Fun yet economical daily mile muncher

[Manlikesanks]

I've owned a number of cars including a range of models from Mercs, BMW and Audi

I have a 35k budget and when I do finally return to commuting to the office I will be doing a 100 mile round trip per day - 50 miles each way 75% motorway 25% B roads

I am currently leaning towards a Porsche Cayman 981, Panamera and Mercedes C43 coupe but would like to get peoples experience in terms of daily living with these and real life economical returns. There isn't any real practicality boxes that need ticking in terms of body type. As long as it allows being in a comfortable cabin for long periods of time, allowing me to step out of the car still feeling fresh and hopefully providing many smiles per miles

Any other recommendations would be welcomed, thanks!

[stevekoz]

Not had any of the cars you mention.

Only experience i do have is that a good colleague of mine was in a similar situation with a shorter commute.

He initially punted for a c43. Liked it but it never really gelled with him. Was plenty comfortable and lovely place to be but not as engaging as he'd hope nor was it as characterful as the 63 which he though was too expensive to run for him he thought so opted for the smaller 43. He regretted it i think.

Anyway, he too was after something that felt comfortable on the motorway, plenty of pace but character as well. He eventually swapped after about 6/7 months to an M4 and has had that for the last 18 months or more now and loves it. So maybe that would be something to consider. Just anecdotal opinion.

Personally i would go for an m2. I have had one of these for a short time and it was great. Comfortable, fast, agile, it's just glorious and can't wait to get another for a longer term ownership perspective.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009053...

m4 -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102139...

Alternatively, opt for the c63 instead which i think is just all that bit more special than the 43. Engine, noise, event.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101258...

If i were going to choose a cayman for myself its the gt4 but out of price range i realise and maybe hard on such a long commute. I've only driven them round track and short commutes so cannot comment on that.

However the GTS is a great car and within budget -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012187...

Slightly older but no less of an experience perhaps the r35 GTR. A great drivers car. Bit on the heavy side but they are so good to drive and bags full of character

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010064...

A little outside the box you could pick up a Mustang well within budget. They are a lot of fun, they should great - well cus v8 right and can be had in manual and would leave you cash on the side for something like a borla exhaust or other such things. Lot of car for the money.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102139...

Older still but still exquisite piece of machinery. The AM Vantage. Characterful. Great engine. Lovely car and likely you wouldn't lose too much money on one right now i don't think

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012207...

Now. None of them are really that economical but then i don't think the c43 is and the panamera either depending on what model you go for. But certainly offer you smiles per mile. Which is what i concentrated on.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[carparkno1]

440i?

[Manlikesanks]

stevekoz said:

Not had any of the cars you mention.

Only experience i do have is that a good colleague of mine was in a similar situation with a shorter commute.

He initially punted for a c43. Liked it but it never really gelled with him. Was plenty comfortable and lovely place to be but not as engaging as he'd hope nor was it as characterful as the 63 which he though was too expensive to run for him he thought so opted for the smaller 43. He regretted it i think.

Anyway, he too was after something that felt comfortable on the motorway, plenty of pace but character as well. He eventually swapped after about 6/7 months to an M4 and has had that for the last 18 months or more now and loves it. So maybe that would be something to consider. Just anecdotal opinion.

Personally i would go for an m2. I have had one of these for a short time and it was great. Comfortable, fast, agile, it's just glorious and can't wait to get another for a longer term ownership perspective.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009053...

m4 -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102139...

Alternatively, opt for the c63 instead which i think is just all that bit more special than the 43. Engine, noise, event.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101258...

If i were going to choose a cayman for myself its the gt4 but out of price range i realise and maybe hard on such a long commute. I've only driven them round track and short commutes so cannot comment on that.

However the GTS is a great car and within budget -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012187...

Slightly older but no less of an experience perhaps the r35 GTR. A great drivers car. Bit on the heavy side but they are so good to drive and bags full of character

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010064...

A little outside the box you could pick up a Mustang well within budget. They are a lot of fun, they should great - well cus v8 right and can be had in manual and would leave you cash on the side for something like a borla exhaust or other such things. Lot of car for the money.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102139...

Older still but still exquisite piece of machinery. The AM Vantage. Characterful. Great engine. Lovely car and likely you wouldn't lose too much money on one right now i don't think

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012207...

Now. None of them are really that economical but then i don't think the c43 is and the panamera either depending on what model you go for. But certainly offer you smiles per mile. Which is what i concentrated on.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Awesome thanks for this. Yes I missed the M2 that is definitely one for the list, love the stance and the overall package. Would you advise if its worth to stretch to getting a competition and what is it like on fuel? Quite taken with the Aston, something a little different!

[Manlikesanks]

carparkno1 said:

440i?

Thanks - my other half has a 4 series so fancy something a little different

[culpz]

I'd go for a sports car if you don't really need the space. A Cayman, as mentioned, will be so much more fun compared to the rest that you have listed, even at lower speeds. Should feel special more of the time.

[anonymous-user]

I will probably get shot for this but I would say a 320d. Based on your budget... the E9X, F3X or, G2X.
It is enough for perhaps 90% of real world driving situations.
The G20 has a quiet cabin. A lot of acoustic pads to cut down on NVH.
The F30 is pretty decent... but you might not be a diesel-head... in which case.. well let's see what others recommend.

[Manlikesanks]

Thanks - fancy something a bit more special than a 3. Had one previously and they are great but as I am going to spending more time and on fast roads I'd like something a bit more entertaining

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say try the S4 (I would say S5 but finding one is a bit hard at the moment) preferably with the diff, is a very good car I find them a very nice place to be whilst still being interesting enough when pressing on & the engine is a peach.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010285...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102048...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102179...

E400d AMG Line Premium Plus

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101057...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101147...

[Sticks.]

A TTS would work. Less enjoyable than a Cayman, more practical.

[Manlikesanks]

S4 and TTS look like great options to consider. Especially as the TTS looks like good value

[CG2020UK]

How about the F-Type Jag?

Looks brilliant and sounds amazing.

[covmutley]

With that milage, I'd probably spend 20k on a 640d and use the rest for something nice, or buy a caterham or lotus elise for the weekend.

Even if I could easily afford to spend 35k, which I can't, the depreciation would frustrate me!