What new car to get????

[rje]

After a couple of years of loving my Caterham (see photo on my profile) I sold the car today . Sold it after less than 12 hours on pistonheads classified.

Question is what to get now?

I want something that can occassionally do a track day and be fun.
Be a good weekend toy but have a little safety / practicality to keep hwmbo happy.

Budget £12-14k

Thoughts so far
- Mk1 TT 240 BHP TT S
- Clio v6
- Nissan 350Z
- BMW Z4
- Porsche Boxster s


Any thoughbts / suggestions most welcome.

R

[minimatt1967]

E46 M3?, potent practical safe sideways fun

E39 M5, all of the above and more.

Audi RS4(B5) 2.7 TT practical estate just don't carry too many labradors they don't enjoy being pressed that hard on to the back window

Jaguar XJR British Suave Supercharged stupidity or XKR if you want some convertible fun.

[Neil.D]

My thoughts on the matter are thus.

Mk1 TT 240 BHP TT S - Too ghay, slow and rubbish round bends
- Clio v6 - practicality? Ha ha! And you would spin it on corner of the track!

- Nissan 350Z - Probably my choice
- BMW Z4 - Unless its the ///M you will be underwhelmed
- Porsche Boxster s - Too common and slow. Girls car.

Hope that helps

Neil.D

[DumpTruck]

I have a Boxster s as my 2nd car which ticks most boxes. I have also used it on the track on ocassions .The only issue is that with a family I don't use it that much (2k per year) unless i'm off somewhere on my own! (thinking I may change it for a 2+2)
My 3rd toy is a Lancia integrale evolution, another car worth considering?

Hope you find something nice!

[Neil.D]

Coming from a Caterham - ie you like track days + proper driving, have you considered an

E30 M3? - I dont need to intricate im sure.

Focus RS
Civic R
NSX
Exige
Evo XIII
Skyline R34
TVR

...the list goes on.

[DumpTruck]

Not sure you would want to thow a M5 around a track. No doubt an awesome car and I do miss my 01 E39 Beast despite the 17.9mpg Average . I have more fun throwing the Boxster about despite it being slow (170mph tops) and a girls car !!!

E39 M5, all of the above and more.

Edited by DumpTruck on Friday 27th March 22:35

[Neil.D]

I wouldnt want to throw an M5 round a track either!
Geeze you got good ecomony, wish mine was that good

[DumpTruck]

Well that was on a run! During the first 2to3 miles when cold you'd get 6mpg.

Neil.D said:

I wouldnt want to throw an M5 round a track either!
Geeze you got good ecomony, wish mine was that good

[Neil.D]

DumpTruck said:

Well that was on a run! During the first 2to3 miles when cold you'd get 6mpg.

Neil.D said:

I wouldnt want to throw an M5 round a track either!
Geeze you got good ecomony, wish mine was that good

We all have to do our bit for the environment

[Justin-W]

To be honest I personally wouldnt go for any of them, far too common.
If your after a true drivers car simular to the Caterham but more practicality you MUST CONSIDER A BMW Z3M COUPE

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/953006.htm

You know it makes sence.

[DumpTruck]

What has being common got to do with it??

Justin-W said:

To be honest I personally wouldnt go for any of them, far too common.
If your after a true drivers car simular to the Caterham but more practicality you MUST CONSIDER A BMW Z3M COUPE

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/953006.htm

You know it makes sence.

[dubkiller]

porsche 911 (964, or may just get a high mile 996 for that money).
ticks all the boxes

[Thejimreaper]

Z3M is a good suggestion.

[LukeBird]

Clio V6 for me.
I'd never tire of the mini-supercar looks.
Heard one with a sports exhaust at Brands as well, sounded bloody wonderful... a touch rough sounding at idle (pretty sure it was decatted), gut a quick blip on the throttle and there were cracks and bangs on the overrun...!

[minimatt1967]

VX220 turbo, quick, even quicker with a remap and exhaust, safe well its got an airbag, capable on track and on road.
Agree with Luke on the V6 clio they do sound phenomenal had one overtake me on the M27 the other week and sounded awesome!

[Justin-W]

Theres no offence ment to me calling them common, its just a fact that you can drive down to your local supermarket and stuble across a few in comparison. Drivern by everyday posers (with their sunglasses) who's motoring knowledge doesnt go beyond Top Gear and the occasional dabble into a standard mainstream magazine.
The Z3M is a rarity for BMW in my eyes, great performance and handling selling wise its like the bug eyed Impreza which never really took on and was quickly dismissed.
As for the Clio V6 they are nice but appart from a wide arch bodykit and midengine rear wheel drive you'll be cursing its either french or doesnt stand out. If you can afford to go the little extra or knock someone down on price go for the Renault Sport Spider as that is a rarity, will come with lower mileage of which not thrashed and will maintain its resell value better in my opinion.

Edited by Justin-W on Saturday 28th March 13:44

[LukeBird]

Justin-W said:

you'll be cursing its either french or doesnt stand out.

Really?!?
I couldn't disagree more!
Even non car enthusiasts stop and stare...

[DumpTruck]

What absolute load of tosh! I have a lovely Z3M in my village and its driven by a complete arse! Bling jewlery, big shades,wannabe footballer! He wouldn't know a spark plug from his butt plug...

Justin-W said:

Theres no offence ment to me calling them common, its just a fact that you can drive down to your local supermarket and stuble across a few in comparison. Drivern by everyday posers (with their sunglasses) who's motoring knowledge doesnt go beyond Top Gear and the occasional dabble into a standard mainstream magazine.
The Z3M is a rarity for BMW in my eyes, great performance and handling selling wise its like the bug eyed Impreza which never really took on and was quickly dismissed.
As for the Clio V6 they are nice but appart from a wide arch bodykit and midengine rear wheel drive you'll be cursing its either french or doesnt stand out. If you can afford to go the little extra or knock someone down on price go for the Renault Sport Spider as that is a rarity, will come with lower mileage of which not thrashed and will maintain its resell value better in my opinion.

Edited by Justin-W on Saturday 28th March 13:44

[rje]

Guys thanks, please keep the suggestions comming. Was talking to a fellow petrol head and came to the same conclusions.

I had a look at a lovely Bosxster S today, a TT 3.2 DSG (not sure), a 3.0 Z4 (with M sport suspension) and finally a 350Z roaster. Whilst not driven any of them yet, today the 350Z looks like the best compromise between great engine, good handling, cheap to run and purchase cost.

[Gingerbread Man]

rje said:

Guys thanks, please keep the suggestions comming. Was talking to a fellow petrol head and came to the same conclusions.

I had a look at a lovely Bosxster S today, a TT 3.2 DSG (not sure), a 3.0 Z4 (with M sport suspension) and finally a 350Z roaster. Whilst not driven any of them yet, today the 350Z looks like the best compromise between great engine, good handling, cheap to run and purchase cost.

The Boxster S (in silver by any chance?) and the TT are as common as common goes. Lost their appeal/ touch for me personally. Stay away.