Recommend Me a Car - Performance Hatchback or Coupe for Less Than £20k

[marka87uk]

As above, preferably a 3 door hatchback or 2 door coupe (Evo's or Impreza's don't really interest me).

- Less than £20k
- Good performance (preferably 300bhp+ for an idea)
- Good handling (must be fun to drive)
- Good interior specification

I only do about 5k miles a year so fuel isn't much of an issue; and I turn 25 this year with 7 years or so NCB so insurance isn't also much of an issue.

Here's the type of car I'm thinking about:

- 07-08 Audi S3 - around £14k but similar to my Edition 30 really
- 02-04 Porsche 996 C4S - around £20k but quite expensive to run/maintain and the IMS engine issue bothers me
- BMW E46 M3 - around £10-15k but I realise there's some bad examples out there
- Focus RS Mk2 - a bit more than £20k for a good example with both Lux packs
- BMW E90 335i - around £15k - well spec'd and very good performance but I don't know if they're more of a cruiser than something to take around the country lanes

Any ideas!?

[benjii]

might be a bit old for what your looking at but s2000

[Mk5 GTian]

Focus RS Mountune MP350. Seen them for 21 grand and driven one. MENTAL!!

I got out of that car, and the smile didn't leave me for days!

I'd get that, or a 2006 RS4 saloon or cabriolet. 420bhp, 0-60 in 4.7  

[marka87uk]

Thanks

I agree the Mountune MP350's are really nice! The Mountune place is only a 5 min walk from me as well. I haven't seen them as low as that unfortunately but I'll keep my eye out in case any pop up! Still out of my budget slightly but they should keep coming down in price as they're only a couple of years old.

I'm not a big fan of convertibles to be honest.

[GTsport]

Lotus Elise
Porsche Boxster
Audi S5
Audi TTS
Scirocco R
BMW 135

Think I'd be wanting either the TTS or S5!

[rich83]

S5 ain't a performance hatchback....

[GTsport]

S5 ain't a performance hatchback....

But it is a coupe 

[MC71]

Live on the edge, TVR t350 3.6ltr 350bhp standard. get a good one for £20k. Go on, DO IT!!!  
Oh, it might break down but hay, life's a lottery.

[rich83]

Ok.... (didn't see that in the title) I seriously doubt the S5 is fun to drive though, they are heavy and have the steering feedback akin to the jahre viking. ;/)

[RobH]

135i all day long for sub 20k and would be immense to drive especially when compared to an S5, underpowered overweight piece of

[Janner_Sy]

R26R for a track beats, or if you want a more coupe and sexy sleek look the meganne RS250 i reckon thats where ill be heading....or maybe a FRS Mountune

[GTsport]

Ok.... (didn't see that in the title) I seriously doubt the S5 is fun to drive though, they are heavy and have the steering feedback akin to the jahre viking. ;/)

That's true about it being heavy. I drove a 61 plate s4 a couple of months ago and I was well impressed but I guess it's not the best handling car 20k!

TTS or BMW 135 then  

The S4 was a neighbours Hire car while his was TTRS was being fixed. And that thing is phenomenal!!!  

[Mk5 GTian]

If not a Mountune (cheapest on Autotrader is 23k at the mo) TTS or an S3 . 4wd in England, with 7 months of sh*t weather and a dodgy summer makes getting the power down a lot easier.

Or maybe wait until a Golf R is 20k.

[Janner_Sy]

why not go the two car route.  Something sedate and normal, then something like abit of clio clutter for trackdays

[jameelno1]

20k lots of choices if age of car not an issue u could get a porsche, merc sl500 or aston martin db7 list is endless