Choose me two cars - Daily Hack and Weekend Toy
Choose me two cars - Daily Hack and Weekend Toy
Author
Discussion

Hark

Original Poster:

592 posts

210 months

Monday 14th June 2010
quotequote all
I know there are alot of these type of threads (I've read alot of them), but I also value your input.

I currently drive a mk1 Audi TT with a fairly extensive list of modifications. I love it to bits, but had it over three years and fancying a change soon. It's pretty quick due to the work done, but can also sometime be harsh with 19" BBS wheels and coilovers.

Anyway the plan was to sell the TT and get a weekly run about for the commute (I can average very low 20s in the TT, lowest on commute was 18!) and then something fun for weekends etc.

Money all in for the two cars would be sub £20k. If I can get it below that brill, as I reckon I'll only actually have about £12k cash. Thoughts?

Thought about an elise maybe? I read lots of promising things on here.

I could save a little longer and stretch in to z4M or boxster territory. Running costs on he porker scare me though tbh.

Mr Dave

3,233 posts

225 months

Monday 14th June 2010
quotequote all
Caterham(or any other 7) and any other choice of 10k car.Then an E39 530d sport for a very comfortable, economical big barge that is very good to drive.

Basically buy any BMW and dont half ass it with an Elise and buy a 7.

VX220 instead of the elise? The turbo ones can be modified pretty easily, which if you like modifying no matter what you say you will want to start modifying the next car.



Edited by Mr Dave on Monday 14th June 22:14

mattmoxon

5,026 posts

248 months

Monday 14th June 2010
quotequote all
Classic Yank of some description (not that knowledgeable with the older stuff myself) and some sort of smallish diesel hatch for the daily slog?

rallycross

13,757 posts

267 months

Monday 14th June 2010
quotequote all
weekend toy ; Impreza Spec C or EVO 9 GT (£10 to £16k)

perfectly useable as a day to day car if you can afford the fuel.

plus daily hack £4k or less.

older 330D or 323/325 ci, ok will be old with big mileage but still nice to drive and economical to run.

James__H

135 posts

212 months

Monday 14th June 2010
quotequote all
Mr Dave said:
Caterham(or any other 7) and any other choice of 10k car.Then an E39 530d sport for a very comfortable, economical big barge that is very good to drive.

Basically buy any BMW and dont half ass it with an Elise and buy a 7.

VX220 instead of the elise? The turbo ones can be modified pretty easily, which if you like modifying no matter what you say you will want to start modifying the next car.



Edited by Mr Dave on Monday 14th June 22:14
+1

Definitely go for a seven of some sort.

ewenm

28,506 posts

275 months

Monday 14th June 2010
quotequote all
7-esque car and whatever daily hack you like.

Hark

Original Poster:

592 posts

210 months

Monday 14th June 2010
quotequote all
heh

You like you 7s.

Never tried one, but thinking it might be a little hardcore even for a weeknder. Would like to be able to go away for the night etc and pack a bag for me and the wife. Don't even know if this possible with an elise/vx220. Boxster has more space apparently, but as I said ownership costs seem hefty.


tertius

6,914 posts

260 months

Monday 14th June 2010
quotequote all
Do you have a garage?

If yes, then 7 is possible if not then Elise (actually I'd probably vote Elise anyway) and some sort of cheap BMW.

Matt UK

18,084 posts

230 months

Monday 14th June 2010
quotequote all
Simple: an MX5 and something from the Bargain Barge thread smile

ewenm

28,506 posts

275 months

Tuesday 15th June 2010
quotequote all
Hark said:
heh

You like you 7s.

Never tried one, but thinking it might be a little hardcore even for a weeknder. Would like to be able to go away for the night etc and pack a bag for me and the wife. Don't even know if this possible with an elise/vx220. Boxster has more space apparently, but as I said ownership costs seem hefty.
Obviously only you can judge what is "too hardcore" for your situation but I wouldn't rule out a 7 on impracticality grounds - my girlfriend and I drove across the USA (4000 miles over 25 days) in ours (along with 40 or so others), carrying all our kit. We've done numerous UK and Euro tours too. I wouldn't say it was any less practical for weekends away than an Elise.

However, as you say, it isn't for everyone.

braddo

12,361 posts

218 months

Tuesday 15th June 2010
quotequote all
Get an Elise/VX with a hardtop and you can use it for weekend fun all year round - a 7 will feel quite a bit more hardcore in the colder months.

There's plenty of room in as Elise for weekends away.

I'd guess the Boxter and Z4 will feel too similar to your current car and they would be better as a single-car solution. The Elise/7 will feel like a different world and will be fun no matter what speed you're driving at. They also both offer lots of scope for upgrades and faster models.

One strange inconsistency in the Elise world seems to be about heaters - some find them useless, some find them very effective (I did) so as boring as it sounds, you might need to test the heater in any cars you try so that you can sure you'll be toasty during winter drives.