Are there any "responsive" cars under £10K

Gepetto · 17 May 2016 at 17:07

I love my car but......it's turbocharged and has a dual clutch semi auto gearbox. It's very quick when I want it to be, but that means it's got to be revving, and to be perfectly honest it gets to stupid speeds very quickly if I'm pushing on. The engine, as a result of being low compression and designed to run in full auto, is what I would call lazy with the revs quite slow to drop until I'm substantially over 3000 rpm.

I am a huge fan of the V8 M3 as I love the engine, but it is out of my price range and the lack of low down torque kinda negates the effect I'm looking for in daily driving, as it seems it needs pushed to get the best out of it. So I'm wondering if there are any cars under 10K that exhibit what I would call a "rorty" response? Something that sheds revs as quickly as it gains them. Something that is fun to drive and requires a modicum of learning to drive smoothly, yet doesn't require big revs, or silly speed to involve.

dacads · 17 May 2016 at 17:09

You've left recommendations quite open in terms of age, maintenance costs etc so how about a Porsche Boxster S?

Gepetto · 17 May 2016 at 17:13

dacads said:
You've left recommendations quite open in terms of age, maintenance costs etc so how about a Porsche Boxster S?

That's a good shout as I haven't driven one. :cool:

I'm fairly open really as I really do enjoy my current car and I'm not sure whether I'm looking for the Golden Goose!

One that I did think of was the 350Z.

I'm not too fussed about age. I do want to go to the next southern meet to chat to the E39 M5 owner.

Lopéz · 17 May 2016 at 17:22

Yeah, get a 205 GTI, one with a lightened flywheel if you really want responsive

SS-89 · 17 May 2016 at 17:25

E90/92 335

Lashout_UK · 17 May 2016 at 17:37

Ford Racing Puma.

BurningHorizons · 17 May 2016 at 18:12

BMW 130i/330i

mrk · 17 May 2016 at 18:12

A manual E46 M3? ~8k will net you a mechanically decent coupe that has had most of the stuff that fails on an E46 seen to already. But interior condition will be a lottery at this age now.

Otherwise, a really epic driver's car that never fails to put a smile on yours and passenger faces :cool:

Edit*
Re-read OP. You don't like revs but want response, though not a force fed car... That's gonna be a bit tricky then I imagine on paper! But drive a bunch of cars, it's not just what the specs say, power is one thing, but how that power is delivered is something else.

dacads · 17 May 2016 at 18:16

^

Didn't realise they were that "cheap" now

mrk · 17 May 2016 at 18:20

I haven't really kept an eye on prices lately so maybe they have fluctuated over the last year I don't know

All I know is that a few people have nabbed decent ones for around that price over the last year! As with any car of this age though, expect something to break and need replacing. It's faff, but well worth it in the end.

teenwolf · 17 May 2016 at 18:23

Should be able to get a mint celica cat D for that

acemastr · 17 May 2016 at 18:25

Did you say a V8 M3 doesn't have low down torque?

helpimcrap · 17 May 2016 at 18:27

Porsche 996.

mrk · 17 May 2016 at 18:27

Gepetto come to the next meet, then get a feel for a bunch of cars

mjt · 17 May 2016 at 18:35

What are you currently driving?

SS-89 · 17 May 2016 at 18:44

acemastr said:
Did you say a V8 M3 doesn't have low down torque?

Having owned one he's right, it's an engine that comes alive from 6000rpm. It's brilliant and frustrating at the same time.

acemastr · 17 May 2016 at 18:50

Hm just checked, 295lb/ft really isn't that much.

Yaayuh! · 17 May 2016 at 18:53

teenwolf said:
Should be able to get a mint celica cat D for that

*chortle*

SS-89 · 17 May 2016 at 18:59

acemastr said:
Hm just checked, 295lb/ft really isn't that much.

It isn't and that's peak torque it's less throughout the Rev band and you do notice it in day to day driving. My previous 335 whilst less involving actually felt faster as I didn't need to wring it's neck and hit silly speeds. Anyway got the best of both worlds now

Gepetto · 17 May 2016 at 19:12

SS-89 said:
Having owned one he's right, it's an engine that comes alive from 6000rpm. It's brilliant and frustrating at the same time.

That was my impression of it. You need to have the revs up to make it come alive. Awesome engine but it would put my licence under serious threat!

205 is just plug ugly in my opinion, even with a lightened flywheel. Sorry.

996 I liked the idea of, but, they are way more than 10K for a good one.

Ford Racing Puma is a really good shout. I've driven a 1.7 standard one, and it was great fun. :cool:

Every single person that has an E46 M3 raves about them. I've driven a couple and found them quite harsh on my local (rubbish) road that I drive every day. The ones I drove had 19" aftermarket rims though, which probably didn't help.

335i and 330i. Both great cars, just a little bit too smooth and too capable. I believe a mapped 335i is a bit of a beast though, although I haven't had the opportunity to drive one.

I currently have a lightly modified Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, which I love mainly because you don't see many. I will definitely try to be at the next meet. Hope the Cat D Celica is fixed by then.