21 year old looking for car suggestions

[TomWilliams2528]

I’m 21 and looking to buy my next car before starting my post-uni job this summer. Hard budget is £15k, ideally with a bit left over for insurance/maintenance if possible.

Current shortlist:
Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Tesla Model 3

I know these are very different cars, but my priorities are:
Fun to drive and enjoyable to own
Not an absolute money pit
Big enough boot for golf clubs
Usable for roughly 10k miles/year, commute plus mixed roads and trips to see family/friends
Doesn’t scream yobo/teenage driver
Interior quality is not a major priority
Would preferably like something a bit special/unique, but understand that is tricky at my price point

I considered an MX-5, but boot/practicality probably rules it out. Given my current car is a base 2013 Fiesta, I may also rule the ST out so it feels a bit more different

Main questions:
Which of the cars above would you keep or remove from the shortlist?
Are there any obvious alternatives I should consider?
Are any of these a bad idea for a 21-year-old once insurance/running costs are factored in?
Any specific engines, trims, years or common issues to watch for?

[_Rodders_]

I feel like the boring answer is that's a lot of money for a first car. I assume the house deposit is all sorted and other financial commitments because if they're not I think you're mental to blow £15k plus insurance and maintenance on any of those.

I'm sure that makes me a boring old bd but at that age I owned a different cheap fun car every 4 months or so and rarely lost any money, the profits from some cars covered the small losses from the next one and I know if I lost thousands on one of those I'd be sat here regretting it now.

[TomWilliams2528]

_Rodders_ said:

I feel like the boring answer is that's a lot of money for a first car. I assume the house deposit is all sorted and other financial commitments because if they're not I think you're mental to blow £15k plus insurance and maintenance on any of those.

I'm sure that makes me a boring old bd but at that age I owned a different cheap fun car every 4 months or so and rarely lost any money, the profits from some cars covered the small losses from the next one and I know if I lost thousands on one of those I'd be sat here regretting it now.

I feared someone was going to say that. I can see where you are coming from. What would you recommend instead?

[LunarOne]

_Rodders_ said:

I feel like the boring answer is that's a lot of money for a first car. I assume the house deposit is all sorted and other financial commitments because if they're not I think you're mental to blow £15k plus insurance and maintenance on any of those.

I'm sure that makes me a boring old bd but at that age I owned a different cheap fun car every 4 months or so and rarely lost any money, the profits from some cars covered the small losses from the next one and I know if I lost thousands on one of those I'd be sat here regretting it now.

Well it's not his first car since he already has a Fiesta, and we don't even know that that was his first car.

I may be biased but if you fancied an MX5, then a 2.5/2.7 Boxster might fit the bill? I own a 2014 example that has plenty of space for golf clubs plus plenty of room for luggage. I have no idea what your location and driving history is like to know how much it might cost to insure. At 21 I bought an E36 BMW 320i which I thought was great despite only having 150bhp. Back then it was a very repectable car. Nowadays it might scream yobbo.

I'd say if you wanted something fun, an EV is probably not the way to go. Unfortunately driving regulations are clamping down and you've missed the best days of driving. Get something truly fun now before it's too late. No driver aids. No ipads. No digital screens. Manual gearbox. The powers that be are trying to eradicate any traces of automotive fun and if it's not already too late, you only have a few years at most.

[Froomee]

_Rodders_ said:

I feel like the boring answer is that's a lot of money for a first car. I assume the house deposit is all sorted and other financial commitments because if they're not I think you're mental to blow £15k plus insurance and maintenance on any of those.

I'm sure that makes me a boring old bd but at that age I owned a different cheap fun car every 4 months or so and rarely lost any money, the profits from some cars covered the small losses from the next one and I know if I lost thousands on one of those I'd be sat here regretting it now.

This all over… plenty of fun cars available for far less Mini’s, older hot hatches (Focus ST/GTI/VXR), MX-5, E46 BMW, Z4 BMW, etc

[Scootersp]

21 and RWD might give you some insurance issues.

What is your fiesta spec, age/engine currently as maybe you need a cheaper stepping stone car before one of those you've listed. Also how long have you had it.

If it's a billy basic older Fiesta its easier to suggest something that might be nice and different for a while.

[TomWilliams2528]

It is very much a basic fiesta. 2013 Zetec with the 1L engine to be precise

[covmutley]

You can get a nice Seat Leon for £8-9k.

Don't be financing a depreciating asset. At 44, I wish I had spent less on 'dailies' and saved for cars that don't depreciate heavily (Mx 5 etc) and worked my way up. Play the long game instead.

A £10k GT86 could be a good compromise choice and on your wish list?

Edited by covmutley on Monday 6th July 17:15

[Jag_NE]

I will go against the grain here and say that buying the newest and smartest thing you can afford will pay dividends in other areas i,e. attracting hot women.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Giulia is a great pick but if you want to reduce your budget look for Giulietta's in Cloverleaf spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606153...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606173...

Jaguar XE S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606053...

2.0T Portfolio:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606153...

Giulia Veloce:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605052...

You'll get a nice 2.0t A5 for around 6k & you can add Android Auto/Carplay:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606123...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606153...

428i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606083...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606233...

C300:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602260...

E400:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510217...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607013...

Lwftfield

Q60:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606113...

[Doesitdrive]

_Rodders_ said:

I feel like the boring answer is that's a lot of money for a first car. I assume the house deposit is all sorted and other financial commitments because if they're not I think you're mental to blow £15k plus insurance and maintenance on any of those.

I'm sure that makes me a boring old bd but at that age I owned a different cheap fun car every 4 months or so and rarely lost any money, the profits from some cars covered the small losses from the next one and I know if I lost thousands on one of those I'd be sat here regretting it now.

He is 21 ffs, let him sow some wild oats in a car of his choice.

Seems sensible to me, having a budget, most his age have no budget and finance lol.

[sinbaddio]

Boxster 987 2.7. My son bought one when he was 21 after an SLK and still has it now 3 years later. Fabulous car.

[Grant Urismo]

My intuition is that 15k on a first car is a lot, but it depends on your circumstances, so I'm going to be Mr Boring and say run the Fiesta for another 6 months. You'll have a much better feel for how your monthly finances are working at that point.

[HocusPocus]

For a 21 year old, it has to be an old MB e class estate with dark rear glass. The rear seats fold flat into a super comfy double bed. Best fun on 4 wheels

[BuyaDuster]

How would a 21 year old insure any of these suggestions unless they were fronting?
I would have thought anything above Group 10 would be just about impossible?
Am I missing something?

[ZX10R NIN]

BuyaDuster said:

How would a 21 year old insure any of these suggestions unless they were fronting?
I would have thought anything above Group 10 would be just about impossible?
Am I missing something?

Assuming the 21 year old has four years no claims the insurance costs should be sensible.

[Square Leg]

ZX10R NIN said:

BuyaDuster said:

How would a 21 year old insure any of these suggestions unless they were fronting?
I would have thought anything above Group 10 would be just about impossible?
Am I missing something?

Assuming the 21 year old has four years no claims the insurance costs should be sensible.

My lad isn t 21 until November and has a 2018 M240i - costs him about £1600 a year for his own insurance with 3 years ncb, and me as a named driver.

[kevburner]

My lads just gone frm a corsa 1.2 hes had for 4 years insurance was 1k with a dd on hes license( muppett!)
To a bmw 2019 118i shadowsport insurance group 20 £1900 fully comp 4y ncb , hes corsa was the slowest gutless car ive ever driven but its all he could get insured on due to hes dd , glad to say hes learnt hes lesson , the bmw is a proper step up for a 2nd car and im glad its only the 118i , 3 cyl 1 5 engine is actually a nice drive , he wanted a golf gti or r as thats what most of hes mates have got , a golf r at 21/22 is far to quick in my opinion , should be laws against young drivers in powerfull cars , Australia have got it right with young drivers they have strict laws on power outputs for younsters

[kevburner]

Square Leg said:

My lad isn t 21 until November and has a 2018 M240i - costs him about £1600 a year for his own insurance with 3 years ncb, and me as a named driver.

I wouldnt trust my 21 year old in 1 of them , i know some 21 year olds are sensible , but my lad and hes mates Jesus no

[SZM]

Consider the following:

Audi S1
Audi TT
BMW 130i / 135i
BMW E93 M3
Mercedes C55 AMG
Mercedes C63 AMG
Porsche Boxster
Porsche Cayman
VW Golf Gti
VW Golf R

All above around 250-420 bhp. Plenty to get you moving fast and none are mad for a 21 year old as long as you're sensible.

I'm going to pretend you have an unlimited budget for insurance