£10k 'special' but practical - does it exist?
Discussion
I've been procrastinating again, as we do, and whilst I'm 90% sure I've settled on my choice, there's always a part of me that wonders...is there something else there for me that does most of the job, but for half the price?
My wife's learning to drive and will ultimately take over a 2015 Swift Sport, which at the moment is the household's only car. Will likely require another (bigger) car due to stopping working from home and hopefully a second child on the way before too long. Next 6-12 months should be when things all start to evolve.
In a past thread I've mentioned wanting a Type R, and an FK8 is where I think my money will be going (£20k budget - have decided it's worth the extra £4-5k over an FK2). Have always loved them, and if it's even 80% of the FL5 for almost half the price at the moment then I think it's a relative bargain.
It is tempting, however, to consider if there's anything for half the price that I've missed? Would need to fit the below criteria:
5 doors with a decent-sized boot
Reasonably quick - have never owned anything quicker than a GT86 (stop sniggering at the back)
Ideally not huge maintenance fees/poor reliability - would be my daily and cover about 10k/year
Still needs to be a PH/Evo-type car with a degree of excitement - something that other enthusiasts would recognise and admire
So far I can think of various 5-door RS Meganes, Octavia VRS (saloon or estate), Golf R/GTi, some sort or Impreza or Legacy (open to an import), but for various reasons - big timing belt bills, lack of engagement, rust, or in the case of the Golfs, just plain dullness - I've not really gone all-in on them.
You can probably tell I'm into Japanese cars, but I'm not blind to other options, and I might just need a nudge towards something else.
Anything I've missed? Thanks for reading, as always.
My wife's learning to drive and will ultimately take over a 2015 Swift Sport, which at the moment is the household's only car. Will likely require another (bigger) car due to stopping working from home and hopefully a second child on the way before too long. Next 6-12 months should be when things all start to evolve.
In a past thread I've mentioned wanting a Type R, and an FK8 is where I think my money will be going (£20k budget - have decided it's worth the extra £4-5k over an FK2). Have always loved them, and if it's even 80% of the FL5 for almost half the price at the moment then I think it's a relative bargain.
It is tempting, however, to consider if there's anything for half the price that I've missed? Would need to fit the below criteria:
5 doors with a decent-sized boot
Reasonably quick - have never owned anything quicker than a GT86 (stop sniggering at the back)
Ideally not huge maintenance fees/poor reliability - would be my daily and cover about 10k/year
Still needs to be a PH/Evo-type car with a degree of excitement - something that other enthusiasts would recognise and admire
So far I can think of various 5-door RS Meganes, Octavia VRS (saloon or estate), Golf R/GTi, some sort or Impreza or Legacy (open to an import), but for various reasons - big timing belt bills, lack of engagement, rust, or in the case of the Golfs, just plain dullness - I've not really gone all-in on them.
You can probably tell I'm into Japanese cars, but I'm not blind to other options, and I might just need a nudge towards something else.
Anything I've missed? Thanks for reading, as always.
Insignia VXR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511288...
Any Audi A6/A7 with the 3.0TDi
Audi A8. 4.2 TDi
BMW 335i/d 535i/d
Jag XFR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603070...
Or what about a Tesla Model 3?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511288...
Any Audi A6/A7 with the 3.0TDi
Audi A8. 4.2 TDi
BMW 335i/d 535i/d
Jag XFR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603070...
Or what about a Tesla Model 3?
I think the Honda is where I would put my money, most cant get over the looks but I like them.
Usual suspects apply really, All manor of hot hatches available for £20k, gets a bit tougher at £10k.
Maybe consider an older Mitsubishi Evo but they are a difficult car to buy with regards to rust and prices.
Usual suspects apply really, All manor of hot hatches available for £20k, gets a bit tougher at £10k.
Maybe consider an older Mitsubishi Evo but they are a difficult car to buy with regards to rust and prices.
I’m playing about with a £10k third car at the moment to get back on track.
Being honest must hot hatches are pretty poor now at this budget and I’ve been very disappointed. RS Meganes are great but they need constant maintenance and are too small for 2 kids. Focus STs aren’t that good. GTI/R/Cupra/VRS is top of budget, lived hard life and water pump and clutch is a 4 year serviceable item basically. 308GTIs are brilliant but brakes are pricey and small selection. GTC VXR is 3 door with also pricey brakes. Decent M135i would be where my money goes here but they are cramped for 2 kids!
Really annoying thing is that my Tesla Model 3 Long Range is just better. Only the Megane RS and 308 GTI handle better but they’d have no hope keeping up with the Tesla. Never mind running costs and practicality (especially with 2 kids!).
£20k budget with a bit of creep and straight to an FK8 would be my advice. Drives brilliant, reasonably reliable, is actually comfortable and it’s a decent size.
Alternatives to think about is a RS Megane Trophy but it’s smaller inside and be tight with 2 rear facing child seats. Focus RS if you can get a good one. Kia Stinger GTS but I find they are really over priced and service intervals a pain. BMW 330/340i but a Tesla drives better, cheaper and more practical.
I’d buy the Type R FK8. Looks amazing and something different. You’ll probably do really well on depreciation long term.
Real budget creep and I’d recommend an M4.
Being honest must hot hatches are pretty poor now at this budget and I’ve been very disappointed. RS Meganes are great but they need constant maintenance and are too small for 2 kids. Focus STs aren’t that good. GTI/R/Cupra/VRS is top of budget, lived hard life and water pump and clutch is a 4 year serviceable item basically. 308GTIs are brilliant but brakes are pricey and small selection. GTC VXR is 3 door with also pricey brakes. Decent M135i would be where my money goes here but they are cramped for 2 kids!
Really annoying thing is that my Tesla Model 3 Long Range is just better. Only the Megane RS and 308 GTI handle better but they’d have no hope keeping up with the Tesla. Never mind running costs and practicality (especially with 2 kids!).
£20k budget with a bit of creep and straight to an FK8 would be my advice. Drives brilliant, reasonably reliable, is actually comfortable and it’s a decent size.
Alternatives to think about is a RS Megane Trophy but it’s smaller inside and be tight with 2 rear facing child seats. Focus RS if you can get a good one. Kia Stinger GTS but I find they are really over priced and service intervals a pain. BMW 330/340i but a Tesla drives better, cheaper and more practical.
I’d buy the Type R FK8. Looks amazing and something different. You’ll probably do really well on depreciation long term.
Real budget creep and I’d recommend an M4.
Giulietta TBI:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602190...
428i GC:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602250...
430i:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602109...
2.0T Insignia Elite Nav:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602139...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603120...
Previous gen VXR, these are an underrated steer & very much a PH car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511288...
R36, this ones a saloon but you can get them in estate spec:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509116...
Leon Cupra 290:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602049...
280 Estate:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603100...
S5 Sportback:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511167...
2.0T:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511198...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602190...
428i GC:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602250...
430i:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602109...
2.0T Insignia Elite Nav:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602139...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603120...
Previous gen VXR, these are an underrated steer & very much a PH car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511288...
R36, this ones a saloon but you can get them in estate spec:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509116...
Leon Cupra 290:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602049...
280 Estate:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603100...
S5 Sportback:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511167...
2.0T:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511198...
Thanks for the replies and suggestions, everyone.
I should probably have mentioned, I'm not looking to go down the diesel or electric route for now.
Some of the replies have reinforced why I've not gone for some of the alternatives on my list, and have reinforced the FK8 benefits, so thanks for that.
Looks like unless some sort of JDM curio pops up at Torque GT I'll be going for the Honda.
I should probably have mentioned, I'm not looking to go down the diesel or electric route for now.
Some of the replies have reinforced why I've not gone for some of the alternatives on my list, and have reinforced the FK8 benefits, so thanks for that.
Looks like unless some sort of JDM curio pops up at Torque GT I'll be going for the Honda.
If you don't mind an import
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509206...
May not be that "special" but they go like a rocket.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509206...
May not be that "special" but they go like a rocket.
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