Car suggestions

[Althalus]

I'm in need of some advice.
After a 6 month saga with a new a110 (amazing drive, shoddy build and paint quality) which has finally resulted in a full refund from the dealer I have up to 50k to spend on a new car. The idea was to run this and a daily.

I'm pretty jaded and frankly tired after the last six months and fancy a total change of car/class.

I've previously had an Alfa qv, gt86, rx7, Leon cupra, Clio RS and a couple of boring cars.

I'd ideally like new or reasonably new, under the 40k tax limit if possible.
I'm planning on running this as my only car and there's talk of kids once we've moved. I'd prefer a slightly more compliant ride rather than bone shaking.

At the moment I keep coming bact to hot hatches as they seem to be dieing out. I can not believe how expensive they've got this year
Considering
I20/i30n fun, good warranty, plenty of space, last gen felt cheap inside when I drove one a few years ago.
Focus st again affordable good daily
Type R no longer really affordable
Something vag -this generation seems lacking
M240i -wild card bit expensive not enough doors!

Open to anything else suggestion wise?

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd suggest the M3 especially (if you can stretch the budget) in CS form:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305046...

Jahre Edition:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209099...

Competition:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302244...

Giulia QV (these will still have a couple of years worth of warranty left too)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303135...

Hatch wise the RS3 is a great shout:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304015...

Saloon:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304276...

CLA 35:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305026...

Shooting Brake:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303285...

45 S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304246...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303215...

Civic Type R:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303085...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304076...

M340i Touring:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305036...

[Althalus]

Thanks ZX,

Much appreciated input. Of those the M3 CS and oddly the 340 estate really appeal. I'd love a type R but can't really wrap my head around 50k for a hot hatch..

Not quite so keen on the Mercedes but I've never actually driven one to see how they behave.

I've had the Alfa before, amazing car but fancy something different.

I guess it's the age old struggle of fun, practical, a bit special and not going to depreciate like a lead balloon aka the holy grail!

[CG2020UK]

Completely left field and it might be too old and/or too firm but can’t see a red Focus RS losing much money

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211061...

[blueovercream]

What about a performance pack-equipped Mk 7.5 Golf GTI?

Agree the newer VAG stuff is generally a bit uninspiring but that’s one car that I’d really think seriously about. It does everything you need and you could get a really good one for significantly under budget.

[Althalus]

CG2020UK said:

Completely left field and it might be too old and/or too firm but can’t see a red Focus RS losing much money

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211061...

Ooo I really like that it's a bit different, a bit special and can still chuck the kids in if and when they arrive.

I like left field cars...

[CG2020UK]

Althalus said:

Ooo I really like that it's a bit different, a bit special and can still chuck the kids in if and when they arrive.

I like left field cars...

Needed something different to beat ZX choices as he covered everything lol.

I test drove a normal RS years ago with the m380 pack when they first came out but I just couldn’t gel with it due to the high seating position and heavy clutch. Also early model reliability issues were a worry back then. Realistically I think I was spending a lot of my income on it and just knew it wasn’t right for me at the time.

Regardless of its flaws it’s the only car I find myself thinking of and can remember the whole test drive even 4 years later.

Looks amazing still to this day I think. Realistically I fancy one to replace the M2 maybe when kids come along.

[ZX10R NIN]

Althalus said:

Thanks ZX,

Much appreciated input. Of those the M3 CS and oddly the 340 estate really appeal. I'd love a type R but can't really wrap my head around 50k for a hot hatch..

Not quite so keen on the Mercedes but I've never actually driven one to see how they behave.

I've had the Alfa before, amazing car but fancy something different.

I guess it's the age old struggle of fun, practical, a bit special and not going to depreciate like a lead balloon aka the holy grail!

How about a mix of the two & go for an Alpina B3 Touring:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303145...

Your we;come