"Fun" Car recommendation...

chrism_scotland

chrism_scotland

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Chris
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Folks,

Looking for some advice, I'm looking to change my car (2011 1.6 Diesel Volvo S60), its a lovely car but I'm looking for something a bit more exciting and possibly moving away from diesel given I'm half expecting some kind of attack on diesel shortly through excise, tax, etc.

I'm looking for something a bit more fun as I tend to travel on my own or with one other and don't have any kids! Woo... I went though the same last time before buying the "sensible" Volvo in the end but this time I've got a bit more cash to play with.

I've been looking at the Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ which looks great, there don't seem that many on the road and it would seem to tick almost all the boxes, fun, not too expensive and "sporty", also has 2 cramped rear seats if I really needed to take more than one.

However looking around I'm realising that £20-25k actually seems to get you quite a lot when you look at cars which are 1-2 years old and I've started also looking at other Coupes like the Merc C Class or BMW 4 Series, I appreciate that they're not going to have the nimble, fun handling of the Toyota/Subaru coupe but would be far more practical while also looking pretty smart with all the gadgets, etc but I wondered what other folk who might have been looking for similar have bought?
 
All depends on how big the budget is, whether it'll be an only car or a fun alternative to something sensible. Fuel economy also rears its head, especially if it'll be used for longer trips.
 
What about a nice Tin Top convertible as well.
Don't know much about makes and models but they look very practical.
 
Merc A45AMG? Probably at the top of your budget and more than a year old for this price but there are some nice examples on the market for£20-25k. Lots of fun, 350bhp, cheap(ish) to tax, 4WD and passenger space too. I'm seriously thinking of trading my Cayman for one.
 
Something sensible-ish and a late plate mk 3 MX5 or Z4/CLK if more money available
 
Z4 is a two seater. The 3 series is available in a folding tin top. 4 seats. Boot is ok if you don't want to use the roof.
 
XK8? X150s aren't too expensive now, even late model ones. It's even possible to squeeze someone into the back seats (I'm 6'1" and fit but I wouldn't want to go more than a couple of miles in the back! Mrs Nod can fit better but she's very bendy!) TBH though, an MX5 would be my choice - a proper soft top rather than a folding tin top or powered roof because the manual soft top takes a couple of seconds to drop and only about 5 to raise.
 
We grabbed a new Mk4 MX5 last year for the same reason - absolutely loving it. Feels very nippy, lots of revs, straight short shift gears without an overdrive gear means it's fun to drive, but you're not likely to lose your licence over it.

As the Daily Mash put it recently - “Driving it makes me feel like a 60s secret agent, albeit a relatively junior one on a modest pay grade.” (article here)
 
Reputation for unreliability is largely undeserved. I've covered approx 20,000 miles in mine in two years with no major problems. Some of the more recent problems had some teething troubles as they decided to build their own engines, but the Rover and Ford engined ones are generally fine, with wiring problems being the main problems. They're not complicated cars with integrated everything, so an enthusiast can look after them.
 
boogie man said:
Are all the horror stories about TVR reliability true? I've often wondered.
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Nope! It's been my most reliable car, my other two japanese ones had new engines under warranty
Old reliability stuff was over the speed 6 engine, but theres two rebuilders now give 5 year warranties. Older Chimeras etc with the tuned rover V8 are bullet proof

Even my AJP has been really reliable
165807621.jpg


They are going up in price currently though
 
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Thoughts! Check out the thefts where you are , i.e. Golf R's are highly sought after, as are some sporty Audi's, usually with a break in for the keys or an assault on the driveway

Quite like the idea of the Merc A45, MX-5's are fun, brisk, not fast, reliable. The new Mk4 is good as it's 150kg lighter. If a BMW then something with the engine from the 335D?
 
C-class coupe is nice, used to have a 15-plate C220d AMG Sport Premium version. Though if you're considering Mercedes avoid Fire Opal Red which has been known to have a problem with micro blistering. Other colours don't have this problem apparently. If you want a gasoline one, then a C180 is probably the only one you'll find. These have similar performance to the diesels, but you need to rev the engine more get it to go. The only other gasoline version is the C63 AMG!

Prior to the coupe, we had an SLK200 with 6-speed manual box. Had this for seven years, loved it. Went on some decent trips with it (Scottish highlands, Le Mans twice, Italian Dolomites).

My daughter has a 25th Anniversary Mazda MX5. Belting little car.
 
I love my GT86, had it 4 years now and no plans to change it at all. If I did it would only be for another one. Often does weekends away with the photography kit, even did a trip up on a track day with a week's worth of clothes, camera kit including backups and 4 spare wheels on the back seats. Even used it to shift a bulky photobooth as a last minute request.

The downsides to the car is it's not as refined or as powerful as the competition, but on a B road blast you don't need the power. It's such a mod friendly car and power/handling can easily be adjusted to suit your needs with bolt-ons. I'd either buy new (might be able to get them down to 25-6k with a broker) with the facelift or get one 2-3 years old and save the cash.
 
Steeps said:
I love my GT86, had it 4 years now and no plans to change it at all. If I did it would only be for another one. Often does weekends away with the photography kit, even did a trip up on a track day with a week's worth of clothes, camera kit including backups and 4 spare wheels on the back seats. Even used it to shift a bulky photobooth as a last minute request.

The downsides to the car is it's not as refined or as powerful as the competition, but on a B road blast you don't need the power. It's such a mod friendly car and power/handling can easily be adjusted to suit your needs with bolt-ons. I'd either buy new (might be able to get them down to 25-6k with a broker) with the facelift or get one 2-3 years old and save the cash.
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The GT86 or BRZ are currently top of the list, going to test-drive a BRZ tonight and if I like that will have a look at the GT86 when I'm down at the dealerships on Saturday, it is my preferred option (either of them) and probably a 2-3 old one as they seem to be relatively cheap considering the new price, that said if I saw a good deal I would go new.

Some great suggestions in the thread folks so thanks, I looked at MX5's last time I changed cars and didn't like it but that could have been the particular model, I do quite like the look of the new one. Another one added to the list is the Jaguar XK, I'd considered a more powerful saloon like an XE/XF but hadn't thought of the XK probably as its not current but it looks a cracking piece of kit and a 5L engine just sounds sublime!!!
 
chrism_scotland said:
Another one added to the list is the Jaguar XK, I'd considered a more powerful saloon like an XE/XF but hadn't thought of the XK probably as its not current but it looks a cracking piece of kit and a 5L engine just sounds sublime!!!
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The earlier XK8 (X100) is (IMO) better looking than the later (X150) model but neither version is a munter! Soft top version is remarkably refined - you can chat at normal voice levels at 70 with the roof down (and windows up). In fact, my only real gripe with the thing is that it sounds too muted at normal speeds - you can barely hear that it's a V8! When the current 'zorst on Mrs Nod's rots out, it'll be replaced with an SS system with a less restrictive central section... :D XFs are pretty cheap these days (2nd hand). Lots of 2.2s around and they go remarkably well for a relatively small engined big car and go a long way on a gallon of Diesel (again, for a big car!) The 3l Diesel does pull a bit better and feels more relaxed but still manages over 40mpg on a long motorway run. Rather less around town but it's still on a par with a 1500 A class Merc auto.
 
Can I just add the new mustang is brilliant. You'd just about get one for £25K
 
andrewc said:
I took a GT86 out on a test drive and was actually a little disappointed in it. Wasn't given the opportunity to thrash it, but at normal speeds it could have been any other Toyota.
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I felt the same after my first couple of test drives but still bought one as it ticked all the boxes for me. All the power is high up in the rev range after a bit of a dip (good ol' emissions) so it's a car that needs to be worked hard to get it to go fast, but still lots of fun in the corners without trying too hard. The exhaust system can be modified to get 20-30% better midrange or if you have enough cash and want more power, turbo/SC conversions are widely available in the UK.

If you do go down the second hand route, try and get one '15 plate onwards as they did some minor adjustments to the handling.
 
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Steeps said:
I felt the same after my first couple of test drives but still bought one as it ticked all the boxes for me. All the power is high up in the rev range after a bit of a dip (good ol' emissions) so it's a car that needs to be worked hard to get it to go fast, but still lots of fun in the corners without trying too hard. The exhaust system can be modified to get 20-30% better midrange or if you have enough cash and want more power, turbo/SC conversions are widely available in the UK.

If you do go down the second hand route, try and get one '15 plate onwards as they did some minor adjustments to the handling.
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The car I was driving at the time of my test drive was a Toyota Altezza RS200 - the Japanese market version of the first Lexus IS200 - however, the 150bhp straight six UK cars got was ditched for a 210bhp four cylinder with variable valve timing. This required keeping above 4500rpm if you hoped to get much power from it, and also suffered from poor torque. Maybe the RS200 was sufficiently close in performance to the GT86 for on road normal driving which is why I was left a little underwhelmed.

The RS200 was a pretty good car - fast, quiet, reliable, roomy - just didn't have much character, so I didn't really miss it when it went..
 
Porsche Boxster.
Take it on the A93 and you will be enthralled.

There is a company called Motortune in Shotts - Peter McAnna is an ex Porsche mechanic and used to do my servicing.
Recall once it was cheaper than my VW Golf that went in for a service at a similar time!

Top guy, inexpensive servicing, convertible if needed, totally fun, prestige car, well within budget (987 Gen II). More money to be spent on fuel.....

Or throw a couple more grand in the pot and get a 981 - you'll struggle to get one for £25k

Peter might even know people that are selling .....
 
I remember when the Boxster was regarded as the poor man's Porsche but I personally think they are very underrated cars,especially for the money.
 
gman said:
I remember when the Boxster was regarded as the poor man's Porsche but I personally think they are very underrated cars,especially for the money.
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9/10 the performance of a 911, half the price.

It made total sense to me.... And you are more likely to exploit the power in it, whilst in a 911 you would never reach the top of the rev band (on a public road at least)
 
Folks thanks for all the suggestions, I've spent a few days wandering around showrooms and test driving a few bits and bobs, I think I've settled on the Subaru BRZ/ Toyota GT86 though as both seem great fun to drive, look great and are a fair bit cheaper than many of the other options. Just need to decide which way to go now, been offered a great trade in on the Volvo v a Brand New BRZ (in white!) but because the GT86 facelift came out in October last year there's a load of delivery mileage '66 & '17 plate Toyota's which are a fair bit cheaper than the brand new BRZ.
 
Brendan Mulachy said:
if you want fun...buy a motorbike
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I'd love one personally, but my wife would have something to say about it. Too dangerous for my liking. As much as I'd trust myself, you just can't trust others and the birth of my son made me value life just that little bit more, if I didn't already.

For me, I'd go with the delivery mileage GT86. Sage some cash and go with the Toyota brand, not that there's much difference between these models at all.
 
Don't go delivery mileage forecourt, there's a lot of discount you can get going through a broker or a company such as CarWow, where dealers offer a price to you rather than you having to haggle, sometimes 3-4k can be saved off the list price. The GT86 is not a fast moving line for Toyota so some dealers will even make a loss on the sale just to get another sale of the model on their books. A few traps to watch out for when talking to the dealer:
  • Car mats come with the car, they are not an extra so do not pay extra for them
  • GAP insurance can be bought elsewhere much cheaper
  • Supagard... don't bother, it's only worth £50. If you want paint protection do it straight away elsewhere
  • SMART repair - the paint chips easily so this one is up to you
  • Fixed price servicing: prices usually go up £5-10 a year, not sure if it can be transferred between dealers so might not be any good.
  • Might get 1k off going through finance (PCP), this can be settled within the first month with only the interest calculated during the time you had the loan so it can save extra cash if you can pay it off straight away)
If you do need more help/advice there's a couple of active GT86 forums.
 
chrism_scotland said:
Folks,

Looking for some advice, I'm looking to change my car (2011 1.6 Diesel Volvo S60), its a lovely car but I'm looking for something a bit more exciting and possibly moving away from diesel given I'm half expecting some kind of attack on diesel shortly through excise, tax, etc.

I'm looking for something a bit more fun as I tend to travel on my own or with one other and don't have any kids! Woo... I went though the same last time before buying the "sensible" Volvo in the end but this time I've got a bit more cash to play with.

I've been looking at the Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ which looks great, there don't seem that many on the road and it would seem to tick almost all the boxes, fun, not too expensive and "sporty", also has 2 cramped rear seats if I really needed to take more than one.

However looking around I'm realising that £20-25k actually seems to get you quite a lot when you look at cars which are 1-2 years old and I've started also looking at other Coupes like the Merc C Class or BMW 4 Series, I appreciate that they're not going to have the nimble, fun handling of the Toyota/Subaru coupe but would be far more practical while also looking pretty smart with all the gadgets, etc but I wondered what other folk who might have been looking for similar have bought?
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Hillman Imp

Your life will be full of laughter...
 
Meeten said:
9/10 the performance of a 911, half the price.
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and better handling. Than a 911 or pretty much anything from any volume manufacturer.

Owned mine for 13 years, so it's 17 years old now, and it's been very well behaved, just normal wear and tear items like brakes, bushes and one clutch (at 98,000 miles), window mechanisms, one MAF sensor (it still went OK with that failed, but the power delivery wasn't as smooth) and an ABS sensor. Currently at a few miles shy of 123k, and is parked in the work car park as I bought it in today.

It does need the aircon sorting as the radiators have rusted through and a new hood as the plastic screen has split (I will get one with a glass screen to replace it), but it's still trundling along and drives like new (that was a comment from the mechanic at the independent specialist I take it to for servicing at its last service).


I wouldn't buy a new one as they've gone from the naturally aspirated flat six engine that has a glorious howl at high revs to a four cylinder turbo.
 
Byker28i said:
Nope! It's been my most reliable car, my other two japanese ones had new engines under warranty
Old reliability stuff was over the speed 6 engine, but theres two rebuilders now give 5 year warranties. Older Chimeras etc with the tuned rover V8 are bullet proof

Even my AJP has been really reliable
165807621.jpg


They are going up in price currently though
Click to expand...


Hum 2 recent evaluations is that my car is now worth £35k...
 
Hugh Jarse said:
Hillman Imp

Your life will be full of laughter...
Click to expand...
While they are getting expensive nowadays, you'll still struggle to pay £20k for one.

With any newly purchased one you tend to spend a year ironing the bugs out before you end up with a reliable vehicle, usually by which time it will have donuts from a Lotus Elan, a high efficiency radiator and a cylinder head rebuild using a gasket from Reinz (I've owned "a few" ;) )
 
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