u/ApprehensiveUse2575

Edit:
Forgot about the Asians:
- Honda Civic Type R ( still available at R1m+)
- Civic RS (R700k - Not a bad alternative just never seen any around)
- Subaru WRX STI
- Nissan 350/370z

I obviously understand that there’s inflation, interest rates, economies, salaries blah blah.

But I feel that you just can’t walk into a franchise dealership and buy an affordable performance car off the floor.

In 2026. You can have a:
- Polo GTI (R600k)
- Golf GTI / R (R700k - R1m+)
- S3 / RS3 (R1m+)
- M135i (R1m+)
- GR86 (R900k+)
- GR Corolla (R900k - R1m+)
- GR Yaris (R900k+)

Cars that have been killed off or discontinued:
- BMW 128ti
- M140i
- Megane RS
- Focus ST / RS
- Fiesta ST
- Clio RS
- Megane RS
- RunX
- 308 GTI
- Corsa / Astra OPC
- Hyundai i30N

Edit- Forgot to Add:
- A35 / A45 AMG

I’m 25 now, and I remember going with my brother to pick up his new 7.5 GTI. It was around R500k brand new and relatively affordable at the time.

Most people on a decent salary could afford them and subsequently our roads soon became flooded with the 7/7.5 GTI & R. (Not to mention the street cred)

Fast forward a couple years and a new 8.5 GTI costs around R800k - R900k.

The target market can’t afford it and the market that can afford it doesn’t want it.

(Assuming we’re all making good financial decisions LOL)

But realistically, a majority of people that can afford a 900k-1m car will probably buy a bakkie or SUV to haul the family around in. Any higher in the tax bracket and people are moving into M3s, AMGs or Porsches.

Honourable Exception
- The Suzuki Swift Sport (R400k+)

Is that it? Only 1 car on our market that can deliver a fun drive under 500k that’s not a hybrid family crossover?

I racked up 23k on my credit card over the past 3 months. I will admit that it is due to excessive spending.

I recently just paid off my credit card (29k debt) before this in full with my savings that I built up from 2025 to April 2026.

I really hate being in debt, and I want to pay this off so I can cancel it.

After expenses, I have 13k left for discretionary spending.

I have 35k in a savings account, and 360k in a 32-Day account that acts as my emergency fund. (accumulating 8% PA, pays out on average 1k a month into itself)

What would be the best method to pay this debt off as much as possible?

I can pay it off in full, avoiding interest and try to rebuild my savings over time.

Or should I just stick to paying a fixed amount each month?

I’ve always wanted a fun car that I could work on and enjoy, but just never had the opportunity to do so until now.

I currently have a H6 as a daily driver, it’s a great car overall and perfect for driving on the JHB roads.

I’m open to any ideas, but most likely a hot hatch e.g.
- Mini Cooper
- Polo GTI
-etc

The limiting factors here are that I live in an estate so doing any major DIY by myself would be difficult

Is this a terrible idea?