1M v Cayman R v Golf R400 v Megane 275
Discussion
I'm thinking ahead to my next car. I've been lucky to get a new rotational job meaning no more rush hour commute and therefore fuel economy isn't so much of a worry 
I really love my little 500 Abarth Esseesse and not bored of it at all, but planning to change it probably 2016 as I will have had it 6 years from new. The 4 cars in the title are on the shortlist and have their different pro's and con's.
1M: Possibly joint best looking with the R400, fabulous noise, future classic
Cayman R: Proper drivers car, has the prestige
Golf R400: The ultimate all rounder with insane performance
275: The underdog, possibly the purists choice
Concerns with the 1M would be being able to afford 40k to buy one - are values going to continue to increase?
The Cayman R is kind of similar - will it end up with similar residuals as the 1M?
The R400 big con is - it isn't released yet. I wouldn't risk putting a deposit on one in case it is fast in a straight line but a disappointment to drive, but given the quality of the current R can it really be that bad? Also I'm assuming it will start at 40k which will become 45k with options, and will have good residuals?
Finally the 275 is probably the most realistic choice for me, 30k with options new so could pick up a 2nd hand one in 2016 for 24 - 26k? What I don't like about it is the facelift isn't as pretty as the 250/265 and the cabin is pretty uninspiring with the exception of the recaros. I'm swaying towards it the most though due to the rave reviews.
4 cars with some similarities and some differences, what would your pick be?
I really love my little 500 Abarth Esseesse and not bored of it at all, but planning to change it probably 2016 as I will have had it 6 years from new. The 4 cars in the title are on the shortlist and have their different pro's and con's.1M: Possibly joint best looking with the R400, fabulous noise, future classic
Cayman R: Proper drivers car, has the prestige
Golf R400: The ultimate all rounder with insane performance
275: The underdog, possibly the purists choice
Concerns with the 1M would be being able to afford 40k to buy one - are values going to continue to increase?
The Cayman R is kind of similar - will it end up with similar residuals as the 1M?
The R400 big con is - it isn't released yet. I wouldn't risk putting a deposit on one in case it is fast in a straight line but a disappointment to drive, but given the quality of the current R can it really be that bad? Also I'm assuming it will start at 40k which will become 45k with options, and will have good residuals?
Finally the 275 is probably the most realistic choice for me, 30k with options new so could pick up a 2nd hand one in 2016 for 24 - 26k? What I don't like about it is the facelift isn't as pretty as the 250/265 and the cabin is pretty uninspiring with the exception of the recaros. I'm swaying towards it the most though due to the rave reviews.
4 cars with some similarities and some differences, what would your pick be?
1M and Cayman probably won't depreciate, but can you afford one in the first place? I can't as I don't have £40k lying round, or else I'd have either in a heartbeat.
The 275 is a fantastic car, I love Renaultsports and had a fair few so as a cheaper alternative I think it's great, but it will carry on losing money I reckon compared to the above.
I have no opinion on the golf as don't know enough about it, but I think I'd have any of the other 3 before it. Massive power and 4WD isn't my bag really
The 275 is a fantastic car, I love Renaultsports and had a fair few so as a cheaper alternative I think it's great, but it will carry on losing money I reckon compared to the above.
I have no opinion on the golf as don't know enough about it, but I think I'd have any of the other 3 before it. Massive power and 4WD isn't my bag really
Well I can only speak for the one of the four I own, the Cayman R, but having bought it 3 weeks ago having never driven one but having read many great things I was expecting it to be good and it has massively exceeded my expectations. It's fantastic! I've driven lots of Porsches from 911s to Boxters of various ages and this is my favourite to date (I'm sure a 911 GT3 could change that, but not for £40k) with it being, in my opinion, quite a bit sharper than the Cayman S' I'd been considering before I found the 'R'.
What's really surprised me is that I've enjoyed it while sat behind other cars on A and B roads - it's such a nice car to drive that I can enjoy driving it even at modest speeds, certainly not something I ever said of the Impreza I sold when I bought it (it was only any fun when driving flat out and had nothing of the poise, feel and balance of the Porsche).
Before I bought the 'R' I considered all sorts of things, not quite the same list as you but a 1M or M135i was on the list of possibles. I have zero regrets with my choice. The M135 I looked at was a lovely car, but the Cayman feels more special for me. And before I have Porsche fanboy accusations levelled at me, I was quite honestly not a Porsche fan until I experienced a few of my friends Porsches.
Try out your options and see what you like the feel of, but I doubt you'd regret a Cayman R.
Obligatory pic of car on epic driving road.
What's really surprised me is that I've enjoyed it while sat behind other cars on A and B roads - it's such a nice car to drive that I can enjoy driving it even at modest speeds, certainly not something I ever said of the Impreza I sold when I bought it (it was only any fun when driving flat out and had nothing of the poise, feel and balance of the Porsche).
Before I bought the 'R' I considered all sorts of things, not quite the same list as you but a 1M or M135i was on the list of possibles. I have zero regrets with my choice. The M135 I looked at was a lovely car, but the Cayman feels more special for me. And before I have Porsche fanboy accusations levelled at me, I was quite honestly not a Porsche fan until I experienced a few of my friends Porsches.
Try out your options and see what you like the feel of, but I doubt you'd regret a Cayman R.
Obligatory pic of car on epic driving road.
Ozzie Osmond said:
3 tarted up cheap cars
1 proper sportscar
That's a bit harsh on the choice of words (you could have said three regular euroboxes tuned up and one sports car) but I agree with your point: out of that list there is only the P that stands out for an enthusiast (and I don't even like Porsches) but this is an odd thread as I think that the OP has made up his mind already:1 proper sportscar
Mouse1903 said:
1M: Possibly joint best looking ... fabulous noise, future classic
It also surprises me that people worry about the list/new price leading to the conclusion that they'd rather buy a car that they don't really want and sit in that (maybe for six years in the OP's case) than buy a one year old example of the car that they really want, after all that new car will be a one year old after one year.275 is the least but def up there in terms of performance
But perhaps im biased...
If you were going for a 275 then personally id have gone for a full spec'd Trophy R (yes...no rear seats blah blah....) but all 30 were sold on the first day of launch.
Out of the other 3, i think 1M would be my choice.
But perhaps im biased...
If you were going for a 275 then personally id have gone for a full spec'd Trophy R (yes...no rear seats blah blah....) but all 30 were sold on the first day of launch.
Out of the other 3, i think 1M would be my choice.
I would definitely consider two cars. My total spend on cars isn't far above £40k and I run two cars that excel at the things I want to do with them, rather than one car as a compromise in all situations. However, everyone's priorities are different and my requirements of long distance commuting and track driving are fairly diverse, so the OP may be better off with one car - it's worth suggesting the two car option though. For the record, if forced to buy one car for that budget I'd have an Evora S, but I suspect most people would prefer a 997 C2S or Cayman.
Maybe this will add some influence to the OP's decision - hot off the press today:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff