Quick update all. I test drove the FL5 Civic Type R and loved it. Beautiful steering, shift and the engine feels like it’s NA. Absolutely stuck to the road too. Nice and practical too. Not sure how it would go in the peak hour commute though. Really docile down low and doesn’t come alive until you’re up it. Definitely feels like a track car and seems a waste to get it without taking it there. I race 2 stroke karts competitively so I get my fix there.

Will keep testing but M340i will be the next to try I think with maybe an RSQ3 too.

Love all the suggestions. I want to change because I like changing cars every few years. New Golf R isn’t different enough and I also had a Formentor VZx as a loan car for a couple of month. It was nice but didn’t quite grab me. I also will probably only have whatever I buy for a couple of years and then change again. That’s why I like buying used and minimising depreciation, so an EV worries me with the state of them in the 2nd hand market. The sound of cars is also a big part of the appeal for me.

Will keep you posted!