr/10524900

Go on.....

[sxmwht]

UTH said:

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

Go on.....

No thank you! They are really not "me" at all!

[UTH]

sxmwht said:

UTH said:

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

Go on.....

No thank you! They are really not "me" at all!

Probably shouldn't be me either at 35, but I doubt I'll ever sell mine. haha

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say a GT-R fits the bill these are very much a drivers car & it's something different, I'd look for one that's been looked after by Litchfield/Severn Valley etc.

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

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

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

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

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

A very underrated Nissan is the Nismo 370Z it's very much a drivers car & they're sensibly priced:

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

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

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

Lotus Evora S

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

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

[sxmwht]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say a GT-R fits the bill these are very much a drivers car & it's something different, I'd look for one that's been looked after by Litchfield/Severn Valley etc.

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

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

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

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

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

A very underrated Nissan is the Nismo 370Z it's very much a drivers car & they're sensibly priced:

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

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

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

Lotus Evora S

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

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

Out of those, the Evora S jumps out at me. One I've looked at before. Are they practical then? Back seats big enough for a cocker spaniel?

Not a Nissan fan at all. Appreciate the GTR, but I'dnever own one

[MDL111]

911 - probably a nice manual 997.2 or a 996 with a Hartech rebuild (to de-risk it) sounds like the perfect car for you
A Z3 M Coupe could also work (although no rear seats, so either dog in front footwell/on lap or pack in a way that the luggage can’t crush him in the boot)
Corvette C6 Z06, but again only 2 seats and it this case no rear area for the dog
Porsche 968 Sport - I think they are cool as f..., but obviously quite old
BMW M3 CSL

[N111BJG]

MDL111 said:

911 - probably a nice manual 997.2 or a 996 ....

I would have agreed until yesterday when a 964 Targa was parked next to me at M&S Foodstore whilst we were both loading up, the ‘boot’ was clearly much larger and more useable than that of my 997.

So if it’s going to be a 911, then the 964 is clearly the more practical version.

[ZX10R NIN]

sxmwht said:

Out of those, the Evora S jumps out at me. One I've looked at before. Are they practical then? Back seats big enough for a cocker spaniel?

Not a Nissan fan at all. Appreciate the GTR, but I'dnever own one

The Evora is practical enough for a Cocker Spaniel in 2+2 form.

Leftfield option BMW i8:

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

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

[markirl]

Do you both only buy new or are you open to a used car?

Thing jumping out at me is that you're only 25 and considering 2 cars in the household, if you changed approach a bit you could have your cake and eat it - something practical and comfortable for your long journeys with dog and something fun for the day to day. Someone suggested the Boxster and that's where my money would go - Boxster or a Cayman, you can get really decent ones for £10-15k which I imagine is in line with 3 years PCP cost but you'd own the car at the end.

I know you say you aren't mad about Nissan, but a 350/370Z is definitely worth a look too - actually reasonably practical and doggo could go in boot potentially.

Other car I'd look at would be e92 m3 (everyone should own a v8 in their lifetime).

[fastraxx]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say a GT-R fits the bill these are very much a drivers car & it's something different, I'd look for one that's been looked after by Litchfield/Severn Valley etc.

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

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

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

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

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

A very underrated Nissan is the Nismo 370Z it's very much a drivers car & they're sensibly priced:

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

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

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

Lotus Evora S

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

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

A GTR is a drivers car :haha: good one

Get a lotus exige/Elise/Porsche - they are drivers cars not a big heavy chav lump