High Performance Cars - Advice Needed

m4641 on 10/01/2026 - 14:36
Last edited 10/01/2026 - 14:42 by 1 other user

Dear OzBargain community, I’m looking for some advice on buying a car. I’m a woman in my early 50s — and please no judgement — but I genuinely love performance cars.

I’ve narrowed my shortlist down to the Audi S3, Toyota GR Corolla, Audi Q3, or Lexus LBX. I do love Mercedes as well, but I just can’t justify the cost at the moment.

I’m feeling a bit out of my depth when speaking with dealers, as I don’t have a mechanical background (I’m a nurse), and I’d really appreciate some guidance. Based on your experience, which of these would you recommend? Also, what’s a reasonable expectation when negotiating the price on a 2025 model?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much.

Automotive Audi Audi S3 Car Lexus SUV Toyota

Comments

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  • MS Paint on 10/01/2026 - 14:46
    +48

    GR Corolla and S3 are the only performance oriented cars in your list.

    Q3 and LBX are slugs.

    You likely won't get a discount on the GR and try Audi specific Australian forums to see what discount others have received on an S3.

    I would look at a secondhand RSQ3 / Macan GTS for a 50 something female that wants legit performance. You can extend the Porsche factory warranty to 15 years/200k kms for $$$.

    We need a budget to give more accurate info.

      • SetTheFaqUp on 11/01/2026 - 18:47
        -6

        Audi S3, yea, neh. A haldex is a neh.

    • SetTheFaqUp on 11/01/2026 - 18:48
      +3

      morizo RR aren't too shabby.

      • poppingtags on 12/01/2026 - 15:46
        +4

        OP, this is the answer - it borrows heaps from the incredible GR Yaris but with Lexus fit and finish! If you can stretch your budget, it will be a very fun drive when you want it to be, a very comfortable drive when you want to be, and far more reliable and more affordable to maintain than the Audi or any other Euro on your list!

  • tenpercent on 10/01/2026 - 14:48
    +7

    What are the cars performing?

  • BobsYourAunty on 10/01/2026 - 14:49
    +6

    What is your budget?

    • ShiKu on 14/01/2026 - 10:40
      +2

      I can afford 2 overripe bananas, and someone else's lunch from the work fridge

  • LanceVance on 10/01/2026 - 14:51
    +25

    GR Corolla alone for retained value and reliability. Aside from that it's also an awesome car. Q3 and LBX are not performance cars. Don't buy based on brand appeal. i30 N's are also good.

      • MS Paint on 10/01/2026 - 16:21
        +10

        Citation required or do you mean the Morizo RR?

        • SetTheFaqUp on 11/01/2026 - 18:49

          :p what's wrong with the 1.5L hybrid

    • mccarthyp64 on 11/01/2026 - 11:53
      +6

      My i30 N has done me very well so far, resale is holding as well.

    • Devastator0 on 11/01/2026 - 16:14
      +5

      Another +1 for the Hyundai i30N (I have a 2023 i30N Premium Hatch and it's a fantastic car).

    • smartProverble on 11/01/2026 - 21:52
      -1

      Just the Hyundai N cars in general.

      • i30 N
      • Kona N!!!
      • i20 N
      • R4 on 12/01/2026 - 00:46
        +1

        I have an I20N - the best car I've ever owned, and I've owned a lot.

        Sadly being dumped from April, although apparently, a hybrid version is in the works, but it probably won't be manual sadly

        • PinzVidz on 13/01/2026 - 01:50

          Can't wait to get my i20N, requested factory order in Lumen Grey (no TTR) which was placed several months ago. Will probably be in the very last group before production ceases. I predict they'll be a future classic.

          • R4 on 13/01/2026 - 09:17
            +1

            @PinzVidz: Enjoy. I'm thinking of getting another before they stop selling them. The grey is nice. I've got the blue with black roof.

    • JIMB0 on 11/01/2026 - 22:09

      i30 N's are also good.

      Have they fixed the issues with the exhaust yet?

      • Maddeals on 12/01/2026 - 14:40

        Not sure on my side, but you just reminded me that I need to get the replacement clips lol

    • sjbartley on 13/01/2026 - 19:08
      +1

      I had a horrible experience with our near-new Kona's DCT. Hyundai would not help me and I had to sell the car as ethically as possible at a great loss. Not recommended.

      • LanceVance on 13/01/2026 - 22:44
        +1

        Out of warranty? I avoid DCT’s as a rule. Technology has been around for around 20 years and they still can’t seem to get it right.

        • MS Paint on 14/01/2026 - 04:15

          Laughs in PDK

          • LanceVance on 14/01/2026 - 11:25

            @MS Paint: They're not immune.

            • MS Paint on 14/01/2026 - 11:29
              +1

              @LanceVance: Nothing mechanical is immune but they are one of the very best dual clutch transmissions.

  • ilove on 10/01/2026 - 14:57
    +5

    a 5000km GR Corolla has been listed for 50k. used.

  • xuqi on 10/01/2026 - 14:59
    +5

    GR Corolla would be my choice from the list of cars. LBX is in no way a 'performance' car.

    • SetTheFaqUp on 11/01/2026 - 18:45

      The performance variant is sold out before they were available.

      • xuqi on 11/01/2026 - 22:51

        Typical Toyota/Lexis nonsense, had a GR Corolla on order for 18 months before cancelling the order, and purchasing a much faster EV.

        • Jackson on 12/01/2026 - 13:56
          +1

          I was going to mention this, why does a dual motor model 3 or model 3 performance not make the list? Should be a fair few seconds hand ones under 50k

          • grrrr on 13/01/2026 - 09:34

            @Jackson: MG IM5. AWD 570kW, 3.21 0-100, 4 wheel steering to get the weight around corners. I almost bought one.

            • Jackson on 13/01/2026 - 13:12

              @grrrr: More than 50k though surely?

            • klaw81 on 14/01/2026 - 12:11

              @grrrr: IM5 Performance starts at 80k, well outside the budget. Used ones would be non-existant since they're so new.

              • grrrr on 16/01/2026 - 19:58

                @klaw81: Sorry all, yes the IM5s are 80k ish and well outside of a 50k price. When comparing Tesla Dual Motors to other cars then check the IM5.

  • 7ekn00 on 10/01/2026 - 15:04
    +1

    For actual performance: GR Corolla, those things fly around corners!

    For "show off clout" / performance: Audi S3 …

    The rest are just "for show", no real "performance" there at all :/

    Personally, I am in line for a Toyota GR GT ;)

    • jolygood on 11/01/2026 - 12:36
      -2

      How often 'fly around' can be done safely on public roads? Great Ocean Road are packed with SUVs and utes nowadays :(. OP needs to define her priorities. (comfort, all out speed, nice interior, low NVH, practicality, reliability, etc.)May suggest Tesla Model 3? (flame suit on :p)

      • SetTheFaqUp on 11/01/2026 - 18:45

        Royal national park. One of the bends recommended speed is 25km/hr.

        Anyone can do 50km/hr around that bend is not bad.

        • jolygood on 13/01/2026 - 12:03

          Anyone anytime? Is it a blind corner? What if wet, icing, old or bald tyres? How often do people check their tyres nowadays?
          To fully enjoy hi perf cars, race track is the place.

          • SetTheFaqUp on 13/01/2026 - 13:23

            @jolygood: "race track is the place"

            Yes. Unfortunately, most don't, and most can't drive properly.

            And yes, pretty much a narrow 2 way 90 degree turn. One side is the ditch and other side is the cliff.

    • witheredcouch on 12/01/2026 - 15:29

      Unless it is the LBX RR which has a GR Corolla drivetrain though I imagine those are basically sold out.

  • Wiadro on 10/01/2026 - 15:06

    how much do you want to spend?
    the ones you have listed are barely performance tbh

  • mskeggs on 10/01/2026 - 15:16
    +3

    What have you owned before? If it is all V8 hsv's you might prefer something different to if it has been hot hatches.

  • Euphemistic on 10/01/2026 - 15:21
    +8

    Tbh you dont need to have mechnical aptitude to drive a performance car.

    Go test drive the ones YOU like and pick youre favourite that is in budget.

    By all accounts the hyundai i30N is a pretty decent vehicle. Check that too.

    Dont forget to consider EVs. They give good off the mark performance and typically low centre of gravity. Doesnt the MG4 have a performance version?

  • mshanann on 10/01/2026 - 15:29
    +10

    Nissan Fairlady Z in manual

      • dukeGR4 on 11/01/2026 - 19:31
        +2

        it's not that deep bruh, manual is easy… You can also get the Z in Auto.

      • witheredcouch on 12/01/2026 - 15:28

        Given the others I assumed she was talking about the LBX Morizo RR which is definitely a performance vehicle (basically a GR Corolla on stilts).

      • BobLim on 12/01/2026 - 22:12

        More chance of being able to drive a manual in your 50's than a teenager would. Assuming she also loves actually driving performance cars, I'm guessing OP has some decent experience performing the very basic task of using a gearbox and clutch pedal.

  • freefall101 on 10/01/2026 - 15:37
    +12

    What exactly are you looking for in a performance car? Just something that looks fancy or something that you can put into launch mode and feel the jollies? Something that will sweep around corners or just make a lot of noise?

    If all you want is launch speed, buy a Model 3 performance or whatever Chinese sporty looking EV you like, it'll be faster than anything you listed. It's not going to lose much performance over time like a turbo Audi will either.

    • Jaspa7 on 13/01/2026 - 10:29
      +1

      agreed with this.. if you're just after that rollercoaster jolt, my Seal Performance gets from 0-100 in 3.7s, and can be had 2ndhand nowadays for under ~40k.
      I'm hanging out for an MG IM5 next ;)
      Once you go electric, it's very hard to look back - and I've been behind the wheel of colleagues' Audio S3 and GR corolla.
      Especially in suburbia - where your neighbours would complain from the noise if you were pushing an ICE that hard.

      • AudaciousMoose on 15/01/2026 - 23:40

        Where are you finding seal performance for under 40k?!

        • Jaspa7 on 16/01/2026 - 09:18

          hmm fair call - not quite under 40k, more like 43-44..
          but give it a month or two, and you'll find them for ~41-42k, and you should be able to haggle them down to under 40k

  • ozb-plshelpmywallet on 10/01/2026 - 15:42
    -2

    67 mustang

    • klaw81 on 14/01/2026 - 12:14
      +1

      Old Mustangs are dog slow compared to modern hatchbacks, and their handling is abysmal.

      Muscle car sure. Performance car never.

  • pegaxs on 10/01/2026 - 15:49
    -5

    Ford Mustang or Toyota 86 seem to be the only cars available for women in your age bracket.. That or Tesla model Y, which isnt really a "sports car".

    And dont forget, if you get a Mustang, you need a pink rainbow sparkly decal on the rear window that says "Hers, not his"

    • JIMB0 on 10/01/2026 - 16:13
      +7

      The Toyota 86 is barley a performance car, let alone high performance.

      • KangaDrew on 10/01/2026 - 17:58
        +11

        Wheat on earth are you trying to say?

        • casho on 11/01/2026 - 19:41
          -2

          B-read carefully

      • pegaxs on 10/01/2026 - 21:51
        +2

        Shhhh, all those middle aged hair dressers dont know that… It just has to "look" sporty…

      • GordonD on 11/01/2026 - 08:03
        +3

        Correct. Around Australia there are a couple of power to weight standards defining who can drive what. The first model 86 had a low enough power to weight ratio to not rate as a "high performance vehicle" (>130 kW/tonne) so anyone could drive it. It was sold as having great handling because it was RWD and sporty looks not high performance. The second one came in just over 130 kW/tonne, So P platers weren't allowed to drive it. As a result the used car value of the earlier ones is quite high even though they are slower.

        The problem with 86s is that while the early model is reasonably quick, and the later model quite quick, you have to wring their necks to get it. They don't have a lot of bottom end grunt.

        If we are talking real high performance, of course there are "ultra high performance vehicles" (>276 kW/tonne) that you need a U endorsement on your licence to drive in SA. But there's only a few that reach that.

        • Randolph Duke on 11/01/2026 - 16:31
          +8

          For the price the 86/BRZ rate pretty highly on the fun factor. Sure they aren’t super quick in a straight line, but they are a lot of fun to throw around

          Having to ring its neck for performance is a feature - owning a legitimately fast car, you’re already losing your license in a few seconds. Running through the revs & gears is more fun in a lower powered car on the road.

          • Euphemistic on 11/01/2026 - 19:09
            +1

            @Randolph Duke: Agree. Driving a slower car hard is pretty enjoyable rather than having to take it easy on the go pedal because you get in trouble too quickly. Had a 91 corolla that was a bkast to drive because it was light weight and handked ok, but i could drive it hard and not worry about thw speed limit too much.

        • dukeGR4 on 11/01/2026 - 19:34

          So P platers weren't allowed to drive it. As a result the used car value of the earlier ones is quite high even though they are slower.

          wow, that's the reason why! was telling a mate how an several year old 86 would still set you back mid 20s when the latest variant could be had for low 30s!

          The problem with 86s is that while the early model is reasonably quick, and the later model quite quick, you have to wring their necks to get it. They don't have a lot of bottom end grunt.

          they fixed the torque dip at least! not sure how linear it is, i haven't driven the new one yet. But reviewers rate it very highly for usability/performance.

          • Shadowsfury on 12/01/2026 - 14:20

            @dukeGR4: I've had an 86 as my only car for almost 12 years now - you can get tunes and a few minor performance enhancements to almost fully eliminate the torque dip.

    • entropysbane on 12/01/2026 - 15:22

      Agree on the mustang. My sister has a GT and loves it.

      She tells me the dealer told her that more than half of mustang sales in the northern rivers NSW are to women. Whether they are the four cylinder ecoboost or the V8 GT I don’t know.
      I plan to get one around 2028, although pricewise I expect them to be well and truly Bowened by then.

      But that is me. From your list the Corolla, or maybe look at an i30N which has more boot space.

      • klaw81 on 14/01/2026 - 16:57

        Whether they are the four cylinder ecoboost or the V8 GT I don’t know.

        According to Ford, 85% of Mustangs sold into the Australian market are fitted with the V8 engine. And about half of them have the manual gearbox.

  • GordonD on 10/01/2026 - 15:54
    +1

    I'd buy an Audi RS3 if I had the money. But in the latest surveys Audis generally are scoring particularly poorly on reliability. I'd be concerned that buying one someone had gotten rid of so soon after they bought it had reliability issues.

  • GordonD on 10/01/2026 - 16:01
    +4

    MG4 XPower.

    320 kW. 0-100 in 3.8 seconds.

    Currently $5K off.

    Or do you want something that other people think is a performance car?

    • Eeples on 10/01/2026 - 21:37
      +4

      Do these things still shudder at 100km/hr?

      • AccuracyAdvocate on 12/01/2026 - 17:21

        The OP should drive the MG 4 Essence. I read the shudder reports of the MG X Power too, that was my concern along with:
        - the reduced range over the MG4 Essence,
        - the fact I would be paying more than those who got the double factory discount price error in late 2023.
        - the regional dealer refusing to move on price for one in stock.

        I got the MG 4 essence at a great price and I'm very happy with the performance. It is electric, RWD and firm suspension.

        Hobbes: I'm not a fan of the styling but I don't really care. Not once do I look at and cringe, if anything it's grown on me. Spend the savings on some racing stripes and other mods.

        It also lacks some luxury features that others may have and has some poor points, eg reverse camera at night is low quality.

        Honestly, really high performance vehicles are novelty that may wear off, unless you take it to the track. You will only floor it so many times. I suggest renting a performance vehicle to try it out.

        All you need is a vehicle that can take corners at 50 instead of 30, that you can do every time you drive.

        I also have a sub 5 s car , I recon the RWD MG 4 would smoke it 0-60 km/h.

    • Hobbes on 11/01/2026 - 06:51
      +2

      Fair performance, however it looks sh!te, so would be stuck having to look at it everyday.

    • ozb-plshelpmywallet on 14/01/2026 - 17:25

      “ MG Motor is an automotive manufacturer owned by SAIC Motor, a Chinese state-owned carmaker based in Shanghai”

      as are most european car brands now :(

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 10/01/2026 - 16:08
    +7

    Have a look at an i30n

    Otherwise pay the Toyota Tax and get a GR Corolla

    • Hellcrusher3304 on 10/01/2026 - 22:20

      What's a good price for the i30n hatch or sedan?

      • Nexo on 11/01/2026 - 14:20
        +1

        Sedan 2022 with 40-45,000 KMs can be bought for approx $40k, was approx 55-58k brand new. Very good bang for your buck

  • m4641 on 10/01/2026 - 17:32
    +4

    Thank you all. My max budget is 75-80. The Toyota GR runs beautifully with a fair bit of grunt which I really like. But the interior for $75 - brand new model is very basic. The S3 runs the same but is also very luxurious on the inside. For extra 5-8 grand it looks like a better choice. I am not familiar with the Audi brand. I’ve had the Toyota 86 before and in comparison to the GR or S3 it has no power.

    • Wiadro on 10/01/2026 - 17:49
      -2

      Golf r

      • Drj55 on 11/01/2026 - 09:46
        -1

        Who would neg you for this? With a budget of 75-80 and wanting brand new, a golf R is about as good as you'll get. It's a great car. Practical and genuinely fun.
        Have you looked at a BMW m240? It's a bit outside your budget (~95) but it has serious performance and sounds great.

        • Emphasise on 11/01/2026 - 10:27
          -1

          If they're looking at brand new only, the MK8 Golf R is a rip off. Arguably the 7.5 was the last good looking R hahah

          • smpantsonfire on 13/01/2026 - 16:25

            @Emphasise: I went to look at the golf r yesterday. They are 72k and not the base model.

            If the bigger is 725-80 the golf r with some upgrades is where id look.

        • BobLim on 12/01/2026 - 22:21
          +1

          No manual = no "hot hatch" for me. At least BMW still offers some (though tragically not in a wagon).

          I also personally don't like the Mk8 styling.

        • ozb-plshelpmywallet on 14/01/2026 - 17:28

          golfs are not what they used to be

      • browser on 11/01/2026 - 10:29
        +6

        Golf R out performs S3, which is the primary criteria, within budget and along with a reasonable interior/tech. Unless budget can stretch to RS3, which is in a different league.

        Between the 2, just about the only reason to go with S3 is for a sedan.

        That said, as a mature driver, would go with S3 sedan than a hot hatch.

    • LanceVance on 11/01/2026 - 13:03
      +3

      The Audi will depreciate faster and cost a lot more in maintenance than the Corolla. Long term you will pay a lot more than just an extra 5-8 grand for the Audi.

      • Mikeer on 12/01/2026 - 01:48
        +1

        But the yield, man, the yield!

        • LanceVance on 12/01/2026 - 09:38

          Yeah but each time a warning light comes on and the knot you have in your stomach in fear of the next time it will happen means yield turns instant negative :D

    • Cav1ll on 11/01/2026 - 16:47
      -1

      As someone who has had an S3 from new (2019) - you cannot go wrong.

      • SetTheFaqUp on 11/01/2026 - 18:51

        Get a Chinese EV that runs under 4 seconds. OP is actually not into performance cars with the list - fine, GR (be it Yaris, Corolla, or Supra) qualifies.

        • AccuracyAdvocate on 12/01/2026 - 17:27

          I agree, although I would also be looking at a used Tesla performance (3 or Y depending on needs) if you want absolutely performance but honestly the standard will have plenty of performance, see my comments earlier on the MG4.

          I have you upvote. To the negger, why the downvote or are you just anti EV and/or anti Chinese vehicles?
          (Edit spelling)

          • Ramrunner on 13/01/2026 - 16:50

            @AccuracyAdvocate: I'm not the person who negged, but just want to say having been a racer and someone whos driven a lot of performance cars:

            A quick 0-100 does not a sports car make. That's a drag car. Big difference. Maybe that's why the neg?

            Having test driven a few EVs, the immense weight of them at the moment make them very hard to recommend as a "sports" car. The KIA EV 6 GT was the only one I felt was a bit fun to throw around. But that puppy is over $110k here in WA.

            I'm sure they're improving and I will keep test driving them but at the moment there's not a lot of AFFORDABLE EVs that handle any good.

  • Dollar General on 10/01/2026 - 17:39
    -1

    Consider a golf r

    • liongalahad on 11/01/2026 - 01:21
      +2

      There's a lot of hate on Ozb for VWs didn't you know?

      • Dollar General on 11/01/2026 - 07:29
        +5

        Yeah many would rather cheap Chinese junk that takes 52 seconds to build.

        • Wiadro on 11/01/2026 - 08:42
          +3

          Everyone on here seems to loves a Haval, BYD, GWM, etc.

          • Dollar General on 11/01/2026 - 10:30
            +6

            @Wiadro: Everything china makes is designed to be used for a short time and thrown away

          • Binchicken22 on 11/01/2026 - 16:03

            @Wiadro: It's the high proportion of lefties that ozbargain attracts.

            They love that shit, they feel like they are "sticking it to capitalism" if they keep droning on about how Chinese cars are "better" than Jap/Korean/euro/American cars.

            100% this is why, though they'll never admit it.

            • R4 on 12/01/2026 - 13:57
              +2

              @Binchicken22: Yep. This site is dominated by East Coast Champagne socialist city boys and new Australians

              • Binchicken22 on 12/01/2026 - 15:31

                @R4: Yeah, the most ironic part is the primary reason Chinese cars are where they are at today (actually half decent), is because of 2 things lefties hate.

                1. Worker exploitation

                &

                1. IP theft (I've noticed a growing consensus on the left that the hivemind now seems to hate AI because they feel it is a giant plagiarism machine.
          • roby21 on 12/01/2026 - 13:32
            +1

            @Wiadro: Of course, this is ozbargain, not ozpremium XD

          • entropysbane on 12/01/2026 - 16:44

            @Wiadro: I can only conclude the boosters are inner city people and don’t drive a lot, and would only ever buy a new car, and fairly frequently.

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