What sports car? £15k budget
Discussion
My dad is in the market for a new car but can't decide what to buy. The budget is £15k maximum and he wants something nice and sporty and a convertible. He said he's not bothered if it's petrol or diesel and it doesn't have to be the fastest car in the world for the money (i.e. doesn't have to be the biggest engine or have the most power money can buy) nor does it have to be the perfect steer of any car in production - he's unlikely to be thrashing it around local B roads in his spare time. Mileage needs to be low, the car needs to be fairly new, reliable and needs to be tidy and well kept and not a money pit or need working on every other weekend to keep on the road.
Initially he fancied an Audi A5 of some type, but decided against it due to underestimating much it costs to buy a nice one with low mileage. He said for a few thousand quid more he'd prefer to get something more special feeling.
He's since mentioned Porsche Boxster. He's not too bothered if its the 'proper' full fat engine or the slower ones - he won't be doing v-max runs on weekends and doesn't hoon around when he's driving. He's more interested in having enough power for it to feel sporty and is a nice place to sit in.
I've suggested buying a tidy E46 m3 convertible but thats "just another bmw isn't it..." so my choice is out the window.
One thing to bear in mind; the last 'sporty' car they had was a 2 litre 1999 Hyundai Coupe so anything a PH'er might think is a bit 'boring' or not that quick will still feel special to him. Anything a PH'er thinks is a great car will probably blow his mind.
Any suggestions?
Initially he fancied an Audi A5 of some type, but decided against it due to underestimating much it costs to buy a nice one with low mileage. He said for a few thousand quid more he'd prefer to get something more special feeling.
He's since mentioned Porsche Boxster. He's not too bothered if its the 'proper' full fat engine or the slower ones - he won't be doing v-max runs on weekends and doesn't hoon around when he's driving. He's more interested in having enough power for it to feel sporty and is a nice place to sit in.
I've suggested buying a tidy E46 m3 convertible but thats "just another bmw isn't it..." so my choice is out the window.
One thing to bear in mind; the last 'sporty' car they had was a 2 litre 1999 Hyundai Coupe so anything a PH'er might think is a bit 'boring' or not that quick will still feel special to him. Anything a PH'er thinks is a great car will probably blow his mind.
Any suggestions?
He's not a badge snob. He currently drives a diesel Toyota Avensis and like I said he was impressed with the Hyundai Coupe they used to have and he's always thought Porsche's were expensive because of the badge and until recently never wanted to spend more than £8k ish on a car.
He spends most weeks working away from home and drives a works van so I think really he just wants something a bit special for when he's home. On the down side my mum will be using it as a daily driver for her 8 mile round trip to work and back Mon to Fri at 30mph max! I hope she doesn't prang it or reverse it into something!
The Boxster and 370z are the best I could come up with. I'd thought of the S2000 and personally for me, that's what I'd buy, but I'm not sure if my dad will be bothered. I hadn't thought about the Z4m but I'll suggest it to him later.
He spends most weeks working away from home and drives a works van so I think really he just wants something a bit special for when he's home. On the down side my mum will be using it as a daily driver for her 8 mile round trip to work and back Mon to Fri at 30mph max! I hope she doesn't prang it or reverse it into something!
The Boxster and 370z are the best I could come up with. I'd thought of the S2000 and personally for me, that's what I'd buy, but I'm not sure if my dad will be bothered. I hadn't thought about the Z4m but I'll suggest it to him later.
irocfan said:
a little left field
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STUNNING-CORVETTE-C5-AUT...
virtually depreciation proof, very reliable, mid-30s on a run, reasonably quick, surprisingly big boot...
Steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car. My mum will be using the car as a daily driver Mon to Fri and with that setup, something is bound to go wrong eventually!http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STUNNING-CORVETTE-C5-AUT...
virtually depreciation proof, very reliable, mid-30s on a run, reasonably quick, surprisingly big boot...
Cheers for all the replies they've been a big help. So I've suggested;
Chrysler Crossfire Convertible
He's always liked these but hates the front grille design. But they are cheaper than most of the rest and you get a lot of car for the money.
Porsche Boxster 3.4s
This is probably my pick that comes in just under budget. He likes them but says he'd probably got for a 2.7 instead. This is on the short list.
Nissan 370z Convertible
He's always liked these and likes the look of the convertible version. This has probably made the short list.
Merc SLK 280
Doesn't like them much and prefers others in the category. Off the list!
BMW Z4m
He likes the look and interior of these but thinks 340odd bhp is overkill and doesn't like the BMW brand very much. I'd be disappointed if he didn't buy one of these though! I've suggested slower versions but then he's still buying a brand he doesn't like very much and he's not even getting the performance.
Honda S2000
He likes the looks, the reliability record, the simplicity with enough comfort, and the smaller engine/still good bhp combo, and it'll probably be the cheapest to run and maintain but has pointed out the interior is looking dated compared to others on the list.
Chrysler Crossfire Convertible
He's always liked these but hates the front grille design. But they are cheaper than most of the rest and you get a lot of car for the money.
Porsche Boxster 3.4s
This is probably my pick that comes in just under budget. He likes them but says he'd probably got for a 2.7 instead. This is on the short list.
Nissan 370z Convertible
He's always liked these and likes the look of the convertible version. This has probably made the short list.
Merc SLK 280
Doesn't like them much and prefers others in the category. Off the list!
BMW Z4m
He likes the look and interior of these but thinks 340odd bhp is overkill and doesn't like the BMW brand very much. I'd be disappointed if he didn't buy one of these though! I've suggested slower versions but then he's still buying a brand he doesn't like very much and he's not even getting the performance.
Honda S2000
He likes the looks, the reliability record, the simplicity with enough comfort, and the smaller engine/still good bhp combo, and it'll probably be the cheapest to run and maintain but has pointed out the interior is looking dated compared to others on the list.
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