'Fun' second car for around €10k

unklerosco

Looking for a second family car that will put a smile on my face whenever I use it. For the last 10 odd years, I've been driving commercial vehicles and over the past 4 years with starting a family I've been using my trusty Skoda Octavia estate (1.6 diesel). At a stage where I can get myself a second car (skoda will be the main family car) and looking for something I will enjoy driving day to day. Last car I had that I enjoyed was a Citroen Saxo VTS. I loved that car, enjoyed driving every minuite of it!

Budget of around €10k (south of it preferably)
Petrol ideally
Engine size not a huge issue, willing to pay higher road taxes (around 3ltr is my limit)
Semi Practical. Will need to take the kids in it the odd time so will need to seat 4 and take child seats. The missus will also be using it the odd time.

I've been looking at the Mk5 Golf R32. It seems to tick all the boxes, gets good reviews, seems reliable enough, available in 5 door which is handy and has 4WD which would be handy for the roads around me in winter.

Anyone got any other suggestions?

grogi

unklerosco wrote: »

Looking for a second family car that will put a smile on my face whenever I use it. For the last 10 odd years, I've been driving commercial vehicles and over the past 4 years with starting a family I've been using my trusty Skoda Octavia estate (1.6 diesel). At a stage where I can get myself a second car (skoda will be the main family car) and looking for something I will enjoy driving day to day. Last car I had that I enjoyed was a Citroen Saxo VTS. I loved that car, enjoyed driving every minuite of it!

Budget of around €10k (south of it preferably)
Petrol ideally
Engine size not a huge issue, willing to pay higher road taxes (around 3ltr is my limit)
Semi Practical. Will need to take the kids in it the odd time so will need to seat 4 and take child seats. The missus will also be using it the odd time.

I've been looking at the Mk5 Golf R32. It seems to tick all the boxes, gets good reviews, seems reliable enough, available in 5 door which is handy and has 4WD which would be handy for the roads around me in winter.

Anyone got any other suggestions?

I had a Corsa OPC. It was brilliantly fun, but I had to drive kids more often and lack of rear pair forced me to change.

BMW E9x should be a real contender as well.

Mickiemcfist

How about combining the two and getting an Octavia vrs and getting rid of the diesel?

grogi

Mini Cooper S was suggested a lot of times to me as well. Have a look at Focus ST.

Bigus

6750 Volvo T5 2008

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-s40-t5-rdesign/16615118

unklerosco

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

How about combining the two and getting an Octavia vrs and getting rid of the diesel?

I have considered this. I do a decent bit of mileage in the octavia with monthly trips from Dublin to Cork, Galway etc. Care we have is the perfect motorway car. Sips diesel and is the elegence spec so has all the toys, full leather etc.

What would put me off the VRS is the possible lower ride quality. I haven't driven one myself so may be worth a test drive.

Mickiemcfist

unklerosco wrote: »

I have considered this. I do a decent bit of mileage in the octavia with monthly trips from Dublin to Cork, Galway etc. Care we have is the perfect motorway car. Sips diesel and is the elegence spec so has all the toys, full leather etc.

What would put me off the VRS is the possible lower ride quality. I haven't driven one myself so may be worth a test drive.

Unless you're doing high daily mileage id imagine the cost of two (depreciating) cars + insuring and taxing both would outweigh the petrol costs of having a vrs day to day.

I personally love the ride quality in the vrs, firm but not back breaking, probably the best compromise of comfort and good handling. I'd very much recommend testing one out.

punisher5112

I have the petrol one and I'm doing 5-6 days commuting Wicklow town to Dublin.

Returns 30-35 mpg.

Could try and get more but then everyone would be passing me;-).

Great car to drive and never once let me down.

Only issue is the dual mass flywheel is shot but there is 171k miles done so that's a good amount to get out of it.

Ride quality on a motorway is nice and they handle very well.... Not absolutely amazing but great for what they are.

unklerosco

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

Unless you're doing high daily mileage id imagine the cost of two (depreciating) cars + insuring and taxing both would outweigh the petrol costs of having a vrs day to day.

I personally love the ride quality in the vrs, firm but not back breaking, probably the best compromise of comfort and good handling. I'd very much recommend testing one out.

Just to note, we need two cars. Currently we have the octavia and an old focus. I'll be selling the focus to buy the new car.

If I was to go the vrs route I'd keep the focus. Will certainly consider it.

Andrewf20

Mrk 6 golf gti 4 door. A mate of mine had a vxr Astra and found the mpgs depressing so I wonder how you would find an r32.

Also, an e90 325i. Great sound.

John_Rambo

The Ford Focus ST is an absolute hoot. I had one for a short while and you couldn't wipe the smile off my face when I drove it. Pop and Bang!

Best of luck with whatever you end up with and keep us updated please!!

unkel

Audi TT. The rear seats are officially certified as childrens' seats, so you don't need separate child seats for it! These are pretty fast and extremely well made. I found the fun a bit lacking though if you like a drivers car. Officially quattro (so 4 wheel drive) but in practice it drives like a FWD car 99% of the time.

BMW E46 coupe. Most of these (the 320 6 cylinder excepted I think) came with the factory sports suspension and they are a beautiful car to drive. Even the 4 cylinders, while not fast, are superbly setup for a spirited drive

Porsche 911 (996). Your budget would be a bit on the tight side and the running costs (motor tax) would be high, but you will have zero depreciation (quite likely the car will go up in value) and the fun will be better than any other car with 4 seats.

unklerosco

unkel wrote: »

BMW E46 coupe. Most of these (the 320 6 cylinder excepted I think) came with the factory sports suspension and they are a beautiful car to drive. Even the 4 cylinders, while not fast, are superbly setup for a spirited drive

Porsche 911 (996). Your budget would be a bit on the tight side and the running costs (motor tax) would be high, but you will have zero depreciation (quite likely the car will go up in value) and the fun will be better than any other car with 4 seats.

I'm saving a Porsche for my mid life crises! Bit out of my budget now.

Had a E46 323 convertible for all of 2 weeks. Bought it for the missus till someone was nice enough to cut the roof open to steal a pair of pennies sunglasses... Loved it the few times I got to drive it. Silky smooth engine

James Bond Junior

A 335i would be my choice in your shoes.

C0N0R

I will be looking for a car under the same criteria so watching this thread with interest, where does one find a 996 911 for ~€10k or a 335i?

CathalDublin

C0N0R wrote: »

where does one find a 996 911 for ~€10k or a 335i?

Currently the cheapest one on carzone/donedeal is €14,995 but in fairness I've seen them for €10,000-10,995 in the past so they do come up in that price range.

Irishcrx

CathalDublin wrote: »

Currently the cheapest one on carzone/donedeal is €14,995 but in fairness I've seen them for €10,000-10,995 in the past so they do come up in that price range.

Or import one from the UK , better selection and prices...

C0N0R

Irishcrx wrote: »

Or import one from the UK , better selection and prices...

I think there is one 996 under £10k on pistonheads, minus a front bumper!

Duke O Smiley

You would be as well to consider a really nice Mk5 GTI over an R32. They have slightly less power (easily rectified if you were so inclined) but are more nimble and better suited to spirited driving, and you'll save yourself €1100 in road tax each year.

A 3 or 6 series cabriolet would be a lovely choice too. Not as fun as the Golf but a lovely car to spend a nice day in.

Duke O Smiley

C0N0R wrote: »

I think there is one 996 under £10k on pistonheads, minus a front bumper!

A 00 996 went through Merlin auctions at the start of the month for €10k (+ about €1600 fees) - was a nice example too.

James Bond Junior

C0N0R wrote: »

I will be looking for a car under the same criteria so watching this thread with interest, where does one find a 996 911 for ~€10k or a 335i?

You'd very easily get an 07 335i for under 10k in this country leaving enough change for tax.

grogi

unkel wrote: »

Audi TT. The rear seats are officially certified as childrens' seats, so you don't need separate child seats for it! These are pretty fast and extremely well made. I found the fun a bit lacking though if you like a drivers car. Officially quattro (so 4 wheel drive) but in practice it drives like a FWD car 99% of the time.

Are they really?! Do you have a source for this? My sarcasm detector is off today...

If so, this goes from a 'I like the colors of them' to 'I am going to view one today'

celtic_oz

https://www.cargiant.co.uk/car/bmw/320d/LP60GSZ

low co2 so VRT would be reasonable .. actually its about €2,450 making total cost €9,100 + 2450 = €11,550

valued here at about €13,600, road tax €270

Irishcrx

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-FUTURE-CLASSIC-ALFA-ROMEO-147-GTA-3-2-V6-AUTO-153-MPH-ONLY-49000-MILES-/352126076061?hash=item51fc59849d:g:ZIsAAOSwNC5ZedAX

Alfa 147 or 156 GTA if you really want something different and exciting... Busso V6 engines..

Mickiemcfist

celtic_oz wrote: »

https://www.cargiant.co.uk/car/bmw/320d/LP60GSZ

low co2 so VRT would be reasonable .. actually its about €2,450 making total cost €9,100 + 2450 = €11,550

valued here at about €13,600, road tax €270

320 diesel is hardly a fun car though

celtic_oz

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

320 diesel is hardly a fun car though

fun compared to the commercials or the focus ? I think so

there definitely is MORE fun cars though .. though you would probably lose your shirt on them

Irishcrx

celtic_oz wrote: »

fun compared to the commercials or the focus ? I think so

there definitely is MORE fun cars though .. though you would probably lose your shirt on them

Ah no...just no...If you want a FUN weekend car you want something that puts a smile on your face , with a nice sounding petrol engine and good handling...everyone and their dog has a 320D they are common as muck...

I've nothing against Diesel as such they had their place , I'd never own one myself though and whenever anyone starts talking to me about their sporty Diesel I'm half asleep..

I often see a nice car and then hear that tractor under the bonnet and think 'Jesus why spend all that money on a Diesel'...

Mickiemcfist

celtic_oz wrote: »

fun compared to the commercials or the focus ? I think so

there definitely is MORE fun cars though .. though you would probably lose your shirt on them

320d more fun than a focus ST? You've definitely never driven both if that's what you think. In the article highlighted above, it's fun to drive *for a small size saloon, it doesn't make it a weekend car or anything close to it. It's a lovely to drive, comfortable commuter mobile rather than a weekend toy.

Veloce

Would you get a somewhat decent E46 M3 for €10k or under?

What about a Nissan 350z?

NIMAN

As an ex-owner, have you considered a Mk2 MR2?

Fantastic fun to drive, and if you get the turbo one, SCARY!

farna_boy

How about a Volvo V70 R?

There are two of them on donedeal at the moment.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-v70-r-300-bhp/16492553



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-v70-r-4wd-300bhp-leather-7-seater/16328841



They would also satisify the requirement to be able to take children too.

grogi

farna_boy wrote: »

How about a Volvo V70 R?

There are two of them on donedeal at the moment.

/.../

They would also satisify the requirement to be able to take children too.

Brilliant cars - but isn't the first one in a bit of dreamer land? €6,500 for 2005 with tax of €1300?!

LariToper

Another shout for a mini cooper s, I got one recently and they're seriously fun (isofix in the back seats too). Cheap to tax and insure, great sound - lots of exhaust pops and supercharger whine. It loves to drink petrol, I've averaged 25mpg so far, though I havn't been light on the pedal at all!

Mini850

grogi wrote: »

Mini Cooper S was suggested a lot of times to me as well. Have a look at Focus ST.

I have a R53 Cooper S (2006). Very small in the back, so depends on the kids age. My daughter is 4 so ample room.

You'll pick up a very good one for 4-5k

To Drive they are great. Super charger while, muscular engine, fantastic handling.

Depending on what you want, the R53 cooper s is sprung very hard, where as its younger brother, the R56 is a bit more manageable day to day.


Id say drive both if the Cooper S is something you are interested in.

John_Rambo

farna_boy wrote: »

How about a Volvo V70 R?

There are two of them on donedeal at the moment.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-v70-r-300-bhp/16492553



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-v70-r-4wd-300bhp-leather-7-seater/16328841



They would also satisify the requirement to be able to take children too.

Find of the week.

grogi

Mini850 wrote: »

Id say drive both if the Cooper S is something you are interested in.

Unfortunately R56 Cooper S is turbo-charged and does not develop the same driver engagement...

unkel

grogi wrote: »

Are they really?! Do you have a source for this?

The seats? Yeah I'm pretty sure about that. I think I read it in the manual when I had one. A one minute google doesn't show me anything to back that up though.

Leonard Hofstadter

I know I'm biased because I have one, but would you not look at an E46 3 series?

Get a 2.5 or 3.0 petrol with a manual gearbox and you'll have oodles of fun, feelsome steering, a fantastic engine (apart from the oil leaks and cooling system:pac:), superb handling and a superb gearbox once the clutch delay valve is removed (a job that should take no more than 15 minutes for a garage to do). They really do justice to the 'Ultimate Driving Machine' marketing slogan. Don't buy one with no history though, a poor one will break your heart and will rapidly empty your bank account. A well kept car will be a real delight and quite reliable for its age, and they'll top 30 mpg on a motorway run.

The E90 is supposed to be a lovely car to drive as well if you're after something newer, no experience of what they're like though.

I've heard many good things about the Mk2 Focus ST as well, I do love the sound off that 5 cylinder Volvo engine for sure, also the Mk5 Golf GTI seems to be very highly regarded and they did shift a fair few of them here back in the day so it shouldn't be too hard (at least in theory) to find a decent one.

EPAndlee

I'd be going with a little hot hatchback. They are so much fun to drive like Focus St,Mk5 gti or Cooper S

unklerosco

EPAndlee wrote: »

I'd be going with a little hot hatchback. They are so much fun to drive like Focus St,Mk5 gti or Cooper S

That's my thinking, Focus ST seems to be the frontrunner at the moment. Missus has driven a focus for the past 6yrs so it'll be familiar for her if she ever needs (is let) drive it. Not many about and sounds great

bear1

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-61-Fiat-Abarth-Punto-Evo-1-4-Turbo-3-Door-White-/192301316290?hash=item2cc60d38c2%3Ag%3Ad1sAAOSwRMtZZ6qo&_trkparms=pageci%253A64044491-9cbe-11e7-9ef6-74dbd18028df%yeaR
%253A970c4cef15e0ab4d6d36642fffddb05c%257Ciid%253A3

Extreme left field.

bear1

Or if you're mad

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alfa-Romeo-166-3-0-V6-24v-Super-Lusso-Auto-1-Owner-19k-Miles-SH-/302382753803?hash=item46676aa80b%3Ag%3A9nUAAOSwol5YwrsB&_trkparms=pageci%253Ad32bd0ce-9cbf-11e7-a633-74dbd180a596%257Cparentrq%253A9715b32815e0aa47f36d7515fff70304%257Ciid%253A9

99nsr125

Audi S6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201708308801219?model=S6%20SALOON&sort=sponsored&radius=1501&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=ig13eh&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&make=AUDI&page=1

Mini850

grogi wrote: »

Unfortunately R56 Cooper S is turbo-charged and does not develop the same driver engagement...

Very True.

Thats why I went for a late R53 instead of an early R56.

But each to their own.

unklerosco

Anyone here own(ed) a Focus ST? If so do you have any buying advice? Hoping to go look at a couple in the coming weeks

grogi

unklerosco wrote: »

Anyone here own(ed) a Focus ST? If so do you have any buying advice? Hoping to go look at a couple in the coming weeks

Excellent car - great handling, reliable 2.5 Volvo engine.

The only drawback is the tax for 2.6l engine (as it is slightly over 2500 ccm). That signifinactly adds to yearly maintenance cost, even over 2.5l.

unklerosco

After lots of searching and viewing, I stuck a deposit down on a Focus ST. Harder to get a decent one than I expected. Thanks to all for the tips & feedback.

BArra

i had a 2006 Focus ST for 4 years, the engine sound is addictive.

which year did you get? is it an ST1, ST2, ST3?

Gavman84

Good choice i have my ST for nearly 3 years now and love it still. Has never let me down either and flew all nct first time. IV 100k miles on my 08 now and think I'll be keeping for couple years more! Be very hard to replace it is a fun car.

unklerosco

It's a '06 ST3 with 100k km, full service history, no mods. Been in the same family for six years. Great condition, one mark over the rear wheel arch that I'm gonna get sorted after I collect it

Skylinehead

There's a Focus ST in my apartment block, but it's awful. Dents and scratches on every part of the body, bumpers near hanging off, wheels kerbed all around. Not sure why someone would buy and tax a car like that only to ruin it.