Genuine Search - 15k, Fun, Petrol, Manual
Discussion
I had a similar brief and settled on one of the last Leon Cupra 290's I could find with low milage, 1 owner etc and it's been brilliant so far. BUT it's auto (clutches on a manual are not the strongest)and not sure if it would be top of the list for a track focused hot hatch.
Hyundai i30N?
FK2 CTR?
398 GTi with a brake caliper rebuild.
MK4 Focus ST are creeping into your top end
A clean mk7.5 Golf GTi 245 was very tempting for me at the time, slightly nicer seats and marginally nicer inside compared to the Cupra but I wanted the extra power. The Dynaudio upgrade in the golf is supposed to be very good.
Hyundai i30N?
FK2 CTR?
398 GTi with a brake caliper rebuild.
MK4 Focus ST are creeping into your top end
A clean mk7.5 Golf GTi 245 was very tempting for me at the time, slightly nicer seats and marginally nicer inside compared to the Cupra but I wanted the extra power. The Dynaudio upgrade in the golf is supposed to be very good.
For out of the box options that can also do long road trips & trackdays as well as the day to day commute I think a full size hot hatch is the pick.
At 15k these would be my picks:
RS275 with the Cup Chassis:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408012...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407312...
Cup S:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407312...
GTC VXR only just edged out by the Megane above but it's the better allrounder imo:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408152...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408173...
308 GTI:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407171...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408142...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407171...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406271...
Going up to 20k & you can add these to the list:
Type R:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405109...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408142...
i30N some will still be in warranty:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407302...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406221...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408012...
RS280:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407252...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408022...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408142...
At 15k these would be my picks:
RS275 with the Cup Chassis:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408012...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407312...
Cup S:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407312...
GTC VXR only just edged out by the Megane above but it's the better allrounder imo:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408152...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408173...
308 GTI:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407171...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408142...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407171...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406271...
Going up to 20k & you can add these to the list:
Type R:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405109...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408142...
i30N some will still be in warranty:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407302...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406221...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408012...
RS280:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407252...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408022...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408142...
Only because the M235i has been suggested I’ll mention you are very close to M2 money. Try the M2 forum and you’ll probably get in budget.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407181...
The M2 N55 cars are by and large pretty bulletproof so won’t throw big bills. Your general servicing will be the same as the M235i and a decent indie can do it all. Tyres and discs will be pricier. Insurance needs checked as can be brutal for some but good for others. Tax is £385.
MPG in town and city will be more like 20mpg realistically but better than some listed above (i30N, ST and RS Megane)
To track days you just need to do pads and fluid.
Not limited edition but people generally love them so starts enough conversations. Sounds brilliant stock (no idea how it’s legal) so gets nice attention. I’ve had people in the gym, at football matches and in random car parks ask me about it.
Offers loads of fun even at slow speeds as it’s just more engaging and raw than some on this list. I’d suggest DCT over the manual as just makes your commute better and suits the car better in my opinion.
If you can make the figures work personally it’s worth a test drive and consideration. Acknowledge they are pricey but probably only £100 a month more than a hot hatch.
Failing that I’d recommend a Hyundai I20N!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407181...
The M2 N55 cars are by and large pretty bulletproof so won’t throw big bills. Your general servicing will be the same as the M235i and a decent indie can do it all. Tyres and discs will be pricier. Insurance needs checked as can be brutal for some but good for others. Tax is £385.
MPG in town and city will be more like 20mpg realistically but better than some listed above (i30N, ST and RS Megane)
To track days you just need to do pads and fluid.
Not limited edition but people generally love them so starts enough conversations. Sounds brilliant stock (no idea how it’s legal) so gets nice attention. I’ve had people in the gym, at football matches and in random car parks ask me about it.
Offers loads of fun even at slow speeds as it’s just more engaging and raw than some on this list. I’d suggest DCT over the manual as just makes your commute better and suits the car better in my opinion.
If you can make the figures work personally it’s worth a test drive and consideration. Acknowledge they are pricey but probably only £100 a month more than a hot hatch.
Failing that I’d recommend a Hyundai I20N!
CG2020UK said:
Only because the M235i has been suggested I’ll mention you are very close to M2 money. Try the M2 forum and you’ll probably get in budget.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407181...
The M2 N55 cars are by and large pretty bulletproof so won’t throw big bills. Your general servicing will be the same as the M235i and a decent indie can do it all. Tyres and discs will be pricier. Insurance needs checked as can be brutal for some but good for others. Tax is £385.
MPG in town and city will be more like 20mpg realistically but better than some listed above (i30N, ST and RS Megane)
To track days you just need to do pads and fluid.
Not limited edition but people generally love them so starts enough conversations. Sounds brilliant stock (no idea how it’s legal) so gets nice attention. I’ve had people in the gym, at football matches and in random car parks ask me about it.
Offers loads of fun even at slow speeds as it’s just more engaging and raw than some on this list. I’d suggest DCT over the manual as just makes your commute better and suits the car better in my opinion.
If you can make the figures work personally it’s worth a test drive and consideration. Acknowledge they are pricey but probably only £100 a month more than a hot hatch.
Failing that I’d recommend a Hyundai I20N!
You're not getting an OG M2 for 15k. Not one that you'd actually want to buy, put it that way. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407181...
The M2 N55 cars are by and large pretty bulletproof so won’t throw big bills. Your general servicing will be the same as the M235i and a decent indie can do it all. Tyres and discs will be pricier. Insurance needs checked as can be brutal for some but good for others. Tax is £385.
MPG in town and city will be more like 20mpg realistically but better than some listed above (i30N, ST and RS Megane)
To track days you just need to do pads and fluid.
Not limited edition but people generally love them so starts enough conversations. Sounds brilliant stock (no idea how it’s legal) so gets nice attention. I’ve had people in the gym, at football matches and in random car parks ask me about it.
Offers loads of fun even at slow speeds as it’s just more engaging and raw than some on this list. I’d suggest DCT over the manual as just makes your commute better and suits the car better in my opinion.
If you can make the figures work personally it’s worth a test drive and consideration. Acknowledge they are pricey but probably only £100 a month more than a hot hatch.
Failing that I’d recommend a Hyundai I20N!
Can you get i20N's for 15k? Pretty sure they're also more like 20+ but could be wrong. They're still fairly new.
tomsugden said:
Great cars. I had one- and have an M235i. The trouble with the S1 is when you start comparing it price wise with the S3 and Golf R. Other than novelty factor you’re getting much less for the same money.pb8g09 said:
tomsugden said:
Great cars. I had one- and have an M235i. The trouble with the S1 is when you start comparing it price wise with the S3 and Golf R. Other than novelty factor you’re getting much less for the same money.EVOTECH3BELL said:
Some interesting suggestions above.
Definitely not considered a TT or an M235i so will look into those.
I'd probably be flexible on the manual/auto thing.
Never had an Auto so would consider a good Auto like DSG or Dct.
Surprised no one has mentioned, Golf Gti, M140i or Golf R.
Had a run out in a friend's 140i and it really is a rocket ship but not sure how great they are out the box and they are so so common around by me. E.g. near Birmingham
Slight more background,
The original budget was around 35k so looked primarily at Mustang V8, F types and M2 Comps.
Had some work done on the house so would now need to finance a proportion to get into that amount which I'm wary of doing.
M2 wise, it has made me look at the early OG M2s so I'm back looking at those, although this is 5ikish over the 20k budget.
You said you didn't want to spend £1000's making the car right which is why most haven't suggested the M Light models & Golf etcDefinitely not considered a TT or an M235i so will look into those.
I'd probably be flexible on the manual/auto thing.
Never had an Auto so would consider a good Auto like DSG or Dct.
Surprised no one has mentioned, Golf Gti, M140i or Golf R.
Had a run out in a friend's 140i and it really is a rocket ship but not sure how great they are out the box and they are so so common around by me. E.g. near Birmingham
Slight more background,
The original budget was around 35k so looked primarily at Mustang V8, F types and M2 Comps.
Had some work done on the house so would now need to finance a proportion to get into that amount which I'm wary of doing.
M2 wise, it has made me look at the early OG M2s so I'm back looking at those, although this is 5ikish over the 20k budget.
It doesn’t have back seats, but otherwise meets the brief.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024081729...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024081729...
ZX10R NIN said:
EVOTECH3BELL said:
Some interesting suggestions above.
Definitely not considered a TT or an M235i so will look into those.
I'd probably be flexible on the manual/auto thing.
Never had an Auto so would consider a good Auto like DSG or Dct.
Surprised no one has mentioned, Golf Gti, M140i or Golf R.
Had a run out in a friend's 140i and it really is a rocket ship but not sure how great they are out the box and they are so so common around by me. E.g. near Birmingham
Slight more background,
The original budget was around 35k so looked primarily at Mustang V8, F types and M2 Comps.
Had some work done on the house so would now need to finance a proportion to get into that amount which I'm wary of doing.
M2 wise, it has made me look at the early OG M2s so I'm back looking at those, although this is 5ikish over the 20k budget.
You said you didn't want to spend £1000's making the car right which is why most haven't suggested the M Light models & Golf etcDefinitely not considered a TT or an M235i so will look into those.
I'd probably be flexible on the manual/auto thing.
Never had an Auto so would consider a good Auto like DSG or Dct.
Surprised no one has mentioned, Golf Gti, M140i or Golf R.
Had a run out in a friend's 140i and it really is a rocket ship but not sure how great they are out the box and they are so so common around by me. E.g. near Birmingham
Slight more background,
The original budget was around 35k so looked primarily at Mustang V8, F types and M2 Comps.
Had some work done on the house so would now need to finance a proportion to get into that amount which I'm wary of doing.
M2 wise, it has made me look at the early OG M2s so I'm back looking at those, although this is 5ikish over the 20k budget.
culpz said:
CG2020UK said:
Only because the M235i has been suggested I’ll mention you are very close to M2 money. Try the M2 forum and you’ll probably get in budget.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407181...
The M2 N55 cars are by and large pretty bulletproof so won’t throw big bills. Your general servicing will be the same as the M235i and a decent indie can do it all. Tyres and discs will be pricier. Insurance needs checked as can be brutal for some but good for others. Tax is £385.
MPG in town and city will be more like 20mpg realistically but better than some listed above (i30N, ST and RS Megane)
To track days you just need to do pads and fluid.
Not limited edition but people generally love them so starts enough conversations. Sounds brilliant stock (no idea how it’s legal) so gets nice attention. I’ve had people in the gym, at football matches and in random car parks ask me about it.
Offers loads of fun even at slow speeds as it’s just more engaging and raw than some on this list. I’d suggest DCT over the manual as just makes your commute better and suits the car better in my opinion.
If you can make the figures work personally it’s worth a test drive and consideration. Acknowledge they are pricey but probably only £100 a month more than a hot hatch.
Failing that I’d recommend a Hyundai I20N!
You're not getting an OG M2 for 15k. Not one that you'd actually want to buy, put it that way. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407181...
The M2 N55 cars are by and large pretty bulletproof so won’t throw big bills. Your general servicing will be the same as the M235i and a decent indie can do it all. Tyres and discs will be pricier. Insurance needs checked as can be brutal for some but good for others. Tax is £385.
MPG in town and city will be more like 20mpg realistically but better than some listed above (i30N, ST and RS Megane)
To track days you just need to do pads and fluid.
Not limited edition but people generally love them so starts enough conversations. Sounds brilliant stock (no idea how it’s legal) so gets nice attention. I’ve had people in the gym, at football matches and in random car parks ask me about it.
Offers loads of fun even at slow speeds as it’s just more engaging and raw than some on this list. I’d suggest DCT over the manual as just makes your commute better and suits the car better in my opinion.
If you can make the figures work personally it’s worth a test drive and consideration. Acknowledge they are pricey but probably only £100 a month more than a hot hatch.
Failing that I’d recommend a Hyundai I20N!
Can you get i20N's for 15k? Pretty sure they're also more like 20+ but could be wrong. They're still fairly new.
£2-3k more will get you a really tidy M2.
An I20N can be had within that £20k
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408012...
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