Appreciating car for £30,000 that's fast around a circuit

[Geesus]

Hi guys,

I know similar threads have been made in the past but I can't find anything that reflects current market values.
I'm looking towards buying something circa £30,000 to hold onto that won't drop in value but will also be fairly rapid around the track a few times per year.
It won't be used as a daily driver and only driven when the weather is kind.
What are people's thoughts on something that fits those criteria?

So far I'm thinking

- BMW CSL
- Porsche 911 of some description
- Noble M12
- Lotus Esprit (how quick are these?)

I'd love a GT3 but I've clearly missed the boat.

Cheers, Ollie.

[Geesus]

Thanks for the posts so far guys, having recently relocated from New Zealand (to London) I'm not that keen on something Japanese as they're all over NZ roads (although I did have a lovely R32 GTR circuit car a few years back).

[Geesus]

joncon said:

sjc said:

Noble values are only going one way . The titanium 11k miler at Kerridges is as good an example as you're likely to find albeit a bit over budget .

best real world sports car I have ever driven...

I really like the idea of a Noble M12 GTO 3R and I'm sure they'd be hard to beat for the budget (for a tin top).
I'm worried they'd be left behind in terms of future values compared to say a CSL?

[Geesus]

jamiebae said:

It depends how important ultimate ability on the track is, if it's the main thing then an S1 Exige is indeed what you want, but personally I'd be after a nice 993 and enjoy the road driving more.

Whats the next peg down from a Turbo when we're talking 993s?

[Geesus]

SidewaysSi said:

A 993 RS or perhaps a GT2. Should add one to your list....;)

Ha! That's a step up isn't it?
So in terms of 993s in the £30k range, it's either a C4S or a C2 right?

[Geesus]

liner33 said:

Another vote for the 34 GTR , the right one won't lose a penny

I can appreciate them for what they can do but looks wise they do nothing for me. Apart from the NSX maybe, there's nothing that really rolls my wheels that is Japanese.

[Geesus]

How would a CSL compare on track to an Exige?

[Geesus]

TheDoggingFather said:

How about a 1M, or are they still a bit strong money wise?

I really like the 1M, not sure how it compares to the CSL. Numbers wise were they made in limited numbers for future appreciation?

[Geesus]

markcoopers said:

Odd ball one, but try a Morgan aero 8, ticks almost all your boxes.

A little bit. 'in your face' for my tastes if you know what I mean.

[Geesus]

Mr Will said:

This sounds like a pretty bad idea to me. They all depreciate pretty quickly if you wrap them around the barrier...

That's always the risk but one that I'm happy to take.

[Geesus]

danp said:

Only 450 of them for UK (422 CSL's), more like 40k than 30k tho'.

Are they still dropping in value though Dan or have they bottomed out? Sorry the U.K market is pretty new to me as I've not long since moved over from New Zealand.

[Geesus]

TheDoggingFather said:

How about a 1M, or are they still a bit strong money wise?

Does anyone know what the 1M was doing price wise a year or so ago? Have they been slowly creeping down or have they remained static.
I do like the idea of having 4 seats (easier for the Mrs to approve), manual is a big thing for me too, as is limited numbers.
I've got a bit of a thing for M cars and seems a 996 GT3 is way out of reach......

[Geesus]

TonyF said:

The Exige would trounce a csl on track in the right hands.

Stock vs stock?

[Geesus]

danp said:

Which Exige and which track?

I'll pick s1 as it's been mentioned a few times, and the Ring.

7.50 for the CSL and 8.42 Exige ;-)

http://fastestlaps.com/tracks/nordschleife.html

Not sure it's relevant whatsoever, try lots of cars and pick the one you'll enjoy the most on road and track.

Seems odd that the 1M is 25 seconds slower around the Nordschleife than the CSL, must of been a blistering lap.

[Geesus]

andrewparker said:

They were pretty much the same from memory. As someone else pointed out they've never dropped significantly since their launch.

It would be my choice from the cars mentioned so far, the only snag being the forthcoming M2, but that is rumoured to have a turbo'd 4 cylinder engine, so it may not effect values of the 1M considerably.

Is the M2 due out soon?

[Geesus]

CRA1G said:

You wouldn't go wrong with a BMW Z3 M Coupe.........






But I would say that wouldn't I.......

I have a love/hate relationship with the Z3 M Coupe

[Geesus]

What if we up the anti a bit and move to £40,000.
What sort of 911 could I get that fits the bill?
Are all GT3s now north of £50k?

[Geesus]

RobM77 said:

I know I've said it before, but a Lotus 2-Eleven for £30k is going to be pretty hard to beat. The OP did say 'fast', and most of the cars mentioned so far are going to be a very long way off Caterham/2-11/Atom pace, plus heavier cars are very expensive to track in terms of brakes and tyres etc. I don't think you could go far wrong with a £20k R300, and then up the ante to an R500 or 2-11 if you want to go faster.

Unless I missed something and this car has gone daily usable as well?

It won't be a daily ever. Not exclusively for track (Odd Sunday drive etc) but I think to get it past the wife it would need to have 4 seats..... We'll see