For £35K (assumed) budget you are into some lovely options and to be honest a Golf R and 370Z would not be in my top 5 for that money and I like the Golf.
I'm not overly concerned about practicality or running costs (within reason). In other words, I'm not too concerned about mpg, tax or insurance, I'm just bothered about servicing costs and likelihood of things going wrong / expensive parts.
Car will be mainly used on a 25 mile round trip commute on a midweek basis plus general social / domestic / pleasure driving. The practical stuff like long road trips, carting crap around etc will be handled by my girlfriends car.
Might not be in your top 5... but people have varied tastes.
Based on this:
I would say the only options are German or Japanese. I will take the chance to say that BMW servicing is more pricy than Nissan, but I'm sure you'll disagree .
Porsche, need I say any more.
Indeed, one of the lowest service cost sports cars
Indeed, one of the lowest service cost sports cars
But just remember... don't buy the poor mans porsche *runs*.
Do you have any experience to add or are you just bored?
Tongue in cheek from the porsche thread.
I've already added my comments. I've driven the 350 / 370 / R32 among a host of others. I'm fairly biased since I currently own a 350, but I do think they're nice cars, and reliable.