Most fun car for £20K or under, with conditions
Discussion
Currently rocking a lightly modded JCW F56 Mini. I like it but in the the coming months I fancy a change.
Any car must fit the following criteria: -
A few ideas so far:
Any car must fit the following criteria: -
- Nothing with crazy amount of VED, be nice to keep under £500 p/a
- Not a total money pit - needs to be somewhat reliable, and not cost me my house to fix it!
- Nothing that will depreciate heavily, ideally, something which would keep or exceed its current value in a few years
- Doesn't leak - will live outside 24/7 - don't laugh my old Boxster did leak and I couldn't get to the bottom of it
- Ideally my 73 year old mother would need to get in and out so nothing too extreme, unfortunately probably rules an Elise out?
- Needs to be able to cope with short journeys - I use for work and it's only 3 miles each way.
- Not a rust magnet
A few ideas so far:
- BMW Z4M (either coupe or convertible, used to have a 3.0 Si auto coupe)
- BMW M4
- Cayman
- RS Megane
- Late NC MX5 with metal hardtop and BBR Super 220 or similar tuning (had a Super 200, was a hoot)
- GT86 with some mods
- DC5 ITR (already had a DC2)
- Impreza WRX STI
- Jag XKR or F-Type V6
- TVR Chim (Im guessing this will fail on some criteria but V8)
- 370Z (though it seems the later ones with the cheap tax are super pricey)
- Mustang 5.0 (pushing the budget a bit)
I've been looking at fun cars for a similar budget, so this is a good thread for me. Like you I'm trying to balance something cool / I want vs running costs.
981 Caymans look good value to me. Can get a base model for just over £20k. On the flipside a GT86 for much less and with less running costs is appealing. I don't want a convertible, so Boxster or MX5 is out.
987 Cayman also look good but I'm more fearful of ending up with expensive bits to fix on them rightly or wrongly. Plus the 981 looks and sounds better to me, albeit with not as good steering (e-pas).
981 Caymans look good value to me. Can get a base model for just over £20k. On the flipside a GT86 for much less and with less running costs is appealing. I don't want a convertible, so Boxster or MX5 is out.
987 Cayman also look good but I'm more fearful of ending up with expensive bits to fix on them rightly or wrongly. Plus the 981 looks and sounds better to me, albeit with not as good steering (e-pas).
Edited by John D. on Sunday 1st March 16:49
John D. said:
Z4M is £760 tax per year I'm afraid. I'd quite like one, and that does put me off a bit I must admit.
Bummer! It does put me off for sure, I don't do a lot of miles and it just feels like a rip off tax at that point. I know some people will say it's only £X a month or whatever but still I'd rather not get fleeced if I can help it.I would actually quite happily have a minty 3.0 Si as well though to be fair.
John D. said:
I've been looking at fun cars for a similar budget, so this is a good thread for me. Like you I'm trying to balance something cool / I want vs running costs.
I looked at a JDM EP3 CTR yesterday, it was a lush car but feel I can do better for the money.a340driver said:
I love my Z4M Imola convertible, but yes the tax is stupidly high and it's 20 years old, on 69k and is utterly wonderful. The tax rules are idiotic, My 2019 M4 is half the price.
I intend to keep it forever.
Sometimes I wonder if I should look at the tax at being £X a month more rather than outright, doesn't seem so bad then. I do love the look of a Z4M though!I intend to keep it forever.
Just for fun I put the question to Gemini...
That is a fantastic list, but we need to perform some "automotive triage" because a few of those dreams will unfortunately crash into your VED (tax) and short-commute criteria.
Living outside 24/7 and doing a 3-mile commute are the two biggest constraints here. Short trips are "engine killers" for high-performance cars because the oil never reaches operating temperature, leading to moisture buildup and fuel dilution.
Here is the breakdown of your current ideas and a few "Golden Tier" suggestions that hit every single one of your marks.
The "Triage": What to avoid
* BMW Z4M & 370Z: Both fall into the £760/year VED bracket (Band M/L). The 370Z is also quite "heavy" and doesn't love short bursts.
* Impreza WRX STI: The absolute worst car for a 3-mile commute. The "flat-four" boxer engine is prone to head gasket and bearing issues if the oil isn't frequently and fully warmed up. Also £700+ tax.
* TVR Chimaera: I love your optimism, but it will leak, it will rust, and a 73-year-old mother trying to climb over those high, wide sills is a recipe for a bad Sunday.
* Late NC MX-5: Even the "clean" ones are rust magnets. If it lives outside 24/7, the chassis rails will be toast in three winters.
The Top 3 Recommendations
1. The "Smart Money" Choice: Honda Integra Type R (DC5)
Since you’ve had a DC2, you know the recipe. The DC5 is more "civilized," holds its value incredibly well, and the K20 engine is arguably the most reliable performance engine ever built for short journeys.
* VED: Usually registered as PLG (Private Light Goods) if imported, costing around £345.
* Why it works: It’s a Honda. It will start every time. The ingress is better than a low-slung Porsche.
* The Caveat: It must be professionally undersealed if living outside. Find a "Grade 4" Japanese import that’s already been treated.
2. The "Modern Classic": BMW M2 (F87 - N55 Engine)
Specifically, the "OG" M2 (2016 to early 2017). It’s more special than an M4, holds its value better, and is significantly more "flickable."
* VED: Pre-April 2017 models are taxed on CO2. Emissions are ~190g/km, putting it at £395–£430. (Avoid 2018+ models as they hit the £600+ "expensive car" supplement).
* Why it works: The N55 engine is robust. It's easy for your mother to get into compared to a Cayman, and the DCT gearbox is a godsend for short commutes.
3. The "Driving Purest": Porsche Cayman 987.2 (Gen 2)
You must get the Gen 2 (2009–2012). It replaced the fragile IMS/Bore-scoring engines with the rock-solid 2.9L or 3.4L DFI.
* VED: The 2.9L manual sits at £430.
* Why it works: It’s arguably the best-handling car on your list. Unlike your old Boxster, the hardtop coupe is a sealed vault—no leaks.
* Reliability: Very high, provided you don't skimp on the 2-year service intervals.
A "Left-Field" Wildcard: Toyota GR Yaris
If you can stretch the budget slightly, this is the only modern car guaranteed to be a future legend.
* VED: £195 (standard flat rate).
* Commute: It’s a Yaris at heart—it won’t complain about a 3-mile trip.
* Depreciation: It is currently one of the slowest-depreciating cars in the UK.
That is a fantastic list, but we need to perform some "automotive triage" because a few of those dreams will unfortunately crash into your VED (tax) and short-commute criteria.
Living outside 24/7 and doing a 3-mile commute are the two biggest constraints here. Short trips are "engine killers" for high-performance cars because the oil never reaches operating temperature, leading to moisture buildup and fuel dilution.
Here is the breakdown of your current ideas and a few "Golden Tier" suggestions that hit every single one of your marks.
The "Triage": What to avoid
* BMW Z4M & 370Z: Both fall into the £760/year VED bracket (Band M/L). The 370Z is also quite "heavy" and doesn't love short bursts.
* Impreza WRX STI: The absolute worst car for a 3-mile commute. The "flat-four" boxer engine is prone to head gasket and bearing issues if the oil isn't frequently and fully warmed up. Also £700+ tax.
* TVR Chimaera: I love your optimism, but it will leak, it will rust, and a 73-year-old mother trying to climb over those high, wide sills is a recipe for a bad Sunday.
* Late NC MX-5: Even the "clean" ones are rust magnets. If it lives outside 24/7, the chassis rails will be toast in three winters.
The Top 3 Recommendations
1. The "Smart Money" Choice: Honda Integra Type R (DC5)
Since you’ve had a DC2, you know the recipe. The DC5 is more "civilized," holds its value incredibly well, and the K20 engine is arguably the most reliable performance engine ever built for short journeys.
* VED: Usually registered as PLG (Private Light Goods) if imported, costing around £345.
* Why it works: It’s a Honda. It will start every time. The ingress is better than a low-slung Porsche.
* The Caveat: It must be professionally undersealed if living outside. Find a "Grade 4" Japanese import that’s already been treated.
2. The "Modern Classic": BMW M2 (F87 - N55 Engine)
Specifically, the "OG" M2 (2016 to early 2017). It’s more special than an M4, holds its value better, and is significantly more "flickable."
* VED: Pre-April 2017 models are taxed on CO2. Emissions are ~190g/km, putting it at £395–£430. (Avoid 2018+ models as they hit the £600+ "expensive car" supplement).
* Why it works: The N55 engine is robust. It's easy for your mother to get into compared to a Cayman, and the DCT gearbox is a godsend for short commutes.
3. The "Driving Purest": Porsche Cayman 987.2 (Gen 2)
You must get the Gen 2 (2009–2012). It replaced the fragile IMS/Bore-scoring engines with the rock-solid 2.9L or 3.4L DFI.
* VED: The 2.9L manual sits at £430.
* Why it works: It’s arguably the best-handling car on your list. Unlike your old Boxster, the hardtop coupe is a sealed vault—no leaks.
* Reliability: Very high, provided you don't skimp on the 2-year service intervals.
A "Left-Field" Wildcard: Toyota GR Yaris
If you can stretch the budget slightly, this is the only modern car guaranteed to be a future legend.
* VED: £195 (standard flat rate).
* Commute: It’s a Yaris at heart—it won’t complain about a 3-mile trip.
* Depreciation: It is currently one of the slowest-depreciating cars in the UK.
Sounds like it's a sports car you're wanting.
Having spent a couple of years with my mx5 I'm actually considering going back to a hot hatch next time!
I quite like the DC5 idea but I'd be a bit scared by the age of them and that you have to import them? Not sure if that's the case.
This Honda is at a garage just down the road and the more I drive passed it the more it appeals to me. Don't know much about them other than they weren't that well regarded at the time. But I think they have improved with age.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602149...
Having spent a couple of years with my mx5 I'm actually considering going back to a hot hatch next time!
I quite like the DC5 idea but I'd be a bit scared by the age of them and that you have to import them? Not sure if that's the case.
This Honda is at a garage just down the road and the more I drive passed it the more it appeals to me. Don't know much about them other than they weren't that well regarded at the time. But I think they have improved with age.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602149...
CABC said:
Have you driven the 86 yet?
It ll be up your street I think. You ve listed a range there from great chassis to great engines. Heavy and light.
All good cars but quite different. What characteristics are you leaning towards?
I haven't yet driven a GT86 but I must do one of these days.It ll be up your street I think. You ve listed a range there from great chassis to great engines. Heavy and light.
All good cars but quite different. What characteristics are you leaning towards?
I'm open minded about what next. Just want to have a change and a bit of fun.
At the moment, I quite like the idea of an OG M2, but as I say I don't have a certain set of characteristics other than for it to be a fun experience.
ChrisH72 said:
Sounds like it's a sports car you're wanting.
Having spent a couple of years with my mx5 I'm actually considering going back to a hot hatch next time!
I quite like the DC5 idea but I'd be a bit scared by the age of them and that you have to import them? Not sure if that's the case.
This Honda is at a garage just down the road and the more I drive passed it the more it appeals to me. Don't know much about them other than they weren't that well regarded at the time. But I think they have improved with age.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602149...
I went from an MX5 (NC, 200 bhp NA) to my Mini. I've had a lot of fun in the Mini, but if I was to choose for a fun drive I'd go with the MX5. Having spent a couple of years with my mx5 I'm actually considering going back to a hot hatch next time!
I quite like the DC5 idea but I'd be a bit scared by the age of them and that you have to import them? Not sure if that's the case.
This Honda is at a garage just down the road and the more I drive passed it the more it appeals to me. Don't know much about them other than they weren't that well regarded at the time. But I think they have improved with age.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602149...
Belle427 said:
OG M2 appeals to me too, had a brief chat with an owner last weekend about his.
Love the look of them personally but the interior really lets it down, if you can overlook that then fine.
M4 seems to make more sense if in budget I just prefer the M2.
I don't think the interior will ever be an issue for me, surely it must be at least as good as my F56 JCW, and I have zero complaints with that.Love the look of them personally but the interior really lets it down, if you can overlook that then fine.
M4 seems to make more sense if in budget I just prefer the M2.
Compared with almost anything from the 00s it will be more than acceptable I would imagine, and light years ahead of anything earlier or something like an MX5.
TameRacingDriver said:
a340driver said:
I love my Z4M Imola convertible, but yes the tax is stupidly high and it's 20 years old, on 69k and is utterly wonderful. The tax rules are idiotic, My 2019 M4 is half the price.
I intend to keep it forever.
Sometimes I wonder if I should look at the tax at being £X a month more rather than outright, doesn't seem so bad then. I do love the look of a Z4M though!I intend to keep it forever.
Another way of looking at it is if you keep it for 5 years, you’ve spent nearly £4k just on tax.
Belle427 said:
OG M2 appeals to me too, had a brief chat with an owner last weekend about his.
Love the look of them personally but the interior really lets it down, if you can overlook that then fine.
M4 seems to make more sense if in budget I just prefer the M2.
Just out of interest what was the let down in the interior for you?Love the look of them personally but the interior really lets it down, if you can overlook that then fine.
M4 seems to make more sense if in budget I just prefer the M2.
I’ve tried one and thought it was fine …. Although I’m used to small BMs over the years from the E21 forward ( still have an E46 ) and like TRD I’ve got a Mini too ( Cooper S rather than a JCW like his )
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