'Sporty' car for a 23 year old, any suggestions?

MrMiata

I'm looking for suggestions on a new car, budget is around €10k, ideally less.

I'm currently driving a 1.4 mk5 petrol Golf, it's my first car and I'll drive it till it dies, but I'm still looking for it's upgrade.

I'm 23, 1 year full licence, 3 years named driver experience.
I'll be going in my own name with this new car.
Obviously no no claims, but I haven't had a claim either, and no points.

I commute to college and work minimum of 80km over and back, with a little bit of that on the motorway too.

Since I've decided to change my car instead of getting accommodation, I want to get myself something I enjoy, not just a sensible purchase.
I want something fun, I won't be going out on the beer so I can at least get a car that drinks.

So:

Budget €10k (ideally less).

Something with decent build quality, comfortable (not looking for luxury, just comparable to my current Golf, or nicer).
Sporty/fun to drive.
'Reasonable' to insure, I'm well aware that I'm going to pay out the ass for insurance on anything 'quick', I got quoted on a mk6 GTI for €1400.
A 330BHP mapped BMW 330D for €2300, that's not ideal.. (I realise it'll cost me that in petrol too).
I'm fine with paying a bit extra for a nicer car, but say less than €2k.

So as comfortable as my current car, but quicker and easier on the eye.
Something I can get insured on, and something that isn't going to cost me stupid money on fuel (I'm paying €50 a week at the minute).

I'm considering a Golf GTI, MK6.
A 1 Series BMW Coupe, 123D and the 135i if I can find a manual one (quoted €2100 though..).
Also looking at C Class Mercs, A4's, A5's, 3 Series.. and just about everything else.


Basically my current car but newer, quicker & better looking.

I know someone will say 'oh just get something with good mpg, but I do a lot of driving, I want to enjoy it.
Any suggestions?

road_high

Be very wary of those prestige marques you just all listed. I assume you're buying at the cheap end of the market...these cars have a reputation for problems as they age and massive bills.

MrMiata

road_high wrote: »

Be very wary of those prestige marques you just all listed. I assume you're buying at the cheap end of the market...these cars have a reputation for problems as they age and massive bills.

They're not 'bottom of the donedeal' barrel but they're at the lower end.

road_high

Audi A4 or Golf probably a reasonable bet as they’re not overly complicated and if well minded are reliable enough.
I’d run a mile from a remapped older Bmw unless you know them inside out. And I say that as someone with a new 3 series, they don’t have a great name.

Marcusm

MrMiata wrote: »

I'm looking for suggestions on a new car, budget is around €10k, ideally less.

I'm currently driving a 1.4 mk5 petrol Golf, it's my first car and I'll drive it till it dies, but I'm still looking for it's upgrade.

I'm 23, 1 year full licence, 3 years named driver experience.
I'll be going in my own name with this new car.
Obviously no no claims, but I haven't had a claim either, and no points.

I commute to college and work minimum of 80km over and back, with a little bit of that on the motorway too.

Since I've decided to change my car instead of getting accommodation, I want to get myself something I enjoy, not just a sensible purchase.
I want something fun, I won't be going out on the beer so I can at least get a car that drinks.

So:

Budget €10k (ideally less).

Something with decent build quality, comfortable (not looking for luxury, just comparable to my current Golf, or nicer).
Sporty/fun to drive.
'Reasonable' to insure, I'm well aware that I'm going to pay out the ass for insurance on anything 'quick', I got quoted on a mk6 GTI for €1400.
A 330BHP mapped BMW 330D for €2300, that's not ideal.. (I realise it'll cost me that in petrol too).
I'm fine with paying a bit extra for a nicer car, but say less than €2k.

So as comfortable as my current car, but quicker and easier on the eye.
Something I can get insured on, and something that isn't going to cost me stupid money on fuel (I'm paying €50 a week at the minute).

I'm considering a Golf GTI, MK6.
A 1 Series BMW Coupe, 123D and the 135i if I can find a manual one (quoted €2100 though..).
Also looking at C Class Mercs, A4's, A5's, 3 Series.. and just about everything else.


Basically my current car but newer, quicker & better looking.

I know someone will say 'oh just get something with good mpg, but I do a lot of driving, I want to enjoy it.
Any suggestions?

Given your name, have you considered an MX5?

MrMiata

MrMiata wrote: »

Also looking at C Class Mercs, A4's, A5's, 3 Series.. and just about everything else.

ya might have trouble with insurance...i have a full license year and a half no claims or anything and couldn't even get a quote for a C180 or 3 series

Blaze420

Fiat seicento - you’ll have all the girls dropping wet floor signs when you fly by with the tunes pumping out

MrMiata

Marcusm wrote: »

Given your name, have you considered an MX5?

I had an old NA, hence the name.
I fixed that up and ultimately sold it for a profit, really wish I hadn't but, what can ya do..

I'm seriously considering an ND (2016 model year), not a big fan of the NCs..

I'd be looking at a Credit Union loan of some sort (depends on how long till I need to change).
The cheapest I found is €16k.. I'd probably get it for a little less but even then that's a lot of a loan.

My justification is it's cheap to insure (1k for me), cheap(er) to run, tax and maintain than say a GTI or something comparable.. and I'm just a big fan overall.

I just don't know if I can justify the price..
Or if the credit union would even give me a loan!

SeaDaily

road_high wrote: »

Be very wary of those prestige marques you just all listed. I assume you're buying at the cheap end of the market...these cars have a reputation for problems as they age and massive bills.

Don't agree with this. 10k is plenty to buy a decent example of any of the brands mentioned. A nice well looked after 320d can be got very easily with that budget. Same goes for most of the other cars on his list.

Padre_Pio

SeaDaily wrote: »

Don't agree with this. 10k is plenty to buy a decent example of any of the brands mentioned. A nice well looked after 320d can be got very easily with that budget. Same goes for most of the other cars on his list.

They're not even that difficult to fix when things inevitably go wrong.

MrMiata

Padre_Pio wrote: »

They're not even that difficult to fix when things inevitably go wrong.

There's a little voice in my head screaming 'get an e46 and learn to fix it', and that's only there because I can't get insured on an e36s...

I'm not the most mechanically minded but I'd rather do it myself than pay someone to do it for me.. if at all possible/expensive.

MrMiata

Blaze420 wrote: »

Fiat seicento - you’ll have all the girls dropping wet floor signs when you fly by with the tunes pumping out

"It might not look much, but it's a great little runner and you won't be able to get up enough speed in it to kill yourself!"
I'm more of a Cinquencento Hawaii man myself.

Wildly Boaring

You got a quote for a mapped 330d

What about a 330d. Not mapped.
240bhp. Youd get a good one for 10k.
I had one. All the poke you'd ever need.
40mpg and uder 400 tax.

You'd a quote on a mark 6 gti?
Be a bit harder on juice 30 to 35 mpg
Any of them for 10k gonna be rough enough
What about an Octavia vrs or a Leon FR?
Diesel. Both can be got in 180bhp.

I'd a cousin your age with same thinking. I sold him me 330d. 2 years ago now. Was up around 2k insurance. Well down now and still happy out with it. Put new allots on it lately.

Padre_Pio

MrMiata wrote: »

There's a little voice in my head screaming 'get an e46 and learn to fix it', and that's only there because I can't get insured on an e36s...

I'm not the most mechanically minded but I'd rather do it myself than pay someone to do it for me.. if at all possible/expensive.

There's a 330ci on backroads.ie for 4k I think. A beauty.
You might have enough left over for insurance.

MrMiata

Padre_Pio wrote: »

There's a 330ci on backroads.ie for 4k I think. A beauty.
You might have enough left over for insurance.

That's a beaut..
Lets see if someone would be silly enough to insure me!

colm_mcm

OP, What’s the fastest car you’ve ever driven?

Idbatterim

Audi a7

Philb76

Skoda superb

MrMiata

colm_mcm wrote: »

OP, What’s the fastest car you’ve ever driven?

Driven a C220d Merc (2002), so what's that 150bhp?


Passenger in a Porsche Carrera that was seriously moving.

colm_mcm

MrMiata wrote: »

Driven a C220d Merc (2002), so what's that 150bhp?


Passenger in a Porsche Carrera that was seriously moving.

Probably around that. There’s a lot of middle ground between a mapped 330d and the fastest car you’ve driven.

MrMiata

colm_mcm wrote: »

Probably around that. There’s a lot of middle ground between a mapped 330d and the fastest car you’ve driven.

Yeah I said it to my father and he said you may as well take out the seat belts, it'd kill ya either way.

I'm not really considering it, I just thought it was a decent quote all things considered.

passatman86

Few ideas
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/forged-240bhp-corsa-opc/24741577

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/subaru-legacy-b4-manual-may-swap/24582320

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/cl7-euro-r/24786321

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-vrs-200hp-5dr/23678087

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic-type-r-fsh-with-mugen-bodykit/24197795

Insurance might be an issue and not specifically the cars I linked but there the models in general I'd recommend for sporty and to enjoy your commute

The Red Ace

As you have mentioned a C class have a look at this with your auld fellow he will have to buy it for you on EBay item number 193452186301

Sexual Chocolate

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-clio-197-sport/24824176

Clio 197

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-123d-msport/24324354

123d

That 1 series has being up months. I was considering it myself before Xmas but went with 320d instead.

I'd highly recommend you get any car checked over before buying especially the likes of that bmw.

Are you changing mid policy or changing insurer ?

Either way lack of NCB will probably go against you in most cases I reckon but if you shop around and find the right car you might be lucky.

Cunning Alias

Audi TT 2.0 TFSI or the smelly diesel if you want the MPG.

circadian

passatman86 wrote: »

Few ideas
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/forged-240bhp-corsa-opc/24741577

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/subaru-legacy-b4-manual-may-swap/24582320

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/cl7-euro-r/24786321

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-vrs-200hp-5dr/23678087

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic-type-r-fsh-with-mugen-bodykit/24197795

Insurance might be an issue and not specifically the cars I linked but there the models in general I'd recommend for sporty and to enjoy your commute

Insurance on the Accord and Subaru would be potentially worse than you think since they're imports. Legacy B4 would be an interesting choice, would love a go in one.

Skoda might be worth a shout.

Sexual Chocolate

circadian wrote: »

Skoda might be worth a shout.

Probably a safer bet than a GTi for insurance.

Here's a Mk2 facelift petrol DSG

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-vrs-2-0-tfsi-2010-220-bhp/24808722

Plenty of diesels going as well if that what the OP be more leaning towards.

Sam Russell

Look at an MX5 ND from the UK. Low mileage 2016 should be possible for GB£10,000 with VRT of about €4,000. Landed cost would be within your budget of €16,000. €1 is GB£0.89.7p

I think they are brilliant cars to drive, and great fun. Good road holding - they
go where yo point them. Cheapish tax and good fuel economy as well. Also, they are not so powerful that you will kill yourself in it.

You would need to be less than 6 foot three though.

krissovo

I will get shot shot down in flames for this but if you factor the year 1 fuel and insurance savings you could stretch to a early BMW I3 (2013/14) with range extender UK import. When I look back on my car history at 23/25 I had a Renault 5 GT turbo that killed me on insurance and licence points but the I3 is cheap to insure and faster off the line than anything that has been posted up so far and comparable to that GT turbo for fun factor but without the turbo lag.

170 bhp, aluminium chassis, carbon fiber body, interesting interior that will do your 80km commute on electric alone and with the petrol range extender for when you want to go further without the worry of charging. 0 to a licence friendly 50 mph it will take on M3's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO5z32L32aY)

selectamatic

2008/9 bmw 325d

last of the m57 3.0 diesel engines. 194bhp but remap well to around 270bhp. They'll go to 300bhp with different injectors.

Andrewf20

Not sure what your mileage is like but an e90 325i should be a contender too. Straight 6 petrols are a lovely engine. Chassis a bit numb though but engine should be less hassle than a diesel. Going for around 5k but 1080 tax on older ones.

Best bet is to test drive as many as you can. Obviously a challenge in the current times but it's really the only way to narrow down as there is a lot of good options out there. Clio 197 left me cold for example after driving it. Subaru b4 meant to be an animal on juice.

Mark 5 golf gti is a superb car but a lot are high mileage now so I'd image a mark 6 would a good option on your budget.

Cooper s a hoot to drive, super quick but has a reputation for being fragile.

Gt86s are coming down in price, might be a good option in another year or 2.

Brock Turnpike

Mini Cooper S. You'll look stunning.

minikin

Get a Totota HiAce, you'll have plenty left over for a good pocket sprung mattress for the back.

colm_mcm

minikin wrote: »

Get a Totota HiAce, you'll have plenty left over for a good pocket sprung mattress for the back.

That's probably the first suggestion the OP might get insurance on

kanuseeme

Probably stretching your budget, https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202005089230208?postcode=cv92pz&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&fuel-type=Hybrid%20%E2%80%93%20Petrol%2FElectric%20Plug-in&sort=price-asc&make=BMW&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1 vrt is 600 euro, it will do 0 to 62 in 6.1 seconds 249BHP

There is a Mercedes c350e 0 to 60 in 5.9 seconds, but another 2000 pounds vrt would be around the same.

Brock Turnpike

kanuseeme wrote: »

Probably stretching your budget, https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202005089230208?postcode=cv92pz&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&fuel-type=Hybrid%20%E2%80%93%20Petrol%2FElectric%20Plug-in&sort=price-asc&make=BMW&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1 vrt is 600 euro, it will do 0 to 62 in 6.1 seconds 249BHP

There is a Mercedes c350e 0 to 60 in 5.9 seconds, but another 2000 pounds vrt would be around the same.

Where in Ireland would you be needing to do 0-60 in 5.9 seconds? Unless you're being chased/in an emergency.

bazz26

Brock Turnpike wrote: »

Where in Ireland would you be needing to do 0-60 in 5.9 seconds? Unless you're being chased/in an emergency.

Sure, why bother getting up in the morning, you will only have to go to bed again that night...

Brock Turnpike

Brock Turnpike wrote: »

Where in Ireland would you be needing to do 0-60 in 5.9 seconds?

Traffic lights

kanuseeme

Brock Turnpike wrote: »

Where in Ireland would you be needing to do 0-60 in 5.9 seconds? Unless you're being chased/in an emergency.

Your listening to your big head, when your 23 and the small head is leading the charge its not fast enough.:D

Fabio

Alfa Romeo Giulietta or a 159.

Both savage cars.

bcklschaps

minikin wrote: »

Get a Totota HiAce, you'll have plenty left over for a good pocket sprung mattress for the back.

Beat me to it :-)

I was gonna suggest he buy some kinda van or blacked out estate car.

Throw a couple of duvets in the back, park it up outside the disco and away you go.....

All joking aside : have owned a few nice car derived vans and estates. Super useful for carrying stuff (and did I mention sleeping in them).

Eric Cartman

2010 Mercedes E250 Coupe, mate of mine who'd be 25 but of similar driving experience got one for 8.5k and the insurance was 1700 fully comp. Does 43mpg on the motorway too.

would also take a look at the newer Mercedes a class (not the old ugly one)
bmw 1 series or an audi a3 , the 1.8tsi turbo petrol is a fantastic engine to drive in those.

Tr_18

Have you considered a gt86? Well within budget, rear wheel drive fun

dar83

I won't be going out on the beer

MrMiata

dar83 wrote: »

My parents aren't much craic, if I was I could sleep in the car and pop into lectures the following morning but I'd never get the smell of beer out of the carpets..

colm_mcm

Tr_18 wrote: »

Have you considered a gt86? Well within budget, rear wheel drive fun

Has to be quicker than a 1.4 Golf though

bcklschaps

After all the cock waving.... I think we all know he's going to go out and buy a newer Golf (probably a 'sporty' diesel, GTD or GTTDI etc.)

Brian Scan

bcklschaps wrote: »

After all the cock waving.... I think we all know he's going to go out and buy a newer Golf (probably a 'sporty' diesel, GTD or GTTDI etc.)

The cock waving would appear to be in your head. To each his own.

MrMiata

bcklschaps wrote: »

After all the cock waving.... I think we all know he's going to go out and buy a newer Golf (probably a 'sporty' diesel, GTD or GTTDI etc.)

I'm trying my best to avoid it..

I don't want a smelly diesel but the low road tax..
Even on a relatively new Mx-5 ND, it's up on €700.

I'm tempted by an Audi TT, albeit a diesel..

MrMiata

Brian Scan wrote: »

The cock waving would appear to be in your head. To each his own.

Ah they have a point though.. It's very easy to just say 'oh yeah I like Golfs, a diesel would be very economica...' and I'd bore myself and everyone else to death.

un5byh7sqpd2x0

Out of left field, we have the Fiesta ST. Great fast car, cheap to run and cheap to ensure.

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/24098053