Help with car choice - FST/TTS/GolfR etc

[itguy]

Hi everyone

I’m starting to sort out what car I will get next, after a string of 3x BMW i3 from work (currently an i3s).

I’m a petrolhead at heart but the work deal on the i3’s have been so good I couldn’t ignore them until now.

Short story = want some excitement back in my driving, 10-15k/yr, live in countryside (roads are average quality), just me and the wife + dog, but we have a California so dog doesn’t go in my car. Wife has an SQ2.

I’ve had various performance cars before, including M140i, S3 (2014), Boxster S, Mini JCW F56.

I don’t want to go silly on monthlies, so am thinking about £20-25k max, payments 300-400 max.

Current thoughts are - New Fiesta ST3 with all the bells and whistles / used 16/17 reg TTS or used facelift golf R. I’d try and get a manual in the TTS or Golf R if I could too. Wildcard = TTRS 2009+???

Anything else to consider?

Don’t need it to be practical.

Cheers

[Dolf Stoppard]

i30n Fastback. I nearly bought one pre-lockdown and it's still available, but now even cheaper.

Very tempting...

[Funk]

The Mk7.5 Golf R really is a consummate all-rounder; not the best at everything in every individual area but overall it's the most usable car I've had. I'd even recommend the DSG box, it's utterly brilliant. The new Mk8 R is on the horizon so prices of the 7.5 will dip when that comes out later this year or early next. Cracking car and I'd recommend one without hesitation.

[ZX10R NIN]

TT RS Plus

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

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

370Z Nismo

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

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

M2

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

Z4M

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

Cayman Sport

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

[Belle427]

I’d be looking toward the Porsche for driving fun, may not suit the mileage you do though.
Focus RS doesn’t get much love on here but may be a good purchase now, I’ve heard the ride is pretty harsh though and most choose to spend money correcting this.
Lots of good stuff around at this price point.

Edited by Belle427 on Saturday 30th May 06:51

[hepy]

Just handed back a Leon 4drive, so similar to the Golf R.

Very fast, but a bit bland, Think I missed torque steer!

Get the Fiesta, proper hot hatch, like riding a super sports bike. You’ve got the quality side covered with your wife’s Audi, so go for something a bit raw? Cheap to run and service, mind you leasing is a bit expensive relative to the cost of the car.

[stevemcs]

Out of your list Fiesta all day long, the rest are quick but a little dull.

[Stuart70]

I would be going second hand Boxster / Cayman if I had your list of requirements.

I have had a Golf R 7.5 for 2 years. It is excellent, fast, frugal and handles well.
It is screwed together well inside and looks like it will last.
It was bought for 20k miles a year of commuting, so was a workhorse. That all stopped with COVID.

It is not particularly special though. I came to it from a 911, an XFR and a 435i convertible.
All felt “more” than just a mega-hatchback. I would be going second hand for something more “special”, but that might just be me.

Next stop for me is an old Impreza turbo as I will not be doing the miles any longer.

[itguy]

Thanks very much everyone - lots of really useful thoughts for me there.

I had started to wander onto searches for a Cayman S but the only thing making me nervous is the seemingly constant maintenance. My 04 Boxster S (admittedly 100k miles) was always needing something replacing, be that the alternator, suspension bush, track rod end, blah blah. All consumables really I know, but still a bit of a pain.

Is there any love for the TTS with a manual box?

I am a total sucker for a nice interior and the TT has that in my eyes. My S3 was DSG/S-Tronic (6spd) and my wife's SQ2 obviously is (7spd). Just thinking the manual will give some involvement back?

[ZX10R NIN]

TTS is a nice car but I'd be buying the RS I know you lose out on the manual option but it's a better car with a bit of character that's lacking in the TTS.

[daddy cool]

itguy said:

Is there any love for the TTS with a manual box?
I am a total sucker for a nice interior and the TT has that in my eyes. My S3 was DSG/S-Tronic (6spd) and my wife's SQ2 obviously is (7spd). Just thinking the manual will give some involvement back?

Theres little love for the TTS on PH, regardless of the gearbox type! You usually get all the usual generic comments about it being a hairdressers car/numb steering/boring/a golf in a party frock...

Ive had a 15-plate TTS for the past 2 years, after 16 years with the same Mk2 MX5. Because I like manuals, I deliberately sought a manual version (which are fairly rare) and consequently have to put up with 0-60 in 4.9s, rather than 4.6s. Ah well, the sacrifices we make for driving enjoyment!
Coming from an MX5 gearshift, its a bit sloppy feeling, but most are in comparison, and overall im glad I chose it.
Unlike you, I needed a bit of practicality, as its my daily commute car (does 40+ mpg on the motorway) and need to carry bikes around occasionally (the useless rear seats fold down to make a pretty big boot, and even without them folding down, you could transport your dog in there ok).
Like you, I was blown away by the interior, and still find it a lovely place to be. Plus some of the tech like the LED Matrix headlights are amazing.
Driving, ive gone from the MX5 (which at its peak was Supercharged and 182bhp) to 306bhp, so ive yet to feel I need any more power on the road. In fact, if anything, its just too capable, and I suppose I miss wringing the last few rpm out of an engine like I did in the MX5 - in the Audi its all about the torque.

It was a toss up between this and a Nismo 370Z... basically as fast, but the interior is a bit of a dogs dinner (bar the lovely seats) and the MPG would get tiresome for my commute. However, if post-Covid I could work from home much more often I might consider one - or even something a bit nutty like a 5L Mustang

[cerb4.5lee]

daddy cool said:

It was a toss up between this and a Nismo 370Z... basically as fast, but the interior is a bit of a dogs dinner (bar the lovely seats) and the MPG would get tiresome for my commute. However, if post-Covid I could work from home much more often I might consider one - or even something a bit nutty like a 5L Mustang

We have similar tastes!

Had a MK2 TTS, currently have a 370Z...and I'd love a 5L Mustang!

I love the shape/interior/performance of the MK3 TTS too, and I've considered getting one quite a few times.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're considering a TTS then you might like one of these:

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

It's a bit leftfield but it has an engine with a bit more character & as a package it is just behind the TTS but the Interior is right up there.

[daddy cool]

cerb4.5lee said:

daddy cool said:

It was a toss up between this and a Nismo 370Z... basically as fast, but the interior is a bit of a dogs dinner (bar the lovely seats) and the MPG would get tiresome for my commute. However, if post-Covid I could work from home much more often I might consider one - or even something a bit nutty like a 5L Mustang

We have similar tastes!

Had a MK2 TTS, currently have a 370Z...and I'd love a 5L Mustang!

I love the shape/interior/performance of the MK3 TTS too, and I've considered getting one quite a few times.

We should swap for a year!

[cerb4.5lee]

daddy cool said:

cerb4.5lee said:

daddy cool said:

It was a toss up between this and a Nismo 370Z... basically as fast, but the interior is a bit of a dogs dinner (bar the lovely seats) and the MPG would get tiresome for my commute. However, if post-Covid I could work from home much more often I might consider one - or even something a bit nutty like a 5L Mustang

We have similar tastes!

Had a MK2 TTS, currently have a 370Z...and I'd love a 5L Mustang!

I love the shape/interior/performance of the MK3 TTS too, and I've considered getting one quite a few times.

We should swap for a year!

Love it!

[Toolslinger]

You mentioned Fiesta st,I would go with the performance edition.provided the colour isn’t to Shouty for you.