£15-17.5k, Fast(ish), Practical, Dog-proof - MkIII

[dan425]

Team PH,

I'm in the market for something that meets the below requirements. I'm currently torn between an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde or BMW M135i.

• Petrol
• Automatic
• <50k mileage
• Fast (ish) - I miss the "zoomy" nature of the Evora, and didn't like how heavy the Panamera was. I want something that makes me smile when I put my foot down and feels fun to drive at civilised speeds, rather than something that will set records on the 'ring.
• Not too "boy racery" - eg: fast Clios, Focus ST.
• Decent tech inside (Cruise, heated seats, decent stereo, etc)
• Relatively low bork potential (no old RS3s or "Why not get a Maserati Ghibli" suggestions)
• Dog-suitable - Small lurcher (think large whippet, small greyhound) - She sits on the back seats, so estate isn't required (or wanted).
• Daily commute is 10 miles of 50mph/30mph roads. Rest is longer motorway trips and misc weekend adventures. Annual mileage is c.10k.

Budget is £15,00-17,500 ish.

Cars I've owned since 2019:

• BMW 435i Gran Coupe - great car, but it got written off
• VW Golf R Estate - good car, but was missing a certain something
• Lotus Evora S - best car I've ever had but did not meet with wifely approval!
• Jaguar XF Sportbrake 300 Sport - lovely interior, but uninspiring to drive
• Porsche Panamera Turbo - far too heavy, despite the performance on offer, V8 too thirsty

Thanks!

Dan

PS: I've named this thread MkIII as I've previously asked similar questions a couple of years ago.

May 2019 - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Feb 2019 - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by dan425 on Monday 31st January 13:23

[ZX10R NIN]

Insignia VXR these are an underrated car & a good steer with a nice punchy engine:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109036...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112210...

V60 T6 not a drivers car but a good swift set of wheels:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201271...

Leftfield.

C55 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...

[dan425]

ZX10R NIN said:

Insignia VXR these are an underrated car & a good steer with a nice punchy engine:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109036...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112210...

V60 T6 not a drivers car but a good swift set of wheels:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201271...

Leftfield.

C55 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...

I nearly bought a VXR estate in that colour once!

That said, thank you for the suggestions here, but I'm not actually looking for an estate this time round, as I've not found I've gelled particularly with the two I've had.