New-ish RWD coupe for around £25k

[Delahorney]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to capitalise on some positive equity in my current car (i30N) and change before the value drops again.

I'd like something RWD as I've always had FWD cars up until now and would like something different. My first thought was an m140i/m240i but for some reason my usual insurers either flat out won't insure me on them or the premiums are eye watering.

Does anyone have any suggestions for fun RWD coupes that are around 2 years old that would be good for a few track days a year?

Current options I'm considering are 370Z and possibly waiting for the new GR86 later in the year.

Thanks in advance!

[shiversaint]

Is the 2 year old thing a hard limit?

That really restricts you IMO.

[Delahorney]

Not a hard limit, no. Just would prefer something on the newer side.

[JmatthewB]

My GT86 was very cheap to insure. Probably because it's a 'slow' car.

Plus a 2 year old one will cost less than £20k.

[Delahorney]

JmatthewB said:

My GT86 was very cheap to insure. Probably because it's a 'slow' car.

Plus a 2 year old one will cost less than £20k.

Not to be that guy, but it is a bit slow isn't it? My view is probably jaded because my N has 275bhp and my previous Leon had 300BHP.

Are they as fun to drive as everyone makes out? I'd likely swap from the 86 into an M2 further down the road once I've built up apparent RWD knowledge for insurers.

[JmatthewB]

Delahorney said:

Not to be that guy, but it is a bit slow isn't it? My view is probably jaded because my N has 275bhp and my previous Leon had 300BHP.

Are they as fun to drive as everyone makes out? I'd likely swap from the 86 into an M2 further down the road once I've built up apparent RWD knowledge for insurers.

Yes, you'll probably find it slow. Not just in power but in torque. It really doesn't move until you're over 5K rpm. However, for me having to rev the nuts off it is part of the fun.

Also adding to the fun factor is that it is under-tyred. When cornering relatively low speeds your can feel the car moving or yawing underneath you, not so much that you need to correct it, but it just makes it feel alive.

[Delahorney]

JmatthewB said:

Delahorney said:

Not to be that guy, but it is a bit slow isn't it? My view is probably jaded because my N has 275bhp and my previous Leon had 300BHP.

Are they as fun to drive as everyone makes out? I'd likely swap from the 86 into an M2 further down the road once I've built up apparent RWD knowledge for insurers.

Yes, you'll probably find it slow. Not just in power but in torque. It really doesn't move until you're over 5K rpm. However, for me having to rev the nuts off it is part of the fun.

Also adding to the fun factor is that it is under-tyred. When cornering relatively low speeds your can feel the car moving or yawing underneath you, not so much that you need to correct it, but it just makes it feel alive.

This is true! I think my best bet is to wait for the GR86 as that should hopefully solve a small portion of the power deficit and update the interior nicely with CarPlay etc. Thanks for the input.

[JmatthewB]

If you could live with something a little older, how about a Cayman or Boxter? Plenty of decent ones for under £25k

[Delahorney]

JmatthewB said:

If you could live with something a little older, how about a Cayman or Boxter? Plenty of decent ones for under £25k

Would the insurance not be a similar issue as on the m140is? Feel like a 28 year old trying to get insured on anything BMW/Porsche at the moment is difficult.

Also, I’d be wary of the maintenance costs on them.

[PH User]

I would spend £15-18k on a lightweight sports car, Elise VX220 Caterham and the rest on a small hatch.

Great fun and very little depreciation over the 2 vehicles.

I know this doesn't meet with the 2 year thing, but why would you care how old a car is? I would have thought how a car makes you feel is more important.

[pb8g09]

Delahorney said:

Would the insurance not be a similar issue as on the m140is? Feel like a 28 year old trying to get insured on anything BMW/Porsche at the moment is difficult.

Also, I’d be wary of the maintenance costs on them.

Have you got points for speeding or something? I was getting insured on a 330d at 28 having only 2 years no claims and a license for 4 years for £800.

[Delahorney]

pb8g09 said:

Delahorney said:

Would the insurance not be a similar issue as on the m140is? Feel like a 28 year old trying to get insured on anything BMW/Porsche at the moment is difficult.

Also, I’d be wary of the maintenance costs on them.

Have you got points for speeding or something? I was getting insured on a 330d at 28 having only 2 years no claims and a license for 4 years for £800.

I do have 3 points from an SP30 from this time last year. It only seems to be the BMW quotes which are adversely affected. I’ve tried other similarly powerful RWD cars and while the premiums are indeed higher than my i30N, it’s by a more expected £100 or so.

[pb8g09]

Delahorney said:

I do have 3 points from an SP30 from this time last year. It only seems to be the BMW quotes which are adversely affected. I’ve tried other similarly powerful RWD cars and while the premiums are indeed higher than my i30N, it’s by a more expected £100 or so.

Hmmm, who knows how these underwriting algorithms work...!

[ZX10R NIN]

370Z Nismo a proper drivers car but you're looking at a 2016:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105102...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104191...

You can get a normal GT that meets your criteria but I'd buy the Nismo.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011095...

[Mr Tidy]

2 year age limit is pretty restrictive for an RWD car.

Mine is nearly 15 years old but cost about 50% of your budget!

Hope you find the right choice.