Recommend me ANY interesting car under around £5k

[Chris-1e43g]

I m about to sell my f12 BMW M6 for something a bit more usable and I m waiting for a specific car to come along (f56 JCW Convertible).

Until then I m thinking of picking up something to do me until I find one, so about 6 months ish. The thing is I m open to pretty much anything interesting! The only requirements are:

1. I have around £2k - £5k ish to spend. Maybe a bit more depending on what it is.

1. Needs to be interesting, I ve been looking at panda 100hp s to CLS s. I know it s a broad spectrum but a car with a standout feature would be interesting, ideally fun too.

1. Ideally 4 seats as I have an 8 year old but would reconsider depending on the car as we already have a family car.

1. Something that I can resell relatively easily. Don t mind taking a small hit on depreciation but I d like to sell quick ish should I find another car (motorway/carwow have always been good).

1. Something rare/left field is a plus!

1. Relatively reliable - I know interesting doesn t usually mean reliable, and it is a second car so won t do that many miles but I ll occasionally do a long run out with it. Things like an R56 Mini Cooper S for instance would send me running due to their numerous engine issues!

Edited by Chris-1e43g on Monday 3rd November 10:58

[macron]

Clio 197/200

RCZ

Quattroporte and some very big balls!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025100769...

[trevalvole]

macron said:

RCZ

Don't the petrols have a similar turbo Prince engine to the R56 Cooper S?

[the-norseman]

Left field, SAAB 9-3 "Turbo X" its a 2.8 V6

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286870714178?_skw=saab+...

I had the same lump in my 9-3 Estate but mine wasn't a "Turbo X"

[BORNXenon]

Chris-1e43g said:

I m about to sell my f12 BMW M6 for something a bit more usable and I m waiting for a specific car to come along (f56 JCW Convertible).

Until then I m thinking of picking up something to do me until I find one, so about 6 months ish. The thing is I m open to pretty much anything interesting! The only requirements are:

1. I have around £2k - £5k ish to spend. Maybe a bit more depending on what it is.

1. Needs to be interesting, I ve been looking at panda 100hp s to CLS s. I know it s a broad spectrum but a car with a standout feature would be interesting, ideally fun too.

1. Ideally 4 seats as I have an 8 year old but would reconsider depending on the car as we already have a family car.

1. Something that I can resell relatively easily. Don t mind taking a small hit on depreciation but I d like to sell quick ish should I find another car (motorway/carwow have always been good).

1. Something rare/left field is a plus!

1. Relatively reliable - I know interesting doesn t usually mean reliable, and it is a second car so won t do that many miles but I ll occasionally do a long run out with it. Things like an R56 Mini Cooper S for instance would send me running due to their numerous engine issues!

Edited by Chris-1e43g on Monday 3rd November 10:58

R53 Mini Cooper S

1. In budget
2. Go-kart handling with supercharger power - interesting enough?
3. Has exactly 4 seats
4. Holding value currently if not appreciating slightly.
5. Getting rarer
6. Relatively reliable, can have rust issues due to age, but if you're only keeping it for 6 months, shouldn't be a problem.

[Chris-1e43g]

Quattroporte Nowhere near brave enough!

The RCZ and the R53 are good shouts though. Yeah the RCZ has the prince engine but I think certain models have a revision where some of the issues were resolved?

R53 I think I'll look into as I have always wanted to try them. As for the Saab, I just can't get over their looks but I hear they are decent.

With things like Clio's and other recommendations like fiesta ST's, Meganes etc they dont really do it for me even though they are meant to be really engaging to drive.

[BORNXenon]

To my knowledge, the RCZ has the same N14 engine that was in the early R56 Cooper S', the later R56 (post 2010) had the N18 engine which was a revision that supposedly fixed some of the N14's issues, presumably the RCZ also got the N18 at some point.

[Scootersp]

Ebay "E63 BMW 6 Series Coupe 630i 2009 Sports Auto Transmission Imola Red N53 Engine"

Your quick resale criteria it could fail on.......reliability in this price range is a coin flip for anything, but it could cost you a chunk (injectors and fuel pump seem high risk/cost items vs the older N52 engine), but you said any!!

[Chris-1e43g]

That 6 series does look nice but I feel that going to that from the M6 I already have would be a bit to similar.

How about something like this?:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025100769...

Edited by Chris-1e43g on Monday 3rd November 16:20

[CoolC]

Scootersp said:

Ebay "E63 BMW 6 Series Coupe 630i 2009 Sports Auto Transmission Imola Red N53 Engine"

Your quick resale criteria it could fail on.......reliability in this price range is a coin flip for anything, but it could cost you a chunk (injectors and fuel pump seem high risk/cost items vs the older N52 engine), but you said any!!

That looks bloomin' smart. Quite fancy one of these now that family is grown up so don't really have the need for the diesel F11 I currently have.

No MOT currently though.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're looking at an RCZ you need to go for the 200bhp models.

Giulietta Cloverleaf:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510287...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510066...

Clio RS it'll be a non Cup model:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502279...

[Dog Biscuit]

trevalvole said:

macron said:

RCZ

Don't the petrols have a similar turbo Prince engine to the R56 Cooper S?

Yep. Tears at bedtime

[georgeyboy12345]

Get an F56 Cooper S while you're waiting and get it remapped to 265 bhp for around £300
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506223...


There's absolutely loads of interesting stuff for around £5k or less

Other mini-sized cars that are fun to drive

Abarth 595

cheaper model
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510167...

lower mileage model
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508305...


Or the same engine in a slightly larger and much rarer Abarth Punto Evo
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510076...

The above can be remapped by a company like AHM to around 210 bhp for around £300


Super cheap Mitsubishi Colt CZ-T that'll remap to 200 bhp, which should be fairly lively in a 1100 kg kerbweight
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509276...


Vauxhall Corsa VXR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510187...


Suzuki Swift Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509126...


Renault Twingo Gordini
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503310...


Peugeot 208 GTi - go for the Euro 6 models with these, they had the issues associated with the Prince engines rectified
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412167...


Ford Fiesta ST - go for post-2015 models, that's when they sorted the coolant issues out
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504221...


VW Polo GTI - pick the 1.8 TSI motors (EA888 = good) avoid the 1.4 TSIs (EA111 = bad)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510197...



Let's go up a size - these will be slightly more leggy

Renaultsport Megane
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510257...


Audi S3 8P Sportback
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510297...


BMW 130i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509156...


Ford Focus ST
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510287...

lower mileage one for a bit more
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510187...


Peugeot 308 GTi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510097...


Mercedes A250
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510277...


VW Golf GTI mk5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505132...


VW Golf GTE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510307...


Audi TTS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509276...



Slightly older, may not necessarily be as reliable (or clean air zone compliant) Definitely interesting though

BMW E36 328i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509066...


Audi S4 B5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510257...


Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 24V
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510317...


Fiat Coupe Turbo Plus - a bit of tinworm setting in - rescue it!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509116...


Chevrolet Camaro (4th gen) Z28!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507014...


Last but not least - low mileage and low price Ford Puma 1.7
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505092...

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Monday 3rd November 23:38

[fflump]

Some great stuff above.

£5k is also good Alfa territory I paid that for a V6 159 Q4 sport wagon 10 yrs ago but the 159, Brera , 156 and GT are all worth a look.

[Belle427]

Golf Gti Edition 30 if you can find a good one, a reputable remap takes it to 300 Bhp and really transforms it.

[Dog Biscuit]

Belle427 said:

Golf Gti Edition 30 if you can find a good one, a reputable remap takes it to 300 Bhp and really transforms it.

Yep - I had one for a few years. DSG with a REVO map. Ballistic for what it was and surprisingly decent traction.

It's finding a good one. The 'Pirelli' edition is basically the same too

[sneezer212]

R53 cooper S is a great car but seems pointless if you're going to another mini. A BMW 130 is about £5k.

[zippy3x]

Chris-1e43g said:

With things like Clio's and other recommendations like fiesta ST's, Meganes etc they dont really do it for me even though they are meant to be really engaging to drive.

If I was going to be getting a car for a fixed 6 month period, then something "that doesn't really do it for me, but is meant to be really engaging" is exactly what I'd be getting.

[Chris-1e43g]

OK what a fantastic list! working my way through it now. I like the punto and twingo ideas!

And that engine in the GTV looks fantastic, ok lots of thinking needs to take place

georgeyboy12345 said:

Get an F56 Cooper S while you're waiting and get it remapped to 265 bhp for around £300
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506223...


There's absolutely loads of interesting stuff for around £5k or less

Other mini-sized cars that are fun to drive

Abarth 595

cheaper model
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510167...

lower mileage model
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508305...


Or the same engine in a slightly larger and much rarer Abarth Punto Evo
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510076...

The above can be remapped by a company like AHM to around 210 bhp for around £300


Super cheap Mitsubishi Colt CZ-T that'll remap to 200 bhp, which should be fairly lively in a 1100 kg kerbweight
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509276...


Vauxhall Corsa VXR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510187...


Suzuki Swift Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509126...


Renault Twingo Gordini
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503310...


Peugeot 208 GTi - go for the Euro 6 models with these, they had the issues associated with the Prince engines rectified
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412167...


Ford Fiesta ST - go for post-2015 models, that's when they sorted the coolant issues out
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504221...


VW Polo GTI - pick the 1.8 TSI motors (EA888 = good) avoid the 1.4 TSIs (EA111 = bad)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510197...



Let's go up a size - these will be slightly more leggy

Renaultsport Megane
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510257...


Audi S3 8P Sportback
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510297...


BMW 130i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509156...


Ford Focus ST
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510287...

lower mileage one for a bit more
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510187...


Peugeot 308 GTi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510097...


Mercedes A250
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510277...


VW Golf GTI mk5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505132...


VW Golf GTE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510307...


Audi TTS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509276...



Slightly older, may not necessarily be as reliable (or clean air zone compliant) Definitely interesting though

BMW E36 328i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509066...


Audi S4 B5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510257...


Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 24V
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510317...


Fiat Coupe Turbo Plus - a bit of tinworm setting in - rescue it!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509116...


Chevrolet Camaro (4th gen) Z28!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507014...


Last but not least - low mileage and low price Ford Puma 1.7
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505092...

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Monday 3rd November 23:38

[eth2190]

Cayenne turbo
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511047...