Recommendations for an exciting Car for under 8k

[mgrlane]

New house on the go so need to free up some funds.

Want something sporty that handles well and doesn't cost an arm and a leg to run.

Not a softop or a GT type car so e85/89 are out of the question and don't want to buy a crap e86 (wish I would have kept mine as the money has just sat in the bank for a year)

So far I have on the list:
MK1 TT
EP3 Civic type R
S3
Mini JCW
Megane

Have ruled out
E85
E89
350z
Golf GTI

Anyone got any recommendations? The market it a bit depressing for the buyer at the moment.

 

[buzyg]

These are a very fun steer and sensible money to run. They are also quite rapid if that appeals, though fun has always been higher on the list than rapid for me personally.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201311969105?advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=pl124ty&sort=relevance&include-delivery-option=on&price-to=8500&radius=1500&aggregatedTrim=ST-2&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&model=Fiesta&price-from=5000&make=Ford&page=1&percentVehiclePriceDeposit=true

 

[Ole gits rule]

Easy one for me 208 GTi - great checkable car, pretty frugal as well if driven sensibly and can get a facelift one for £8k.

Go for prestige if you can for the pano roof

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353913008178?hash=item5266dbf032:g:8b4AAOSwekRiC13~

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154843632987?hash=item240d66555b:gPQAAOSww3BiCKsQ

 

[Mr Tidy]

I'd be looking for a BMW 130i or a 125i Coupe with a remap to 130i power. :worshipbmw:

 

[mgrlane]

Easy one for me 208 GT

Thank you I will take a look. Possibly a bit to new and no deprecated enough for my taste.

I'd be looking for a BMW 130i or a 125i

Not even thought about one of these. I think it's a good compromise between a two seater and the c class.

I know very little but my understanding is the 125 is NA and detuned version of the 130? Remap puts them level?

 

[Zedebee]

You may qualify the Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ as a GT car, but it does have 4 seats and is a genuinely sporty drive. I had 80k trouble free miles in mine before the Z4.

 

[Argyll Andy]

Easy one for me 208 GT

Thank you I will take a look. Possibly a bit to new and no deprecated enough for my taste.

I'd be looking for a BMW 130i or a 125i

Not even thought about one of these. I think it's a good compromise between a two seater and the c class.

I know very little but my understanding is the 125 is NA and detuned version of the 130? Remap puts them level?

It’s a tad quicker after the remap

 

[mgrlane]

Easy one for me 208 GT

Thank you I will take a look. Possibly a bit to new and no deprecated enough for my taste.

I'd be looking for a BMW 130i or a 125i

Not even thought about one of these. I think it's a good compromise between a two seater and the c class.

I know very little but my understanding is the 125 is NA and detuned version of the 130? Remap puts them level?

It’s a tad quicker after the remap

This makes sense.

I assume it has the n52 engine which I love. Has a bit more practicality than a Z. Is not a hatchback. Rear wheel drive and looks when you squint like a 1m.

Bonus points for the suggestion as the Mrs has said every other car I have sent her looks like a "chav car".

125 coupe is now at the top of the list. Lot of value in them I am surprised they are not the same price as an e86 assuming they are the same engine.

Thank you.

 

[Mr Tidy]

125 coupe is now at the top of the list. Lot of value in them I am surprised they are not the same price as an e86 assuming they are the same engine.

Thank you.

Yes, the 125i and 130i both have a 3 litre N52 engine but for some reason BMW chose to detune it in the 125i - maybe to make more of a gap to the M135i?

Both seem to be pretty sought after going by asking prices. I wanted a 130i as a daily, but couldn't justify the cost so I got a 330i, also with the N52, for about half the price!

 

[mgrlane]

These are a very fun steer and sensible money to run. They are also quite rapid if that appeals, though fun has always been higher on the list than rapid for me personally.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201311969105?advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=pl124ty&sort=relevance&include-delivery-option=on&price-to=8500&radius=1500&aggregatedTrim=ST-2&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&model=Fiesta&price-from=5000&make=Ford&page=1&percentVehiclePriceDeposit=true

Sorry didn't see this reply.

I think it would be a fun car to have a go in but I don't think I could own one just due to the reputation that it has.

Currently the list consists of:
Mk 2 TTS
or
125i

I am leaning towards perhaps getting my 1st turbo car. Going to drive them both and see which has the lesser depressing feeling from selling the 63.

The next question really is manual or auto...

 

[buzyg]

These are a very fun steer and sensible money to run. They are also quite rapid if that appeals, though fun has always been higher on the list than rapid for me personally.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201311969105?advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=pl124ty&sort=relevance&include-delivery-option=on&price-to=8500&radius=1500&aggregatedTrim=ST-2&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&model=Fiesta&price-from=5000&make=Ford&page=1&percentVehiclePriceDeposit=true

Sorry didn't see this reply.

I think it would be a fun car to have a go in but I don't think I could own one just due to the reputation that it has.

Currently the list consists of:
Mk 2 TTS
or
125i

I am leaning towards perhaps getting my 1st turbo car. Going to drive them both and see which has the lesser depressing feeling from selling the 63.

The next question really is manual or auto...

A Ford over an Audi all day long for me. Just as well we are all different. :wink:

A manual over any type of Auto too. Might be slower, but again, tis simply more fun when used properly.

Oh and a handbrake you can use too.

 

[Tromans]

I went through a similar thought process recently before settling on the E86. The only additions to your list i'd add (and some might be to GT based:
Jag XK/XK8's
Alfa GTV's
Audi S5
BMW 6's
The BMW 125/30 is a great shout
Sometimes I think I prefer car shopping to car driving!

 

[mgrlane]

I went through a similar thought process recently before settling on the E86. The only additions to your list i'd add (and some might be to GT based:
Jag XK/XK8's
Alfa GTV's
Audi S5
BMW 6's
The BMW 125/30 is a great shout
Sometimes I think I prefer car shopping to car driving!

Thanks Troman,

Mr Tidy that put us on to the 125. Seems like it might be a bit of a gem.

Want something that is cheap(er) to run and a good chunk of change for a house move so Jags and big old v8 beemeers and Audi's are out of the question. I would be buying a bargain basement one at 8-10k

I really should have just kept the e86.

 

[mgrlane]

These are a very fun steer and sensible money to run. They are also quite rapid if that appeals, though fun has always been higher on the list than rapid for me personally.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201311969105?advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=pl124ty&sort=relevance&include-delivery-option=on&price-to=8500&radius=1500&aggregatedTrim=ST-2&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&model=Fiesta&price-from=5000&make=Ford&page=1&percentVehiclePriceDeposit=true

Sorry didn't see this reply.

I think it would be a fun car to have a go in but I don't think I could own one just due to the reputation that it has.

Currently the list consists of:
Mk 2 TTS
or
125i

I am leaning towards perhaps getting my 1st turbo car. Going to drive them both and see which has the lesser depressing feeling from selling the 63.

The next question really is manual or auto...

A Ford over an Audi all day long for me. Just as well we are all different. :wink:

A manual over any type of Auto too. Might be slower, but again, tis simply more fun when used properly.

Oh and a handbrake you can use too.

I just love cars. Don't want to say it to loud but there is no brand loyalty here. I hear the fessa's are a right hoot to drive and would love a b road bash in one but just wouldn't want to own one.

Only just recently purchased my 1st Auto and I was dead set on manual before that point.

I think I would gave to try them both. I think an auto in general is an easier all rounder but a manual one the right road takes some beating. It really depends on how often you are on the right road I guess compared to being in traffic and pottering about.

 

[buzyg]

Sorry didn't see this reply.

I think it would be a fun car to have a go in but I don't think I could own one just due to the reputation that it has.

Currently the list consists of:
Mk 2 TTS
or
125i

I am leaning towards perhaps getting my 1st turbo car. Going to drive them both and see which has the lesser depressing feeling from selling the 63.

The next question really is manual or auto...

A Ford over an Audi all day long for me. Just as well we are all different. :wink:

A manual over any type of Auto too. Might be slower, but again, tis simply more fun when used properly.

Oh and a handbrake you can use too.

I just love cars. Don't want to say it to loud but there is no brand loyalty here. I hear the fessa's are a right hoot to drive and would love a b road bash in one but just wouldn't want to own one.

Only just recently purchased my 1st Auto and I was dead set on manual before that point.

I think I would gave to try them both. I think an auto in general is an easier all rounder but a manual one the right road takes some beating. It really depends on how often you are on the right road I guess compared to being in traffic and pottering about.

Happily I'm retired and I live in Cornwall. The right road is seldom more than a flex of my right foot away.

 

[Ole gits rule]

Easy one for me 208 GT

Thank you I will take a look. Possibly a bit to new and no deprecated enough for my taste.

Can easily be had for under £8k or quite a bit cheaper if early 13 or 14 plate - seriously good car for the money