I'm finding this quite a hard challenge. I'm realizing the dynamic behavior of my 2002 R50 (maintained to perfection and with 6spd GeTrag + LSD) is, in modern cars, basically gone/ to be found only on extremely expensive sportcars.
I don't care about power, I care about the sweet chassis where you can feel the multilink working at road-legal speeds and the slightest road imperfection thru the steering.

I test-drove MANY cars and most of them felt like "playstation cars", the only ones who made me think "WOW - this would be a massive upgrade from the MINI" and are sub 40k are Lotuses. Those things' dynamic is honed to absolute perfection.
I can settle for less that a Lotus but no less than a 1st gen MINI as far as driving dynamic goes - this is proving quite challenging - , do you have anything to suggest me take on a test drive? GT86/BRZ and oldish Mazda are already on the list. Something else that is quite different but I really appreciate are Mustangs and the like but here in Europe ownership taxes make those out of reach for me.

 

Mazda's respond really well to minor suspension upgrades. A Mazda3 with the multi-link rear suspension, a set of Bilstein B6/8 shocks, and modest lowering springs would be a great daily driver / canyon carver.

 

Since you're in Europe,
what about something French?

https://www.evo.co.uk/renault/megane...5-trophy-cup-s

.

 

The Peugeot RCZ looks like a cool little car, too

 

A low mile R53? I see decent prices on some of the Mini FB groups I'm on - at least in the UK.

 

Another vote for an R53 👍

 

You're posting this on a MINI forum, so things may be biased, but a R53 would be my MINI choice! If not a MINI, a S2000 is pretty back to basics and has great road feel. So too is an older Miata, EVO, STI.

 

Why not buy a used quality MCS? You know their cars and you enjoy driving them.

 

Thanks for the input, I didn't consider the EVOs nor the Imprezas! The RCZ looks cool too
I won't buy another MINI, I'd rather spend on the one I already have with an engine rebuild and a good set of suspensions.

But let me be honest, my mind is already set on a Lotus Evora, what a machine. I'm just trying to talk myself out of using a racecar in the morning for the school run....

 

In that price range, considered an Alpine A110?

 

I spend hours on the Internet, I test drive, I ring hands, and I spec and buy a new Mini

 

In that case I'd go for a 718, but the Lotus is ....a Lotus.

No new MINIs for me, I me be biased from 15 years of racing go-karts but a R50 on 15in wheels is the sweetest of em all.

 

I would definitely do the Lotus if it was in my price range. Whatever you end up with, please post a follow up here with some pics!

 

It took a while but here is the follow up!

I ended up getting an early Lotus Elise (I'm in EU so we have the very early Rover-powered ones with no ABS no AC no anything).

Incredible car, on track it matches "everything's" cornering speeds but on the road is really impractical, save for the Sunday lakeside strolls without roof.
Straight line performance is a bit underwhelming but that's not the raison d'etre of the car. No power upgrades in sight because the real thing to upgrade is the driver and keeping horsepower stock keeps the running costs very low -> more trackdays and instructor time.

100% recommended if tracking it, probably would go for a MX5 if it was only for road use.

PS: fixed the Mini but still daily driving the beater car, with basically only gas as running cost is hard to part ways with it.

 

Nice!!!
Envious.
Who couldn't resist that adorable little "smile"(front grill)?
Congratulations!