Head turner for young a young professional

[jay44]

Hiya!

So after having a quick search round the web, you can pick up a Porsche 911 / boxster for around £10k that's about 15 years old. The miles / how old the car is doesn't bother me, I'm prepared to repair when needed. Preferably not pre Y2000 though.

What other cars are there, for the same sort of price, can be picked up that matches the same description? What I mean by that is a semi-powerful, coupe/sports car, that someone can be proud to drive!

Apart from the 911, lotus elise popped up (but too small/low for my liking). Love to hear your suggestions, cheers!

EDIT: a more specified criteria:

-4 or 5 seats
-coupe / sporty looking saloon
-ideally around a 2L, maximum 2.5L engine for fuel consumption - little off is okay, not american muscle
-not something that will make others my age jealous (porsche), but will still head turn (skyline)

cars that match what I'm after, price not considered for sake of example:
subaru wrx sti - newest gen
mitsubishi evo 10
nissan skyline r34
toyota supra
subaru brz / toyota gt86
vaxuhall vx220 (if 4 seater :/ )
lotus elise (again, if more seats)

Edited by jay44 on Monday 2nd February 20:42

[jay44]

Thanks for suggestions so far, to answer a few replies:

I try to stay far away from mercs/audis/BMW's - never liked them in general!

Head turner for personal satisfaction, something that I could be proud to own that would normally take me to middle aged to buy new. Something that shouts successful. Obviously it would help if the girl I date also likes it though haha


Love the TVR suggestion! Also, don't know if I mentioned before, but 4seats>2seats.


Maserati 3200 looks BOOM, not a fan of those rear lights though? Generally a top idea, cheers!

So doesn't have to be so post Y2000, but most cars I've seen pre Y2000 I have already said no to myself and wouldn't want you guys to waste your time suggesting just for me to say no. Open to suggestions, as always, though!

[jay44]

Completely forgot: MUST be manual !!

[jay44]

Thanks for everyone's help so far!

Efbe said:

a "head turner" is hard to define.

despite what you hear on PH, any porsche generally is a head turner, boxster, 911 or otherwise. for 95% of the population a porsche is a porsche.
It will turn heads, but maybe not in the right way, more of a "i'm a bit jealous of you so immediately don't really like you" way that British people do very well.

personally a head turner I would want is a car that people look at and say "cool, like it". the car that gets nice comments all the time, but not in a bad or jealous way.
So I would say you need a car that looks nice, different, but not too expensive.

The cars that have done this for me in the past were an FTO (before the chav days), a Skyline and my current 67 Mustang.

- Yes! I have the same prospective as you when I originally said head turner. I'm not comparing myself to PH forum users, just the general. You also made a really valid point. I don't want people to be jealous, or aim to boast, especially as I'm only gonna be 22/23 when I get said vehicle, and most of my mates will be in/just finishing uni.

mike9009 said:

Alfa GTV V6

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

Alfa 156 GTA

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

M Coupe

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

Corvette

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

Esprit (little expensive and old.....)

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

Smart Roadster Brabus (sort of Auto....)

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

Toyota Supra (auto but manual available)

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

Vauxhall Monaro

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

Vauxhall VX220

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

Hardly any meet your criteria - but may offer some inspiration.




Mike

-actually mate, some of your suggestions like the VX220 are spot on!!


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So all in all (will edit original post aswell): I really love the idea of getting a Supra, a Skyline R34 (out of budget) and a 4-door VX220 if it was made.

The problem which I didn't consider before posting is the fuel consumption. cars like the covette C4 and the TVR are all great, but they drink too much! I would not consider buying a vehicle that has larger than a 2.5L engine! Ideally, I'd like it to be around a 2L. I know hp does not relate directly to engine size, don't worry. I'm basically looking for a sporty looking saloon / coupe, 4 seater, that can go! Not american muscle, 0-60 in under 5seconds go, but this is my second car, I like driving lots go

Sorry for any confusion, hope that narrows it down some more

[jay44]

Chris944_S2 said:

jay44 said:

The problem which I didn't consider before posting is the fuel consumption. cars like the covette C4 and the TVR are all great, but they drink too much! I would not consider buying a vehicle that has larger than a 2.5L engine! Ideally, I'd like it to be around a 2L. I know hp does not relate directly to engine size, don't worry. I'm basically looking for a sporty looking saloon / coupe, 4 seater, that can go! Not american muscle, 0-60 in under 5seconds go, but this is my second car, I like driving lots go

Lets compare the gas guzzling Vette C5 with a similar vintage 2l sports car:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&...
Pretty much the same fuel economy. Although why fuel economy is even a thing to look for when searching a 2nd car used mainly for fun really baffles me.

st.

did not know that haha, thank you for letting me know! I was under the impression engine size in cc/L was proportional to miles to the gallon

[jay44]

IanMorewood said:

OK so you want economy, 4 seats and good looks. Your not really after a Porsche equivalent.

Ford Racing Puma - way quicker than it has any right to be, 30+mpg and will devour corners. Won't like potholes and will be pretty waring on a long run, not a great place for rear seat passengers. Your budget should get you a pristine car.
Fiat Coupe 20vt - Chris Bangles styling masterpiece, a Ferrari for the common man. A little to much power for the chassis (unlike the Puma which could have done with more), four reasonable seats and a useful boot and if you drive carefully it doesn't drink to heavily. Lots of rough ones about but with your budget you should be able to buy a minter.

Correct!

only mentioned porsche eq to get us in the right direction, the edited first post shows what I mean more.

YES! the fiat coupe 20V is EXACTLY the sort of motor I'm after. Powerful (for me, going from a 85hp semi-slug), rear seats, and sporty looking for me. This guy has got the essence of what I'm after

[jay44]

johnfm said:

jay44 said:

Thanks for suggestions so far, to answer a few replies:

I try to stay far away from mercs/audis/BMW's - never liked them in general!

Head turner for personal satisfaction, something that I could be proud to own that would normally take me to middle aged to buy new. Something that shouts successful. Obviously it would help if the girl I date also likes it though haha


Love the TVR suggestion! Also, don't know if I mentioned before, but 4seats>2seats.


Maserati 3200 looks BOOM, not a fan of those rear lights though? Generally a top idea, cheers!

So doesn't have to be so post Y2000, but most cars I've seen pre Y2000 I have already said no to myself and wouldn't want you guys to waste your time suggesting just for me to say no. Open to suggestions, as always, though!

Shouts successful? Subaru? Nissan? Vauxhall? Toyota?

Really? But you don't like BMW - makers of some of the best engines in the history of the motorcar?

You criteria seem a little mixed to me - none of the cars you list 'shout success' unless you have had a particular tough upbringing. An E46 M3 or a 640 ticks a lot of boxes, but none of yours.

Edited by johnfm on Tuesday 3rd February 08:59

The make doesn't matter to me, the car matters. From the specific examples you're quoting, yes, those sporty models count as successful to me. Audi's/BMWs/mercs just seen too common and generic to me

[jay44]

I don't know if this should be elsewhere, I'm relatively new and this topic seemed to match

As for the Alfa Brera and VW scirocco: they are more along the lines of a hot hatch for me because of the shape. I drive a hatch atm and that's why I'm after the different angle here, something I'm not already comfortable with. Yeah they're both powerful, but it's not all about the engine

[jay44]

V8 Fettler said:

£10k? A TVR. And for when you want 4 seats/it's snowing/tip run: a Range Rover.

Y

I'd love a TVR but I'm almost certain it will get the same feedback as a Porsche. The 'showing off' st that I don't want. Shame because they're wicked motors

[jay44]

Thank you so much to everyone that helped out, posting here, I learnt a bit more about cars just from your posts too that I had no idea about before as well!

To everyone that posted examples that I didn't specifically reply to: I had a look at your suggestion and it just was not to my taste, but rest assured, I have read everything everyone posted


Ultimately I stumbled on a suggestion not written on here, but from a mate: THE Nissan Silvia S15

[jay44]

Yeah there's some nice motors on driftworks, most seem to match!

Apparently there's a new Nissan silvia, the S16 coming out this year or next?

[jay44]

rossub said:

Have you considered the Integra DC5? I took the other half's out today for a blast for the first time in absolutely ages.

There is something very, very satisfying about overtaking on A roads at 8,500 rpm, with the noise that accompanies it. Ridiculous levels of reliability as well.

They also turn heads like you wouldn't believe.

Funnily enough I did! That car is boom and exactly the st I'm after


This thread is for a year or two's time, when I've done a year in industry in unay and saved a st ton of money for it. I'm about to buy a Peugeot 307 for my 2nd car when I'm back home from unay for now so it plenty of time to pick between the two

[jay44]

Oh I'm the sort who doesn't give half a s*** what anyone else thinks, I'll use my slang as I please, and you'll use yours!

I appreciate the support that I am young and trying to learn more about cars though! being around and driving motors just feels right

[jay44]

R2T2 said:

jay44 said:

Funnily enough I did! That car is boom and exactly the st I'm after


This thread is for a year or two's time, when I've done a year in industry in unay and saved a st ton of money for it. I'm about to buy a Peugeot 307 for my 2nd car when I'm back home from unay for now so it plenty of time to pick between the two

Can you stop calling cars "boom" Makes you sound a little like a tt to be honest.

If you're on a budget, the DC2/DC5 Type R's are the cars to go for. Otherwise I'd say get an SR engined car. S15/S14. Or if you want retro cool, go for an S13.

The engine not being over 2.5 is a little daft, and seriously limiting what you can get, and if it's only a weekend car, it shouldn't matter what MPG you're getting, you hardly drive it on the commute do you. By your own admission you've got a daily hack for that.

Personally, i'd be looking at something like a 6 series BMW, or even an 8 Series, IMO both good looking, but larger engines. 4.4 V8 in the 8 series but looks like a proper sports car, and has pop up headlights.

R2T2 said:

rossub said:

Cut him some slack - he's young, interested in cars and not using text speak. Counts for a lot in my book!

Not using text speak is noted, and refreshing, but referring to a car as "boom" as as bad as telling someone to "holla" you, fire an email to you or asking for a swap on something for sale.

It's a major pet hate of mine.

ETA: I'm also young too.

Who cares if it's a "pet hate" of yours, keep it to yourself! This is just like when some people decide to take a knife/gun to a group of others because they are offended by what they said. Everyone adds to language, that's the beauty of it. I use slang, get over it

[jay44]

Rangeroverover said:

I bought a 996 tip 2 years ago for £8.5k with 89,000 miles on it. I sold it a few months ago for £10,250 and really regret selling it, only spenr money on tyres, brakes etc other than renewing a switch on the gearshift £120.

Get a 996 you wn't regret it

Eddh said:

jay44 said:

Oh I'm the sort who doesn't give half a s*** what anyone else thinks

So buy a 996 911 and just shrug when people make comments or suggest that they actually spent more money on their boring 1.2L hatchback and amuse yourself with the look on their face when it sinks in.

I'm 26 and thats what I did, just ignore people when they make daft comments.

Yeah that was one of the original ideas, but I really don't like the idea of a "german car" much prefer to be the proud owner of a jap motor. And I really don't like the shape?

I know the car itself is wicked, but I find the rear end is so ugly (without a spoiler) - much prefer the look of the similar porsche in bad boys 1

[jay44]

What about a cayman? looks much nicer to my eyes, what do you think?

[jay44]

RichB said:

jay44 said:

What about a cayman? looks much nicer to my eyes, what do you think?

Cayman, great car, significantly better than the Jap stuff you've mentioned but you're going all over the place now, it's not got 4 seats.

ah wasn't aware, was just having a quick peak about