XKR v C63 v M3 v 997

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Up to £25k to spend incl P/Ex, no pressing need for back seats, daily driver (mostly in town unfortunately).

Currently got an E46 M3 which is fine but got a hankering for something newer.

Are any or all of the above a worthwhile upgrade?

Opinions?

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Cayman S and Evora S both interesting but slightly out of price range at the moment and maybe a little hardcore for everyday use.

I'd like a little more refinement than the E46 with just as much (or more) fun factor.

Maybe that or keep the E46 and buy an old Elise/VX220 for weekend fun.

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kambites said:

Did you really just say a Cayman S was too hardcore for daily use?

Poor choice of words on my behalf, impractical would probably have been more suitable.

I have a colleague who has one and I really should ask him to take me out in it one day.

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Haha, I'm 43 and do question whether I'm ready/suitable for a Jaguar as I can be a scruffy oik at times. Then again I've reached the age where I do appreciate a bit of refinement as long as a bit of fun is also available.

The 997 reliability does worry me and I hear the 2nd Gen may be better in this respect but it's unfortunately out of budget at the moment. I'd like PDK as I love the SMG in the E46.

M3 may be good but it'd be my 4th BMW in a row and there is some debate about whether it's 'better' than the E46.

C63 does interest me, mainly for the sound and poke.

370Z doesn't do it for me.

996 Turbo is getting dated as is E39 M5.

E60 M5 too fragile and thirsty.

Monaro poor image.

GTR seems huge and thirsty.

I'll try and get some test drives in...

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sjc said:

Only for people who can't see past a badge.

Fair point, there are just some cars I get and others I don't. VX220, Lotus Carlton or Maloo all look good to me but the Monaro just doesn't.

Lexus ISF was another potential option but the interior was a let down.

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8bit said:

Bit more to it than that, it can be hustled a fair bit when the need arises but yes, it's less focussed for sure than a 911. I've got an XKR, it consumes Scottish B-roads more eagerly and competently than a lot of people think. Utter bargain at the prices they are now and an incredibly easy car to live with for day to day duties too.

I've seen at least one 997 C4S around £25k now though, I almost wish I'd held out and tried some of them but I love the V8 growl too much.

If it were me I'd narrow the choice (from those in the OP) down to these two; the others are very accomplished machines, no arguments there, just for me it's the XKR and 911 that feel "special".

Thanks 8bit, I saw your Reader's Cars thread and it just increased the want factor for an XKR.

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S

Lunja said:

OP, if you're still thinking of going down the GT route, have you considered a DB7? This one is in budget, has the V12, and is resplendent in BRG with tan leather: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

Beautiful though it is, it would take a braver man than I (or one with deeper pockets at least) to run a 12 year old AM V12 on a daily basis. I have similar, although slightly less, concerns about running a Maserati though I would love to have a Granturismo at some point in the future.

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sjc said:

OP, you're going to spend all day in traffic according to your post.
Spend 1200 quid on this, lovely place to sit, loads of toys, no depreciating to do ( and see what Tiff thinks of my very own one that he drives on next Mondays Fifth Gear program).
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...

And spend the remaining 24 grand on something special like...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/n...

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

Tempting but I know I'd end up driving the weekend car to work and the other would just rot outside my house. I leave home early to avoid most of the traffic and sometimes leave work before the rush hours start (not last night and spent 2 3/4 hours in traffic ). I really would like an all rounder rather than a snotter and a weekend toy, especially as it's easier to justify to the OH.

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steve singh said:

C63 is good - but I think it's the facelift you want and not sure how much they are.

I've had 3-4 E46 M3s, Porsches of various types, a Merc c class for the other half, and few hot hatches.

I purchased an E92 m3 and sounds like I went through the same thought process as you.

This is how it will go down if you purchase the e92...

Week one - you sit in it and you'll think beautiful cabin, sublime manual gearbox and amazing handling.

Week two - you'll start to think hmmm the e46 sounded better - then you'll google search

Week three - you do the £100 exhaust mod and think OMG this sounds like a Maserati and no drone

Week four - damn this is faster than the e46, more torque lower down and mid range pull is huge

Week five - omg, this power combined with the handling, friggin love this car

Week six - wow i can change the settings via idrive and with edc i can have a cruiser ride or a beast - I LOVE THIS CAR IT IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!

Well, that's what I went through !!!,

Update - well I plumped for the M3 in the end as I found this one in mint condition. Exhaust mod is already done so went through the above in the first week and it's all true.

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It's space grey which has surprised me with the amount of compliments I've had of it.

Compared to the E46, it feels like the older of 2 bouncers. Where the E46 was always happiest getting some action and didn't like pootling around that much, the E92 is much more refined, barely showing any aggression until provoked, but when it does, it packs a bigger punch.