What 4 seat super(-ish)car? - £20k

[Jonty355]

Tuvra said:

These are pretty epic, would have to stretch the budget a bit though:

Not very special though is it? Its effectively a rebodied Golf and there's tons of them about. Then add to which is currently above budget but 2 years will be worth 50p. Dont get me wrong, they're great cars, but its just not for me.

[Jonty355]

jonny996 said:

Going completely left field here but what about a Cayenne Turbo, might not look like a sports car but could keep up with most of the things being discussed & you son could play a game of footy in the back.

I want to walk away from the car and look back because its good looking. I'm afraid to say that a Cayenne turbo I would never want to look back at it as I would . Not to mention, I'm not a footballer or drug dealer, so definitely not me.

Also, I don't have a son, I have a daughter. And we don't like football, we like sports cars!

[Jonty355]

Crosswise said:

I disagree with a lot of your reasons for discounting a Cerbera. Disregarding the SP6, it's perfectly capable of doing 100k Miles without an engine rebuild and if it is a big concern, buy one with a rebuilt engine by a reputable TVR specialist. I don't know where you heard you need to warm the engine before being able to drive it, it simply isn't the case. What I would say is be very careful of chassis rust, with few exceptions, if you aren't looking at a car which has had a body off chassis rebuild, it's probably going to need one soon, it's a fibreglass car built by a small company in Blackpool, it doesn't feel like a Jag or a Ferrari, bits are held in place by Sikaflex and velcro. Parts are from Ford, Rover, Citroen, Vauxhall etc, but none of that detracts from the experience of driving one, or even how special they feel to sit in, it really is a well designed and incredible looking car. I'm not sure how much of a usable 4 seater you'll find it though, there isn't a whole lot of space.

It was a guy at Britannia car sales in Dinnington. Cant remember if he was referring to the AJP or straight six engine or both.

Good to know engine rebuilds aren't too regular, I like the Cerb a lot put there seemed to be a lot of bad press about them. I guess its just going to be a struggle to find a good one though?

[Crusoe]

For practical family transport a M5 or C class estate would fit the bill.

Nice M5 Touring http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

C63 V8 Touring http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

[Crosswise]

Jonty355 said:

It was a guy at Britannia car sales in Dinnington. Cant remember if he was referring to the AJP or straight six engine or both.

Good to know engine rebuilds aren't too regular, I like the Cerb a lot put there seemed to be a lot of bad press about them. I guess its just going to be a struggle to find a good one though?

I'm far from knowledgeable on the speed 6, but I believe the problem with the engine was oil pressure not being consistent, in any case, most would have been rebuilt by now and it was developed into a powerful and reliable engine. Speed 6 cars are easily the cheapest but also had softer suspension and were generally designed as more of a comfortable GT car than the AJP engined cars. The early 4.2 V8s have a tendency to shear the crankshaft, but again this has been pretty much resolved now. If you look for a 4.5 with a good chassis and comprehensive history you should avoid most of the known problems and it'll be the best investment.

I'm sure there's a buyer's guide somewhere which will give you far more information than the few things I can remember.

[Jonty355]

Crusoe said:

For practical family transport a M5 or C class estate would fit the bill.

Nice M5 Touring http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

C63 V8 Touring http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Way to practical!!!!

If at a weekend we'd planned to go away for a few days and I turned to the missus and said 'shall we take my car' then she should be able to reply with 'Why? We won't fit everything in' to which I can reply 'yeah but I really want to take the fun car! I don't mind spending 3 hours working out how we can fit us and everything in if it means we can take the XXXXXX'.

If the conversation went like 'shall we take my car' and her reply was simply 'ok' then where would the fun in life be? I may as well just hang up my PH coat right now!

[jamieduff1981]

Crosswise said:

Jonty355 said:

It was a guy at Britannia car sales in Dinnington. Cant remember if he was referring to the AJP or straight six engine or both.

Good to know engine rebuilds aren't too regular, I like the Cerb a lot put there seemed to be a lot of bad press about them. I guess its just going to be a struggle to find a good one though?

I'm far from knowledgeable on the speed 6, but I believe the problem with the engine was oil pressure not being consistent, in any case, most would have been rebuilt by now and it was developed into a powerful and reliable engine. Speed 6 cars are easily the cheapest but also had softer suspension and were generally designed as more of a comfortable GT car than the AJP engined cars. The early 4.2 V8s have a tendency to shear the crankshaft, but again this has been pretty much resolved now. If you look for a 4.5 with a good chassis and comprehensive history you should avoid most of the known problems and it'll be the best investment.

I'm sure there's a buyer's guide somewhere which will give you far more information than the few things I can remember.

The Speed Six weakness from new was poor materials in the finger followers. It's always top end issues and it's easily eradicated and indeed many now are completely cured.

Very few Cerberas are on their factory suspension and geometry setups these days.

[Jonty355]

Crosswise said:

I'm far from knowledgeable on the speed 6, but I believe the problem with the engine was oil pressure not being consistent, in any case, most would have been rebuilt by now and it was developed into a powerful and reliable engine. Speed 6 cars are easily the cheapest but also had softer suspension and were generally designed as more of a comfortable GT car than the AJP engined cars. The early 4.2 V8s have a tendency to shear the crankshaft, but again this has been pretty much resolved now. If you look for a 4.5 with a good chassis and comprehensive history you should avoid most of the known problems and it'll be the best investment.

I'm sure there's a buyer's guide somewhere which will give you far more information than the few things I can remember.

Comfortable GT would not be a problem as thats more what it'll be getting used for. I have the 355 still for the mad moments, although I'm trying not to use it quite as much these days. Its just had a medium sized restoration after 7 years of abuse constant use in all weathers.

I'll try and locate a decent straight six in my area to go and have a nose at.

[Tuvra]

How about something like this?

[Jonty355]

Tuvra said:

How about something like this?

Love em, but what they like to live with? Are they not a bit big on UK roads? And not sure on having a LHD as my wife will be driving it too and I'm pretty certain she wouldn't want to drive a LHD car.

[GreatGranny]

928?

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

Yes maybe it won't be the cheapest car to run but:

1. You won't see another on your commute
2. IMO its a great looking car
3. V8
4. Just look at that interior :-)

[Calza]

Jonty355 said:

Way to practical!!!!

If at a weekend we'd planned to go away for a few days and I turned to the missus and said 'shall we take my car' then she should be able to reply with 'Why? We won't fit everything in' to which I can reply 'yeah but I really want to take the fun car! I don't mind spending 3 hours working out how we can fit us and everything in if it means we can take the XXXXXX'.

If the conversation went like 'shall we take my car' and her reply was simply 'ok' then where would the fun in life be? I may as well just hang up my PH coat right now!

Have you heard either of these engines though? They are both as good a noise as you'll get from anything.

Being able to use that without argument from the missus or dropping luggage is surely a plus?

[Jonty355]

Calza said:

Have you heard either of these engines though? They are both as good a noise as you'll get from anything.

Being able to use that without argument from the missus or dropping luggage is surely a plus?

I get your point, but I like trying to be practical with impractical cars. And practicality comes at the cost of looks.

They're not bad looking cars, but they're not good looking either. Screw the luggage!

[Jonty355]

GreatGranny said:

928?

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

Yes maybe it won't be the cheapest car to run but:

1. You won't see another on your commute
2. IMO its a great looking car
3. V8
4. Just look at that interior :-)

Certainly different I'll give you that. Cant decide on the looks and if I like them or not.

[StottyEvo]

I'd stretch my budget for a GTR due to the low depreciation and low maintenance costs (providing you use it as a daily)

A friend of mine has used one for a daily for the last 26,000 miles, in that time I think he's given it one service and its never had any problems. Although if you hammer them you'll do a set of tyres in 6,000, if you go steady they last forever As do the brakes etc...

[Bradley1500]

Vauxhall VXR8?

Chrysler STR8?

Lexus ISF?

Personally my money would be going towards an M5 or M6 simply for the noise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1rTYrL5Org

[ChilliWhizz]

You know you want to....

[Guvernator]

Sorry but a lot of these cars in this thread aren't what I'd call super-ish. Yes quite a few have the performance but not many have the looks or the drama required for a special car so that excludes fast estates or most German uber saloons IMO.

OP I have been looking for something very similar but have slowly come to the realisation that there isn't a car that does everything we want i.e.

1) Decent to drive
2) Looks good
3) Has reasonable running costs
4) Is reliable
5) Semi-practical with enough space for two adults and a child
6 A bit special as in it gives you a good feeling to drive\be in\look back at it.

Unfortunately I've found it's usually a case of pick any 4 of the 6 above at most. A Maserati probably comes closest in terms of looks,specialness and practicality but running costs and reliability are a question mark plus you can't get them with a manual gearbox.

I've sort of given up in the end. You do have a 355 to do the looks\special stuff though so maybe just give up some of that and just buy the default choice which is a German uber saloon.

[Dapster]

Sorted....

Ok, so maybe not quite as sensible as a 996 Turbo but this you would definitely look back at before walking away...


http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C463450

[TommoAE86]

Jonty355 said:

Mr Roper said:

Nissan R34.

Out of all the slylines, that is probably my favourite one, but they just don't feel very special inside. The interiors just feel so cheap which is a big shame.

You don't look at the interior's... also they are a big improvement over the R32/R33 Skylines... do ittttt!