Weekend Car - Porker or M3?
Discussion
I'm after something to liven up the weekends and travel to places with a bit of vivacity.
I'm looking to spend between 10-12k, although for something special I'd go to 15k.
I've always wanted an E46 M3 after having and older E36, and by the look of things this should get me a nice one. I'm confused why the 'verts seem to go cheaper than the coupes though? I know about the sub-frame issues and would want a post-facelift version, but the above is puzzling.
The other car I quite fancy is a 996 Porker. I don't think my budget will quite stretch to turbo territory, but there seem to be plenty around for this sort of money. Are these a money-pit? I've started doing my research on them but would appreciate a heads up from anyone who's owned one or has some insider knowledge having been through this process before.
I did briefly consider a Maser 3200 but decided that I'd only fancy the Assetto-Corse model, but the subsequent horror stories I read about the engines and electrics expiring made me wince.
Merc SL's leave me feeling a bit cold, and the interior just doesn't inspire me at all.
Is there anything else anyone would like to throw into the mix? As snooty as it sounds, I don't want a small "drivers" car akin to an MX5 - they just don't interest me. I want something with a decent amount of grunt and which will put a smile on my face.
I'm looking to spend between 10-12k, although for something special I'd go to 15k.
I've always wanted an E46 M3 after having and older E36, and by the look of things this should get me a nice one. I'm confused why the 'verts seem to go cheaper than the coupes though? I know about the sub-frame issues and would want a post-facelift version, but the above is puzzling.
The other car I quite fancy is a 996 Porker. I don't think my budget will quite stretch to turbo territory, but there seem to be plenty around for this sort of money. Are these a money-pit? I've started doing my research on them but would appreciate a heads up from anyone who's owned one or has some insider knowledge having been through this process before.
I did briefly consider a Maser 3200 but decided that I'd only fancy the Assetto-Corse model, but the subsequent horror stories I read about the engines and electrics expiring made me wince.
Merc SL's leave me feeling a bit cold, and the interior just doesn't inspire me at all.
Is there anything else anyone would like to throw into the mix? As snooty as it sounds, I don't want a small "drivers" car akin to an MX5 - they just don't interest me. I want something with a decent amount of grunt and which will put a smile on my face.
Notshortnottall said:
I'm after something to liven up the weekends and travel to places with a bit of vivacity.
I'm looking to spend between 10-12k, although for something special I'd go to 15k.
I've always wanted an E46 M3 after having and older E36, and by the look of things this should get me a nice one. I'm confused why the 'verts seem to go cheaper than the coupes though? I know about the sub-frame issues and would want a post-facelift version, but the above is puzzling.
The other car I quite fancy is a 996 Porker. I don't think my budget will quite stretch to turbo territory, but there seem to be plenty around for this sort of money. Are these a money-pit? I've started doing my research on them but would appreciate a heads up from anyone who's owned one or has some insider knowledge having been through this process before.
I did briefly consider a Maser 3200 but decided that I'd only fancy the Assetto-Corse model, but the subsequent horror stories I read about the engines and electrics expiring made me wince.
Merc SL's leave me feeling a bit cold, and the interior just doesn't inspire me at all.
Is there anything else anyone would like to throw into the mix? As snooty as it sounds, I don't want a small "drivers" car akin to an MX5 - they just don't interest me. I want something with a decent amount of grunt and which will put a smile on my face.
Sorry just can't see the M3 as a weekend car, an e30 one maybe. But an e46 M3 is a commuter car in my book.I'm looking to spend between 10-12k, although for something special I'd go to 15k.
I've always wanted an E46 M3 after having and older E36, and by the look of things this should get me a nice one. I'm confused why the 'verts seem to go cheaper than the coupes though? I know about the sub-frame issues and would want a post-facelift version, but the above is puzzling.
The other car I quite fancy is a 996 Porker. I don't think my budget will quite stretch to turbo territory, but there seem to be plenty around for this sort of money. Are these a money-pit? I've started doing my research on them but would appreciate a heads up from anyone who's owned one or has some insider knowledge having been through this process before.
I did briefly consider a Maser 3200 but decided that I'd only fancy the Assetto-Corse model, but the subsequent horror stories I read about the engines and electrics expiring made me wince.
Merc SL's leave me feeling a bit cold, and the interior just doesn't inspire me at all.
Is there anything else anyone would like to throw into the mix? As snooty as it sounds, I don't want a small "drivers" car akin to an MX5 - they just don't interest me. I want something with a decent amount of grunt and which will put a smile on my face.
A 996 is a proper sports/super car though and much more special.
That said, for your budget it does leave the door wide open for many different cars. And as cool as a 996 could be, it's still the sort of car I'd consider for daily duties.
TVR or Corvette would likely be where I'd be heading.
Notshortnottall said:
Is there anything to be particularly aware of with these?
Yes, just one. They are totally f*^$ing AWESOME. Whilst many will jump to the reliability issues associated with TVRs in general, if you're handy with spanners 95% of niggles can be fixed easily and the Ph forum is an excellent resource where just about anything that can go wrong with them has been discussed in detail. I wouldn't compare a Cerb to any M3 or base 996 - they are far more special in every way.Just to throw the token 'Monaro' suggestion in there, although maybe not enough badge.
They make you smile every time you start it up, can take your pick for £12k really, get a nice one with some mods and have a lovely time, plenty more special than an M3, you'll see 5 of those every time you go anywhere.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
They make you smile every time you start it up, can take your pick for £12k really, get a nice one with some mods and have a lovely time, plenty more special than an M3, you'll see 5 of those every time you go anywhere.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
Op - just had a think. If you want a "special" weekend car. Then one of these must rank up there.
Rare and unique, great looking and massively GRIN inducing
Should be fairly cheap to run and maintain (barring fuel). And have very strong residuals.
5.4 litres of supercharged V8 goodness
This ones even claiming 520bhp!!!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...
Rare and unique, great looking and massively GRIN inducing
Should be fairly cheap to run and maintain (barring fuel). And have very strong residuals.
5.4 litres of supercharged V8 goodness
This ones even claiming 520bhp!!!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...
300bhp/ton said:
Op - just had a think. If you want a "special" weekend car. Then one of these must rank up there.
Rare and unique, great looking and massively GRIN inducing
Should be fairly cheap to run and maintain (barring fuel). And have very strong residuals.
5.4 litres of supercharged V8 goodness
This ones even claiming 520bhp!!!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...
Rare and unique, great looking and massively GRIN inducing
Should be fairly cheap to run and maintain (barring fuel). And have very strong residuals.
5.4 litres of supercharged V8 goodness
This ones even claiming 520bhp!!!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...
Just what he wanted...Using an M3 or basic 911 as a weekend car would be a complete waste of its talents, IMO. They both sacrifice an awful lot of driver enjoyment in order to be practical, comfortable cars.
If you don't subscribe to the "performance through lightweight" sort of ethos, the first place I'd be looking would be TVRs.
If you don't subscribe to the "performance through lightweight" sort of ethos, the first place I'd be looking would be TVRs.
Each to their own, and only you will know once you drive some cars, but as capable as the M3 is it's just not exciting enough for a weekend car. If it's for weekend/toy duties then there are much more interesting/special cars available to choose from for that purpose (and that's coming from someone that owns an E46 M3). You don't mention how many seats it needs as that will be a factor I guess.
Whatever you decide on I can bet its certainly not something that 300 is going to come up with as an option
Whatever you decide on I can bet its certainly not something that 300 is going to come up with as an option
king pick up truck!300bhp/ton said:
Op - just had a think. If you want a "special" weekend car. Then one of these must rank up there.
Rare and unique, great looking and massively GRIN inducing
Should be fairly cheap to run and maintain (barring fuel). And have very strong residuals.
5.4 litres of supercharged V8 goodness
This ones even claiming 520bhp!!!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...
Really?! REALLY?!!!!Rare and unique, great looking and massively GRIN inducing
Should be fairly cheap to run and maintain (barring fuel). And have very strong residuals.
5.4 litres of supercharged V8 goodness
This ones even claiming 520bhp!!!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...
You say an M3 isn't a special car and you post a bloody pick up as an alternative?!
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