What quick daily? 25k

[cris654321]

Evening gentlemen and women

So I'm looking for something quick and fun to get me to work

fairly livable for all roads in all weather's etc.

No kids yet, I sometimes work nights so good headlights would be a big bonus
I'm only really considering a petrol engine of atleast 2l

I don't really want anything smaller than a golf in size

Fairly quick and enjoyable on the road and capable of the odd track day if the mood strikes mpg not really important

Max 25k under 5 years old

Im considering the following:

Golf gti/r
Focus st 2.0/2.3
Audi S3
BMW 3/4/5 series with the 40i engine (1/2 series seem great value but I don't really like the look)
Gt86

Any obvious choices I'm missing?
I'd also like to hear of your ownership experiences what do you drive? Why do you love it or hate it?

Thanks in advance

Chris

[TREMAiNE]

Depends on what sort of roads you commute on.

Pretty biased recommendation, but 25k might just squeeze you into a Mustang GT.

[MethylatedSpirit]

Megane RS IV 280?

You might get an early trophy in budget.

[Alex_225]

MethylatedSpirit said:

Megane RS IV 280?

You might get an early trophy in budget.

That would probably be my thoughts too, RS Megane if it's going to be a hot hatch.

Perhaps Golf GTI if not as I suspect it's a great all rounder.

[Hackney]

Of those on / near your list I've owned a Golf R, Focus and a BMW 135i.
For me it'd be the Golf every time (mine was an estate)
BMW 135 / 140 is nice but too small in the back to be of any real (pleasurable) use.
Focus wouldn't feel as special at that price, and is a step down in performance. Although £25k could get you into an RS, not driven one but is it as refined as a BMW / Golf?

[thebraketester]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012207...

Needs a little TLC admittedly.

[TREMAiNE]

thebraketester said:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012207...

Needs a little TLC admittedly.

I can never understand how someone can have the audacity to put a car of that value up for sale and not even bother to clean it for the photos.

[Uhtred]

No point in getting a GTI when you could get a Cupra. Cupra is faster than most of them round a track as well.

Otherwise I would go for the Golf R for all round practicality and if you care about AWD. If the fun element is more important then the GT86

[jwilco]

If you wanted to save some monies and get something around the £20k, the Leon Cupra is a decent shout. Could squeeze the i30n on the list as well.

[Pistonsquirter]

I am reliably informed that a Golf R estate is the ultimate sleeper daily. No idea how much they cost though, and I think they only come in blue.

[therams]

Skoda octavia vRS?

[ZX10R NIN]

370 Nismo a great drivers car that you'll also enjoy it on the track whilst listening to that V6:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012086...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012247...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101097...

M4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010315...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101067...

Now with Track Days in mind the i30N comes to mind you won't invalidate the warranty taking it on track either:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012317...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011266...

Civic Type R GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011166...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008212...

A very good underrated alternative is the Astra GTC VXR they have everything you're looking for & you'll also save a chunk of money too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006130...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009053...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010285...

[cris654321]

TREMAiNE said:

Depends on what sort of roads you commute on.

Pretty biased recommendation, but 25k might just squeeze you into a Mustang GT.

25miles each way a and b roads 6 times a fortnight usually often at silly o clock so there empty 😁

[samoht]

Merc C43 AMG, 4wd 362hp, 2017, £23k
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009143...

[tonyb1968]

The i30N is the obvious choice if you want a road and track car, though you can pick up one of the last Peugeot 308 GTI's up for around 23k with delivery miles on the clock, its not a 2ltr but punches well above its weight compared to the likes of the Golf GTi etc, and its got that Torsen LSD.

Even better this one, less than 1k on the clock.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010235...

Edited by tonyb1968 on Wednesday 13th January 02:47

[jakesmith]

I don’t see any value in a Peugeot compared to the C43 coupe.
Personally I always buy an older car and get something that was £70k-£100k new, it will cost a bit to run but you get something that was a lot more special in its day.

[tonyb1968]

jakesmith said:

I don’t see any value in a Peugeot compared to the C43 coupe.
Personally I always buy an older car and get something that was £70k-£100k new, it will cost a bit to run but you get something that was a lot more special in its day.

Well about 93k miles difference, the bills the merc will be incurring due to its mileage, its overall running and servicing costs and I would say the Peugeot will be better on the track, apart from being considerably lighter, its also pretty agile.
Just over 20k gets you a sub 1k mile car, no brainer really.

[romeodelta]

jakesmith said:

I don’t see any value in a Peugeot compared to the C43 coupe.
Personally I always buy an older car and get something that was £70k-£100k new, it will cost a bit to run but you get something that was a lot more special in its day.

Agreed.

OP, if you ditch the age requirement, you could get a nice Boxster or Cayman in budget.

[Belle427]

Focus RS if your considering the ST.

[FamousPheasant]

You mention 3/4 series, in which case there is plenty of small exec type cars to consider ie Kia Stinger, Alfa Giulia Veloce & Jaguar XE S. I've had a Giulia before and it was a great car to drive and reliable in my experience.