Fun car that is reasonable to run - Upto 13k

[Warcloud36]

Aye up

I have a MX5 2.0, remapped with 180hp, it's fun but spent quite a bit on it, undersealing, 4-1 headers, intake, backbox, ecutek remap and general looking after it. My issue is it's a bit lazy still, I would like more torque as tthe MX still struggles to spin up the wheels on the rear, it has LSD but was hoping for something that's a bit more tail happy to get my kicks.

I would prefer RWD, no quattro for me. FWD is cool but LSD would be good (Megane cup maybe)
The MK3 MX5 is pretty much my lower limit when it comes to practicality. I would like a Lotus or VX220 but no space what so ever and I need to be able to fit bicycle frame in a box in there once in a while.


Turbo the MX5 - 5k takes it to 250hp and 250lbft torque.
2.5 conversion, 3k, makes around 210 hp and torque lbft.

DC5, getting stupidly expensive in my opinion, low mpg and high tax on some, which is why I won't touch older japcrap like Impreza that has £550! tax. Due to age more likely to need body work, rust protection etc

FK2. . .seems okay, not really after a 5 door.

M135i, F20 with the N55 seems like the biggest contender for me right now, RWD, 6 Cylinder, ZF8 is good, seems to be a better engine for reliability over the n54.

N20 engines, so Z4 idrive 20, this has a timing chain issue! so won't touch 125i etc
Z4 35i too expensive. . .


Nissan s13, 14, 15, no idea about these.


Is there a better car than the M135i for my budget, a fun alternative?

Edited by Warcloud36 on Sunday 5th September 15:29

[village24]

Rs250 or cup cars are always a good shout.

Fn2 I don't think you will enjoy, with it being N/A and you looking at turbo cars

M135i is a good alrounder but they need a bit of work to be fun. Need suspension and lsd fitting really.

Also 135i e82 coupe again lsd to fit but they use the n54 which has better tuning potential but also problems which can be easily rectified.

Seat Cupra 280-290 are close to budget

Mk5 Gti edition 30 same as the S3

S14/15 I think will be out your budget and again will need money spending to keep the value in them.

Fiesta/Focus ST

[Warcloud36]

I had an FN2 before the MX5. MX5 is much more fun. FN2 really needs LSD (pre 2010 don't have one) and a little tune up, the fuelling wasn't very good but Vtec was fun.


I'll have a look at the Leon, thanks.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you don't mind FWD & want a diff then the Megane with the Cup Chassis is a good pick but with your budget I'd go for the Astra GTC VXR:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108126...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201806267...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108116...

Or the 308 GTI PS 270:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109026...

RWD wise the 370Z is where I'd be looking it's a more sorted fun steer out of the box than the 135i but both can be made more fun steers.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103230...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108306...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108206...

Z4 35si

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107265...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108316...

Z4 30i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108015...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108065...

[flying-banana]

I would say 370z or Infinti G35 coupe...M135i would be a good choice if you want another project, you can add an lsd, play with the suspension set up, it's a turbo so a remap is an option...

[ZX10R NIN]

As Banana said a G37 coupe is a very good option (it's a 2+2 370Z) for a fun set of wheels:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108236...

[samoht]

Warcloud36 said:

hoping for something that's a bit more tail happy to get my kicks.
...
Nissan s13, 14, 15, no idea about these.

Very torquey and very tail-happy, mostly in a controllable way. The power tends to come in in a rush in the lower midrange.
Old cars now (S13 came out in 1988) although bubble era tech so not as outdated as 33 years old might imply.
Rust is a huge problem, especially on UK market cars. Most cars are rusty, most of those that aren't have had extensive repairs, very few solid original survivors. SR20 engines are robust unless abused/mistuned.
Reasonably small/narrow/light cars (1250 kg ish) - not dissimilar to a GT86, but with torque.
Don't handle as well as a GT86, nothing like as precise. Tend to understeer on the way in and oversteer on the way out. But can be fun anyway .
Lots of good power tuning options, FMIC exhaust and chip well worth it, more if you want it
Umpteen aftermarket suspension options, most of them crap.
Fairly practical esp S13 with fastback.
Rare and pricey now esp S15s which are import-only and the ultimate version with better body rigidity and torsen diff (all are developments of the original S13 chassis).
SXOC.co.uk is the place to go (at least, it always used to be, assume it still is)

[Mr Tidy]

I'm a BMW fan, mainly because I much prefer RWD!

If a Z4 is an option the earlier E85 (Roadster) E86 (Coupe) 3.0Si might be an option.

But I wouldn't rule out the E82 125i because it has the same N52 engine as the 130i so no cam-chain issue. Although for some reason BMW mapped it to 218bhp in the 125i whereas in the 130i it's 265bhp - still a remap will restore the missing horses!

Anyway good luck with your search.

[CABC]

it might be that you want to move on from the MX5. a change is understandable, but you don't quite fully commit to that in the op?
rationally, the 5 is just about the best fun you'll get on the budget. you could supercharge rather than turbo. or cams, a skim and TBs would change it a lot. shame to throw away the investment already made.

risk of swapping on a low budget is that you may end up repairing to get to where you were. bMW, lovely engine though, and a great car.

[samoht]

Worth considering a Boxster S unless you definitely want front-engined, 3.2L should yield enough torque.

Otherwise on reflection I don't think any of the alternatives will give the feel of the MX-5, the way it feels like you're wearing it rather than driving it. A turbo will give it a sense of energy in the midrange, and make it more tail-happy; I don't know what the limits are with turboing the 2.0 without lowering the compression though.

[Truckosaurus]

GT86 but probably no quicker than the MX5 as stock.

One of the smaller hot hatches might be more fun and raw than a fancy Golf or Megane - eg. Suzuki Swift or Up GTi.

[Warcloud36]

Thanks for the suggestions.


1. MX5 Turbo
2. M135i
3. Megane RS
4. 370z

- Z4 is a backup plan, but the 35i ones are at the top end of the budget and that's for a higher mileage option.


370Z and other VQ engines just seem like big gas guzzlers but I guess they would be fine, not many big N/A engines around.

I'm a vauxhall and ford hater, probably because of their commonness and how that means so many chavs seem to have them, not really after that image I guess.

samoht said:

Worth considering a Boxster S unless you definitely want front-engined, 3.2L should yield enough torque.

Otherwise on reflection I don't think any of the alternatives will give the feel of the MX-5, the way it feels like you're wearing it rather than driving it. A turbo will give it a sense of energy in the midrange, and make it more tail-happy; I don't know what the limits are with turboing the 2.0 without lowering the compression though.

NC1 which is 2006-2009 can take about 300hp and then afterwards the face lift models known as NC2, NC3 and NC 3.5 all have forged cranks and a higher rev limit, they are good for around 400hp. For me the HP isn't the issue it's just torque, my 180hp mx5 feels quick enough once it is moving, the sense of speed in that car is high but the engine is lazy below 4000rpm, I think I would favor a supercharged one but if tuned properly I would imagien the turbo would spool quickly.

I do like the Boxster and also caymen, but even now people think I'm wealthy because I have a little mx5 in my area, it's a council estate and I guess they have no idea what the mx5 actually it is. Which is basically an inexpensive low maintenance car.

Edited by Warcloud36 on Thursday 23 September 15:34

[cerb4.5lee]

Warcloud36 said:

370Z and other VQ engines just seem like big gas guzzlers but I guess they would be fine, not many big N/A engines around.

I love my 370Z, but I did prefer the S14 200SX that I had for its lighter weight though. Both are as bad as each other fuel wise though. My 200 was lightly tuned, and it didn't even manage to give me the 22mpg that I get from the 370!

I do like the older school bigger N/A engine that the 370 offers to be fair. It is quite a rare thing to have nowadays as you say.

[Ash_]

For your budget I'd be considering a GT86.

[Warcloud36]

Ash_ said:

For your budget I'd be considering a GT86.

My MX5 is probably just as quick, it's not enough of an upgrade to warranty spending that kind of money considering my mx5 was sub £5k for pretty much the same performance. Supercaged gt86 sure, na with torque dip, no thanks.

[JimbobVFR]

Truckosaurus said:

One of the smaller hot hatches might be more fun and raw than a fancy Golf or Megane - eg. Suzuki Swift or Up GTi.

Speaking personally my 2012 Swift Sport is an absolute hoot to drive, I'm in Yorkshire so most of my driving is on the smaller twisty roads that suit it perfectly.

I'm not sure it would suit the OP but for me it takes me back to older hot hatches back in the early 90s when I passed my test.

[ZX10R NIN]

Warcloud36 said:

NC1 which is 2006-2009 can take about 300hp and then afterwards the face lift models known as NC2, NC3 and NC 3.5 all have forged cranks and a higher rev limit, they are good for around 400hp. For me the HP isn't the issue it's just torque, my 180hp mx5 feels quick enough once it is moving, the sense of speed in that car is high but the engine is lazy below 4000rpm, I think I would favor a supercharged one but if tuned properly I would imagien the turbo would spool quickly.

I do like the Boxster and also caymen, but even now people think I'm wealthy because I have a little mx5 in my area, it's a council estate and I guess they have no idea what the mx5 actually it is. Which is basically an inexpensive low maintenance car.

Edited by Warcloud36 on Thursday 23 September 15:34

The 370Z is decent on fuel for 3.7 V6 but it's also a very good steer I don't think you'll be worried after a test drive.

[PH User]

A Renault Megane sounds like your best bet. Or maybe a S2000 or boxster if you want a 2 seater.

[Warcloud36]

PH User said:

A Renault Megane sounds like your best bet. Or maybe a S2000 or boxster if you want a 2 seater.

I think if going for older Honda stuff, I'd go DC5, Looks a lot nicer in my opinion, love the Coupe and no worries about someone slashing the roof, even though you can find S2000 hardtops, they are like £1500+
The Megane is always there in the back of my mind, love the styling, chunky motor and apparently good fun to.

ZX10R NIN said:

The 370Z is decent on fuel for 3.7 V6 but it's also a very good steer I don't think you'll be worried after a test drive.

I think I am quite snobby when it comes to cars without actually trying them, the interior on the 370z is pretty shocking but like you say once you drive it all that becomes irrelevant.

Edited by Warcloud36 on Friday 24th September 17:09

[cerb4.5lee]

Warcloud36 said:

I think I am quite snobby when it comes to cars without actually trying them, the interior on the 370z is pretty shocking but like you say once you drive it all that becomes irrelevant.

The 370 is pretty decent on fuel on a run to be fair. Like you there are only 2 things that I'd change about mine, and that is the interior and the weight(mines the heavier Roadster though). I really like the way it drives for sure, it is a good steer I reckon.