Summer Fun for under £20k

[GrandTourer100]

Hi PH Community

Need some inspiration please. Would like something super fun for the summer. Can be a saloon, coupe or convertible, though of course the latter body types would seem more fun for the summer.

Looking for a junior supercar / grand tourer type of car that looks stunning and puts a smile on faces of a Sunday morning when going for a country drive.

Max budget is £20k. Would be ideal to have 4 seats but can live with 2. Just don’t want ruinous repair bills.

All ideas welcome. Jag XK / Maserati GranTurismo / Porsche 911 / Porsche Boxster? Combination of looks, performance and reliability.

[GrandTourer100]

Robertb said:

Maserati and Porsche can land you with big bills so tread carefully.

I love my 996 C4S to bits and you will struggle to find a better drivers car for the money IMO but if you are looking for ‘supercar’ charisma I’d suggest a Gran Turismo. More spacious in the back too if you’re carrying passengers.

Jaguar F Type is in budget, just, but an XKR/XK is much better value and has 2+2.

Realistically I’d look for a car for £18k and leave £2k for fettling.

How about a DB7 or Continental GT if you’re feeling brave!

Would an £18k Maserati GT be really brave? Are they usually error prone or down to care of ownership, and what are the things to look out for? XK is interesting but not much space in the back. Also, is there much difference between an XK and an XKR? How far should one go back with an XK?

What about a Porsche Boxster? Would be newer and therefore have more mod cons but only 2 seats.

Continental GT feels a bit barge like. Glamorous but is it as nice to drive?

[GrandTourer100]

Some great suggestions, please keep them coming.

Shortlist coming together:

(1) Maserati GranTurismo

(2) Porsche 911 997

(3) Porsche Boxster 981

(4) Bentley Continental GT

(5) Jaguar XK / XKR

Please pick one! But wait, what about left field options like the Maserati Quattroporte, Porsche Panamera or BMW M6?

[GrandTourer100]

ZX10R NIN said:

Unless you can find a 4.7 Maserati GranTurismo I'd swerve the early 4.2 version the gearbox isn't the best & unless it's had the cam variator fix carried out (if it's been done properly Maserati will have it on there registar) you will be on the end of a big bill.

Get an Inspection by a specialist & you'll end up with a very special car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403207...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402066...

The other pick on your list would be a 5.0 XK:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403087...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401265...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302094...

5.0 XKR, you should get a years warranty with the first one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312014...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403187...

So a 4.7 Maserati GT is known to be more reliable than a 4.2? Does it make much difference?

Going to throw another curveball in there. What does everyone think about a 2011 model Mercedes C63 AMG? They seem to be good value at the moment and with the added advantage that they might be deemed a modern classic soon and therefore appreciate in value?

[GrandTourer100]

ZX10R NIN said:

Yes it does drive them back to back & you'll notice it straight away.

The C63 is a beast of a car & I'm very bias as I have a CLK63, my other half has had two C63's. I've also supplied a lor of them & have two close friends with 6.2's.

So what would you like to know?

Thanks ZX10. I guess the question for me is which one would you have in the £20k bracket between the Maserati and the C63? The Maserati feels like the more exciting pick. Are there any companies out there that can do a mobile inspection when viewing a used car to give peace of mind before purchasing?

[GrandTourer100]

Interested to hear about ownership experiences on the Maserati GT 4.7.

[GrandTourer100]

ZX10R NIN said:

I've driven a lot of 4.2, the muted exhaust so so gearbox & cam variator issues means the 4.2 would be off the menu & at 20k you won't get a nice 4.7 imo.

Now as an ownership experience absolutely loved my 4.7 Sportline it had a Novitec exhaust & springs along with a map, it wasn't cheap to run but it was amazing. The MC Shift added to the experience but if you do a lot of town driving then the ZF auto is the pick.

IMO you need to start at around 25k for a good Maserati.

One thing the 63 & the Maserati have in common is that they both have the ability to feel special at low speed but the Maserati edges it in that feeling.

With the 63 they really benefit from having an LSD due to the torque delivery, here's the thing though as much as I enjoyed the GT the maintenance was heavy & I find the CLK more nimble punchy (mines not standard) a very special car & the OH's 63's were similar.

So as for which one to go for here's what I'd take a look at.

CLK63, I'm bias

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207278...

C63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309121...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309152...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310313...

Performance Pack 63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...

PP wagon:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403027...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 29th March 15:26

Thanks, ZX10. Sounds like you are not a fan of the 4.2, unfortunately that’s the one that realistically falls within the £18-20k budget. There seem to be some good 4.2 examples out there for this money.

What about a Bentley (Continental GT or Flying Spur) or a Porsche Panamera? Which one would you have for some summer fun?

Opening it up for discussion to other PHers - Bentley, Maserati or Porsche for some summer fun?

[GrandTourer100]

ZX10R NIN said:

Out of the three I'd take the Maserati but only if I could establish that the cam variators had been done & I had enough change to buy an exhaust system.

The Bentley will break your wallet & heart

The Panamera is a good car but sterile.

What’s your view on XKs, from the 4.2 convertible all the way to XKR? Maserati GT or XK for under £20k? XKs are much cheaper at the lower end, down to £10k.

[GrandTourer100]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd take the 5.0 XK in portfolio spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403197...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403087...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403278...

The 3rd one at £14k (94k miles) is stunning. Just thinking of resale, would tipping over into 100k+ miles affect resale vales dramatically (and also considering reliability issues at this vintage)? If mileage isn't a huge concern with these cars then there is a 2012 XK Convertible on at £12,995 on Autotrader. That looks awesome!

[GrandTourer100]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd take the 5.0 XK in portfolio spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403197...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403087...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403278...

I hear aluminium corrosion can be an issue on XKs. Is this to be expected of cars of this vintage and would it be an expensive fix?