Anything remotely fun around the 20k mark?

ddoubleep

ddoubleep

ddoubleep

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Over the past few months, I've been going around in circles trying to decide on the right car for my needs. My current diesel vehicle is no longer practical for the low mileage I drive these days, and it's not ULEZ compliant either. I've considered various options, from the F11 5 Series to the 4 Series Gran Coupe and even the popular hot hatches, but everything seems overpriced, and nothing truly stands out as a great value proposition within my £20k budget.Here's what I'm looking for:

Usage
  • Daily driving under 5 miles
  • Weekend family trips requiring more mileage
Requirements
  • 4 or 5 doors (3 doors would be a hassle with kids)
  • ULEZ compliant
  • A bit of an "event" factor, something slightly different from the base trim level
  • Decent servicing and running costs (I know this might be an oxymoron)
While I understand that finding the perfect balance between running costs and an engaging driving experience can be challenging, I'm determined to find a vehicle that I can genuinely enjoy driving. I'm open to testing out different options, but at some point, I need to make a decision and purchase a car that meets my needs.I'd love to hear your thoughts and recommendations. What cars would you suggest within my £20k budget that could potentially tick all the boxes? I'm all ears and appreciate any insights you can provide to help me find the right family car for my situation.

Cheers.
 
alex24 said:
Focus ST in a bright colour. I have one now and it's great. Fuel economy isn't, but with your mileage that's not really a concern.
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Tangerine Scream ST3 has been looked at even though it carries a premium for the colour as not many around. Seems to offer a lot of the kit but is a manual. For some reason or another would prefer to go Auto next time after years of manual driving as school run is stop start at the best of times and drive to work has a few short bursts.
 
Kenai said:
Define your idea of fun before the thread gets out of hand.

I'd say something like a Golf GTI would be good for what you want, or even a Golf R but you've said 'fun' and so half the forum will interpret that as excluding anything more practical than a Caterham :p

Regardless of that, you'll struggle finding much that doesn't 'seem overpriced' if your last car buying experience was pre-Covid.
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Good shout on actually what is considered fun. Definitely not a Caterham, VX220, S2000 thread as no place for the family!

GTI and R have been looked at also. The GTI seems more unique and rare and when on the road turns my head more than the farting R but R has the power but probably wouldn't utilise it legally.

Slowly realising it won't go back to pre-Covid.

The M2 appeals on paper but running costs and being 2 doors puts me off but then you only live once hence goes around in circles.

i30n, Type Rs, S3s the list is endless but they all start blurring when costs the same.
 
alex24 said:
Yeah, engaging driving experience, event etc.. most people will plump for a manual in those cases not auto I would suggest. I wouldn't mind an auto ST, if you could find one. The main party trick is the grip, brakes and handling, plus the pull on the turbo. The manual gearbox is nothing to write home about.
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Something like this looks to come in decent value and kit. What colour did you go for?
 
Thanks for the heads up on a few that may have slipped past such as the Kia Stinger and IS F.
Both are rare on the roads and the Stinger has a lot of kit.
When you get to 7.5 GTI PP or TCR commanding 20k+ you start thinking budget creep into the next territory.
If I was solo driver than the M2 starts coming into play or the kids just learn how to get in and out themselves!
I ought to go and test some of these to get a better idea as unlikely to find them all under one roof over the next few months.
Life is short and don't want to get a work mobile this time around.
 
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Thanks for the different suggestions. Started to search for what can see locally to get a better idea to hunt down the final choice.
Ultimately I will be happy with a majority of the suggestions and more a mind of matter thing with dropping a chunk of change and having no buyers regret as usually keep my cars a very long time.
 
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Cristian said:
If you want fun and event a fwd hatch shouldn't be it.
W204 c63 AMG face-lifts are easily within budget and the main reason to get one is that it's the the last hurrah before downsizing and electric comes along. Fantastic sounding v8 stuff, great presence but still sensible servicing and parts availability. (fuel economy obviously not great but at low mileage shouldn't really be an issue).

The more sensible and economical option would be something B58 engined - anything from a m140i to 340i, 440i and even with a bit of patience 540i (massive jump in interior quality and comfort). This is an absolutely legendary engine with untouchable balance of sensible / performance / tuning potential that makes any other 4 cylinder car look very pedestrian by comparison.
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C63 Estate does look great and different from the Saloon.
540i like this also looks amazing and a sensible choice but not sure these would hit 20k anytime soon.
The B58 is a great engine and would tick most of the boxes at being sensible over the full M variants.
 
Tykey said:
Another vote for the Golf R from me, I have 1 and it does pretty much everything well. OK Golf's are not uncommon and the looks are understated (suits me) but a cracking all round car.
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This is the sort of spec I would be looking for. I am hunting down a few local to me to test drive and pit them against others on the list / mentioned. Got the summer to try and whittle it down and then in a better position to grab a keeper.
 
540i and 20k :rolleyes:
Budget creep!
Best I can find at moment is 25k and would require further saving or man maths to go into overdrive.
I know wishful thinking and it is a lot of car for the outlay.
When the R is around £21k it just makes a mockery of all the prices and what I am looking for.
 
mjt said:
Golf GTI is more fun than an R isn't it?
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In day to day driving it probably is. My route is the school run, local traffic roads with a dual carriageway blast to work and at times the motorway to visit family.
I doubt I would ever put down the power. Even the MK5 R32 would offer more drama but maintaining them is another matter these days.
 
SPG said:
I30N if you can find one for 20k but then I might be a ragged to heaven :)
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Do like them in the signature blue. Chap on my road has one and there is also an i20n that goes past me on the drive to work and always turn head as very rare amongst the commute traffic.
They seemed to have kept their value very well and not budged a lot even when looked in the past.
 
[TW]Fox said:
Might as well just get the M140i or the M240i then, which will be more fun and have largely the same dashboard. Which is my point. It's just feels like a larger version of those rather than a clear step up.
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M140i Shadow Edition with a MPE is the front runner at the moment but trying to find one isn't as easy.

All the cars are great that have been mentioned but the realisation is don't need a massive car like the 5 Series or Stinger for a daily.

Daily routine is basic for kids school drop and a short dual carriageway blast amongst more school run traffic. A lot of cars would be wasted on me.

The OH can have any funds saved if stick to the budget to upgrade hers to carry on being the family wagon SUV.

There is also the chance of finding a decent spec M135i for a little bit less.
 
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