What’s the best performance car under 50k for rough roads?
What’s the best performance car under 50k for rough roads?
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Discussion

toasty

Original Poster:

8,207 posts

243 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
quotequote all
I’m currently staying at the in laws in Hungary and there are some lovely driving roads interspersed with really rough and rutted tarmac.

Given a budget of 50k (sadly no 911 Dakar in budget) what would you buy for all round duties plus fun? No commuting or school runs required.

Dave.

7,788 posts

276 months

WCZ

11,293 posts

217 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
quotequote all
that's a tricky one I think, possibly a SVR, cayenne turbo or something?

Alorotom

12,685 posts

210 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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Ariel Nomad

plfrench

4,294 posts

291 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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GeniusOfLove

4,726 posts

35 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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WCZ said:
that's a tricky one I think, possibly a SVR, cayenne turbo or something?
This, the actual usage case for these things. On the smallest wheels that fit over the discs.

I used to take my MX5 on the smaller wheels on some very broken roads and lanes but it got beached more than once hehe

smithyithy

7,785 posts

141 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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Gad-Westy

16,193 posts

236 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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Alorotom said:
Ariel Nomad
Yes! There's one on AT for £45k as we speak. Seems ideal.

Juan B

634 posts

27 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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Gad-Westy said:
Alorotom said:
Ariel Nomad
Yes! There's one on AT for £45k as we speak. Seems ideal.
This was my first thought too

Ranger 6

7,549 posts

272 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
quotequote all
Dave. said:
cloud9

I remember watching that!!

Lefty

19,722 posts

225 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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Alorotom said:
Ariel Nomad
I came here to post that. Sounds like the perfect car for the situation really.

Scootersp

3,945 posts

211 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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ebay "Subaru Forester STI 2004 SG9 677BHP Fully forged GT35Turbo" could be interesting biggrin

toasty

Original Poster:

8,207 posts

243 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
quotequote all
The Nomad sounds like a hoot but too impractical for daily driver. Subaru was initial thought but like the idea of the G-wagen. Do these actually handle?

Lefty

19,722 posts

225 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
quotequote all
Not really.

You want something with small-ish wheels and decent sidewall height. Good suspension travel and not too low. But it has to be refined enough as a daily driver? And fun?

That’s a tricky combination!

Some kind of fast 4x4 seems the obvious choice.

A forester turbo is a great shout but I wouldn’t be spending that kind of money on one.

How about an Evo 5 or 6? They have decent wheel travel and you can easily get bash plates off the shelf for diff and sump.

LRDefender

428 posts

31 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
quotequote all
Having driven many thousands of kilometres on Eastern European roads I'd suggest save some a bit of money for some trick suspension to give yourself some greater ground clearance.

This is an effort by one of the locals....



Although I'd be very tempted by that G Wagon.

Josemartinez

262 posts

13 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
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Dave. said:
This is a great website especially for a lottery win.

MC Bodge

27,615 posts

198 months

Thursday 21st August 2025
quotequote all
toasty said:
I’m currently staying at the in laws in Hungary and there are some lovely driving roads interspersed with really rough and rutted tarmac.

Given a budget of 50k (sadly no 911 Dakar in budget) what would you buy for all round duties plus fun? No commuting or school runs required.
A Dacia Duster with suspension mods.

Timoo

66 posts

79 months

Friday 22nd August 2025
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What about a GR Yaris? If you wanted something a bit smaller then the above suggestions.

Not amazing ground clearance but could always raise it slightly/change suspension if you found it was too low.

littleredrooster

6,146 posts

219 months

Friday 22nd August 2025
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I'll take an Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrofoglio, please Bob.

ZX10R NIN

30,020 posts

148 months

Friday 22nd August 2025
quotequote all
Shogun Evo job jobbed wink