£10k Weekend Toy - decisions decisions

[iamBloater]

I’ve had a few different cars over the years - MX5s, MINI Cooper Ss, Golf GTD and more

Am on the lookout for a weekend toy - budget £10k ish (£12k at a stretch) but can’t make up my mind if I want another of what I’ve already had in the past or to try something else.

Shortlist currently contains (in no particular order)

MK7.5 1.6 Fiesta ST180 - 2014-2017
MX5 Roadster (retractable hard top) 2 litre - 2011-2015
Golf GTI DSG Mk5 /Mk6 - 2006-2012
Toyota GT86 - 2012
Some kind of Audi TT Coupe - 2008-2010

Ideas, suggestions, experiences welcomed.

[sevensfun]

The rwd is closest to a 'weekend toy' but for pure weekend fun how about a kit car which is properly light weight?

[TheAlastair34]

VX220

[Benbay001]

The Audi, Fiesta and Golf are far too practical for weekend cars.

The gt86 and mx5 are getting closer, but still fairly civilised cars.

I think id want to spend slightly less and get a 350z.

[andburg]

10k puts you on the verge of an S2000 but i think as road/fun weekend and poss trackday car I'd look at a Z4 3.0 Si coupe

[Magnum 475]

2005 ish 3.2 Boxster S? You'll need to budget for an IMS bearing upgrade to protect against the grenading engine risk, but after that it's a solid motor.

Avoid the 3.4 due to potential engine issues that can't be fixed without a full rebuild.

[iamBloater]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Even though it will be a weekend toy - I am still tight when it comes to things like repairs, servicing and road fund licence

So it needs to be sub £325 a year to tax, no weird and wonderful specialist servicing/repair and have alot of aftermarket upgrades available.

[nunpuncher]

What do you want to get from this toy? Something you can work on and modify,? Something for leisurely drives down country lanes for a pub lunch? Something to track? Something to thrash around the back roads? Something that harks back to a more analog driving experience?

Only reason I ask is because the original list looks like a load of moderately interesting yet average daily drivers to me.

[iamBloater]

nunpuncher said:

What do you want to get from this toy? Something you can work on and modify,? Something for leisurely drives down country lanes for a pub lunch? Something to track? Something to thrash around the back roads? Something that harks back to a more analog driving experience?

Only reason I ask is because the original list looks like a load of moderately interesting yet average daily drivers to me.

All of the above except the track.

[Magnum 475]

iamBloater said:

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Even though it will be a weekend toy - I am still tight when it comes to things like repairs, servicing and road fund licence

So it needs to be sub £325 a year to tax, no weird and wonderful specialist servicing/repair and have alot of aftermarket upgrades available.

Then I withdraw my suggestion for a Boxster S. My last 'major' service was a four-figure bill at an independent. And it needs another 4 figures spent to renew the coolant cross pipes and radiators.....

[stevekoz]

Yeah to keep it fun and frugal, stay away from more premium brands - servicing and parts will be that bit more expensive.

MX5 at that point becomes a sensible choice. Hella reliable and you'd get a good one for £10k and to add a bit extra fun i would go for the BBR -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194023846605?hash=item2...

A very nice overall drivers package for the money. Reliable. Cheap to run in comparison to more expensive brands.

You could buy an s2000. Its a very different drive to the mazda in terms of engine and how it needs to be driven. Found it liked to be really driven to get the most out of it, but the engine is up for the task. Whilst the one i've added below is a category car - it gets you a cheaper version and you likely won't notice any difference -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009193...

BMW z4 is a good choice but more on the premium side, but the 3.0 is a nice engine and i'd stick to the NA version to minimise the earlier issues iwth the turbo 6 cylinder that i've experienced - Not the last note in driver dynamics but a good steer, i like the styling and a very nice thing to listen to at full chat with the roof down.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103210...

The Nissan 350z/370z is a good car. The 370z is the sweeter drivers car, its just that bit sharper and nicer for it. But you are at the lower end of the market, but its still possible - (i've included an auto as you mentioned DSG earlier).

370z -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104261...

350 z -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104191...

Last option from me is the GT86. More a 2+2. But a good drivers car. Just maybe a smidge underpowered, but it does mean you can drive it at 9/10ths if thats what you want to do. But such a capable chassis, it handles fantastically.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104241...

I said last option but i think i lied.

Whilst you want something fun for the weekend and you want to stay away from the expense and if you are just using it as a car for A-B road blasts and not track. you could do worse than a good hot hatch. Not quite the same feel as a 2seater / coupe. Its a different kind of "fun".

And if you were in that market i'd ditch the GTI option as its a little numb (great all rounder don't get me wrong) and go for the Megane RS in Cup spec -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103029...

A great drivers car and a lot of engaging fun. Reliable, relatively cheap to run/insure and tune. As far as point to point, at this price bracket, i'm a big fan and think there are few that can beat it really.

Mind you i think all the cars i've given you as options have a nice owners scene to them as well as tuning etc. So all can give you that if you want.

[samoht]

iamBloater said:

Even though it will be a weekend toy - I am still tight when it comes to things like repairs, servicing and road fund licence

So it needs to be sub £325 a year to tax, no weird and wonderful specialist servicing/repair and have alot of aftermarket upgrades available.

Road tax is capped at the ~£325 level for cars registered up until 23rd March 2006, so if that's a criteria e.g. for the 350/370Z, you could get one of the pre-facelift 350Zs and avoid the top band. 350Zs are fairly robust generally, just your standard things with tyres, clutches, suspension arms albeit costing a bit more as befits parts for a near-300hp car.


I'd consider the Mk3 MR2 also, since it's fairly simple mechanicals but very light and mid-engined.

Could also look at the MGF, although very unfashionable.

[LightningBlue]

As a toy I don’t think you’d want something too practical like a Golf GTI. I think you’re looking at third gen MX5s (possibly a higher mileage fourth gen - there is one on Autotrader at £10,495 in Poole), maybe an older GT86 or 350Z. You can get fairly new RS Clios for that money too but are they toys? You’ve had Minis before but you could get a late run Cooper S Coupe with the N18 engine - I went down that route and so far have no regrets.

[LightningBlue]

Should also have mentioned the Mini Roadster.

[GreatGranny]

I would want a convertible if it was just being used as a fun weekend car.

I'd want something quick and with a nice exhaust note.

So maybe Z4 3.0, 350/370Z convertible, SLK350 or TTS at a push.

Also S2000 or MX5 as mentioned.

[nunpuncher]

I'd agree. Something a bit more interesting and less practical than a 4 cylinder hatchback.

Having now done a quick scan of AT* with a max budget of £12k and the only criteria being "convertible" I'd find it impossible to resist a VX220 or S2000. Mx5 is always the answer but the NC and ND don't do it for me. I'd happily spend less on a turbo/SC'd NA though.

• what this search did flag up is just how bad the options are at that price if you're scared of a Boxster. No end of unremarkably powered convertible BMW, Mercedes and Audi products. Even the odd diesel thrown in. A diesel convertible, just imagine how bad that must be.

[crusty]

Porsche 944S2

This one is a bit over budget, but you can get them for £10k ish

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174728329443?hash=item2...

[GreatGranny]

crusty said:

Porsche 944S2

This one is a bit over budget, but you can get them for £10k ish

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174728329443?hash=item2...

Good suggestion and IMO they are a bargain but this may rule it out:

OP Quote "Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Even though it will be a weekend toy - I am still tight when it comes to things like repairs, servicing and road fund licence rolleyes

So it needs to be sub £325 a year to tax, no weird and wonderful specialist servicing/repair and have alot of aftermarket upgrades available."

[nunpuncher]

He's thinking about that the wrong way though. Some of these cars will lose nothing or appreciate. Everything in the initial list will lose money and still cost something to run. So I bet total cost of ownership won't be that different.

[gavin18787]

From that short list Mx5 would get my vote.

All the hatches wont feel special enough as a second car/toy in my opinion.

I am a GT86 owner myself but if I didn't need the boot space etc the mx5 would be an as good toy and may even feel like more of an event if you can get the roof down etc.
Would be cheaper to run too. The 86 basic running costs are fine but they are more thirsty then the mx5 and can throw up a fairly expensive repair. Also all the GT86 in your budget would be lower end of the market and some of the earlier models are due engine recalls which has thrown up some issues...

All been said though the 86 is a superb chassis and always makes me smile on a good drive or a track day.

For cheap running value for money / vs fun I think you would be hard pushed to beat an MX5.

If you wanted a bit more of a raw toy do VX220, S2 elise still fall into this budget?