£20k fun, sporty, special car

[JQuattroCK]

Hi everyone, I’m looking to replace my BMW m140i. Since I’ve just bought a cheap 2013 Touareg as a 2nd car to drive through winter, tow and do long journeys in so I’m thinking I can swap the m140i for something a bit more focused/exclusive/special. I have a budget of around £20k and looking for something fun to drive, interesting and cool. It still needs to be fairly practical and not too expensive to run as I will still be driving it probably 2/3 of time and doing around 10k miles a year. Whilst I want something that feels special I don’t want it to seem to flashy

Cars I've considered:
BMW m2
Porsche cayman 2.7 981
Jaguar f type
Nissan 370z Nismo
Toyota GR Yaris

All of those cars are really over £20k cars. The nismo probably being the cheapest. What would folks suggest? Does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks

[joshcowin]

Audi rs4 or S4

Bmw 440i

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're used to turbo power delivery the the 370Z Nismo may not work for you but I'd recommend a test drive as they are a special car imo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503230...

The Gen1's are more raw (less sound deadening etc) the Gen2's come with nicer seats & are a bit more refined but both are good.

The other car is the M4 you'll get a nice one for just over your budget but it'll tick every box:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510137...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505292...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510046...

Convertible:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509136...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508295...

Lexus RC-F not cheap tax wise & it will drink a bit more than the M4's above BUT these are special with maintenance costs on par with your M140 so you gain some of your expenditure back.

They're also a rare sight on UK roads & they'll get under your skin as well as that V8 soundtrack:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504271...

V6 F Type:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510107...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509086...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509256...

Leftfield

If you run it as more of a high days & holiday car then this is an option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508285...

Or one of these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510036...

Neither of those two actually fit your brief but it wouldn't be PH if you didn't have a curveball

Somewhere between the above (370/M4 etc) sits the Ghibli in S spec, I would say having a specialist near will help with the running costs:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508295...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505082...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 13th October 16:41

[51mes]

If I was to be thinking of a special car, I wouldn't be considering anything that has a normal "cooking" version..

One where sitting in it - looks the same/similar to a family car.

you need a sense of occasion - and the interior - seats, instruments, pedals and steering wheel are your primary points of contact.

Oh and of course a car that when you walk away from it - it makes you turn back and crack a ridiculous grin on your face...

From your list you have excluded convertibles - boxster, f-type or 370z for example it adds a certain something to the driving experience, and definitely adds a level of special...

[Belle427]

Cant see the M2 floating your boat really after the M140, good selection of cars though.
The 370 will sound tremendous and look good too so maybe that`s a contender, I personally couldn`t look past an F Type though from your choices if they fall into budget.
Caymans are great cars too so difficult decision!

[Lefty]

S1 Elise, not much feels more special for under £20k. I used one daily for 2 years and put 40k on it.

[MDL111]

I would buy a good 996 Coupe - C2 for best driving version or C4S for the looks. When you have spare cash, you can reduce the weight a little, upgrade the suspension etc. They are great cars to drive.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19185039

[cerb4.5lee]

I can recommend both the 370Z and M4.

I always think that 2 seaters do a nice job of feeling that bit more special as well.

[Heathwood]

A good selection of options there OP but as you allude to, they’re more like £25k cars. What’s your true budget? At £20k I’d likely look at a 987.2 Boxster/Cayman S.

[SWoll]

[JQuattroCK]

Thanks for the replies. I think just now I’d probably be swaying towards a Porsche or a 370z nismo. I’ve always fancied a m2 but it’s maybe too similar to the m140i and Im finding BMWs noticeably more expensive to insure. M4s are nice but I don’t think they’re what I’m looking for. F-types are nice but I think they’re can be a bit flashy and look a lot more expensive than they are, which I don’t think I want (I know a Porsche also is flashy though). The advantage with m cars is non car people just see a nice bmw

Does anyone have any experience of running costs of any of these cars, compared with my m140i?

Would I be better with a hot hatch? Maybe a Megane trophy or i30n?

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want it to be special then I'd suggest sticking with your original train of thought.

A Porsche will be view as more flash/expensive than the F Type.

[Mr Tidy]

Based on your list 2 seaters would work, so I'd add a BMW Z4M to your list.

[cerb4.5lee]

Mr Tidy said:

Based on your list 2 seaters would work, so I'd add a BMW Z4M to your list.

I was looking earlier at how well they've held their value Mr Tidy. I remember paying £14.5k for mine with just under 40k miles on it back in 2012, and they're still fetching that(and more) now.

[T5SOR]

S2000? I know the perfect one for sale

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509266...

[cerb4.5lee]

Goodness me T5SOR, that looks absolutely lovely in red for me.

It was always the red ones that I fell in love with back when they were new as well.

I bet you're gutted to be getting rid aren't you?

[andy43]

S2000 are so small and delicate up close too. Like that.
OP has the practical and winter boxes ticked so for me it’d have to be a 2ish seat convertible or coop, not something that also comes with a diesel engine and more doors.
A proper sports car eg Z4M would be the best option, but when you’ve a shot at a V8 Vantage or a 996 (with the engine rebuilt ideally) it’d be rude not to.

[deeen]

"...fairly practical and not too expensive to run..." Mustang?

[andy43]

deeen said:

"...fairly practical and not too expensive to run..." Mustang?

V8 Vantage is a hatchback. Total practicality

[190E 2.5-16V]

the best c63 coupe or wagon you can find, epic car.