The Best ///M/Barge/General Rant/Look at this/O/T (Vol XVI)
Discussion
Morning threadist folk (and tumbleweeds - it's all gone a bit quiet of late?)
I'm an incy bit bored of having nothing inspiring to drive, I've fallen heavily back in love with cycling again, but it's still not quite enough of a distraction from something in the garage that stirs the soul.
I keep looking at either replacing the Golf with an E46 M3, E90 M3 (and borrow a few quid), 996 turbo or a Z4M coupe.
I then think about a cheaper Caterham (maybe even a Westfield), or buying a new Caterham in kit form, but the reality is I won't get enough time to use it "just" to go out driving, which puts me back to replacing the Golf.
I think it will probably be the earlier or later M3, until this came along:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...
This is owned by a friend, never been in one but remember being impressed by an R26R at a trackday with LoT a few years back. He is after something a bit cheaper as a p/x so he can buy his first house. He's coming up with it tonight so we can both see if each other's vehicles are something we would like and what deal we could do.
So I think I have:
Part ex with the Megane - looks fun, could be a simple deal to be done, but not something I've ever thought about buying and I don't know enough about - upside is low cash outlay.
Sell Golf and buy E46 M3 - always liked them, a bit worried about subframe issues, but if I can get a good one the running costs should be relatively ok, and the cash outlay not horrific (would want to spend circa £10k)
Sell Golf and buy E90 M3 or 996 Turbo - biggest cash outlay, budget would have to be circa £20-23k, both lower end of budget, but there are a few nice M3s on Autotrader around that price. Both will have higher capital outlay and running costs / bork potential - I actually prefer the idea of an M3 today, but the 911 is a 911 ;o)
Any words of wisdom on the RS Megane as a prospect, or the relative merits of spending around twice the cost on the E90 Vs the E46??
Whatever I get will be used for some spirited weekend drives, a bit of work commuting, but won't get used a massive amount. Probably want to keep whatever I get for a couple of years.
I'm an incy bit bored of having nothing inspiring to drive, I've fallen heavily back in love with cycling again, but it's still not quite enough of a distraction from something in the garage that stirs the soul.
I keep looking at either replacing the Golf with an E46 M3, E90 M3 (and borrow a few quid), 996 turbo or a Z4M coupe.
I then think about a cheaper Caterham (maybe even a Westfield), or buying a new Caterham in kit form, but the reality is I won't get enough time to use it "just" to go out driving, which puts me back to replacing the Golf.
I think it will probably be the earlier or later M3, until this came along:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...
This is owned by a friend, never been in one but remember being impressed by an R26R at a trackday with LoT a few years back. He is after something a bit cheaper as a p/x so he can buy his first house. He's coming up with it tonight so we can both see if each other's vehicles are something we would like and what deal we could do.
So I think I have:
Part ex with the Megane - looks fun, could be a simple deal to be done, but not something I've ever thought about buying and I don't know enough about - upside is low cash outlay.
Sell Golf and buy E46 M3 - always liked them, a bit worried about subframe issues, but if I can get a good one the running costs should be relatively ok, and the cash outlay not horrific (would want to spend circa £10k)
Sell Golf and buy E90 M3 or 996 Turbo - biggest cash outlay, budget would have to be circa £20-23k, both lower end of budget, but there are a few nice M3s on Autotrader around that price. Both will have higher capital outlay and running costs / bork potential - I actually prefer the idea of an M3 today, but the 911 is a 911 ;o)
Any words of wisdom on the RS Megane as a prospect, or the relative merits of spending around twice the cost on the E90 Vs the E46??
Whatever I get will be used for some spirited weekend drives, a bit of work commuting, but won't get used a massive amount. Probably want to keep whatever I get for a couple of years.
If its just for fun, IMO you don't want money spoiling it so my first thought would be to rule out the E90. That said, an E46 may start to throw up a few problems and with the new one coming out at, older E90s may even hold their value ok for a bit.
The Megane looks like it would be a lot of fun but I suppose pretty different to the others in contention. Personally it would be between the Megane/lower end E46 and the E30/996TT, the latter of which is on my horizon as the next potentially attainable toy. Just need them not to shoot up within the next 6 months!
The Megane looks like it would be a lot of fun but I suppose pretty different to the others in contention. Personally it would be between the Megane/lower end E46 and the E30/996TT, the latter of which is on my horizon as the next potentially attainable toy. Just need them not to shoot up within the next 6 months!
GraemeP said:
stuff
Depends what you want to do with it?Do the odd trackday -> get the Renault
"sensible" option -> get the E46
best everyday car option -> get the E90/911
I'd get the 911 Turbo and hire an R300 Caterham from bookatrack a couple of times a year
(But I'm slightly biased, having spent yesterday in a bookatrack R300 at Brands Hatch)
rejn said:
Depends what you want to do with it?
Do the odd trackday -> get the Renault
"sensible" option -> get the E46
best everyday car option -> get the E90/911
I'd get the 911 Turbo and hire an R300 Caterham from bookatrack a couple of times a year
(But I'm slightly biased, having spent yesterday in a bookatrack R300 at Brands Hatch)
I used Mr Leroux's fleet a few times before I purchased a Caterham, really good set up and company.Do the odd trackday -> get the Renault
"sensible" option -> get the E46
best everyday car option -> get the E90/911
I'd get the 911 Turbo and hire an R300 Caterham from bookatrack a couple of times a year
(But I'm slightly biased, having spent yesterday in a bookatrack R300 at Brands Hatch)
rejn said:
Depends what you want to do with it?
Do the odd trackday -> get the Renault
"sensible" option -> get the E46
best everyday car option -> get the E90/911
I'd get the 911 Turbo and hire an R300 Caterham from bookatrack a couple of times a year
(But I'm slightly biased, having spent yesterday in a bookatrack R300 at Brands Hatch)
I used Mr Leroux's fleet a few times before I purchased a Caterham, really good set up and company. Were you on the GP circuit or Indy?Do the odd trackday -> get the Renault
"sensible" option -> get the E46
best everyday car option -> get the E90/911
I'd get the 911 Turbo and hire an R300 Caterham from bookatrack a couple of times a year
(But I'm slightly biased, having spent yesterday in a bookatrack R300 at Brands Hatch)
GraemeP said:
I used Mr Leroux's fleet a few times before I purchased a Caterham, really good set up and company. Were you on the GP circuit or Indy?
Agreed - the cars are great and the mechanics excellent.Only the Indy circuit yesterday - scorching hot day, so some fun laps flying down Paddock Hill bend.
I suppose in the dreamy virtual world of Pistonheads, the heart would choose the 996T. I'd dearly love another 911, especially as the current entry price for the 996T suits my pocket.
But back in the real world, the running costs and threat of problems would taint my enjoyment of ownership. As usual it's down to financial means, invariably meaning that any large and unexpected bill the car would deal you means that another area of life would suffer. Telling the family that we have to compromise on holiday destinations because the clutch on Daddy's car has expired is never going to happen.
But I'd still spend the £20k+ grand, and invest in a good E46 M3, and a Seven. In fact, last year, I did
Get the right one and the M3 is such a cracking all rounder, and (as I'm sure you know) nothing comes close to a Seven in terms of driving thrills, with the added plus point of being a surprisingly economical and sensible purchase. The lack of use is always offset by the "specialness" every time it is wheeled out for a thrash.
But back in the real world, the running costs and threat of problems would taint my enjoyment of ownership. As usual it's down to financial means, invariably meaning that any large and unexpected bill the car would deal you means that another area of life would suffer. Telling the family that we have to compromise on holiday destinations because the clutch on Daddy's car has expired is never going to happen.
But I'd still spend the £20k+ grand, and invest in a good E46 M3, and a Seven. In fact, last year, I did
Get the right one and the M3 is such a cracking all rounder, and (as I'm sure you know) nothing comes close to a Seven in terms of driving thrills, with the added plus point of being a surprisingly economical and sensible purchase. The lack of use is always offset by the "specialness" every time it is wheeled out for a thrash.Olly, you speak a lot of sense! The balance is around ensuring that the capital I throw at the seven is high enough so that it's something I treasure, but low enough that I don't feel guilty about not using it for a few months. And you are also right, even a blatt out on the B roads at 7/10ths is exhilarating. I will try the Megane tonight as a yardstick, but think I may end up a bit more serious in the hunt for an E46 first.
OF - 911 C2 I am internet lore scared of a 997 or 996 C2 engine fragility, hence the Turbo choice (I would rather a NA model). Heart would want a pre-89 but it wouldn't work (I should have tried harder at school to have more disposable income and more free time) in my current point of life (any second car will get sporadic use at best).
OF - 911 C2 I am internet lore scared of a 997 or 996 C2 engine fragility, hence the Turbo choice (I would rather a NA model). Heart would want a pre-89 but it wouldn't work (I should have tried harder at school to have more disposable income and more free time) in my current point of life (any second car will get sporadic use at best).
Output Flange said:
Plenty of S54s go pop too. Does that make you feel any better? 
Not with the chocolate sub frames no!!I would be ok with a rebuild if it cost a few grand and there weren't hoardes of internet forum pages dedicated to failed engines for a particular model, my understanding to do a proper job on a 997 lump is more in the region of £8-9k for Hartech to fix shortcomings and rebuild? There also seems to be a lot of smoke on this one.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
It might fall down in the steering department, and the roof doesn't come off, and it might rob you a penny or two, but otherwise it might fit your criteria.
Analogue
Engine that loves to rev
Splendid chassis
Mates can come too
Rare
Pedigree
blah blah......
Or what about something classic with a big glasshouse, sweet steering, gem of a twin-cam motor etc. something like an Alfa 1750-2000 GTV or old Lotus?
Or what about a Porsche 928?
Or 500E?
Hmmm, a 500E paired with an R129 - a good brace!
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