Fun reliable manual cars for under £10k

[Honourable Dead Snark]

Do they exist currently?

My first thoughts are the Mx5 NC and BMW Z4 but I do have some concerns with the NC and rust living in Scotland and ideally I would want a BBR NC but think that would likely be out of budget and hard to find up here?

As for the Z4, opinions on here seem to be 3 litre or don’t bother and again that would likely stretch the budget. Are the 2 litre versions that bad? Never owned a BMW and have always associated them with higher maintenance costs. Is that true for the Z4?

Don’t mind the 350z but examples seem to be higher mileage and that tax cost…

Don’t like the looks of the MR2 personally.

Is there anything obvious I’m missing or is there an argument to increase the budget (albeit would either require me to take out finance or extend my Cupra 290 lease for 6-12 months to save up more) up to around £15k to get good examples of the above or even something else which is a bit newer and potentially more reliable like a GT86 or Mx5 ND?

For context, it would be a daily but I also have access to the wife’s Golf GTI which is on lease if I need the practicality.

Any thoughts would be appreciated

[blueovercream]

Honda S2000? You could also get a reasonably well-sorted 986 Boxster for your budget.

[Earthdweller]

Z4 6cyl cars are pretty bombproof and cheap to run

£10k would get you into any E85/6 (not M)

A nice 3.0si roadster will be +/- £8k and an earlier 3.0SE. A couple of £k less

The 2.0 cars do seem to be a bit more problematic but they are usefully cheaper and probably less than £4K

I’d certainly recommend either a 2.2/2.5/3.0 straight six Z4

[OutInTheShed]

The words 'fun' and 'reliable' are open to interpretation.

If you want a Z4 , just buy the nicest one you can afford. A friend has had one for a while, it's been fine.
It's just the 2 litre,

[ZX10R NIN]

Apart from the high tax the 370Z pretty much ticks all the boxes:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305207...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305307...

[ChrisH72]

Not far over budget.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023050971...

[coldel]

Im in the same camp currently...I am looking for a Z4 E85 but manuals are hard to come by, and quite a few have been mistreated.

I am also watching for facelift SLK350s which although not as dynamically as good offer a tonne of power on tap if thats what you class as fun.

[M.F.D]

130i in manual with some upgrades (birds package?) is a solid option. Bulletproof engine, enough power to have some fun (265bhp) and with LSD and some other subtle mods would be an awesome all rounder.

GT86 is right at the top of your budget but surely a contender.

Magane RS250 Cup could also be had around this budget and I loved mine. Infact, I adored them. Real bargain hot hatch.

[rotaryjam]

Had a few of these and really it depends on what you define as 'fun' really?

Is a nice engine important? An MX5 without BBR or MR2 have very dull engines.

BMW 130i is very insulated and sensible, but some call it raw! But has a nice engine. It doesn't feel anything like a MR2 which is the opposite end of the spectrum.

The 350Z is a great option, somewhere in the middle, sounds great, very playful handling, feels solid but not too refined. I love em!

Edited by rotaryjam on Thursday 22 June 09:59

[coldel]

I found the N52 in my Z4 much more fun than the VQ in the 350z, the Z4 being a lighter car too, I found it more fun to be in. Like for like.

But yes a modified MX5 would be a good option, appreciate that they can be fun if you find yourself up a mountain side in some slow twisty roads on your own with no traffic, but how often does that happen?

[TameRacingDriver]

Here's a BBR Super 200 MX5 for well under your budget.

Allocate another £1k to rust treatment and you've got yourself a great little car. It's even got the desirable MeisterR coilovers.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023032455...

I can certainly testify to these being very fun cars as I have one myself with the same engine mods.

I wouldn't risk a 15k GT86 personally, I've heard about failing engines in these.

I've had a z4 3.0si albeit the coupe. I liked it. Nice engine, decent to drive. Not the last word in handling.

350z have lots of character but are heavy old lumps.

Sub 10k Boxster, I won't give my opinion on as it'll be biased and not in a good way for reasons I won't bore you with unless you really want to know.

Edited by TameRacingDriver on Thursday 22 June 11:09

[Vsix and Vtec]

Civic FN2 Type R. Probably the most reliable hot hatch ever, and can be had for very sensible money.

[Honourable Dead Snark]

Thanks all for the suggestions. A lot to ponder and may be worth seeing if I can test drive a few to get a feel if I can. Particularly the Z4, mx5 and probably 350z too as I do like the looks.

Sorry, I probably should have mentioned in the original post that all I have ever owned is FWD hatches and so would prefer to try something different, mainly a RWD sports car. A bit of poke is desirable but not a must.

blueovercream said:

Honda S2000? You could also get a reasonably well-sorted 986 Boxster for your budget.

Would love an S2000 but think they're slightly out of budget. Maintenance costs put me off the Porsche.

ChrisH72 said:

Not far over budget.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023050971...

Didn't realise you could get 2l ND's around that price, that's good to know.

coldel said:

I found the N52 in my Z4 much more fun than the VQ in the 350z, the Z4 being a lighter car too, I found it more fun to be in. Like for like.

But yes a modified MX5 would be a good option, appreciate that they can be fun if you find yourself up a mountain side in some slow twisty roads on your own with no traffic, but how often does that happen?

Where I live, that happens more often than not!

TameRacingDriver said:

Thanks, think you answered my question on another thread too about the BBR mx5 and Z4. Funnily enough I just spotted another BBR mx5 up for sale nearer to me with much less mileage for under 10k - ( https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306218... ). Assume the rust in the last picture would need treated too...

Edited by Honourable Dead Snark on Thursday 22 June 19:47

[cerb4.5lee]

I'm biased because I test drove a 350Z Roadster back in 2006, and I've had a 370Z Roadster for over 4 years now, so I'm a big fan of them and I always recommend them.

I haven’t driven the standard Z4(I have owned the 3.0 N52 engine in an E90 330i though), but I have had a Z4M Roadster and I personally prefer the 370Z in comparison. I have to say though that I also like the current generation MX5 too, and I also didn't realise that you could get one for this kind of money either.

[DaveE87]

Another vote here for the 130i. I was in a similar position to you a few years back. Bought the car and spent the rest on upgrades. Suspensions brakes LSD etc. I considered the Z4 but as it was my only car at the time decided to go for the practicality.

[Heaveho]

Impreza?

I know opinions vary about Boxsters, and I'm generally the worst person to ask about German cars perceived reliability , but I've had a 3.2 987 for 7 years now, bought almost against my better judgement, and with dire expectation of impending and frequent stage 5 wallet remaps. It's been reliable and has won me over. They seem either to be a nightmare if you get a wrong 'un, or, as in my case, a bit of a gem.

Jap stuff tends to be mechanically reliable, but more prone to corrosion.