I have €35,000 to spend on a sporty car...

If you had €35k to spend on a sporty car what would you buy? Doesn't necessarily need to be new, would go up to three years old, running costs wouldn't be that much of an issue but need to tolerable all the same, i.e. car tax < €1,000 a year.

Oct 2014 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Simon,

OK, for that kind of budget you have a wealth of options, new and used. How about a new MINI Cooper S 2.0-litre? Massive fun to drive, affordable to run (it'll do 50mpg and costs just €290 a year to tax) and they're really well built. Better yet, a brand new one starts at €27k so you have plenty left over for insurance, extras and servicing.

Not practical enough? How about the best hot hatch around at the moment then? The Volkswagen Golf GTI? Your budget just about gets a new one, but it'll be pretty basic. Better to go for nearly-new; get one with a bit of spec and make sure it has the optional Performance Pack fitted - it turns a brilliant car into a gob-smacking one.