Best 2+2 coupe for around £20k
Discussion
Hi all
I need some help finding a new car. I am looking for a 2+2 coupe that will be mainly used by myself but I want to be able to squeeze my 1 year olds car seat in for weekend trips with the family etc. The only other criteria is that it needs to be good to drive and also something nice to look at as that's what coupes are all about. My budget is around £18-22k.
At the moment I probably have a Porsche 997 C2 at the top of my list as it seems to do everything I want but are there any other alternatives I should consider? I have also looked at newer coupes like the Merc E Class coupe and Audi A5 but they tend to be focused more on looks and practicality rather than driver involvement and just don’t get me excited.
Any help would be much appreciated
Trev
I need some help finding a new car. I am looking for a 2+2 coupe that will be mainly used by myself but I want to be able to squeeze my 1 year olds car seat in for weekend trips with the family etc. The only other criteria is that it needs to be good to drive and also something nice to look at as that's what coupes are all about. My budget is around £18-22k.
At the moment I probably have a Porsche 997 C2 at the top of my list as it seems to do everything I want but are there any other alternatives I should consider? I have also looked at newer coupes like the Merc E Class coupe and Audi A5 but they tend to be focused more on looks and practicality rather than driver involvement and just don’t get me excited.
Any help would be much appreciated
Trev
Parisien said:
2007 Maserati Gransport, no ifs or buts, just have a warchest handy
P
ummm Maserati. Not a bad shout at all but aren't they closer to £30k now for a good one and then there is the question of would a Granturismo be a better option at that sort of money? I test drove a Gransport about 4 years ago one before I bought my Aston Martin V8 Vantage and was very tempted but that was before I had a nipper.P
stongle said:
30k a CL63 if you can stretch the budget.
Keen to try and keep the budget to the low £20's as £30k throws in a whole new set of options and it's know where to draw a line in terms of budget. If I had the money I'd probably go for something like an Evora as I only need the rear seats on occasion. LasseV said:
There is a one leftfield choice, UK-spec Twin Turbo Toyota Supra. Old and not as beautiful as maser, but it is involving to drive and has enough room for weekend trips. Quite rare and looks good in my opinion.
Ha, fantastic option. Problem is I've already owned 3 Mkiv Supras in the past so fancy something a bit different. I did look at the Lexus RC range as something a bit different but my god there are underpowered.jamieduff1981 said:
Some nice Cerberas can still be had for this money, although the type is generally appreciating in value.
It would seem to tick all stated boxes.
I would love a TVR but always worry about running one. Also I already have a 1967 S1 Jaguar E-type which is my garage queen and occasional weekend car so need something that I can jump and use a bit more and doesn't require constant pampering.It would seem to tick all stated boxes.
Trev
Thanks for all the options everyone, as you say plenty of nice cars to choose from in my budget. Might be useful to Clarify a few more requirements
Car usage
looking at using the car 2 weeks a month to commute to train station otherwise will be used at weekends and as the second car in the family. So average of around 6-9k miles a year I would estimate
Back seats
Ideally I need something semi usable. My e-type is a two seater and while I love the car I really want to be able to include my family when I go to shows and use it for short breaks etc. Also my son is only 1 he will need a fairly chunky forward facing car seat so back seats need to be able to work in that respect
Storage
My garage is full so this has to be a car that can live outside. I think that rules out anything in the TVR/classic car camp.
Out of all of the options put forward I am still leaning towards a 997 although might look into a new shape XKR as would be nice to own both old and new Jaguar coupes. The M6 has a dream engine and seems a little more practical but I just don't like the looks. I've also tested an S5 and TTS but neither float my boat. The TT-RS looked like it could be fun but I still think a Porsche looks like better value and feels more special. Finally the Maserati Gransport could be the dark horse, does everything I need with some Italian flair but I do worry what running one as a regular car would be like.
So gransport, 997 or XKR? Which would be best for me
Trev
Car usage
looking at using the car 2 weeks a month to commute to train station otherwise will be used at weekends and as the second car in the family. So average of around 6-9k miles a year I would estimate
Back seats
Ideally I need something semi usable. My e-type is a two seater and while I love the car I really want to be able to include my family when I go to shows and use it for short breaks etc. Also my son is only 1 he will need a fairly chunky forward facing car seat so back seats need to be able to work in that respect
Storage
My garage is full so this has to be a car that can live outside. I think that rules out anything in the TVR/classic car camp.
Out of all of the options put forward I am still leaning towards a 997 although might look into a new shape XKR as would be nice to own both old and new Jaguar coupes. The M6 has a dream engine and seems a little more practical but I just don't like the looks. I've also tested an S5 and TTS but neither float my boat. The TT-RS looked like it could be fun but I still think a Porsche looks like better value and feels more special. Finally the Maserati Gransport could be the dark horse, does everything I need with some Italian flair but I do worry what running one as a regular car would be like.
So gransport, 997 or XKR? Which would be best for me
Trev
Hi all, OP here
To avoid any conflict and to reiterate my requirements, I am looking for a 2+2 coupe, not hatchback or a saloon. Also I am not going to bash any hot hatches as most are better to drive than the coupes mentioned but hot hatches and coupes/GT's are often chalk and cheese.
For me I want a coupe as much for the looks and the feel good factor I get from them than just the driving capability and I want something that looks great and is half decent to drive. I am not doing track days or looking to set any new lap record at the nurburgring but want something I can enjoy at the weekend at 7/10's of it's performance, that I can squeeze the wife and nipper in and then when I park it up I'll want to give it a second look.
My last car was a 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage and while I could have bought a new Audi or VW hatchback for the same money I personally think you can't beat a good looking coupe and the feel good factor and sense of occasion you get from them.
Trev
To avoid any conflict and to reiterate my requirements, I am looking for a 2+2 coupe, not hatchback or a saloon. Also I am not going to bash any hot hatches as most are better to drive than the coupes mentioned but hot hatches and coupes/GT's are often chalk and cheese.
For me I want a coupe as much for the looks and the feel good factor I get from them than just the driving capability and I want something that looks great and is half decent to drive. I am not doing track days or looking to set any new lap record at the nurburgring but want something I can enjoy at the weekend at 7/10's of it's performance, that I can squeeze the wife and nipper in and then when I park it up I'll want to give it a second look.
My last car was a 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage and while I could have bought a new Audi or VW hatchback for the same money I personally think you can't beat a good looking coupe and the feel good factor and sense of occasion you get from them.
Trev
ZX10R NIN said:
Jesus that's insane. That would have cost over £100k new. Very tempting
I did consider another classic (MK2 Escort or maybe a rough Porsche 912 project) but to be honest I don't have the time or the will power to spend fettling another classic. At the moment I really want something that I am happy to let my little one travel in and that doesn't require a lot of ongoing maintenance. Therefore I think it will have to be something newer this time around. I also already have a classic so I can have that type of driving experience whenever the mood takes me.
Edited by codieskid on Thursday 6th October 15:20
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