What would be a smart choice as a fun first car?

You finally made it, you got your driving licence. But after such an achievement you find yourself driving your mom’s boring car. How could you fix this on a budget?

I found myself in a situation where I wanted something fun. Something that would make me drive with a smile and let’s be honest, a VW Passat from 2003 (my dad’s car) doesn’t really give those vibes.

Nonetheless, with a strict budget of around £6,000 it was complicated to find a fun and reliable car. In this article, I will be going over the thinking and shortlisting process that brought me in buying the best first car.

Mazda MX-5

The first thing that comes in the head when you think of a cheap sportscar is the mighty Mazda MX-5, as known as MIATA in the American market. It is just such a perfect product for what you pay for and this is why they say that Miata Is Always The Answer, which if you notice, spells the name of the car itself.

Being always the answer, has its positive but negative aspects as well. To begin with the positives, there are many, many of them available on the market and spare parts are extremely easy to find which lowers the cost of ownership making it effortless.

As well, there is a big community of enthusiast. Mx-5 rallies happen everywhere in the world and probably, also in your town.

Nonetheless, it has become a very common car, over its 30 years of manufacturing and its 4 generations, more that one million of them were made. Therefore, if additionally to something fun you were looking for something unique, Miata might not be your answer.

BMW Z3

Moving from Asia to Europe, the BMW Z3 was one of the final contender. With higher interior quality, more comfortable rides and higher overall quality compared to its Japanese competitor, made me really hesitate on what to choose.

Personally, one of its downsides was the fact that too many engines option were available for its short seven years run. Making it relatively complicated and expensive to find replacements. As well, someone could argue that given its variety of options, they were of lesser quality as BMW focused more on diversifying than in specialising over fewer options.

Yet, thanks to its various configurations, the Z3 has a very wide price range, going from few thousands bucks all the way up to thirty grand for its extremely rare coupe model. And for our price range of £6,000 you could also pick a rust free 2.0 litres inline 6 in mint conditions. Alternatively, still for the same price, you could get the slightly older, slightly more powerful, 2.8 litres with 190 German horses.

Toyota MR2

Unfortunately, I was looking for something different. I had different priorities. I was ready to give up the practicality aspect for something more driver focused. And that is why I choose to get myself a Toyota MR2 roadster. The third and last generation of Toyota’s Midship Runabout.

With only 90 litres of cargo space, 2 very closed positioned seats and its mid engine is definitely not a practical car. As well, amenities on board were kept to a minimum and interior quality is extremely poor. Cheap feeling plastics everywhere you would touch and look. Nonetheless, those characteristics led to a curb weight of only 900kg. Making the small 1.8 litres engine powerful enough to have fun around the corners.

As well, I have to say that it really looks ugly. Is said that the MR2 took inspiration from the Porsche Boxter which personally, I don’t think is particularly beautiful. The whole rear end of the Boxter, as the one of the MR2, really look out of proportions, The placement of the engine in the back, forced the rear of the car to be stretched out and I this, ruined the siluette of both cars.

Nonetheless, its driving experience, feeling and uniqueness, makes the MR2, in my opinion, the most fun car you can have for the money. Additionally, its Toyota reliability will make it run for hundreds of thousands of miles with basic maintenance.

Let us know what is you dream’s first car and send us a message if you want your story to be published on not ● much

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