£5k semi-practical cars that are also a bit of fun

[Blackpuddin]

Young (early 30s, which is young by my standards!) friend is asking for suggestions for an up to £5k car that he and his partner can chuck stuff in to go camping, so not a 2-seater sports, but a bit more exciting than (say) an Octavia, Volvo estate etc. Could be a saloon, he's not fussed, just needs to have a bit of excitement about it and not be too ruinous to run or maintain.
All thoughts welcome! TIA

[POIDH]

Leon hatch or estate in 1.4tsi or 1.5tsi 15-bhp - lovely handling, warm performance, handles well.

[the-norseman]

I went camping in my old 981 Cayman S.

You mention more exciting that a Octavia or Volvo, but the VRS Octavia can be exciting and the T5/R Volvos can be as well.

[Goldfever4]

e91 325 or 330 might work, particularly with a s1 remap, depending on your mate's compromise between practical and fun

[iguana]

I picked up a 130i with coilovers & a Miltek exhaust for half that budget & it's been ace. Sounds ace & it's got the pace of my old e36 M3s, handles better & fine for tip runs, carting bits of engine about & furniture etc & school runs & camping & getting a proper thrashing daily & running near flat out on a euro trip.

[chip*]

Mégane RenaultSport?
Or Civic Type R?

No direct experience so can't comment on either the reliability or the running cost.

[Blackpuddin]

the-norseman said:

I went camping in my old 981 Cayman S.

You mention more exciting that a Octavia or Volvo, but the VRS Octavia can be exciting and the T5/R Volvos can be as well.

I totally agree with that.

[Blackpuddin]

Thanks to all for the suggestions so far.

[Pablo16v]

My SiL had a Fabia estate VRS. She replaced it with an Octavia VRS when the second child came along, but really missed the Fabia which she said was a more fizzy and fun thing to drive.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502038...

[CG2020UK]

Peugeot 208 GTI

[ZX10R NIN]

Focus ST:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412036...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404249...

Mazda6 2.5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412097...

2.0T Insignia:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409073...

GTC VXR, the boot is huge

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501238...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 14th February 18:40

[Lecket]

Audi S3 could be a good option, or a 3.2 TT.

[Blackpuddin]

Thanks again for your kind suggestions.

[TameRacingDriver]

Some good suggestions already. I'll chuck a Clio 200 into the mix (or a 172/182), and FN2 Civic Type R which was probably the most practical car I've had despite owning a few larger ones, turns into a van with the seats down! Also a riot with a Hondata / remap.

I also agree with the others with the Porsche suggestion, I had a Boxster which had 2 boots, but also managed in an MX5 and MR2 Roadster. Hatchback is definitely easier though.