"Perfect" all-rounder or more compromised and "fun"?

[white_goodman]

If you're anything like me, I've been looking for the perfect car for the last 20 years...and I'm still looking. The closest I got was probably a "blobeye" Impreza WRX Wagon but it still had some flaws namely questionable styling/image, a cheap interior and poor fuel economy/range.

For simplicity, just focusing on new/nearly new cars and considering all my "wants and needs" i.e. fast but not too heavy on fuel, prefer a coupe to a hatch/saloon/estate/SUV, 4+ seats, decent boot, comfort and luxury, smart but not too "flash" and reasonable value for money, I would probably end up in something like an Audi S5 Coupe. For 30k or so, it seems to meet all the above requirements and sure, you could go for the RS5 and have something a bit quicker/more desirable but I'm not sure if it justifies double the price tag (even used versions of the current model seem to be around 50-60k).



However, do I actually want the "perfect" car? In reality, with the notable exception of the R8, I hear that Audis (I've never owned one myself), as great as they no doubt are to live with on a daily basis are a little dull in terms of driving enjoyment.

My current daily driver (2009 MINI Cooper) is objectively "crap" in so many ways. The suspension is way too firm, it lacks a little comfort/refinement, the rear seats are cramped and the boot is tiny but it's a really fun little thing to chuck around and I can enjoy all the performance regularly without fear of losing my licence. In all honesty, it's probably one of the most fun cars that I've owned if objectively not the "best" and far from perfect. It's a little unfair to compare a 5k MINI with a 30k Audi though. Obviously I'd swap it for the Audi but given a budget of say 30k to spend on a new car, would you take the "perfect" all-rounder or go for something more "fun" but more compromised such as a Lotus, 981 Cayman S, Alpine etc. I can imagine getting up in the middle of the night to take one of those out for a drive but probably not the Audi. They make great everyday cars but not many people have an Audi as their "fun" car.

I guess that's why some people own 2+ cars. Something fairly dull and sensible for the everyday stuff alongside their more fun but compromised car. Some may even drive a complete "shed" every day so that they can own their "dream car".

Anyway, I digress, that's not really the question here. If for whatever reason, you're only able to own one vehicle, whatever your budget, would you be looking for the "perfect" all-rounder for your money or are you prepared to compromise on a few things to drive something more "desirable/fun"?

Edited by white_goodman on Friday 24th May 18:29

[SidewaysSi]

There will always be compromises with any car.

My practical family car will soon be a modified Subaru Forester STI. Couldn't think of anything more engaging for anything like that level of money. Seems to cover plenty of bases too.

[cerb4.5lee]

If I was limited to one car I think that something along the lines of the M4/M240i would tick the box for me as good all rounders. Probably not the most fun cars in the world but relatively practical and quick.

[Xcore]

M135i

[brillomaster]

Quite looking forward to my next car, which will be a bmw 430d gran coupe. Perfect combo of coupe looks with 4 door practicality, speed and torque with economy, quiet and comfortable ride with decent rwd chassis when pressing on.

Though my current 330d does such a good job of everything, ill be keeping that for quite a while yet!

[cerb4.5lee]

brillomaster said:

Though my current 330d does such a good job of everything, ill be keeping that for quite a while yet!

A 330d was my first experience of a performance diesel and I've been a really big fan of them ever since. A brilliant all round car IMO. I actually preferred the 330d to the 330i I had a few years later...which is surprising for me because I do love a nice petrol engine.

[mattyprice4004]

The 330d is annoyingly good, I’ve somehow ended up with 2 in E46 guise.
One automatic saloon with HK and Nav etc, and a manual 6 speed convertible.

Quite the tag team and not sure how easy replacing them is going to be!

[joropug]

Have to agree. My E60 5 series 530d , saloon M sport in facelift guise was immense. Mine was an auto and was remapped to around 270bhp. Good economy (late 40s on a run) and powerful at any speed it was the perfect compromise of power and economy. RWD and great balance and looks

[Pica-Pica]

SidewaysSi said:

There will always be compromises with any car.

My practical family car will soon be a modified Subaru Forester STI. Couldn't think of anything more engaging for anything like that level of money. Seems to cover plenty of bases too.

Always had a soft spot for Foresters. I have a ‘66 plate 335d, and will probably keep it for several years. I tend to keep cars for 10+ years; the previous was an E36 for 19 years. I have put my name down for updates on the Subaru Forester Hybrid.

[Adz94]

As an all-rounder everything considered MPG practicality etc, probably a new 320i.

[Biggie9]

A perfect all rounder that I desire is probably beyond my means .So instead settled for a BMW 3 series estate for the commute to work during winter and a Honda Fireblade from April to October.

[The Voice]

BMW F31 320d (LCI so new b47 engine) Touring, 8 speed ZF box.

Looks good, practical, comfortable, quick, economical, classy, handles well, well made, good badge etc etc...

[ZX10R NIN]

Unless fuel was a real issue I'd probably go for a Mustang I know it's not as polished as the Audi but I like the fact (I can't leave anything standard) that you're almost encouraged to make it your own.

Mustang

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Now at the other end of the scale the Lexus RC-F is another cracking car which has a very sweet engine & it's a car that gets under your skin the more you drive, again it's a car that responds well to some choice upgrades, with running costs on par with the S5 you also get something a bit more simple but also imo something more special.

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Something very similar in performance & handling is the 3.0T Q60 in a choice out of it & the S5 I'd choose it just because they're different rather than it being better or worse although the fit & finish is just that bit better everywhere although the S5's Virtue Cockpit is nice.

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