Summer Fun for under £20k

GrandTourer100

Original Poster

124 posts

127 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 23rd March

Hi PH Community

Need some inspiration please. Would like something super fun for the summer. Can be a saloon, coupe or convertible, though of course the latter body types would seem more fun for the summer.

Looking for a junior supercar / grand tourer type of car that looks stunning and puts a smile on faces of a Sunday morning when going for a country drive.

Max budget is £20k. Would be ideal to have 4 seats but can live with 2. Just don’t want ruinous repair bills.

All ideas welcome. Jag XK / Maserati GranTurismo / Porsche 911 / Porsche Boxster? Combination of looks, performance and reliability.

Robertb

1,445 posts

238 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 23rd March

Maserati and Porsche can land you with big bills so tread carefully.

I love my 996 C4S to bits and you will struggle to find a better drivers car for the money IMO but if you are looking for ‘supercar’ charisma I’d suggest a Gran Turismo. More spacious in the back too if you’re carrying passengers.

Jaguar F Type is in budget, just, but an XKR/XK is much better value and has 2+2.

Realistically I’d look for a car for £18k and leave £2k for fettling.

How about a DB7 or Continental GT if you’re feeling brave!

GrandTourer100

Original Poster

124 posts

127 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 23rd March

Robertb said:

Maserati and Porsche can land you with big bills so tread carefully.

I love my 996 C4S to bits and you will struggle to find a better drivers car for the money IMO but if you are looking for ‘supercar’ charisma I’d suggest a Gran Turismo. More spacious in the back too if you’re carrying passengers.

Jaguar F Type is in budget, just, but an XKR/XK is much better value and has 2+2.

Realistically I’d look for a car for £18k and leave £2k for fettling.

How about a DB7 or Continental GT if you’re feeling brave!

Would an £18k Maserati GT be really brave? Are they usually error prone or down to care of ownership, and what are the things to look out for? XK is interesting but not much space in the back. Also, is there much difference between an XK and an XKR? How far should one go back with an XK?

What about a Porsche Boxster? Would be newer and therefore have more mod cons but only 2 seats.

Continental GT feels a bit barge like. Glamorous but is it as nice to drive?

ZX10R NIN

27,618 posts

125 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 23rd March

GrandTourer100 said:

Hi PH Community

Need some inspiration please. Would like something super fun for the summer. Can be a saloon, coupe or convertible, though of course the latter body types would seem more fun for the summer.

Looking for a junior supercar / grand tourer type of car that looks stunning and puts a smile on faces of a Sunday morning when going for a country drive.

Max budget is £20k. Would be ideal to have 4 seats but can live with 2. Just don’t want ruinous repair bills.

All ideas welcome. Jag XK / Maserati GranTurismo / Porsche 911 / Porsche Boxster? Combination of looks, performance and reliability.

Norton850

596 posts

37 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 23rd March

Robertb said:

Maserati and Porsche can land you with big bills so tread carefully.

I love my 996 C4S to bits and you will struggle to find a better drivers car for the money IMO but if you are looking for ‘supercar’ charisma I’d suggest a Gran Turismo. More spacious in the back too if you’re carrying passengers.

Jaguar F Type is in budget, just, but an XKR/XK is much better value and has 2+2.

Realistically I’d look for a car for £18k and leave £2k for fettling.

How about a DB7 or Continental GT if you’re feeling brave!

My DB7 cost a fortune to keep in fine fettle yet my 928s cost far less until it's eventual full restoration which was for my benefit.

Cayman would be my shout...

Edited by Norton850 on Saturday 23 March 18:22

Robertb

1,445 posts

238 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 23rd March

GrandTourer100 said:

Robertb said:

Maserati and Porsche can land you with big bills so tread carefully.

I love my 996 C4S to bits and you will struggle to find a better drivers car for the money IMO but if you are looking for ‘supercar’ charisma I’d suggest a Gran Turismo. More spacious in the back too if you’re carrying passengers.

Jaguar F Type is in budget, just, but an XKR/XK is much better value and has 2+2.

Realistically I’d look for a car for £18k and leave £2k for fettling.

How about a DB7 or Continental GT if you’re feeling brave!

Would an £18k Maserati GT be really brave? Are they usually error prone or down to care of ownership, and what are the things to look out for? XK is interesting but not much space in the back. Also, is there much difference between an XK and an XKR? How far should one go back with an XK?

What about a Porsche Boxster? Would be newer and therefore have more mod cons but only 2 seats.

Continental GT feels a bit barge like. Glamorous but is it as nice to drive?

My 996 has (touch would) been good as good in the 9 yrs I’ve had it, but others have had different experiences. Same with Maseratis I suppose… buy well, and hope it all holds together!

The 5.0 litre XKs are 370hp, not far off the early 4litre XKR. Plenty fast enough. It’s a matter of preference to me with the early vs late cars as the interior and styling details changed.

A Boxster/Cayman would be brilliant.

I’ve not driven a Continental GT. I imagine they’d be a special feeling way to travel, and well suited to the crowded roads in Britain where you can’t always enjoy performance.

autumnsum

383 posts

31 months

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[news]

Saturday 23rd March

You can get the fast Tesla model3 for under £20k if you're quick. It will beat an m3 around a track.

Generally they will all still be under warranty too. 0-60 is under 4 secs.

macron

9,877 posts

166 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 23rd March

autumnsum said:

You can get the fast Tesla model3 for under £20k if you're quick. It will beat an m3 around a track.

Generally they will all still be under warranty too. 0-60 is under 4 secs.

Summer fun??????

As exciting as Asda own brand cheddar.

swanseaboydan

1,730 posts

163 months

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[news]

Saturday 23rd March

How about one for the older v8 4litre bmw m3 convertibles ?

HiAsAKite

2,353 posts

247 months

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[news]

Saturday 23rd March

How old are you prepared to go?

A Chimaera with its v8 burble and soft top?

They are old cars now, but fundamentally very simple and the various foibles will be sorted now. Especially if you go for one with recent outriggers or chassis replacement

jmsgld

1,010 posts

176 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 23rd March

TVR all day long, should get a very tidy Chimaera for less than that. Super comfortable for long trips, exciting, different, big boot. It won't be maintennance free but I wouldn't expect any horrible bills like many of the other suggestions have the possibility of throwing.

It also won't depreciate. I had a Chim as a daily driver / only car for a good few years, I did 10k miles per year, had it serviced every 6 months and budgeted £1k per service. Brilliant car, I had a V8 M3 briefly too, also brilliant car but too fast for the road which effectively makes it boring, I would also be concerned about maintennance on the ones available now. I have a 986 Boxster S now, very accomplished but so dull in comparison to the Chimp, If you're only going to use it occasionally then get something with a bit of drama.

georgeyboy12345

3,517 posts

35 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 23rd March

GrandTourer100

Original Poster

124 posts

127 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 23rd March

Some great suggestions, please keep them coming.

Shortlist coming together:

(1) Maserati GranTurismo

(2) Porsche 911 997

(3) Porsche Boxster 981

(4) Bentley Continental GT

(5) Jaguar XK / XKR

Please pick one! But wait, what about left field options like the Maserati Quattroporte, Porsche Panamera or BMW M6?

jmsgld

1,010 posts

176 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 23rd March

I accidentally ended up driving a neighbour's DB7 once a month to keep the moths away, on that basis I would avoid the XKR, it was bloody awful. I haven't driven a newer XK but if they share any DNA I would avoid.

Another neighbour had a Continental GT (in powder blue!) It was horiffic.

997's and 981s are great cars but I'm not sure £20k is the right budget for a fun Porsche, I know nothing about the Granturismo but the understated elegance and engine note would get my vote.

GeniusOfLove

1,351 posts

12 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 23rd March

I went out in my 5.0 XKR convertible earlier and drove it like I stole it, and I ended up literally crying with laughter at how it slides and the huge noise it makes. The instant throttle response of a supercharger makes wriggles and slide so utterly predictable and easy.

If you want proper ridiculous fun I can't think of anything better except maybe a TVR. I've driven DB9s and considered them and they are a lot more badge but a lot less car, and earlier stuff is almost all ropey and too much l ike hard work if you just want some fun. Maybe a V8 Vantage manual, but again not as ridiculous.

They're tough, reliable, parts are cheap, and there are loads of specialists and plenty of internet knowledge too.

Edited by GeniusOfLove on Saturday 23 March 23:38

Belle427

8,965 posts

233 months

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[news]

Sunday 24th March

I think id go XKR just for the noise alone.
Awesome looking cars too.

Heathwood

2,534 posts

202 months

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[news]

Sunday 24th March

I think you may struggle to find a good 981 for sub £20k but you’ll get a very tidy 987.2 S. The one linked by Georgieboy looks cracking. It’s where my money would go (or maybe a Cayman).

Norton850

596 posts

37 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 24th March

jmsgld said:

I accidentally ended up driving a neighbour's DB7 once a month to keep the moths away, on that basis I would avoid the XKR, it was bloody awful. I haven't driven a newer XK but if they share any DNA I would avoid.

Another neighbour had a Continental GT (in powder blue!) It was horiffic.

997's and 981s are great cars but I'm not sure £20k is the right budget for a fun Porsche, I know nothing about the Granturismo but the understated elegance and engine note would get my vote.

A well sorted regularly driven DB7 should drive well as mine did but £3k per year was spent to keep it that way,one used once a month for a few miles isn't good for it.
They need regular use as most cars and straight line cruising they still shift (mine was a v12) but my 928s was a much better engineered car which gave me 20 years of enjoyable ownership.

Robertb

1,445 posts

238 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 24th March

Or going further left field how about a Jaguar XJS Convertible? Definitely a cruiser, but very charismatic, and a proper usable summer classic.

Or V10 M6?
E39 M5? (not sure if a good one is available in budget)

Of your list so far, I reckon the XK/R will give you the newest and best quality car for your budget.

ZX10R NIN

27,618 posts

125 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 24th March

GrandTourer100 said:

Some great suggestions, please keep them coming.

Shortlist coming together:

(1) Maserati GranTurismo

(2) Porsche 911 997

(3) Porsche Boxster 981

(4) Bentley Continental GT

(5) Jaguar XK / XKR

Please pick one! But wait, what about left field options like the Maserati Quattroporte, Porsche Panamera or BMW M6?

Unless you can find a 4.7 Maserati GranTurismo I'd swerve the early 4.2 version the gearbox isn't the best & unless it's had the cam variator fix carried out (if it's been done properly Maserati will have it on there registar) you will be on the end of a big bill.

Get an Inspection by a specialist & you'll end up with a very special car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403207...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402066...

The other pick on your list would be a 5.0 XK:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403087...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401265...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302094...

5.0 XKR, you should get a years warranty with the first one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312014...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403187...

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