The CAR magazine team is made up of a wide variety of ages and interests. So, given a theoretical budget of R150 000, here is what each member of the team would suggest a 25-year old should buy if they are in the market for a truly sporty vehicle to thrash about in:
Steve Smith – Volkswagen Polo/Polo Vivo
There’s a reason the Polo/Polo Vivo remains the best selling car in its segment. Build quality, reliability and handling are the benchmarks. In GT guise with its 77kW, this is a low-mileage warm hatch that you can have a little fun with too.
Terence Steenkamp – Honda CRZ
Fun to drive thanks to a chuckable chassis and one of the best manual gearshifts this side of a Porsche, fantastically design, a cinch to park, legendary Honda reliability owing to proven hybrid technology and a solidly finished (though snug) cabin, and frugal in day-to-day running, the CR-Z offers something truly special among a sea of similarly priced B-segment hatchbacks. Don’t be deterred by the prospect of having to replace the costly batteries – according to Honda, they should last 15 years if the car is used frequently (and, judging by this example’s mileage, the current owner has relished driving his CR-Z).
Ian McLaren – Mark V Volkswagen Golf GTI
Basically, the Mk5 Golf is like an Apple iPhone. While there will always be updates and new generations, most would still be happy with a well-looked-after older generation model. A neat, regularly serviced Mk5 GTI like this one should still have lots to offer in terms of performance, handling and all-round comfort. One sure way to tell whether this car has been someone’s pride and joy is the condition of the diamond cut 18-inch alloy wheels. Easily scuffed (and not easily repaired) it’s rare to find a set that is still neat and sans unwelcome scrapes. This example also has relatively low mileage and featured a manual transmission. While the DSG ‘box works very well (and features a launch control mode), there’s still great pleasure to be found within a well-sorted manual shifter.
Gareth Dean – Toyota MR2
Modest money gets you a mid-engined, rear wheel-drive compact sportscar possessed of robust Japanese mechanicals. Its 1,8-litre naturally aspirated engine isn’t powerful but the MR2 is feather-light and, with a pleasingly quick steering rack and good degree of grip and poise, it’s agile and involving to pilot. The ride is firm, the engine surprisingly vocal and the styling may be an acquired taste, but its got lots of character and is unlikely to simply dissolve into the background – think of it as a Nipponese Boxster for those on a tight budget.
Nicol Louw – Renault Clio RS 20th Anniversary Edition
Being a 25-year old, you want a car that is not too old and expensive to run and insure. Practicality is not that important so maybe the obvious choice of a VW Golf GTI is too sensible and boring. Normally I will shy away from the French but this is the special Clio RS. It is still the naturally aspirated, 2,0-litre that precedes the current 1,6-litre turbo. By all accounts it is a more desirable vehicle and is set to increase in value with time as it was an end to an era. The new owner will stand out from the crowd and enjoy unrivalled front-wheel drive driving dynamics on twisty roads…
Peter Palm – Fiat Bravo T-Jet Sport
This Bravo T-Jet Sport is packed with luxury features, sports seats, plus a lively turbocharged engine that packs a mean kick when the turbo spools up. It’s overboost function delivers 230 N.m of torque. Acceleration to 100 km/h is under nine seconds and top speed 212 km/h. A boost gauge lets you see what’s happening under the bonnet and space is well catered for with a large 352 dm3 boot. 8,6 L/100 km is a very (worst case) fair fuel index figure. Depreciation is an issue but is mostly already factored in with the asking price being less than half the new price. Service intervals are only every 30 000 km.
Wilhelm Lutjeharms – Porsche 944 Turbo
Having scanned Gumtree for years, I know that hese 944 Turbos don’t pop up often. Okay, you will need even more cash for maintenance, but in the end you will a classic sports car from the 1980s. The 944 Turbo I believe will hold its value in the coming years, and is also likely to appreciate ever so slightly. And it is a 2+2, so you will be able to fit two, small, friends in the rear. Just make sure you have the small weekend job to keep the car going!
Nikesh Kooverjee – Fiat X1/9
The Fiat X1/9 is an Italian sportscar designed by Gandini that you can buy for less than the fraction of the price of what you would pay for a classic Lamborghini or Ferrari. With it you get a diluted Italian sports car experience with its mid-engine layout, fully independent suspension, open air cruising thanks to its removable targa roof and genuine Italian unreliability. The good times are guaranteed to balance out with the bad. Turns heads as well.
