What car? c.£30k for my 30th birthday

[Pulse]

I've decided I really should buy myself something nice, before I realise a few years down the line I've still not done it!

I am trying to find something that (being realistic) I will only keep for a maximum of 2 years - if I love it, I could keep it longer though. I wouldn't need to sell for the money or anything like that.

I have sort of narrowed it down, but not sure if I have missed something. I am going to test drive them all in the next couple of weeks, but would appreciate opinion.

I appreciate these are quite different cars in many respects, but I'm ultimately looking for something I will enjoy, can drive to work and use for general driving duties (up to 10k max a year), and won't cost me so much I look back in 2 years at the amount I've lost (understanding of course that it WILL cost a lot to run).

Aston Martin V8 Vantage (2006)
+ What my heart tells me to buy
+ Best looking of the bunch
+ A properly special car
- Running costs (especially given the age)
- Bottom of the market

BMW M3 (2012)
+ A great looking car, with practicality
+ All the new gizmos, most of them are high spec
- Might depreciate like a stone
- It's a 3-Series, underneath it all

Mercedes C63 (2012)
+ Sounds amazing - potentially better than the AMV8?
+ A far nicer interior than the BMW
- Might depreciate like a stone (more than the BMW)
- Fuel costs may make me wince
- It's a C-Class, underneath it all

Porsche Cayman S (2011)
+ A proper sports car
+ Looks fantastic
- A bit boring/safe
- You don't get a lot for your money

Lotus Evora S (2011)
+ Looks like nothing else
+ Rare
+ Likely to be the best for depreciation
- May feel a bit cheap
- May get tiresome
- Pushing the budget a bit (although could go for NA)

[Pulse]

mondeoman said:

MX5, and blow the rest on coke n hookers.

Thats the right answer isn't it?

Mighty tempting...

[Pulse]

I should add, I'd be very happy to spend less if I can find something with a good blend of special and a modicum of reliability!

[Pulse]

Voldemort said:

Have a look at the Audi S1. Same money: brand new. Awesome pocket rocket.

I know a couple of people scoffed at your suggestion, but actually it was on the list not long ago! A quick, practical, do all car. I did say I wanted other suggestions I may have missed, but don't think the S1 would be for me at the moment.

W00DY said:

How about a higher maintenance budget, but no depreciation to worry about?


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Edited by W00DY on Saturday 24th January 12:24

As ever, Woody, you have made a cracking suggestion! That would really tempt me, if it were a little cheaper. I'd take the risk! Is the ordinary 4200 a bit, well, ordinary?

EricE said:

I can't comment on the C63 and M3 but I agree with the first statement.

The Evora and Cayman are good blend of decent looks, mid-engine layout, and decent engines in very capable chassis. They are both "junior supercars" in my eyes - cue the M135i jokes. Both should have relatively low depreciation, the Lotus because it's a Lotus and the Porsche because it's the last car with a hydraulic steering rack and one of the last with a N/A flat six.
One of those two would be my choice if the circumstances allowed for it, you can always get a more sensible powerful saloon/estate later on in life.

I believe you're right. On the Evora, at least. Something a bit special, and would do well on the depreciation as well. I'm not sure how liveable it would be, day to day, compared to the other choices?

GetCarter said:

If you buy the Aston and intend an Aston main dealer to service it, check out the hourly rate, then how long they take to do the service. It hurts!

Eye watering? What was your experience?

stuno1 said:

Nothing will tell you more than a test drive. Especially with the range you have there. It will be fun trying them all as well. I have been looking at the evora s and I wouldn't buy older than 2012 as there were something like 140 improvements to that model year over and above the 2011.

Stu

Absolutely! There's an AMV8 I plan to test drive on Saturday; so that's first up (and the one I really want now, reaffirmed by everyone's comments). I just hope it stacks up!

justin220 said:

Aston is a special car to own, the Evora is a special car to drive and not nearly as 'Lotus' as you'd expect it to be. Fantastic car, and very nearly as special as the Aston due to its rare factor.

Both are an event to drive.

BMW and Merc aren't special enough.

Cayman is also a brilliant car, if a little common but probably the obvious choice. Not as special as the Vantage or Evora.

Knew I knew your name from somewhere! I read your posts when you first got your Evora, and then when you sold it, to make way for the Aston! I'd say those two cars are the hot favourites, so may like to pick your brains at some point!

jayemm89 said:

Just throwing this out there, give a Z4 M Coupe a try... although as you've had a Z coupe before not sure if this will float your boat?

To me a Cayman is an awesome car, as is the boxster. I have had two 911s so "done that" and my next Porsche would probably be a Boxster.

The AMV8 is nice to look at and listen to but, in my opinion, outclassed in the driving stakes by the Cayman by a country mile. Probably by the M3 too and almost certainly by the Evora.

The Evora always makes me look twice when I see one, which is unusual for me.

Funnily enough, it started with thoughts of a Z4M Coupe. I just haven't got the patience to find one in decent condition! I've also had a Z4M (Roadster), so it perhaps is a little boring to return! As much as I'd love one.

cerb4.5lee said:

I would go Aston if your heart is telling you too, I spent £30k on a E92 M3 and it was one of the worst decisions I have ever made, so that gives you an idea of how important it is to buy something that feels special I think.

I knew you'd post up at some point to help me along the way of avoiding the M3! I've seen your numerous posts about it, and funnily enough remember seeing your post on Z4-Forum when you got it!

Steamer said:

Well... You can... But...

My thinking is: you arnt going to rush into buying a 348 - so by the time you've found the right one you'll have saved a few extra quid to buy a nice one.

Therein lies the problem with anything too specialist. I haven't got the time, patience, or understanding.

CMYKguru said:

You need your head tested to spend 30k on a car at that age.

I know you got jumped on a bit, but actually I do see what you're saying. I have the (sort of) disposable for a £30k car, but perhaps I should, as the first post said, spend it on having a bit of a good time elsewhere!

Wills2 said:

http://www.911virgin.com/porscheforsale/812/997C2M...

Try the V8V and then try one of these, the Aston knocks the 911 hollow for looks but to drive...no contest.

Lots of suggestions for the 911. And I understand why. They just aren't me. I really dislike the shape of them - the Cayman is simply a far better looking car (to me). No appeal, really. (That normally means within a few years, I'll have one!)

TWPC said:

OP, without being fully aware of your requirements, my message to you would be to spread the net wider.
As others have written, this is the opportunity to be really silly before, perhaps, the demands of family life really hit... So look at Nobles, Caterhams, old cars, unreliable & impractical stuff while you can.
I got a bit over-excited in the classifieds, but how about one of these (in no particular order)?

2005 Lotus Exige
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
2005 997 C2S (though personally I like the earlier 996 Turbo recommendations)
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
2003 VX220 Turbo
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
1994 Merc E320 Convertible (not very PH but I think they're great)
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
1997 Esprit GT3
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
2007 Corvette C6
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
1982 911 Carrera SC
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
1986 944 Turbo
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

Or what about a V12 Dax Cobra http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/k... or a 600HP Merc SL65...? http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Some interesting suggestions there! Out of them all, I'd be seriously tempted by an Exige S! Especially as they're a bit cheaper than an Evora (albeit older). Not sure I could live with one day-to-day though! I wear a suit to work, carry a laptop with me, and would like a bit of boot space! Coming from the MR2, that is one thing which has really grated on me, over time. The lack of a bit of comfort is another factor!




Thanks everyone... A lot of thinking to do. I will start with the AMV8 test drive (unless of course, like most dealerships, they just ignore me, or make a test drive really difficult)... See where we get from there!