Daily driver! Final choice! DC5/I30N/ND MX5?
Discussion
Hello all!
As the title suggests, I was able to narrow down my list of a new daily driver down to 3 cars DC5 Integra type r, 30th anniversary ND Mx5 or an i30N Performance!
Circumstances: these are all 3 cars that I would love to own and daily, all fulfill my daily duties, I also own a BBR Turbo mk1 mx5 so it doesnt need to be my weekend toy, and lastly I'm 23 so these all fit my insurance budget requirements as well as are fairly inexpensive to run!
I'm coming back from Germany where I am currently contracting in April, therefore I still have a bit of time to decide!
I'm looking forward to any of your suggestions, opinions, ownership experiences and advice!
Thanks in advance guys!
As the title suggests, I was able to narrow down my list of a new daily driver down to 3 cars DC5 Integra type r, 30th anniversary ND Mx5 or an i30N Performance!
Circumstances: these are all 3 cars that I would love to own and daily, all fulfill my daily duties, I also own a BBR Turbo mk1 mx5 so it doesnt need to be my weekend toy, and lastly I'm 23 so these all fit my insurance budget requirements as well as are fairly inexpensive to run!
I'm coming back from Germany where I am currently contracting in April, therefore I still have a bit of time to decide!
I'm looking forward to any of your suggestions, opinions, ownership experiences and advice!
Thanks in advance guys!
Unless it’s a very fresh import I’d expect any DC5s to be fairly rusty by now, but even if they don’t look it.
The I30N does exactly the same job, and you might even get the tail end of the warranty with much less maintenance costs (Both cars were on my list before I bought my I20N, which might be worth a consideration for you?)
So that leaves ND vs I30N which I think is really just a question of preference - less power and light vs higher power and heavy, and RWD vs FWD.
The I30N does exactly the same job, and you might even get the tail end of the warranty with much less maintenance costs (Both cars were on my list before I bought my I20N, which might be worth a consideration for you?)
So that leaves ND vs I30N which I think is really just a question of preference - less power and light vs higher power and heavy, and RWD vs FWD.
Thanks you all for your responses!
It is much appreciated!
I'm going to try and test drive all 3 cars and chose one based on that, I dont really need 4 seats or a massive boot and I'm a huge bbr and an mx5 fan so the 30th aniversary mx5 is definitely of interest to me!
The i30N performance, being a btcc fan is also something of interest and an exciting road going touring car proposition with practicality in mind too and a tunable powertrain and chassis
The dc5 teggy! A car that I've always listed after and I believe if I chose the right one with all the under body stripped and completely bone dry and restored and get her professionally protected and look after her as I tent to with my cars of course, she would also make for a perfect daily!
I'm looking forward to anymore input and opinions
Cheers
It is much appreciated!
I'm going to try and test drive all 3 cars and chose one based on that, I dont really need 4 seats or a massive boot and I'm a huge bbr and an mx5 fan so the 30th aniversary mx5 is definitely of interest to me!
The i30N performance, being a btcc fan is also something of interest and an exciting road going touring car proposition with practicality in mind too and a tunable powertrain and chassis
The dc5 teggy! A car that I've always listed after and I believe if I chose the right one with all the under body stripped and completely bone dry and restored and get her professionally protected and look after her as I tent to with my cars of course, she would also make for a perfect daily!
I'm looking forward to anymore input and opinions
Cheers
Caveating this by saying I’ve never driven any of your choices, but surely the i30N as a daily if you’ve already got any itineration of the MX-5 already.
DC5 is quite iconic, maybe less so than a DC2, but as others have said, you’d have to search long and carefully for a solid one.
Good position to be in, though, and plenty of time to think it over.
DC5 is quite iconic, maybe less so than a DC2, but as others have said, you’d have to search long and carefully for a solid one.
Good position to be in, though, and plenty of time to think it over.
Thanks all for responses again!
When it comes to other cars such as a mazda 3mps; I love the car and I know it's a serious weapon and a great daily but it just doesnt excite me as much as the other 3 for some reason.
I will definitely take all 3 out for a test drive as I want to experience them properly and make the right decision, as for the i30N, it would definitely have to be a hatchback despite being a big btcc fan and the preferred choice there is the fastback, I think an engine red hatch with the Performance spec would look great!
I have also considered other cars but once again they dont make me feel that excited in spirit as the said 3, I have looked at fk8 type R's and m140i too but the insursnce is a little more than I would like to pay especially since my bbr mk1s renewal was just £300 a year
When it comes to other cars such as a mazda 3mps; I love the car and I know it's a serious weapon and a great daily but it just doesnt excite me as much as the other 3 for some reason.
I will definitely take all 3 out for a test drive as I want to experience them properly and make the right decision, as for the i30N, it would definitely have to be a hatchback despite being a big btcc fan and the preferred choice there is the fastback, I think an engine red hatch with the Performance spec would look great!
I have also considered other cars but once again they dont make me feel that excited in spirit as the said 3, I have looked at fk8 type R's and m140i too but the insursnce is a little more than I would like to pay especially since my bbr mk1s renewal was just £300 a year
It’d be the i30N for me too as they just look great.
They must be good because you still need over 20k to get a nice one despite them now being 5 years old. Anything cheaper is cat N, messed with or leggy.
There’s a 22 plate i20N on AT for 22k as a private sale. I’d pay the extra over the i30 to get a much newer car for the money.
You mentioned the fk8 civic. The fk2 is probably more comparable on price and personally I prefer it to the fk8. Might not be as polished but I think it has more character.
Another Jap hatch I’ve been looking at is the Yaris GRMN but they are very few and far between.
They must be good because you still need over 20k to get a nice one despite them now being 5 years old. Anything cheaper is cat N, messed with or leggy.
There’s a 22 plate i20N on AT for 22k as a private sale. I’d pay the extra over the i30 to get a much newer car for the money.
You mentioned the fk8 civic. The fk2 is probably more comparable on price and personally I prefer it to the fk8. Might not be as polished but I think it has more character.
Another Jap hatch I’ve been looking at is the Yaris GRMN but they are very few and far between.
ChrisH72 said:
It’d be the i30N for me too as they just look great.
They must be good because you still need over 20k to get a nice one despite them now being 5 years old. Anything cheaper is cat N, messed with or leggy.
There’s a 22 plate i20N on AT for 22k as a private sale. I’d pay the extra over the i30 to get a much newer car for the money.
You mentioned the fk8 civic. The fk2 is probably more comparable on price and personally I prefer it to the fk8. Might not be as polished but I think it has more character.
Another Jap hatch I’ve been looking at is the Yaris GRMN but they are very few and far between.
Yeah the killer with the I30N is that those early cars weren’t far off what they’re selling for now when they were brand new 5 years ago! IIRC you could get one for £24k-25kThey must be good because you still need over 20k to get a nice one despite them now being 5 years old. Anything cheaper is cat N, messed with or leggy.
There’s a 22 plate i20N on AT for 22k as a private sale. I’d pay the extra over the i30 to get a much newer car for the money.
You mentioned the fk8 civic. The fk2 is probably more comparable on price and personally I prefer it to the fk8. Might not be as polished but I think it has more character.
Another Jap hatch I’ve been looking at is the Yaris GRMN but they are very few and far between.
Was able to drive i30N Performance on track soon after they came out and blown away, the grip and speed around corners was amazing. Made me think rally car.
Probably very few get to use anywhere close to its capability (unless track day fans).
The exhaust sound in the rear seats was very high, not sure if that was solely because of the (N) mode being engaged so hopefully quieter when taking the parents for lunch.
Probably very few get to use anywhere close to its capability (unless track day fans).
The exhaust sound in the rear seats was very high, not sure if that was solely because of the (N) mode being engaged so hopefully quieter when taking the parents for lunch.
Surprised on so many saying the I30. Surely it would also stand to loose the most money too.
Op - what does daily driver mean to you? How many miles are you doing and what sort of roads?
The MX-5 would be fun and easy to live with, but may diminish your weekend car or vice versa as they are ticking the same sorts of boxes.
I'd be tempted to say take a serious look for a DC5. I honestly can't believe they are all rusty. I'd also assume it would have the strongest residuals of the 3 cars you are considering and may even work out for free or breakeven motoring when you come to move it on.
Also the DC5 isn't getting any younger, so if you miss out now, you may never get one. The i30 will still be a viable daily in 5 years time as much as it is today.
Op - what does daily driver mean to you? How many miles are you doing and what sort of roads?
The MX-5 would be fun and easy to live with, but may diminish your weekend car or vice versa as they are ticking the same sorts of boxes.
I'd be tempted to say take a serious look for a DC5. I honestly can't believe they are all rusty. I'd also assume it would have the strongest residuals of the 3 cars you are considering and may even work out for free or breakeven motoring when you come to move it on.
Also the DC5 isn't getting any younger, so if you miss out now, you may never get one. The i30 will still be a viable daily in 5 years time as much as it is today.
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Monday 30th January 14:54
i30 was just an obvious choice for me for someone who already owned an mx5, makes little sense to me to own a diluted, modern equivalent as a daily. As you said yourself it's ticking the same boxes really.
The teg is a funny one. I adored mine, and yes they can be used daily but for me that would detract from it as they're not really that sort of car. Much more focused and quite harsh to use as a daily for me. Each to their own but the i30 just seems the logical choice.
The teg is a funny one. I adored mine, and yes they can be used daily but for me that would detract from it as they're not really that sort of car. Much more focused and quite harsh to use as a daily for me. Each to their own but the i30 just seems the logical choice.
I would highly recommend the I30N as well I had a 69 plate fastback in Metallic Grey, I bought it as a pre-reg for £22k, I put 25,000 miles on it and sold it for £21k. Obviously the market has helped me there but it was a great place to spend miles, came with all the toys no need for options and could always put a smile on my face. Did up to 40mpg on the motorway over my ownership did 29mpg but that was with me driving it hard at every opportunity. I ragged the nuts off it for 3 years and it never missed a beat.
I swapped it in for an M2 Comp and I wish I could have kept the I30n as well.
I swapped it in for an M2 Comp and I wish I could have kept the I30n as well.
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