[speedski]

So I have been 'car less' for 18 months but the itch to have another (fun) way of getting about is back. I've been looking at Mini's for ages, always had an itch, but it has to be a 2.0 S or JCW and the space inside is tiny for the money and a new one is on the horizon.

Had 1, Z4 (x2), 5, 4GC and despite everything I feel the need to possibly get back in a BMW before everything goes all subscription etc.

I want something a bit of poke, not a 20i/d for example. Simply don't do the miles to justify diesel anymore. Don't have kids, have dogs but they unfortunately won't be around long into this ownership experience.

Given the price of new has rapidly shot up and discounts are low the used market isn't going to change much anytime soon - so I've settled on a short list...can pay any which way as its mostly coming from the sale of the last one plus the company car contributions I banked while not having a car...

Here's the man maths bit - Company car contribution is approx £21k over 5 years - so whatever its worth in 5 years time should ( ) attempt to cover the difference between £21k and sale price.

Polo GTI - 2021/2022 (not the latest version) - something about it..
BMW 128ti 2021 (its likely to be £30-31K though) - am I mad?
Mini CS 2/JCW - hard to find a nice low mileage spec under £30k which seems....nuts.
Hyundai i30 N....not bad, but should I?
Ford Focus ST... seems it should be considered

But

VW Golf GTI...dropped this one, too license losingly easy to drive

I've been struggling to make a decision for months (I suffer from this anyway) and I'm not for borrowing/loaning as its just not good for my headspace but a rather nice 128ti has come up at £31k (the spec is nice) I need others to convince me I am not nuts throwing that out on a FWD 1 series that has cloth seats...

Help me spend. You know you wanna

[rokut]

Been playing this game in AT recently, but not new cars...
Plumped for the BMW M3 4.0. Like this one for example: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-det...sort=price-asc

[martin10chk]

For me, of those you list I would go mk7.5 golf gti. Bottom end of your budget probably. Get one that is well-specced and you really just cant go wrong.

[Bryans69]

With dogs, a MK 7.5 Golf R.
Without dogs, I'd push the budget a bit and get a V8 Vantage

[MashinBenzin]

How much is a Mustang V8?

Mk 7.5 Golf GTI would be my choice from your list, or the i30N

[Hartside]

128ti, but then again I’m biased!

[isleaiw1]

as a former Golf owner (Mk7 GTI PP 3 door), I'd say the Golf.

Failing that the i30N

[Danj94]

I have just sold my MK7 Golf R a couple of weeks ago and I am in a 2019 440i.

The Golf R is a serious machine and with a decent spec (leather, pro nav, Dynaudio, car play) it really is a whole lot of car for the money, 300hp 4 pot turbo, dual clutch transmission & a sweet 4 motion drive system they have reasonable MPG, the stick like s**t to a blanket and are pretty cheap in servicing and tyres etc.

[NotGotABimmer23]

Not the 1 series they are ugly as sin. Be tempted by an e46 or e92 m3, or a c63 with the 6.2 V8. Had a Mustang and whilst fun they are too big, too flash and a constant worry parking or leaving it anywhere due to its size and the attention it gets.

[speedski]

Thanks all - with being risk adverse (I am as mad as I sound) I prefer something in at least an initial manufacturer warranty - I'll keep looking at the golfs and try as I might the 128ti keeps dragging me back in - with the right spec I think its a good all round package.

Need to get a test drive in an i30N too - its an outlier, the main reason it is is there is no main dealer overly close to me.

[XAlp]

There wasn’t a Mustang on your shortlist so here’s my outlier… 😜

GR Yaris

[isleaiw1]

MX5 if we are adding cars not on the list

[Ennoch]

Alfa 147 GTA? It's got the poke, a glorious sound and is an occasion to drive even if objectively a lot of cars eclipse it for performance/handling/0-60 etc. I guess it depends what you want; is it handling with enough poke to get moving, or is power more important than handling/occasion?

[kzg1969]

drop it to £10k and MX5 on list (the newer ones are IMO, not worth it)
M4 (would just squeeze in, maybe)
Fiesta ST or Focus RS
140i or 240i ('vert?)
Audi TT

[335dX]

Ex golf r mk 7.5 owner here t00 - golf all day long.

Mine was particularly well spec’d and it was the best golf over ever owned.

[Watsey]

Of the cars in your list I’d go for the i30N.

All the reviews have rated it very highly in terms of ability and driver involvement, and personally I’d value those things above a badge.

[Pond]

Go big or go home.

F13 M6 coupe. Fortune to run and service but IMO the best looking car BMW have ever made (apart from the original CSL). I like an M6.

BTW Focus ST, had one last year. Good fun but a bit 'agricultural' compared to zee Germans.

[Wills2]

I wouldn't get a golf or polo they are very cheap inside I couldn't get past it with the Golf GTi TCR I had for a few months.

[dopper99]

OP has mentioned mainly hot hatches so it’s worth reading EVO’s take on best hatches for 2023.

https://www.evo.co.uk/hot-hatchbacks...rs-you-can-buy

Hyundai‘s, both i20n and i30n need serious consideration.

I’d recommend a Golf, but biased as I have a new R and previously had a 7.5 R. Brilliant all weather car with 4wd.

You say you are risk averse? Forget RWD and stick to FWD or 4WD.

[un1eash]

If I was spending upto £30k it would have to be a FK8 Civic Type R.

[Cootie]

I’ve had a couple of MK7 and 7.5 Golf Rs and they’re hard to beat as an overall proposition. Same goes for my Dad’s previous 7.5 GTi Performance Pack, albeit I can’t get on with the interface on his Mk8 GTi, even if it still drives very well.

Hyundai i30N well worth a look. I’ve not got direct experience of it yet, but a friend of mine has recently got one and loves it, admitting that he’s finding himself taking it out in preference to his 992 GTS. Another of my mates has driven one for several laps of the Ring and was raving about it - considering the various cars he’s got at the moment, which include both the Megane Trophy RS and Yaris GR, alongside a few more exotic options, that’s a very strong endorsement.

[boba-fett]

Originally Posted by un1eash

If I was spending upto £30k it would have to be a FK8 Civic Type R.

This ^ Its a really good car!