Weekend Fun Car suggestions

[Magixuser]

Hi all, I finally got an approval from my wife to buy a weekend car. I'm using an SUV as a daily driver so looking for a car to drive during the weekend. Budget is around 1m (total budget around 1.3m but setting aside 300k for maintenance, etc). Looking for a decent second hand car.
My checklist includes:
1. at least 200HP
2. can seat 4 adults comfortably
3. non aspirated for easier maintenance

I have a shortlist in mind like a BMW E90 325/330 or a Lexus IS300 but any suggestions I will also consider.

[GTi]

Hi all, I finally got an approval from my wife to buy a weekend car. I'm using an SUV as a daily driver so looking for a car to drive during the weekend. Budget is around 1m (total budget around 1.3m but setting aside 300k for maintenance, etc). Looking for a decent second hand car.
My checklist includes:
1. at least 200HP
2. can seat 4 adults comfortably
3. non aspirated for easier maintenance

I have a shortlist in mind like a BMW E90 325/330 or a Lexus IS300 but any suggestions I will also consider.

Accord V6? 280hp engine, IIRC. Can definitely seat 4 adults comfortably, probably 6 panga eh. Easier to maintain than a European car with an extensive dealer network and trademark Honda reliability.

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[Egan101]

Hi all, I finally got an approval from my wife to buy a weekend car. I'm using an SUV as a daily driver so looking for a car to drive during the weekend. Budget is around 1m (total budget around 1.3m but setting aside 300k for maintenance, etc). Looking for a decent second hand car.
My checklist includes:
1. at least 200HP
2. can seat 4 adults comfortably
3. non aspirated for easier maintenance

I have a shortlist in mind like a BMW E90 325/330 or a Lexus IS300 but any suggestions I will also consider.

Why not a turbo car? You can buy a used 2014 WRX for around 1.2M nowadays. If you something cheaper, you can get the older model WRX or the Legacy GT sedan/wagon. The Legacy GT would be around 700-800k nowadays. These are good for the track.

If really pushing for naturally aspirated RWD that is fun on the track, a used 2013-2014 BRZ/86 would be around 1M to 1.2M.

If you want a powerful and good handling FWD 4-door sedan, then it has to be the Accord V6. Both 8th gen (2008-2012) and 9th gen (2013-2017) have that great Honda V6 engine rated around 270-280hp. The 8th gen has a more sporty suspension, multi-link double wishbone mated to a hydraulic power steering system. The 9th gen already comes with front struts and electronic power steering but despite being bigger than the 8th gen, it is lighter.

[Magixuser]

Accord V6? 280hp engine, IIRC. Can definitely seat 4 adults comfortably, probably 6 panga eh. Easier to maintain than a European car with an extensive dealer network and trademark Honda reliability.

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Ganda sana, but leaning more on a compact car than a mid size car. If they only put that V6 engine on a civic body

[Egan101]

Ganda sana, but leaning more on a compact car than a mid size car. If they only put that V6 engine on a civic body

There are only a few compact cars that has an output rated at 200hp stock. Even the crop of more powerful turbo compacts are rated less (Civic RS - 173, Focus Ecoboost - 180).

If you want 200hp or more from a compact car, it's a choice between the Civic Type R, WRX and WRX STi, Evolution, Golf GTi, 308 GTi, Veloster, or BRZ/86.

There is a fun to drive car with less than 200hp, it's the Mazda Miata MX5.

[Magixuser]

Why not a turbo car? You can buy a used 2014 WRX for around 1.2M nowadays. If you something cheaper, you can get the older model WRX or the Legacy GT sedan/wagon. The Legacy GT would be around 700-800k nowadays. These are good for the track.

If really pushing for naturally aspirated RWD that is fun on the track, a used 2013-2014 BRZ/86 would be around 1M to 1.2M.

If you want a powerful and good handling FWD 4-door sedan, then it has to be the Accord V6. Both 8th gen (2008-2012) and 9th gen (2013-2017) have that great Honda V6 engine rated around 270-280hp. The 8th gen has a more sporty suspension, multi-link double wishbone mated to a hydraulic power steering system. The 9th gen already comes with front struts and electronic power steering but despite being bigger than the 8th gen, it is lighter.

The WRX piqued my interest, maybe i will reconsider a turbo charge option and test drive one.
I dont know if a BRZ/86 can fit 4 persons comfortably.

[Egan101]

The WRX piqued my interest, maybe i will reconsider a turbo charge option and test drive one.
I dont know if a BRZ/86 can fit 4 persons comfortably.

The BRZ/86 is a coupe and it can accommodate 4 people on board but you have to deal with only 2 doors. If you want to carry 4 people, then a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback/wagon are your best choices.

[GTi]

Ganda sana, but leaning more on a compact car than a mid size car. If they only put that V6 engine on a civic body

Are you open to modifications? You can get, say, an FD Civic 2.0, throw in a supercharger, and get 200hp or even more. Speedlab has many builds on its belt. Oftentimes I see that boost is not set very high, probably so as not to affect reliability, but the gains are still huge.

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[Yatta]

Agree on the WRX option. Don't be afraid of forced induction, its not as hard to maintain as some people make it to be. And you and your family will appreciate the extra pair of doors.

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[travajante]

Gokart R53. JCW, if you can...Supercharged. Port-injected. Easy to maintain, lotsa mods. The last of the DIY-friendly BMWs. Tinkering will be half the fun of ownership. Unfortunately, rear seats are just for kids.

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[jut703]

The WRX piqued my interest, maybe i will reconsider a turbo charge option and test drive one.
I dont know if a BRZ/86 can fit 4 persons comfortably.

No it can't fit 4 persons comfortably. There's literally almost zero legroom for the rear passengers. Even if you move the front seats forward, the feet of the rear passengers will still be squished underneath the front seat. It's not comfortable even for kids. It's best used as emergency seating for very short trips, or as additional storage for your bags and other small items.

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[playplugg]

Hi all, I finally got an approval from my wife to buy a weekend car. I'm using an SUV as a daily driver so looking for a car to drive during the weekend. Budget is around 1m (total budget around 1.3m but setting aside 300k for maintenance, etc). Looking for a decent second hand car.
My checklist includes:
1. at least 200HP
2. can seat 4 adults comfortably
3. non aspirated for easier maintenance

I have a shortlist in mind like a BMW E90 325/330 or a Lexus IS300 but any suggestions I will also consider.

Sir Magixuser,


Mas suggest ko po na, bumili ng "Brand-New" kung "Cold Cash" naman, hindi naman po masama mag-loan..

Since SUV po ang ginagamit nyo for daily driving, lalo kung productive at meron profit..hindi dapat manghinayang..

Kung company vehicle at lahat sagot from fuel/insurance/maintenance.. once na umabot ng 3yrs at offer na bayaran lang yung remaining balance lalo kung most of the time, kayo mismo ang nagmamaneho.. worth it na yan..


1.3M, from 70% to 45% DP...

Sedan or Wagon Based.. (200HP and 450NM+ above, and lots of safety features)

Ang Maintenance lang, "Renewal of Insurance".

Since weekend vehicle naman, Hindi kailangan ng 2nd hand na vehicle....

Most of the time naman, nasa garage naman...at di naman malalaspag ang sasakyan..

[babkalakal]

if you are considering an e90 325i go straight to a 330i na. at their ages now they probably worth close or the same amyway.

former e90 325i owner