My 30th birthday present

[theboyfold]

I'm turning the big 30 next year and I'm looking to use it as an excuse to treat myself to a (special) new car. So the guidelines are...

Budget of £20k (More then happy to stay a few grand under this if I can)
The car will be a 2nd car, so I'm happy to make a few compromises, but I don't think I want something like a Westfield, ideally the car can be used for a night out. Also got to be useful round a track, currently run a 306 Rallye for the track car so it has to replace this in the grin department.

So far the 'short' list is:
Evo 8 MR320 Massive soft spot for these, but the running costs scare me
E36 BMW M3 Fills the role of being special, will blow the 306 out of the water in the performance stakes. But again, the running costs look huge
Subaru WRK STI Type UK PPP Seems to tick most of the boxes, but it's just not a Evo in my eyes
Lotus Elise 111R Looks like loads of fun, but what are they like to live with?
Ford Focus ST3 Looks nice, inside and out, but how much better in terms of performance is it then the 306? Got a drive lined up on Monday week to see! Also, got the feeling that a brand new one will loose money at an alarming rate
Porsche 968 CS Could be the answer, great on the track, shouldn't loose as much money as the others, but a good one is going to be hard to find I think

Also drove a Golf GTi which was nice but dull, I'd like the car I get to be an event to drive, but not too hard to drive for 3 hours on the motorway.

So what does the PH collective think? Any other suggestions to confuse me further with?!

[danhay]

You seem concerned about running costs, but most on the list are going to cost far more in depreciation than the 968?

[love machine]

Get a grip.

£20K

1x fisher fury fireblade for about £6K (0-100 in 8 secs)
1x suzuki SJ + mud tyres £2000 (go and find some greenlanes)
1x 1400 mini £4K (to go hillclimbing in)

8 grand to go......

1 rolls royce silver shadow + gas conversion (£the rest) to ponce around in looking at the plebs.

Seriously.......I'm 30 and am not planning to buy a sensible car for a few years yet.

[theboyfold]

danhay said:

You seem concerned about running costs, but most on the list are going to cost far more in depreciation than the 968?

Which is why it's on there.

As for the running costs, they do worry me, but depreciation doesn't worry me too much. I know it's a slightly odd logic, but it works for me!

[jaik]

I've not driven any of them but based purely on what I've read and seen as a passenger/pedestrian I'd go for the Elise.

[r5gttgaz]

Could get a really nice 964 if your into the Pork?

[TVR man]

jaik said:

I've not driven any of them but based purely on what I've read and seen as a passenger/pedestrian I'd go for the Elise.

Me too but if the Elise is too hardcore what about an S2000?

[danhay]

theboyfold said:

danhay said:

You seem concerned about running costs, but most on the list are going to cost far more in depreciation than the 968?

Which is why it's on there.

As for the running costs, they do worry me, but depreciation doesn't worry me too much. I know it's a slightly odd logic, but it works for me!

I think I understand your logic, it's easier to budget for a predictable cost.

However, if you set aside the money you know you would otherwise lose on depreciation towards a maintenance fund then you may well end up quids in? This scenario has worked well for me in the past.

Unless you have some way of offsetting the depreciation cost against tax or something?

Plus the 968 especially in CS form has a great reputation.

Edited by danhay on Friday 29th December 22:34

[theboyfold]

TVR man said:

jaik said:

I've not driven any of them but based purely on what I've read and seen as a passenger/pedestrian I'd go for the Elise.

Me too but if the Elise is too hardcore what about an S2000?

Drove one of those, but didn't like it. Doesn't make the shortlist. But then again I was taken out by an idiot of a salesman who might have put me off it

r5gttgaz said:

Could get a really nice 964 if your into the Pork?

not a huge pork fan, but which one is the 964? You think I could get one without a million miles on it?

[flat6]

I wanted a 911 3.2 Carrera for my 30th, only the right car came up around a year early Couldn't have been a better choice. Ran it for 4 years, got back what I paid for it, and didn't have any frightening bills either. If you want something "special", useable and with more character than anything Jap, Pork should be at the top of your list IMO..

[Joe Letaxi]

Breadvan?

Monaro?

M5?

350Z?

Boxster S?

Edited by Joe Letaxi on Friday 29th December 23:00

[theboyfold]

Breadvan?
I assume you mean a Civic Type R? I looked at these when I brought the 182 and didn't really like it, but the new one is coming out soon, might be worth another look
Monaro?
Maybe, I'll have a root through the classifieds
M5?
Which year, I'm assuming not the V10!!
350Z?
Ohh, hadn't thought about that one
Boxster S?
Nope, well maybe no...

[Joe Letaxi]

theboyfold said:

Breadvan?
I assume you mean a Civic Type R? I looked at these when I brought the 182 and didn't really like it, but the new one is coming out soon, might be worth another look
Monaro?
Maybe, I'll have a root through the classifieds
M5?
Which year, I'm assuming not the V10!!
350Z?
Ohh, hadn't thought about that one
Boxster S?
Nope, well maybe no...

The breadvan I was thinking of is the BM M Coupe. You'll get some change from your 20k as well.

E39 M5, rather than the new one.

Take a hard look at the Monaro and 350Z if you don't mind the badges, plus don't discount the Boxster S until you've driven one...

[flat6]

If you don't mind sitting on the left? [url]www.pistonheads.com/sales/113480.htm[/url]

350Z could be interesting, for a Jap

[simonb9]

Yeah, get a Monaro.......bullet proof engine, cheap running costs (apart from petrol !!) Vauxhall service at about £120 for a small one, very rare, good looking (I think) and big inside - a good all rounder. Might not be a good track day car (apart from going sideways) but I'm on the look out 'cos they're fab !!

[theboyfold]

I think I need to go out and measure the garage, not sure the M5 or the Monaro are going to fit..

[///M-Power]

Exige S1

[Stephanie Plum]

Lotus - Elise or Exige - all the way..........

If you want a pax in an Elise let me know - I'm not a million miles from you

350Z ugly, S2000 - dodgy handling - especially pre 2002. Haven't driven any of the others on your list.

[theboyfold]

Stephanie Plum said:

Lotus - Elise or Exige - all the way..........

If you want a pax in an Elise let me know - I'm not a million miles from you

350Z ugly, S2000 - dodgy handling - especially pre 2002. Haven't driven any of the others on your list.

I might just take you up on that, drop me a mail if you are around over the next few weeks!

What is it like to live with in the winter?

Edited by theboyfold on Friday 29th December 23:59

[Stephanie Plum]

theboyfold said:

Stephanie Plum said:

Lotus - Elise or Exige - all the way..........

If you want a pax in an Elise let me know - I'm not a million miles from you

350Z ugly, S2000 - dodgy handling - especially pre 2002. Haven't driven any of the others on your list.

I might just take you up on that, drop me a mail if you are around over the next few weeks!

What is it like to live with in the winter?

Edited by theboyfold on Friday 29th December 23:59

I've got the 111S not the 111R - so the VVC K series engine. Done some 10,000 miles in last 4/5 months - not missed a beat. It's parked outside in all weathers. They are cars that benefit from being driven, though they do need respect in the wet!!
I smile every time I get in it however - no matter the weather, so it must be doing something right

I'm around on the 6th, the next couple of weekends after that are a bit full. Drop me an email if thats suits you.