PH Service History: Living the dream
Short of a lottery win, our dream car budgets are somewhat constrained. So, what're the best cars for £10k?
But could we buy the best car in the world if limited to a more down-to-earth budget of just £10k? Nope, don't be daft, that won't buy you a supercar, not even half of one, or indeed anything rare or exotic, not even some half-baked replica. But if you look through our classifieds you might be able to pick up a used example of what are generally regarded to be the best sports cars in their particular class for that sort of money. You might, in short, be able to choose from some of the best cars in the real world.
Next, you might want a similar drop-top, but smaller and easier on the pocket, something that's so highly regarded it's sold more than just about any other sports car worldwide. Gotta be the Mazda MX-5. It doesn't really matter which version of this diminutive drop-top you choose, you'll enjoy driving them all. A £10k budget will buy you this 2012 Mk3.5 car, and what you'll get is a quick-steering, sharp-handling roadster powered by a lively 158hp 2.0-litre engine, enabling 0-62mph in 7.6sec and a blowy top speed of 132mph.
But those figures tell only half the story. Even this largest of MX-5s feels lithe, and a quick roof-down punt along a sunny country lane will stir your senses, its unburstable quality matched only by its unbeatable charm. Reported problems are few, and there are plenty around. Another thought: shop carefully and you could probably have an example of each, Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3, for your £10k.
Now, as far as hot hatches are concerned, there are so many good ones to choose from it could make your head spin. Think Megane RS, Clio RS, Fiesta ST and Civic Type R, but of them all it's surely the VW Golf GTI that must be the best all-rounder in the real world. In fact it could be all the car you need wrapped up in one elegant and understated bundle. The Mk6 version packs a smooth 208hp turbocharged 2.0-litre engine under its bonnet, which means 0-62mph in a swift 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 149mph. There's strong grip and accurate steering and the handling is a joy: eminently chuckable, instantly recoverable and immense fun. No other hot hatch can match its overall competence, possibly no other car. For £10k, you'll get this 2009 five-door with desirable 18-inch alloys.
What about an ordinary size coupe? The Audi TT seems to have that category all sown up, and likewise you'll easily bag a good 'un for our chosen budget. Alas the GT86 is still just a tad too expensive, but personally I'd be half-tempted by an old Renault Alpine GTA, which you should be able to pick up for this money - check out Lewis Kingston's buying guide from earlier this week here.
Finally, what if you need a car to transport the family around while your sporty number's being serviced? Maybe you need the best 4x4, the best all-round SUV for £10k? The Range Rover has been ploughing its own furrow since 1970, combining the qualities of a smart and refined upmarket town car and a hugely capable and capacious off-roader. It can pull like a train and glide like a swan, although it still comes as a shock to discover that the chic, stolid and innovative Rangie handles like a boat. It also comes as a shock to learn that something so tough can be so fragile - its unreliability will make you weep. But for £10k, you could put this V8 diesel Vogue SE from 2006 on your driveway, and for perhaps 50 per cent of the time you would want for no more.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Words: Mark Pearson
Incredible value for money
Often wondered how close you could get the handling of a VX220 to match it's more attractive cousin.
I lost the article at 'luxary automatic' but it's still got a conversation going on the forum.
Daniel
Often wondered how close you could get the handling of a VX220 to match it's more attractive cousin.
Whats not to like.
Often wondered how close you could get the handling of a VX220 to match it's more attractive cousin.
It's hard to argue against the value of the VX220 though, especially since early Elise prices seem to be heading upwards. Of course even out of the box they handle far more like an Elise than anything else.
Incredible value for money
Often wondered how close you could get the handling of a VX220 to match it's more attractive cousin.
It's hard to argue against the value of the VX220 though, especially since early Elise prices seem to be heading upwards. Of course even out of the box they handle far more like an Elise than anything else.
A VX can be made to be quicker etc but depends what you ultimately look for.
Personally I didn't consider the Vauxhall when I bought by Elise. Much the same way I didn't consider a Westfield when I bought my Caterham.
Incredible value for money
A 330ci is a different question as far as I am aware they are heavier, less reliable, potentially older
Compared to a 911 the costs are very similar, a lot of shared parts, access on the Boxster often slightly worse too
It’s my 4th Porsche and they seem to be about ££2000ish a year once they are 7-8 years old. The car so far has had £15k spent on it since new in 13 years, admittedly that was almost exclusively OPC and some ridiculous charges in there
But it’s once they age / have done a few miles the bills start coming in
This one has had air con rads, new tyres, discs and pads all round, pasm springs and dampers replaces, an all new stereo system, and the door membranes serviced all in the last few years mostly before I bought it so fingers crossed it won’t break me financially like the 997 before did that needed a new gearbox!!!
Just looked in the classifieds and you can get one for as little as £5k, but that might be a risk too far.
Not sure a Golf or MX-5 is really a dream car though, their genius is in being reasonably attainable anyway I'd say.
Instead of the MX-5, I think the Honda S2000 is more of a £10k dream car, with its 9,000rpm engine and space-age instrument display.
The cheaper RX-7s are just rising above the £10k mark, definitely a dream car for some of us. Although you could well need another £10k to fix it!
A Range Rover for 10 grand that was exempt from having to get MOTs would be a great car, but the reality is what? Budget for 2, 3, 4 grands of repairs every year?! You do have to be rich to afford these cars! Almost as rich as the person who initially bought the car! Would the yearly outgoings be much different?!
If I had 10 grand, and the car didn't have to be relied on for commuting, but it was going to be my only car... I'd get the best 944 I could. Simple, reliable, appreciating, and just fantastic. If I wanted to go newer... You'll still get a cracking Clio Williams for less than 10 I'd have thought.. Or very new, the GT86 will be there shortly and will be a great fun buy.
I don't see the interest in Subarus/Evos anymore - the tax and fuel economy for something so inherently ordinary when you're just pootling about makes them irrelevant. An Impreza wagon 20 years ago was a great thing - small, practical, cheap, fast, 4wd - but now they're essentially identical, without the charm. And without the wagon bit.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff