Toy Car - What to buy

[TheHighlander]

As above

I am looking to spend around £22k

Needs to have 4 doors as the kids love going a run in the car with me.

I have quite a few motors just now but my toy is a MK3 Focus RS, previously had - Cosworths, Evo 6/8,8MR, Impreza - Every shape of STI including v5 type R. E46 M3s x5 and a lot more.

So looking for something quick - My 400bhp FRS isn't cutting it for fun, it's still quite lazy.

So I have

F80 M3 - Problem being around that money the majority are CAT S
C63 Facelift - Seems an option but they just don't stand out like an M3.
CLA 45 or C43 again not sure
M4 falls into this bracket (my kids are 4 and 5 but not sure would it be a pain for them) if anyone has had one with kids, again it's for weekend runs etc let me know.
I can't think of anything else, this is purely for a weekend toy, and I am planning a ring trip with it.

[paddy1970]

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

[Krikkit]

W204 C63, W212 E63 5.5 might be in budget, XFR (easy to turn the wick up to a safe 575hp with a map as well)

[TheHighlander]

Oh that's some other options.

To be fair I am not against a CAT S option if it has been repaired properly BUT they all seem to be the Bradford area which has never worked out well for me when viewing cars.

[Belle427]

Don`t think the Alfa falls into budget but if it did that`s where i would be.
The M4 makes sense though really, or maybe something like an XKR but that is probably a bit cramped in the back.

[Ed Banger]

Is anything with an Auto going to be fun?

I'm in a Giulia Quad at the moment but I'm thinking of selling as it only gets fun at huge speeds. How big are the kids? Would they get in the back of something like a 997?

[TheHighlander]

The girls are 4 + 5

Guila Quad is just out of budget.

M4 falls under budget which would allow for fettling etc

997 never thought of that one actually.

[KaraK]

TheHighlander said:

The girls are 4 + 5

Guila Quad is just out of budget.

M4 falls under budget which would allow for fettling etc

997 never thought of that one actually.

Get a 911 while the kids are still small enough to fit in the back!

[Robertb]

Jaguar XKR. Can just about get kids in the back. Or XFR if you really want 4 doors.

Just for example...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18842748

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19133040

[TheHighlander]

The girls are 4 + 5

Guila Quad is just out of budget.

M4 falls under budget which would allow for fettling etc

997 never thought of that one actually.

[Collectingbrass]

A couple of Alpina 3 series cabriolets that might fit the bill


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308291...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409083...

[RizzoTheRat]

Given your rally rep history, is the Corolla GR worth a look or are you looking to move away from hot hatches?

There's a few owners on here rave about the Ionic 5N if you'd consider going electric.

If you're more about the noise then Mustangs are pretty cheap for the performance, but not quite in the same class for handling as your other suggestions.

Panamera would probably get my vote though.

[zippy3x]

Giulia Quad is only a slight stretch if you're open to Cat cars

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507304...

[TheHighlander]

zippy3x said:

Giulia Quad is only a slight stretch if you're open to Cat cars

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507304...

I can stretch to that I think.

I am going to give them a phone and find out what the situation is.

[MEC]

GR Yaris?
V8 M3 (E90)
F10 M5
Audi S6 (V8)

[KaraK]

MEC said:

GR Yaris?
V8 M3 (E90)
F10 M5
Audi S6 (V8)

I assume you mean a C7 (2012-2018)? As opposed to the venerable C5 (the 1999-2003 2 4.2 V8), which was a perfectly serviceable fast barge - don't get me wrong I ran one for a couple of years but a toy it was not.

[KaraK]

TheHighlander said:

I can stretch to that I think.

I am going to give them a phone and find out what the situation is.

If you can get past the looks it's hard to ignore these, that's a massive wodge of power and by all accounts the steering is pretty subline, and with it being only a weekend car the somewhat iffy reliability is going to be less of a worry.

[zippy3x]

KaraK said:

If you can get past the looks it's hard to ignore these, that's a massive wodge of power and by all accounts the steering is pretty subline, and with it being only a weekend car the somewhat iffy reliability is going to be less of a worry.

Genuine lol

I was at Asda 2 days ago putting some air in the tyres when a random bloke walked past and said "those really are beautiful aren't they". I agreed.

I was originally going to get one in 2019, but went another way and finally got mine in 2021, so I've been on various quad groups for about 6 years now.

Anecdotally, the Giulia quad is no more unreliable than comparable German cars, Further more 90% of issues seem to be related to under-specced batteries and once these are replaced they are very reliable.

So, in summary, the only accurate thing you said was the steering is sublime and they're very fast.

[KaraK]

zippy3x said:

KaraK said:

If you can get past the looks it's hard to ignore these, that's a massive wodge of power and by all accounts the steering is pretty subline, and with it being only a weekend car the somewhat iffy reliability is going to be less of a worry.

Genuine lol

I was at Asda 2 days ago putting some air in the tyres when a random bloke walked past and said "those really are beautiful aren't they". I agreed.

I was originally going to get one in 2019, but went another way and finally got mine in 2021, so I've been on various quad groups for about 6 years now.

Anecdotally, the Giulia quad is no more unreliable than comparable German cars, Further more 90% of issues seem to be related to under-specced batteries and once these are replaced they are very reliable.

So, in summary, the only accurate thing you said was the steering is sublime and they're very fast.

Looks are subjective.. personally I think just about every Alfa of the last few decades is seriously ugly. But if you, your rando at the garage (or indeed the OP) thinks otherwise more power to you! ("viva la difference" as they say), reliability-wise I've no first-hand experience but having read a few long term tests of them at various points there were a litany of complaints, I'm not making any comparisons with cars from other manufacturers here, and sincerely I apologise if I've given undue offence.

I thought about one at one point a while back - they offer serious value for money at the moment, which is why I looked at long term tests (I needed a daily, and reliability is high on my list), that did scare me off a little but ultimately I just couldn't get over my opinion of the looks.

[Stick Legs]

Jaguar XFR all day long.

Comfy, classy, sounds epic, goes like stink.

I have a Range Rover & a TVR Griffith and want one for the days when I want the best of both worlds!

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/search?make-id=27&...