15k ish, quick, 25mpg, reliable?
Discussion
Evening, folks.
I should hopefully finalise the sale of my Z4 3.0i roadster at the weekend (after 2 and a bit good years) and need to get something sorted in the mean time. I've been looking at Z4M Coupés for some while now - mostly enviously whilst owning its little brother. And I like them a lot. But there is a dearth of good quality cars around without spending 19k. The 14/15/16k cars available at the moment are mostly a mixture of those with dodgy/no history, poor options, dull colours (don't want another silver car) and the like.
With that considered, and bearing the parameters of the title, are there any other cars available at around 15/16k which I should be considering? I know the 3.4 Boxster S isn't a lot more, but I'm not a fan of the design and it's not enough to get into the 3.4 Cayman S. Similarly, it's not quite enough to get into an Exige and I don't want to stretch any further financially.
Size is largely irrelevant (weyoo, etc.), but I live on my own and don't need to transport lots of stuff around, so I'm naturally drawn towards coupés.
Any suggestions?
I should hopefully finalise the sale of my Z4 3.0i roadster at the weekend (after 2 and a bit good years) and need to get something sorted in the mean time. I've been looking at Z4M Coupés for some while now - mostly enviously whilst owning its little brother. And I like them a lot. But there is a dearth of good quality cars around without spending 19k. The 14/15/16k cars available at the moment are mostly a mixture of those with dodgy/no history, poor options, dull colours (don't want another silver car) and the like.
With that considered, and bearing the parameters of the title, are there any other cars available at around 15/16k which I should be considering? I know the 3.4 Boxster S isn't a lot more, but I'm not a fan of the design and it's not enough to get into the 3.4 Cayman S. Similarly, it's not quite enough to get into an Exige and I don't want to stretch any further financially.
Size is largely irrelevant (weyoo, etc.), but I live on my own and don't need to transport lots of stuff around, so I'm naturally drawn towards coupés.
Any suggestions?
No badge requirement. More of a 'must be noticeably faster than the 3.0i roadster' sort of thing, plus the other title-listed requirements.
SLK - I'm quite ignorant about Mercs, if I'm honest. I think most of them (AMG and Black editions aside, of course) are for old men. Not even sure if any of the quick ones are in budget. SLK 55 AMG could be? Are they as 'detached' in terms of driver involvement as their reputation indicates?
350Z - would view it as a bit of a sidewards step, really.
Elise - not sure I would want the hassle of fitting/taking off the top. Not quite got the presence of the Exige IMHO, either.
Mustangs - I'm totally, 100% ignorant on anything American. Wouldn't know where to start. Any suggestions? Would it fit the mpg requirement?
Z4M roadster - would feel too similar to what I've just had.
SLK - I'm quite ignorant about Mercs, if I'm honest. I think most of them (AMG and Black editions aside, of course) are for old men. Not even sure if any of the quick ones are in budget. SLK 55 AMG could be? Are they as 'detached' in terms of driver involvement as their reputation indicates?
350Z - would view it as a bit of a sidewards step, really.
Elise - not sure I would want the hassle of fitting/taking off the top. Not quite got the presence of the Exige IMHO, either.
Mustangs - I'm totally, 100% ignorant on anything American. Wouldn't know where to start. Any suggestions? Would it fit the mpg requirement?
Z4M roadster - would feel too similar to what I've just had.
NoisyGriff said:
Drool. What about an S3? RS4 nearly. 996 911?
Not sure I've got the bottle for a 996 - what's the best tactic for avoiding one that would go bang? Did I read once about some preventative measure that you can have done or was that for Boxsters?
NoisyGriff said:
That's interesting. Hadn't realised they were available in budget. Is the CS version worth the price hike over the standard one then? The price difference when new was minimal. Be interesting to hear from owners/those in the know.Another vote for the M3! I think it would feel like a step up in terms of power as well as being more practical. Keep a few grand in the bank though just in case. In terms of the SLK55 I doubt you would get one for that. My dad drives one and I had driven it, felt very good IMO. Steering was tight, brakes were extremely good and the power is lovely, very manageable too!
Have you also considered anything Japanese? I would be thinking something like this, then compare to the M3 and see which feels best:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3279875.htm
Have you also considered anything Japanese? I would be thinking something like this, then compare to the M3 and see which feels best:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3279875.htm
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