The perfect "all rounder"

[Ecksloon]

Gents,

I am looking to go self employed and I am looking at a "all rounder" or the perfect 1 car does all..... If it even exists!
20K budget
Car will be doing motorway journeys (Maybe 10-12K per year)
Car will need to presentable/professional (ish)
Good on fuel
Comfortable
Able to do a track day
Able still to have fun it in when desired.

Does such a car exist?

e92 m3?
Golf GTI?
BMW 435d?
Any other suggestions?

Edited by Ecksloon on Wednesday 1st December 11:41

[_Hoppers]

[Canon_Fodder]

Golf R might be better than a GTI

or a 240i

[zippy3x]

Don't know what your line of work is - but be aware of the "If you can afford that car, you can afford to give me a discount" factor

with that in mind, Skoda Octavia vRS (debadged)

Edited by zippy3x on Wednesday 1st December 12:39

[velocemitch]

Alfa Giulia Veloce, or if fuel really is an issue a Speciale.

[brillomaster]

trackday and fun has to be a petrol, and ideally naturally aspirated.

As much as we all know the greatest all rounder is a BMW 330d, it really wouldnt be a good track car, or that much fun. so i'd say a E92 330i.

or, if you can manage two seats, either a BMW Z4M, or some kind of porsche cayman.

[MattyD803]

Skoda Octavia VRS. Have a read of this:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Assuming you can see past the badge....I would suggest the Octavia VRS Estate is possibly one of the most versatile cars out there, for the money.

£20k should see you into a decent spec 2018 onwards car, low owners, <35k on the clock, from an approved main dealer with warranty and maybe a cheeky service or two included.

Obviously. M3 Vs VRS Octavia I guess is complete non-starter argument in terms of driving 'thrill', particularly on a track day....but well worth baring ion mind, with the BMWs mentioned, i'd expect you'll be looking at 8-10 year old cars, with comparatively high(er) miles and a far increased chance of a big bill looming.....with the sort of warranty offered from your typical non-approved used dealer being mostly useless.

Edited by MattyD803 on Wednesday 1st December 14:21

[Bigus]

BMW 640D grand coupé , 0-60 in 5 seconds ish and possible 50 mpg , and very presentable without being shouty . Look up the YouTube reviews.

https://youtu.be/REP4ieMdmRA

[DaveyBoyWonder]

I guess the curveball in the requirement is the trackday bit and for that reason, I'd suggest a hot hatch of some kind - Golf R, S3, M135i/M140i. All reasonably economical for doing 10k miles a year, all more than capable on a track and aren't too shouty.

[Volvolover]

I'd have a separate trackday car and everyday car. Fun on track does not need to be expensive, especially if you buy one already prepped.

Octavia VRS Wagon is a good shout for the daily or a Superb wagon with the 280 engine if in budget

leave £5k for a track car n trailer

[Ecksloon]

The curve ball is the track day part. If I had the space I would have two separate cars, but I dont.

BMW M235i or M240i are both good calls - They seem to fit the bill nicely.

The Octavia I doubt would be much fun on a track (I have never driven one) but I am sure its amazing as a daily driver.

[ZX10R NIN]

Ecksloon said:

Gents,

I am looking to go self employed and I am looking at a "all rounder" or the perfect 1 car does all..... If it even exists!
20K budget
Car will be doing motorway journeys (Maybe 10-12K per year)
Car will need to presentable/professional (ish)
Good on fuel
Comfortable
Able to do a track day
Able still to have fun it in when desired.

Does such a car exist?

e92 m3?
Golf GTI?
BMW 435d?
Any other suggestions?

Edited by Ecksloon on Wednesday 1st December 11:41

I'd look for two separate cars, so I'd buy one of these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111239...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111199...

Or a Giulietta:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111019...

It'll see you right for the next 4-5 years, leaving you a healthy budget for the track/weekend toy.


350Z

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108146...

[Ecksloon]

Ive just found this and actually quite like it.....

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110168...

[Volvolover]

The trouble is what makes a good track car makes an awful road car in general. It’s going g to be a compromise for both activities

[georgeyboy12345]

A self employed what? For example, the vehicle requirements for a self employed landscape gardener will be different to a self employed mortgage broker! Anyway, here's what I'd be looking at

Peugeot 308 GTi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111239...


Ford Focus ST
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110299...

Estate version
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108025...


VAG stuff - are any of these really that good on track though? Not sure

VW Golf GTI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110208...

VW Golf R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106234...

VW Golf R Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106234...

Seat Leon Cupra 300
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110048...

Seat Leon Cupra 290 Sport Tourer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110198...

Skoda Octavia vRS TSI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109287...

Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111259...


Diesels that should still be fun on track

BMW 435d GranCoupe
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111189...

Maserati Ghibli 3.0 TD V6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111059...


Saloons

Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110138...


BMW 335i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111169...


Mercedes CLA45 AMG
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201902195...


Perhaps a more liberal interpretation of "goof on fuel" is this Jaguar XF 5.0 V8
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108196...

[PH User]

2 cars is the only real answer to this question.


Way more fun.

[samoht]

There's a reason you see so many Porsches around - surely ideal at covering all the OP's bases?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106304...


too much of a brave pill? Looks like you can just about get a 987.2 Cayman (i.e. the first ones with the durable engines) for £20k
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109247...

or the Boxster equivalent is also slightly more common at the budget

[cerb4.5lee]

PH User said:

2 cars is the only real answer to this question.

I'm another one who agrees with this.

[CABC]

I don't see so many Porsches on track days?
if I had to choose 1 car to cover OP it could be a Cayman, but I'd do everything possible to avoid having one car. it just doesn't work very well..

[cerb4.5lee]

Ecksloon said:

BMW M235i or M240i are both good calls - They seem to fit the bill nicely.

I haven't owned one, but this would be the direction that I'd go in if I wanted 1 good all round car.