Suggestions for fun daily driver

motorguy

Mr_Adds wrote: »

If you read the Mini owners forums, there are numerous quality issues with the early F series Minis, mainly electrical, gearbox, and the door seals that rub the paint off the door shuts.

The Roadster was introduced with the LCI upgrades in 2012 onwards, so Cooper S has the N18 engine which has none of the N14 faults for timing chains, HPFP, thermostats etc, and the Cooper went from N12 engine to N16 engine which seemed to sort timing chain issues.

I like the MX5's, but being 6ft 4 i cannot fit in one!

For the O/Ps budget he wont be looking at an early car, and likewise the initial quality issues will have been resolved on those early cars.

Owner experience over on minif56.com is positive. My F56 Cooper S seems very well screwed together.

Certainly not "riddled" with faults.

A 2016 Cooper is within budget and would still have manufacturers warranty on it.

bertiewhite

Houbara wrote: »

The OP should grow up/mature and forget about "having fun " on the public roads of the UK.

Well thanks awfully for your input (I bet you're a proper hoot at parties) but as Motorguy says, I don't need to drive like an idiot to enjoy driving - one of the most enjoyable cars I ever owned was a Citroen 2CV and they were certainly never known for their performance.

Houbara wrote: »

MX5 is utterly useless for everyday work horse duties

It's a good job I'm not asking for work horse suggestions then really.

Houbara wrote: »

IF you want to get sensible

I don't.

To everyone else who has made suggestions, thanks - I happened to be passing a dealer with a 63 plate Vauxhall Adam today which I had a quick drive in and I quite liked it but they also had an MX5 so I took that for a spin as well and it's top of the list at the moment. I'll take a trip to my local Mini dealer tomorrow and let you know how I get on.

almillar

This is MSE, the car's over budget, but I can't hold it in. Budget fun = Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ. Sorry!

fatrab

almillar wrote: »

This is MSE, the car's over budget, but I can't hold it in. Budget fun = Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ. Sorry!

You beat me to it!

I'm +1 for the MX5 but if you can stretch the budget just a little the GT86/BRZ is a great option.

I had one and while it felt underpowered to me (I'm used to turbo/H6 Subarus) it was a great car to drive. Terrific handling, pretty good economy, peanuts to insure and 4 "seats" if you can count those two mobile phone holders in the back as seats, and pretty good boot space.

And I'm another who agrees - having fun doesn't mean sliding sideways round every roundabout!


..... and don't buy a fiat 500, especially not the twin air.

iolanthe07

The things (MX5) are lethal to drive except in dry weather.

Absolute nonsense. I have never owned a car that held the road so well as my MX5, wet or dry, though I suppose if you put the wrong tyres on, things could get hairy.

shayne66

What about an abarth 500 ? You mentioned the fiat 500 and the Abarth' s are a lot more fun to drive.

hollie.weimeraner

martinthebandit wrote: »

Mazda MX5 would be my choice for fun and quirky but doubt you'll get one at the and price you want.

MX5 definitely. Loads of fun

walwyn1978

+ 1 for Cooper, MX5. Skoda Fabia VRS?

ffacoffipawb

Alfa Romeo Mito, pretty little car

motorguy

iolanthe07 wrote: »

The things (MX5) are lethal to drive except in dry weather.

Absolute nonsense. I have never owned a car that held the road so well as my MX5, wet or dry, though I suppose if you put the wrong tyres on, things could get hairy.

Or if he cant drive....