What 'character car' for 10k?

[Dr Murdoch]

I've always had fairly lets say, distinctive cars. Started with modified Golfs in my yoof, then had a rare (standard) MK 4 R32, then family came along and I couldn't bring myself to get a normal family car, so I bought a 7 seater Nissan Cube, followed by a 'more normal' white Nissan Cube. However, now my kids afre teenagers, Daddy certainly isn't cool rocking around in a Cube! Ive been kicking this can down the road as I haven't seen anything that floats my boat, until I passed a VW Scirocco the other day and I quite liked it, I had previously been drawn to this Honda until I found out it was an electric (I travel all over the UK, from the Isle of White to Edinburgh, and everywhere in between for work).



Thats the back story, so in order of priority I'm look for something that is:

1. Approx £10k
2. A little quirky
3. Ulez compliant (I live in London)
4. At least 2 seats in the back
5. Fun to drive

Does this car exist?

[Stick Legs]

Saab.

Edited by Stick Legs on Monday 18th August 20:30

[Dr Murdoch]

Stick Legs said:

Saab.

Edited by Stick Legs on Monday 18th August 20:30

Good shout, hadn't considered a Saab. Looks like a lot of car for 10k, albeit 15years old. Anything I should be looking out for? I would only consider petrol due to Ulez.

[dave_s13]

What about a mini cooper s?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025072648...

[Dapster]

Is there any wiggle on the £10k?



https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1923380



To be honest, if you're schlepping around the country, you're better off with a Corolla....

[samoht]

A few ideas:

Juke Nismo

Toyota C-HR

Volvo C30

Kia Soul

Honda CR-Z

Fiat 500 Essesse

[Nickp82]

Mazda RX-8 R3 ticks all the boxes. Luckily you haven’t listed low running costs as a requirement

[Glenn63]

Abarth 595, bags of character.

[andburg]

Not so sure on fun but the Infiniti q30s or q50 ticks a lot of boxes

[FA57REN]

Glenn63 said:

Abarth 595, bags of character.

"Stiff suspension and one-dimensional dynamics" as Evo summarised it.

RS Twingo would be much more fun. Or a big-arse RS Mégane.

Edited by FA57REN on Monday 18th August 22:10

[Quhet]

Why not go older and look at old BMWs or Mercs? No idea on ULEZ but there will be some fairly rich pickings with interestingish engines about. E46 330ci would seem to fit the bill

[andrewpandrew]

Dr Murdoch said:

I've always had fairly lets say, distinctive cars. Started with modified Golfs in my yoof, then had a rare (standard) MK 4 R32, then family came along and I couldn't bring myself to get a normal family car, so I bought a 7 seater Nissan Cube, followed by a 'more normal' white Nissan Cube. However, now my kids afre teenagers, Daddy certainly isn't cool rocking around in a Cube! Ive been kicking this can down the road as I haven't seen anything that floats my boat, until I passed a VW Scirocco the other day and I quite liked it, I had previously been drawn to this Honda until I found out it was an electric (I travel all over the UK, from the Isle of White to Edinburgh, and everywhere in between for work).



Thats the back story, so in order of priority I'm look for something that is:

1. Approx £10k
2. A little quirky
3. Ulez compliant (I live in London)
4. At least 2 seats in the back
5. Fun to drive

Does this car exist?

I have one of them. It’s great, and certainly has character, but it’s something to runaround town in. Realistically 120 miles is the most you’ll get out of it. It’s ace though.

[Benzinaio]

Yes, the dynamics of the 595 are 'one dimensional'.
This is something that is often quoted by those that have never driven one.
Thing is, you'll be laughing too much to care!
Just make sure to get one with the Garrett turbo and not the IHI.

[hammo19]

Jaguar XF. Perfect schlepping around car.

[Stick Legs]

Dr Murdoch said:

Stick Legs said:

Saab.

Edited by Stick Legs on Monday 18th August 20:30

Good shout, hadn't considered a Saab. Looks like a lot of car for 10k, albeit 15years old. Anything I should be looking out for? I would only consider petrol due to Ulez.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17316026

This looks ace, I'm not sure what to look for but there are lots of Saab enthusiasts about.

[MattsCar]

What about a beetle with the 2.0 TSI engine. Same as the Golf GTI.

Loads of tuning (fun) potential.

https://www.evo.co.uk/volkswagen/beetle/7034/drive...

[RotorRambler]

Dr Murdoch said:

Good shout, hadn't considered a Saab. Looks like a lot of car for 10k, albeit 15years old. Anything I should be looking out for? I would only consider petrol due to Ulez.

Dire interior quality.
Dated.
High car tax

[andy43]

dave_s13 said:

What about a mini cooper s?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025072648...

Good shout.
It’d tick all but the quirky box, and that could be fixed with mods if you wanted to - the possibilities to mod these minis are endless.
Should have cruise control on these as well which will help on longer trips.

[Dr Murdoch]

andy43 said:

Good shout.
It’d tick all but the quirky box, and that could be fixed with mods if you wanted to - the possibilities to mod these minis are endless.
Should have cruise control on these as well which will help on longer trips.

Apologies, in hindsight I should have mentioned boot space! Doesn't need to be huge, but my wife has a mini, so when we as a family (x4) go away, it will be in my car.

Btw some great suggestions so far, I've lost this evening trawling through them!

[otolith]

Stick Legs said:

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17316026

This looks ace, I'm not sure what to look for but there are lots of Saab enthusiasts about.

I like Saabs, but I don’t understand the pricing of that at all.