£15k fun daily

[Hippea]

I have a pretty unique requirements for a new car, I live on the Isle of Wight, with my commute being 22 miles a day exclusively on B roads.

I will be doing around 6000 miles a year and I want something fun but usable all year. My thoughts are along the lines of a Integra DC5 or pre 2005 Impreza STI, rust worries me slightly on both of these as I will be using them all year round and garage space is occupied by classics.

Any suggestions?

[ZX10R NIN]

With being surrounded by sea meaning the potential for rust is higher, I'd go about it a bit differently, buy a sensibly priced 208 GTI (a future classic alongside the Fiesta ST) they're an absolute ball to drive & you can leave it outside:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108055...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108256...

Then with the balance of your 15k you can go & buy a nice modern classic JDM to sit in the garage.

DC5

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224570830140?hash=item3...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324764913842?hash=item4...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224570830140?hash=item3...

EK9 Type R

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165034717425?hash=item2...

WRX STI

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224581118992?hash=item3...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107104...

Celica GT4 ST205

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194312792166?hash=item2...

Silvia

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224582895531?hash=item3...v0AAOSwy-JhI3ed

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184979499323?hash=item2...

Or you could just go for a GT86:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185007987196?hash=item2...

[fflump]

For all-year round you could look at AWD like Brera 3.2 SV Q4 (though decent ones are under half your budget), or a newer Audi TTS.

[Hippea]

ZX10R NIN said:

With being surrounded by sea meaning the potential for rust is higher, I'd go about it a bit differently, buy a sensibly priced 208 GTI (a future classic alongside the Fiesta ST) they're an absolute ball to drive & you can leave it outside:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108055...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108256...

Then with the balance of your 15k you can go & buy a nice modern classic JDM to sit in the garage.

DC5

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224570830140?hash=item3...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324764913842?hash=item4...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224570830140?hash=item3...

EK9 Type R

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165034717425?hash=item2...

WRX STI

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224581118992?hash=item3...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107104...

Celica GT4 ST205

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194312792166?hash=item2...

Silvia

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224582895531?hash=item3...v0AAOSwy-JhI3ed

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184979499323?hash=item2...

Or you could just go for a GT86:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185007987196?hash=item2...

Some great suggestions but this has to be a year round daily to be stored outside. I have to classic cars that are stored in my garage, I’m not looking for another toy but a fun daily.

The Peugeot is a interesting one, I’ve always dismissed this era GTI, I will do my research. The ST is on my radar, but I’m not a huge Ford fan.

[E63eeeeee...]

I'm having a similar thought process at the moment about a winter commute if a job application comes off, and currently thinking Audi TTS or S1 (if I fit in it, not been in one yet). This is admittedly partly an excuse to tick 4x4 and Audi boxes in one go. Decent non-cat S1s are about 15k up (3k more than earlier this year), TTS from about 9-10k if you're willing to go for an older car, they mostly have low mileages.

[ZX10R NIN]

Hippea said:

Some great suggestions but this has to be a year round daily to be stored outside. I have to classic cars that are stored in my garage, I’m not looking for another toy but a fun daily.

The Peugeot is a interesting one, I’ve always dismissed this era GTI, I will do my research. The ST is on my radar, but I’m not a huge Ford fan.

The 208 GTI is a great fun daily spend around 10k & you can get a Peugeot Sport 208 GTI which is a riot of a car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107014...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107124...

If you want to spend the full 15k & something a bit bigger then the 308 GTI PS270 is another great B Road car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107175...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108266...

The Astra GTC VXR is another good steer that well worthy of a test drive as a minimum & from all the cars listed would only come second to the 308 GTI as a car I'd purchase:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108035...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107084...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107155...

[georgeyboy12345]

Alfa Giulietta TBi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101308...


EP3 Honda Civic Type R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107155...


Honda S2000
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106103...


ND Mazda MX-5 2.0
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107215...

...or the 1.5 version
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108206...


Mini JCW
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107305...


Nissan 370Z
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108246...


Peugeot 308 GTi 270
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108256...


Renaultsport Megane
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108246...


Suzuki Swift Sport Boosterjet
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105072...


Toyota GT86
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108186...

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Can you get an Elise for that money? Your needs sounds like the perfect use-case for something like that.

[Hippea]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Can you get an Elise for that money? Your needs sounds like the perfect use-case for something like that.

Problem with the Elise is I don’t think I would fit, I’ve never tried but I’m 6’4”

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Hippea said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Can you get an Elise for that money? Your needs sounds like the perfect use-case for something like that.

Problem with the Elise is I don’t think I would fit, I’ve never tried but I’m 6’4”

Easy. Never use the roof and buy a hat for winter!

[georgeyboy12345]

You won't get an Elise for under 15 grand anyway

[simonw67]

georgeyboy12345 said:

You won't get an Elise for under 15 grand anyway

yes, they do come up recently

[ChocolateFrog]

Porsche Boxster?

The problem with older JDM stuff is they all seem to suffer in the winter although I like the shout of a Nissan Silvia S15, i almost bought a decent spec R for £7.5k a few years ago, it will be a £15k car today easily.

[Summit_Detailing]

MINI Cooper S was my first thought - then I read the replies and gb12345 has already mentioned it.

[steve_f20]

For a variation on the Subaru theme how about a Forester STI, I will admit a vested interest in this suggestion as mine is in the classifieds.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12178478

[flying-banana]

Here's a leftfield option...an RCZ R (has to be an R though!)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021072654...

[ZX10R NIN]

They're very good underrated cars but at that price I'd be buying the 308 GTI,

So OP do any of the suggestions work for you?