Head turner for young a young professional

[jay44]

Hiya!

So after having a quick search round the web, you can pick up a Porsche 911 / boxster for around £10k that's about 15 years old. The miles / how old the car is doesn't bother me, I'm prepared to repair when needed. Preferably not pre Y2000 though.

What other cars are there, for the same sort of price, can be picked up that matches the same description? What I mean by that is a semi-powerful, coupe/sports car, that someone can be proud to drive!

Apart from the 911, lotus elise popped up (but too small/low for my liking). Love to hear your suggestions, cheers!

EDIT: a more specified criteria:

-4 or 5 seats
-coupe / sporty looking saloon
-ideally around a 2L, maximum 2.5L engine for fuel consumption - little off is okay, not american muscle
-not something that will make others my age jealous (porsche), but will still head turn (skyline)

cars that match what I'm after, price not considered for sake of example:
subaru wrx sti - newest gen
mitsubishi evo 10
nissan skyline r34
toyota supra
subaru brz / toyota gt86
vaxuhall vx220 (if 4 seater :/ )
lotus elise (again, if more seats)

Edited by jay44 on Monday 2nd February 20:42

[MSamps]

A Porsche Boxter wouldn't really be considered a 'head turner'. Even 911s are pretty common on the roads.

Look at a few TVRs. Always a head turner with the looks and the sound! Although looking at post 2000 cars may limit your selection, a few later Chimaeras could be availible at that price.

Another suggestion - Jaguar XKR

[Efbe]

who are you trying to turn heads of?

clients/ colleagues?
me/ women?
old/ young?
rich/ poor?

[The Surveyor]

Huge choice for something presentable of that age. Merc SL55 AMG, early 6 series BMW, or even a Land Rover Defender would be a cool head turner! If it was me, I'd go a little older and look at the Porsche 968 which still look very clean cut.

[IanMorewood]

For £10k I would personally avoid the 911 and look at a Maserati 3200, that said the chances of borkage on both is huge.

[jay44]

Thanks for suggestions so far, to answer a few replies:

I try to stay far away from mercs/audis/BMW's - never liked them in general!

Head turner for personal satisfaction, something that I could be proud to own that would normally take me to middle aged to buy new. Something that shouts successful. Obviously it would help if the girl I date also likes it though haha


Love the TVR suggestion! Also, don't know if I mentioned before, but 4seats>2seats.


Maserati 3200 looks BOOM, not a fan of those rear lights though? Generally a top idea, cheers!

So doesn't have to be so post Y2000, but most cars I've seen pre Y2000 I have already said no to myself and wouldn't want you guys to waste your time suggesting just for me to say no. Open to suggestions, as always, though!

[jay44]

Completely forgot: MUST be manual !!

[The Surveyor]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1992-J-Toyota-MR2-2-0-tu...

The only thing I could think of which meets your specific requirements...

[JeffreyB]

Not much turns heads more than a Cerbera. One here for £11,950:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

[Efbe]

jay44 said:

Thanks for suggestions so far, to answer a few replies:

I try to stay far away from mercs/audis/BMW's - never liked them in general!

Head turner for personal satisfaction, something that I could be proud to own that would normally take me to middle aged to buy new. Something that shouts successful. Obviously it would help if the girl I date also likes it though haha


Love the TVR suggestion! Also, don't know if I mentioned before, but 4seats>2seats.


Maserati 3200 looks BOOM, not a fan of those rear lights though? Generally a top idea, cheers!

So doesn't have to be so post Y2000, but most cars I've seen pre Y2000 I have already said no to myself and wouldn't want you guys to waste your time suggesting just for me to say no. Open to suggestions, as always, though!

a "head turner" is hard to define.

despite what you hear on PH, any porsche generally is a head turner, boxster, 911 or otherwise. for 95% of the population a porsche is a porsche.
It will turn heads, but maybe not in the right way, more of a "i'm a bit jealous of you so immediately don't really like you" way that British people do very well.

personally a head turner I would want is a car that people look at and say "cool, like it". the car that gets nice comments all the time, but not in a bad or jealous way.
So I would say you need a car that looks nice, different, but not too expensive.

The cars that have done this for me in the past were an FTO (before the chav days), a Skyline and my current 67 Mustang.

The Mustang gets great comments everywhere, does well in posh circles and well on a council estate. Men, women and children like it. No one hates you, and everyone looks!

[BGarside]

Chevy Corvette C4? Available for around £10k or less.

TVR Chimera - the noise will turn heads.

Maybe a nice 'youngtimer', e.g: Golf Mark 2 GTI, Corrado VR6, Porsche 944, Merc SL (R107), BMW 6-series. Then again I'm maybe saying that because I'm a child of the '80s and cars from the 80s-90s float my boat.

To really turn heads, a rat rod

Routine German stuff - Audis, BMWs, Mercs - doesn't make an impression these days. They are more common than Fords.

[velocemitch]

Alfa Brera S.

[mike9009]

Alfa GTV V6

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

Alfa 156 GTA

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

M Coupe

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Corvette

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

Esprit (little expensive and old.....)

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...

Smart Roadster Brabus (sort of Auto....)

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...

Toyota Supra (auto but manual available)

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

Vauxhall Monaro

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

Vauxhall VX220

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

Hardly any meet your criteria - but may offer some inspiration.




Mike

[gdaybruce]

If you're thinking of a Boxster, might I suggest a Honda S2000? Far fewer around than with MX5s, pretty quick, Honda build quality and with that USP of 240bhp from 2 litres and a 9,000 rev limit. Moreover, compared to a Boxster, they're a)cheaper and b) a reasonable DIY proposition, in that you can lift the bonnet and actually see and touch the engine!

Of course, I might be must a little bit biased ....

[CountZero23]

Another vote for the Esprit, get a classic one for about 12k. Off the scale cool.

As with most of the other suggestions running costs may be an issue. Something goes pop on a 60k car it's not going to be pretty when you get the bill.

[jay44]

Thanks for everyone's help so far!

Efbe said:

a "head turner" is hard to define.

despite what you hear on PH, any porsche generally is a head turner, boxster, 911 or otherwise. for 95% of the population a porsche is a porsche.
It will turn heads, but maybe not in the right way, more of a "i'm a bit jealous of you so immediately don't really like you" way that British people do very well.

personally a head turner I would want is a car that people look at and say "cool, like it". the car that gets nice comments all the time, but not in a bad or jealous way.
So I would say you need a car that looks nice, different, but not too expensive.

The cars that have done this for me in the past were an FTO (before the chav days), a Skyline and my current 67 Mustang.

- Yes! I have the same prospective as you when I originally said head turner. I'm not comparing myself to PH forum users, just the general. You also made a really valid point. I don't want people to be jealous, or aim to boast, especially as I'm only gonna be 22/23 when I get said vehicle, and most of my mates will be in/just finishing uni.

mike9009 said:

Alfa GTV V6

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

Alfa 156 GTA

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

M Coupe

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Corvette

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

Esprit (little expensive and old.....)

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...

Smart Roadster Brabus (sort of Auto....)

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...

Toyota Supra (auto but manual available)

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

Vauxhall Monaro

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

Vauxhall VX220

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

Hardly any meet your criteria - but may offer some inspiration.




Mike

-actually mate, some of your suggestions like the VX220 are spot on!!


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So all in all (will edit original post aswell): I really love the idea of getting a Supra, a Skyline R34 (out of budget) and a 4-door VX220 if it was made.

The problem which I didn't consider before posting is the fuel consumption. cars like the covette C4 and the TVR are all great, but they drink too much! I would not consider buying a vehicle that has larger than a 2.5L engine! Ideally, I'd like it to be around a 2L. I know hp does not relate directly to engine size, don't worry. I'm basically looking for a sporty looking saloon / coupe, 4 seater, that can go! Not american muscle, 0-60 in under 5seconds go, but this is my second car, I like driving lots go

Sorry for any confusion, hope that narrows it down some more

[MattHall91]

jay44 said:

Maserati 3200 looks BOOM, not a fan of those rear lights though? Generally a top idea, cheers!

Please give head a wobble.

Those lights are definitive Maser. Stunning.

[Chris944_S2]

jay44 said:

The problem which I didn't consider before posting is the fuel consumption. cars like the covette C4 and the TVR are all great, but they drink too much! I would not consider buying a vehicle that has larger than a 2.5L engine! Ideally, I'd like it to be around a 2L. I know hp does not relate directly to engine size, don't worry. I'm basically looking for a sporty looking saloon / coupe, 4 seater, that can go! Not american muscle, 0-60 in under 5seconds go, but this is my second car, I like driving lots go

Lets compare the gas guzzling Vette C5 with a similar vintage 2l sports car:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&...
Pretty much the same fuel economy. Although why fuel economy is even a thing to look for when searching a 2nd car used mainly for fun really baffles me.

[IanMorewood]

OK so you want economy, 4 seats and good looks. Your not really after a Porsche equivalent.

Ford Racing Puma - way quicker than it has any right to be, 30+mpg and will devour corners. Won't like potholes and will be pretty waring on a long run, not a great place for rear seat passengers. Your budget should get you a pristine car.
Fiat Coupe 20vt - Chris Bangles styling masterpiece, a Ferrari for the common man. A little to much power for the chassis (unlike the Puma which could have done with more), four reasonable seats and a useful boot and if you drive carefully it doesn't drink to heavily. Lots of rough ones about but with your budget you should be able to buy a minter.

[jay44]

Chris944_S2 said:

jay44 said:

The problem which I didn't consider before posting is the fuel consumption. cars like the covette C4 and the TVR are all great, but they drink too much! I would not consider buying a vehicle that has larger than a 2.5L engine! Ideally, I'd like it to be around a 2L. I know hp does not relate directly to engine size, don't worry. I'm basically looking for a sporty looking saloon / coupe, 4 seater, that can go! Not american muscle, 0-60 in under 5seconds go, but this is my second car, I like driving lots go

Lets compare the gas guzzling Vette C5 with a similar vintage 2l sports car:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&...
Pretty much the same fuel economy. Although why fuel economy is even a thing to look for when searching a 2nd car used mainly for fun really baffles me.

st.

did not know that haha, thank you for letting me know! I was under the impression engine size in cc/L was proportional to miles to the gallon