Fun and Practical Second Car - £30k Budget (Hot Hatch?)

[guy_in_the_TBC]

After running one family car for the past couple of years, we've decided a second car would now be helpful - especially with our eldest starting school in September. The good news: I get to start looking for a car that will be mine.

Budget: Up to £30k (can stretch to something like £32k for the right car, but happy to spend a bit less if possible)

Main criteria:

• Must fit two forward facing child seats comfortably in the back.
• Rear doors preferred for easier access.
• Fun and engaging to drive, wouldn't say I'm chasing big power or 0-60 times, just something that I'll enjoy driving. (Don't want anything too slow though.)
• No daily commuting (I take the train), so this is definitely a second car - weekend, school run, fun car sort of thing.

Naturally, I feel like this pushes me towards hot hatches, current shortlist contains the usual:

• BMW M140i (F20) / M135i xDrive (F40)
• Ford Focus ST (MK4.5)
• VW Golf GTI / Clubsport / R (MK7.5 or MK8)
• Mercedes A35 AMG
• Audi S3

I did consider something like an M2 or M4, but being coupes I don't really think they would work, plus the additional ongoing costs, and from what I can tell an F80 M3 carries a premium that takes good ones out of my budget. Also with the Civic Type R, I’m not a fan of the FK8 looks and unfortunately FL5 too much of a stretch.

What I m wondering:

• Am I missing any obvious contenders?
• Anyone driven these recently and have feedback or comparisons?
• Anything you d add / remove based on reliability, running costs, or driving fun for example?

I d prefer something that s either still under warranty or from an approved used scheme for (hopefully) peace of mind. Still undecided on manual versus auto - part of me wants one last manual, but I m not sure if it s a real want or just nostalgia or a feeling of I should before I can't.

Quick note: Not considering the Hyundai i30N. Had one new a few years ago and loved it, but as it was brand new factory order to my specification I m not keen on buying another used. Also found the ride a bit too firm for daily use, and prices are still very strong meaning I'd probably be spending the same or more than I got to get something similar!

Appreciate any thoughts or recommendations! I don t have loads of spare time to travel the country test driving, so trying to focus the search as best I can.

Edited by guy_in_the_TBC on Friday 13th June 16:27

[nunpuncher]

WEEKEND, school run, FUN CAR...

When you say weekend and fun car do you mean something you'd go a drive in just for the sake of it? Maybe go to a car meet?

If so, I always find I need some sort of USP (I guess some would call it a sense of occasion) from the car to enjoy it in that way. Unique engine, looks or something else special. For me the type R (crazy looks, handling, lovely gear change) or the Mégane RS (brilliant chassis) do it. The clubsport would certainly be worth a try but the others are all good but just meh!

If it was me with the same criteria I'd get an older RS3, M3 maybe some big engine Merc. But I'm irresponsible and often sit more on the risk side of risk v reward.

[jamesbilluk]

If not the FK8, I would be tempted by one of these

A Mégane RS 300
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505202...

[guy_in_the_TBC]

nunpuncher said:

WEEKEND, school run, FUN CAR...

When you say weekend and fun car do you mean something you'd go a drive in just for the sake of it? Maybe go to a car meet?

That’s the hope. Something that’ll do all the boring second car stuff that it has to do but then like you say something that I can also drive and do car guy stuff with.

So whilst it doesn’t feel very imaginative hot hatch seems the obvious choice at the moment.

[guy_in_the_TBC]

jamesbilluk said:

If not the FK8, I would be tempted by one of these

A Mégane RS 300
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505202...

Thanks, don’t know much about the Megane’s so will have a look and research. Certainly seems like a less obvious choice which could be cool.

[Belle427]

I really like the Clubsports but do wonder if the premium is worth it over a standard Gti or R. Cracking looking cars though.
£30k should get you into an F80 M3 from what I have seen and is probably where my money would go, they just look so right.
There are a lot of nice cars around for your budget really.

[ZX10R NIN]

Being a Mercedes guy it pains me to say this but buy the best M3 you can find, you'll get a very nice one with that budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505272...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502108...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502179...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506043...

Running costs are sensible & it'll do daily work with ease.

[the-photographer]

Save £10,000 and get the best looking modern Golf, the Clubsport 40

[Feirny]

Megane RS, Yaris GR or i30N.

[Belle427]

the-photographer said:

Save £10,000 and get the best looking modern Golf, the Clubsport 40

The best GTI ever made maybe?

[JJ55]

Civic type r or megane for fun drives. Both are child friendly space wise too.

[Chris_i8]

Yaris GR was my first thought or a Kia Stinger GTS - hugely practical and 'fun' in a different way to the default hot hatch.

[willttqs]

I had a similar dilemma and went for an m4 competition. My kids are both in forward facing kid seats in the back. It is usefully bigger inside than an m2.

[the-photographer]

Belle427 said:

The best GTI ever made maybe?

Very probably (with Recaros and the light weight wheels above)

[willttqs]

I had a similar dilemma and went for an m4 competition. My kids are both in forward facing kid seats in the back. It is usefully bigger inside than an m2.

[guy_in_the_TBC]

willttqs said:

I had a similar dilemma and went for an m4 competition. My kids are both in forward facing kid seats in the back. It is usefully bigger inside than an m2.

Thanks for this.

Are there any times when you think you should’ve got something more practical?

The M4 idea for me is not completely dead, especially as more options and slightly cheaper than M3 but realistically this car for me will likely be 80% the boring stuff and 20% the fun stuff which makes me think I’ll get tired of a coupe making life a little harder than it need be if you know what I mean.

[guy_in_the_TBC]

the-photographer said:

Save £10,000 and get the best looking modern Golf, the Clubsport 40

Ironically that exact car on Autotrader isn’t a million miles from me!

[guy_in_the_TBC]

Chris_i8 said:

Yaris GR was my first thought or a Kia Stinger GTS - hugely practical and 'fun' in a different way to the default hot hatch.

Stinger an interesting thought especially given KIA’s long warranties. Prices within budget too. Thanks.

[guy_in_the_TBC]

Thanks all for the replies so far!

Have added the Megane to the list to research as it’s come up a couple of times.

F80 M3 would be an obvious choice but decent ones look just a bit out of budget but keeping an eye out.

As much fun as the GR Yaris probably is, I can’t see it being that practical, or certainly no more so than an M4 and personally I’d take the BMW.

[the-photographer]

guy_in_the_TBC said:

Ironically that exact car on Autotrader isn t a million miles from me!

That's where I found the picture!

If it convenient, go and have a look and see if the size would work for you