£20-£25k, toy car, must be an “event”

[asfault]

MajorMantra said:

What counts as an 'event' for you? Special engine? Rarity?

There are loads of cars in your budget that are fantastic to drive but few that could really be regarded as exotic.

I suspect the op wants what it was like back in 2007-09 ms cls for 20k, exige s2s for 16k 996 turbos were near 22k. I bought my noble for 25k back then too.
But the used car market and nice stuff has all doubled and are about 1/2 to double the age as well.

[T_S_M]

You’d get a decent Evo 5 or 6 for £25k.

If you can find one that’s been looked after I can’t see it having too many problems.

[Turn7]

T_S_M said:

You’d get a decent Evo 5 or 6 for £25k.

If you can find one that’s been looked after I can’t see it having too many problems.

Fits the brief, but Borkage potential and image these days makes them a no from me …

[Turn7]

asfault said:

MajorMantra said:

What counts as an 'event' for you? Special engine? Rarity?

There are loads of cars in your budget that are fantastic to drive but few that could really be regarded as exotic.

I suspect the op wants what it was like back in 2007-09 ms cls for 20k, exige s2s for 16k 996 turbos were near 22k. I bought my noble for 25k back then too.
But the used car market and nice stuff has all doubled and are about 1/2 to double the age as well.

I never said exotic, that’s not me at all….

I said event to mean that you know this isn’t the normal daily , but with added excitement …

I’m not asking for the moon a stick, I’m asking opinions on what others would consider that I may not have thought of….

[asfault]

Turn7 said:

asfault said:

MajorMantra said:

What counts as an 'event' for you? Special engine? Rarity?

There are loads of cars in your budget that are fantastic to drive but few that could really be regarded as exotic.

I suspect the op wants what it was like back in 2007-09 ms cls for 20k, exige s2s for 16k 996 turbos were near 22k. I bought my noble for 25k back then too.
But the used car market and nice stuff has all doubled and are about 1/2 to double the age as well.

I never said exotic, that’s not me at all….

I said event to mean that you know this isn’t the normal daily , but with added excitement …

I’m not asking for the moon a stick, I’m asking opinions on what others would consider that I may not have thought of….

Maybe what i posted came accross wrong. What i meant was back then there was so much interesting stuff to be had from 15k, heck even ferrari 355s were 30k and not too old. now r8s are 16 years old, closest thing to bottom end jnr supercars are ferrari californias which are 60k and still pretty old. or lambo gallardos which are too old imo now as well.

[Belle427]

I went from Chim to Elise and tbh as good as the Elise is to drive i cant quite get over the Chim and would consider another but it would need to be a sorted one which are few and far between.
You either love or hate a Tvr and i was on the love side, sure they are a bit flawed in certain areas but they got a lot right.
I have a similar budget to you and am struggling to decide where to go next, a Boxster/Cayman doesnt really excite me even though i do like them.
Maybe something like a Z4M is worth a consideration or an M2 OG but not terribly exciting.
I think to get similar thrills to the Caterham it would have to be an Elise/VX/TVR.
Im seriously considering a cheaper Mx5 Turbo build as i love driving them and although its not a car that makes you look back at them it can be quite an event.
Pity you dont like the Griff as with a bit of haggling this may have been in reach, i think if it were closer to £23k id be interested myself.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156189150856?itmmeta=01...

Edited by Belle427 on Thursday 16th May 05:41

[CABC]

Belle427 said:

I went from Chim to Elise and tbh as good as the Elise is to drive i cant quite get over the Chim and would consider another but it would need to be a sorted one which are few and far between.
You either love or hate a Tvr and i was on the love side, sure they are a bit flawed in certain areas but they got a lot right.
I have a similar budget to you and am struggling to decide where to go next, a Boxster/Cayman doesnt really excite me even though i do like them.
Maybe something like a Z4M is worth a consideration or an M2 OG but not terribly exciting.
I think to get similar thrills to the Caterham it would have to be an Elise/VX/TVR.
Im seriously considering a cheaper Mx5 Turbo build as i love driving them and although its not a car that makes you look back at them it can be quite an event

Edited by Belle427 on Thursday 16th May 05:41

there's a lot to agree with here.
I have an Elise and Chim so as to cover many bases, as they're very different cars. The Chim has all the theatre (cockpit, noise) and in a light package to help it feel sporty, even though its not really. the Elise is the biggest driving event below 100k imo. The steering is so direct and the mid engine layout gives it beautiful handling, with lightness greatly enhancing that feel. I only felt the same in a 458, but that's not in budget. I agree that a modified MX5 is a driving event up with the best, way more expensive metal.

An "event" can mean many things though and an Elise will fail on several points - diminutive size, noise, 'plastic car' etc. To me, the most beautiful looking and sounding car is a Callum era Vantage. Simply looking at that thing gives pleasure. And yet, it's not so much of a driving event (but I'd still love one).

Nearly everything modern, Jags and all German stuff, can't be an "event" as the interiors are so corporate. So, back to any TVR...
Tivs are reliable nowadays, probably more so than many other old cars that were actually well sorted from the production line, but at the OPs budget good ones would be Chimearas, not Tuscans.

[Kev_Mk3]

Dave200 said:

Belle427 said:

The VX220 Turbo is often overlooked but very good value.

Came here to say this. I wish I fitted in one, because they make the equivalent Elise/Exige look really expensive.

or a 2.2 supercharged

[Neil1323bolts]

Kev_Mk3 said:

Dave200 said:

Belle427 said:

The VX220 Turbo is often overlooked but very good value.

Came here to say this. I wish I fitted in one, because they make the equivalent Elise/Exige look really expensive.

or a 2.2 supercharged

I have a VXturbo and now I’m 50 it’s an event just getting in/out the thing, let alone the drive, great cars I prefer it to my caterham.

[cerb4.5lee]

CABC said:

Nearly everything modern, Jags and all German stuff, can't be an "event" as the interiors are so corporate. So, back to any TVR...

I've struggled in that regard interior wise ever since I sold the Cerbera as well. The Cerb felt so special/different inside with swooping curves/bespoke switches/leather everywhere etc for example. Whereas everything I'd had since have had very boring interiors in comparison for me.

[T5SOR]

I’m semi-thinking of selling my S2000 for an XKR.

I wouldn’t say they are too old. I have even used it as a daily for the last few months. They are fun when you want or just a normal Honda when you don’t.

[cerb4.5lee]

T5SOR said:

I’m semi-thinking of selling my S2000 for an XKR.

I wouldn’t say they are too old. I have even used it as a daily for the last few months. They are fun when you want or just a normal Honda when you don’t.

I love the S2000 in red so much!

Very nice.

[cerb4.5lee]

Neil1323bolts said:

Kev_Mk3 said:

Dave200 said:

Belle427 said:

The VX220 Turbo is often overlooked but very good value.

Came here to say this. I wish I fitted in one, because they make the equivalent Elise/Exige look really expensive.

or a 2.2 supercharged

I have a VXturbo and now I’m 50 it’s an event just getting in/out the thing, let alone the drive, great cars I prefer it to my caterham.

I've said it before in the past, but I think the VX220 Turbo is a properly underrated car I reckon. It was one of my favourite performance cars on sale when it first came out for definite.

Performance per £ was off the scale when it was new I thought.

[p4cks]

Agreed. The performance of them is absolutely astonishing

[Turn7]

T5SOR said:

I’m semi-thinking of selling my S2000 for an XKR.

I wouldn’t say they are too old. I have even used it as a daily for the last few months. They are fun when you want or just a normal Honda when you don’t.

Looks great in Red, I’ve seen these at strong money recently ….

[T_S_M]

Neil1323bolts said:

Kev_Mk3 said:

Dave200 said:

Belle427 said:

The VX220 Turbo is often overlooked but very good value.

Came here to say this. I wish I fitted in one, because they make the equivalent Elise/Exige look really expensive.

or a 2.2 supercharged

I have a VXturbo and now I’m 50 it’s an event just getting in/out the thing, let alone the drive, great cars I prefer it to my caterham.

Are these particularly "sketchy" to drive on the limit? I've been casually looking at Elises/Exiges but the VX220 Turbo offers great value compared to them.

For some reason I just have this vision of them coming on boost and being very snappy

[keo]

T_S_M said:

Are these particularly "sketchy" to drive on the limit? I've been casually looking at Elises/Exiges but the VX220 Turbo offers great value compared to them.

For some reason I just have this vision of them coming on boost and being very snappy

Mine lasted 6 weeks, but I was 21 and it was my first rear wheel drive car. Make of that what you will

I think mine was mapped as it used to rev past the rev limit on the dials. It did 120mph in third gear, very quick car. I remember a lad in an Evo 6 going past me and waving at 130 though! Great cars and hardly see them anymore. Unfortunately. Probably because of young lads learning lessons the hard way!

[Quickmoose]

Turn7 said:

T5SOR said:

I’m semi-thinking of selling my S2000 for an XKR.

I wouldn’t say they are too old. I have even used it as a daily for the last few months. They are fun when you want or just a normal Honda when you don’t.

Looks great in Red, I’ve seen these at strong money recently ….

and they'll hold
So you can drive it without the nag that it's depreciating with every mile you put on it.
Sure it's 15yrs old plus.
And I'd not necessarily call it an "event" car.
But the gearchange is world class and you don't get 9,000 rpm an open top in anything this side of a Spyder RS, 991 Speedster or 458 Aperta...
I had one for 7 years, as a weekend toy and Euro road tripper, and fulfilled my brief easily.
Add to that the reliability and a smidge of practicality...a digital dash... it's a an absolute bolt on modern classic, if not quite the torque filled bruisers it's peers were.

You've got some really good ideas here, like the VX220, which I've no experience of, but I'd not discount the S2k too easily....

[MajorMantra]

Quickmoose said:

But the gearchange is world class and you don't get 9,000 rpm an open top in anything this side of a Spyder RS, 991 Speedster or 458 Aperta...

Honda Beat

A miniature 'event'.

[Neil1323bolts]

T_S_M said:

Neil1323bolts said:

Kev_Mk3 said:

Dave200 said:

Belle427 said:

The VX220 Turbo is often overlooked but very good value.

Came here to say this. I wish I fitted in one, because they make the equivalent Elise/Exige look really expensive.

or a 2.2 supercharged

I have a VXturbo and now I’m 50 it’s an event just getting in/out the thing, let alone the drive, great cars I prefer it to my caterham.

Are these particularly "sketchy" to drive on the limit? I've been casually looking at Elises/Exiges but the VX220 Turbo offers great value compared to them.

For some reason I just have this vision of them coming on boost and being very snappy

My VX hasn’t been at all sketchy but I’ve probably not really explored the outer limits of the handling, I think you kind of learn the power delivery and drive accordingly mines running about 240bhp and that's plenty enough! I’ve just renewed the coilovers and wishbone bushes ball joints , it’s made big difference , feels planted now. It does give you a fantastic shove of boost to push you down the road, almost as fast as a Tesla ! It’s not everyone’s cup of tea though with the turbo , some prefer the NA or supercharged giving more linear power delivery, I don’t really drive it in the wet but I guess that would be challenging and I definitely wouldn’t fancy full boost halfway round a wet corner. It certainly doesn’t feel any more sketchy than a RWD car should do, I’ve had staff cosworth, 335 bmw and 200bhp mk2 escort ,mx5 and it’s more planted than those.