Everyday 'Supercar' for 15-20k - is it viable?

[Angelis]

Buy a used mk5 Golf GTi and chip it to 250bhp and use that for the daily commute.

Spend the rest of the money on a Lotus Esprit.

Job done.

[Angelis]

Buy a used mk5 Golf GTi and chip it to 250bhp and use that for the daily commute.

Spend the rest of the money on a Lotus Esprit.

Job done.

[williamp]

Angelis said:

Buy a used mk5 Golf GTi and chip it to 250bhp and use that for the daily commute.

Spend the rest of the money on a Lotus Esprit.

Job done.

This. To use a supercar everyday car be done, but it will be very expensive with frequent, expensive servicing. Plus tyres etc etc. And when you come to sell it, the value will be affected if you havent done all those expensive bills.

So keep it. Savour it. Dont spoil it by using it every day

[300bhp/ton]

PGNCerbera said:

Hmmmm. So. You were actually being serious then with your suggestion....

That you are a prick. Why yes I was.

[AtlantisWeb]

Cerbera for me.

[Bo_apex]

mattman said:

Probably not, but there isn't a maserati forum which is my current favourite so nowhere else to really ask the question

If I could stretch the budget, a 355 would be the answer and a taxi for the kids or a maserati granturismo - perhaps the next purchase

Stirling Moss and Phil Hill did an insightful road test with these:

Ferrari 308 GTS
Ferrari 512 BB
Porsche 928 S2
BMW M1
Lamborghini Countach
Maserati Merak
Aston Martin Volante

https://books.google.com.au/books?id=tdgDAAAAMBAJ&...

[Tuvra]

PGNCerbera said:

300bhp/ton said:

mattman said:

Looking for something powerful, a bit different, 4 seats, pre 2006, around 15-20k - auto preferable but not a deal breaker.

Trans Am WS6 (WS6 has the additional handling package).




Pretty speedy stock. But easy to get to 420-440hp without any engine work. Or 500+hp with engine work or 600-650hp with a supercharger.

4 seats.
Manual or auto.
Should be fine for daily duties.

have another

And Again

Absolutely Top Class

[AngryPartsBloke]

Tuvra said:

PGNCerbera said:

300bhp/ton said:

mattman said:

Looking for something powerful, a bit different, 4 seats, pre 2006, around 15-20k - auto preferable but not a deal breaker.

Trans Am WS6 (WS6 has the additional handling package).




Pretty speedy stock. But easy to get to 420-440hp without any engine work. Or 500+hp with engine work or 600-650hp with a supercharger.

4 seats.
Manual or auto.
Should be fine for daily duties.

have another

And Again

Absolutely Top Class

First off, why would you for for an old model Trans Am when you should go for a Moanro or VXR8.

Second, you can't actually be serious? Someone is after an everyday supercar and you think a TransAm is a viable alternative?

I like the Trans Am don't get me worng, but who in their right mind thinks "Oh yeah you COULD have a 3200 or 4200 Mas, but check out this Trans Am!"?

[Tuvra]

AngryPartsBloke said:

First off, why would you for for an old model Trans Am when you should go for a Moanro or VXR8.

Second, you can't actually be serious? Someone is after an everyday supercar and you think a TransAm is a viable alternative?

I like the Trans Am don't get me worng, but who in their right mind thinks "Oh yeah you COULD have a 3200 or 4200 Mas, but check out this Trans Am!"?

I am assuming your not familiar with 300? Suggesting hilarious "What Car" suggestions is his Forte.

Its usually something like "My 80yo Grand Mother wants a brand new hatchback" and 300 Usually replies with something like "15 Year old Mustang or Defender", so I am surprised to find him in these parts. Still highly entertaining though

On a more serious note, SL55?:

[utgjon]

you could buy a very good 944 Turbo for your budget? ideally one of the 1989+ cars with the 'upgrades'

0-60 in mid-5's, wonderfully balanced chassis, 4 seats (ish), big boot, reasonably frugal when you're not on boost, built like a tank and it's a porsche from when they made them well. i like the 928, but the horror stories of running one would put me off ... good ones seem to be getting out of reach now, too.

[mattman]

Hmm, not really considered the 944 - off to have a look - is the 968 a bigger version or a whole different beast?

Need to get out and see a few, don't want to be driving around in a 944 thinking I should have gone 928!!

SL's are lovely but only 2 seats, and I do like American stuff - more Camaro/challenger than trans am though butthe LHD aspect stops it being viable as the other half wouldn't ever drive it and it does really need to be something she could drive if we needed

Keep getting drawn to the E31's - as I get older (42 this year) I seem to hanker more for the older stuff than the new metal - they appear to be less generic to me than modern cars.

This shortlist is getting longer.......

[_Superleggera_]

Maserati Quattroporte - Fantastic value for money and a brilliant drivers car. Perfect for family and running costs are quite reasonable (even for a Maser)

[wtdoom]

Of that list I'd go quattroporte all day . Classy , good looking , great sound , fits 4 in comfort . I've had 2 both had no issues whatsoever . In fact in off to look at the classifieds !

[300bhp/ton]

AngryPartsBloke said:

First off, why would you for for an old model Trans Am when you should go for a Moanro or VXR8.

Lots of reasons.

The Trans Am uses the same engine/gearbox, but is lighter than either a Monaro or VXR8.
Much more visually striking.
Doesn't come with a Vauxhall badge
Rarity.
Lower slung seating position.
Removable T-Top roof panels.
Full convertible option.

AngryPartsBloke said:

Second, you can't actually be serious? Someone is after an everyday supercar and you think a TransAm is a viable alternative?

I like the Trans Am don't get me worng, but who in their right mind thinks "Oh yeah you COULD have a 3200 or 4200 Mas, but check out this Trans Am!"?

Anyone who has driven one would know exactly why I posted it.

0-60mph in 5'ish seconds
160mph+ top speed
0-100mph in 10-11 secs
Engine partly located behind the front axle line giving it very good weight distribution, in the TVR world they call this setup Mid-front mounted engine.
Double A-arm front suspension
Plastic composite body panels for reduced weight

And it ticks all the boxes the op was asking for:

-Looking for something powerful = check
-a bit different = check
-4 seats = check
-pre 2006 = check
-around 15-20k = check
-auto preferable but not a deal breaker. = check


So I have to ask on what rational level does it not meet the criteria? If you say it isn't a supercar, then I agree, it isn't. It is a super car however. But most of the cars the op has listed also probably aren't supercars either.

[utgjon]

mattman said:

Hmm, not really considered the 944 - off to have a look - is the 968 a bigger version or a whole different beast?

Need to get out and see a few, don't want to be driving around in a 944 thinking I should have gone 928!!

SL's are lovely but only 2 seats, and I do like American stuff - more Camaro/challenger than trans am though butthe LHD aspect stops it being viable as the other half wouldn't ever drive it and it does really need to be something she could drive if we needed

Keep getting drawn to the E31's - as I get older (42 this year) I seem to hanker more for the older stuff than the new metal - they appear to be less generic to me than modern cars.

This shortlist is getting longer.......

To all intents an purposes, they're the same. The 968 was essentially a 3.0 N/A version of the late-model 944 Turbo. Personally, I prefer the styling of the 944 (that's why i bought one!) as I think the 968 can look a bit unresolved in some areas. I also really like the slightly laggy 80s turbos... the excitement as the boost builds and pelts you down the road is addictive.

At the end of the day, it depends what you're looking for ... the 928 is a big wafty GT that will cross continents at a miraculous lick. The 944/948, while still a great GT, isn't quite as soft. I've also heard that the 928 can be ruinous to run.

[300bhp/ton]

mattman said:

Hmm, not really considered the 944 - off to have a look - is the 968 a bigger version or a whole different beast?

The 924, 944 and 968 are all related. All pretty cool cars in their own right. The 968 was the last incarnation of this platform. Is it the best? Well maybe, I personally think the 944 looks better, the 968 is a little frumpy. And depends on how much hp you want, a good 944T is a hell of a car.

The 928 however is hugely different. Much bigger feeling and a lot heavier, much more GT than sports car. Although it has to be said, the 928 is a design icon and looks bloody brilliant, even more so, when you consider it's 1970's origins. As it still looks pine fresh today IMO.

But do consider the driving styles, people here are shunning the Trans Am (I know they've probably never even seen one, let alone driven one). But the T/A will probably weigh 100kg+ less than a late model 928 and make more power than the Porsche too.

mattman said:

Need to get out and see a few, don't want to be driving around in a 944 thinking I should have gone 928!!

SL's are lovely but only 2 seats, and I do like American stuff - more Camaro/challenger than trans am though butthe LHD aspect stops it being viable as the other half wouldn't ever drive it and it does really need to be something she could drive if we needed

Keep getting drawn to the E31's - as I get older (42 this year) I seem to hanker more for the older stuff than the new metal - they appear to be less generic to me than modern cars.

This shortlist is getting longer.......

If LHD rules something out, fair do. Although it's amazing how people adapt. So maybe well worth a test drive in a LHD first, before truly discounting them. And LHD certainly makes a car feel more special in the UK.

If so, then it opens up a host of very cool American cars you could consider. Sure they might not be seen as supercars, but they are very good performers, huge amounts of fun and will draw similar attention as a supercar does when you drive it around.

[Bo_apex]

utgjon said:

At the end of the day, it depends what you're looking for ... the 928 is a big wafty GT that will cross continents at a miraculous lick. The 944/948, while still a great GT, isn't quite as soft. I've also heard that the 928 can be ruinous to run.

The 928 GT is certainly not wafty. It's tighter than my 308. The S4 is slightly softer but you can still feel your fillings when pushing on.
Buy a neglected 928 and it will swallow your money just like any other exotic.

[utgjon]

Bo_apex said:

The 928 GT is certainly not wafty. It's tighter than my 308. The S4 is slightly softer but you can still feel your fillings when pushing on.
Buy a neglected 928 and it will swallow your money just like any other exotic.

Fair enough, I'm going off consensus with the 928 (dangerous I know), rather than direct experience - I'd love to have a go in one at some point to compare.

[sealtt]

Not sure any of these are exactly super cars, but so what, it's not going to get all the heads turning like a real super car (not that I'd want to daily drive any super car!), but I I have a feeling an sl55 in a good spec is going to be a fantastic option unless you need 4 seats.

I had one a while back and it was a lovely car, did get a bit creaky towards the end, but a heroic engine - who isn't impressed by a 5.5l v8 from amg.... With a supercharger stuck on it! Plus a folding hardtop with panoramic glass roof in a 500bhp monster... In 2002, just awesome!

[threadlock]

80sMatchbox said:

PGNCerbera said:

have another

He's back....in top form, and with a bang!

Yeah,

OP, have you considered a Jaaag XKR? Plenty of choice of the X150 body style around your budget and they seem to meet your criteria. E.g.: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...



Yes, I'm biased, but they're definitely everyday usable with remarkably low maintenance/servicing costs.

Edit: Balls - you said "pre 2006". Is that because of the VED? £500 a year is a bit painful, but the servicing costs on these are so realistic that overall the costs might be no higher than something like the Maser.