10-15k shortlist

[maxp]

Have been looking to spend 10-15k on something as a daily (30 mile roundtrip), but have come up against barriers, what do people think?

golf mk5 gti - one of the frontrunners, slightly put off by cheap interior
audi s3 (new shape) - top of budget, very nice but exterior looks very dull and plain (barely different from all other 8p a3s)
boxster 986 - great drivers car, acceptable practicality, but looking very dated now, especially the interior
elise s2 - really liked this but girlfriend called it a poser car, plus its 0% practical
s2000 - like this alot, but concerned its also looking dated (esp interior and dashboard).


Have I missed any cars? What are your thoughts on the shortlist?
Please dont bash me for my opinions please. Also would not consider a vauxhall, fords or anything french.

Edited by maxp on Wednesday 25th May 14:13

[Bill]

Ditch the girlfriend, buy the Lotus.

HTH

[kambites]

Is it just me that's somewhat bemused by the idea that someone could consider an Elise a posers car but not a Boxster?

[vixen1700]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2849240.htm

[zakelwe]

No, you've not missed anything off that list.


Good luck!

[ambuletz]

seat leon FR/cupra, octavia vRS. are all essentially better value golf GTi

[Bill]

kambites said:

Is it just me that's somewhat bemused by the idea that someone could consider an Elise a posers car but not a Boxster?

Nope. But it is nice to know that I'm not the only one with odd preconceptions.

[Audicab]

Nissan 350z, I used to do 40 miles a day commute and it was faultless, and great fun.

[TTwiggy]

996 C4 - for everyday practicality. Though running costs will be significantly higher than, say, the golf.

[maxp]

Those TVR griffiths are absolutely beautiful but im abit put off by the whole rarity (i.e. difficult/expensive to get parts and I am guessing they arent the most reliable).

The elise s2 also has these points, but counters the argument with its super reliable toyota engine and running gear.

I absolutely wouldnt mind a skoda but the interiors are definitely no better than the golf, as is the Seat (also im sure i read this was a loss making arm of VW facing the axe).

Edit: Can I just say Im very impressed by the quality of posts in this thread.

[Risotto]

From a purely personal viewpoint, I'd prefer a 996 but of the cars on your shortlist, I'd argue the Elise offers the greatest driver involvement but it's a pretty shoddy product in most other respects. The Golf and A3 wouldn't particularly interest me, so that leaves the Boxster and S2000. I much prefer the looks and reliability of the S2000 but the Boxster is a great drive and I'd probably go for that. True, they don't look very nice but then they never did, it's not an age related thing!

Edited by Risotto on Wednesday 25th May 14:39

[ehonda]

It's very important to listen to your girlfriend's opinion when buying a car.
And then buy an elise. Your happiness should be her major concern, not your image....
I looked at an S2000 before buying my old 986 and found it dated too. Didn't get on with the boxster and went back to an elise.

[maxp]

ehonda said:

It's very important to listen to your girlfriend's opinion when buying a car.
And then buy an elise. Your happiness should be her major concern, not your image....
I looked at an S2000 before buying my old 986 and found it dated too. Didn't get on with the boxster and went back to an elise.

Is the elise your daily? Is it a 111r? How have you found it on 100+ mile trips and motorway drives?

[300bhp/ton]

maxp said:

Have been looking to spend 10-15k on something as a daily (30 mile roundtrip), but have come up against barriers, what do people think?

golf mk5 gti - one of the frontrunners, slightly put off by cheap interior
audi s3 (new shape) - top of budget, very nice but exterior looks very dull and plain (barely different from all other 8p a3s)
boxster 986 - great drivers car, acceptable practicality, but looking very dated now, especially the interior
elise s2 - really liked this but girlfriend called it a poser car, plus its 0% practical
s2000 - like this alot, but concerned its also looking dated (esp interior and dashboard).


Have I missed any cars? What are your thoughts on the shortlist?
Please dont bash me for my opinions please. Also would not consider a vauxhall, fords or anything french.

Edited by maxp on Wednesday 25th May 14:13

15 miles each way and your looking at Golfs and Audi hatches...

Given such a short commute I'd be looking at either wafty or sporty.

So this type of thing:

06/06 XJ6 3.0 V6 SOVEREIGN~DVD SAT NAV~FROST BLUE~SAND LEATHER~S (2006)
50,000 miles £14,500
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2582642.htm



Or this type of thing:

Oxford Green Z3m Coupe- Low Mileage - FBMWSH - Stunning (2000)
45,000 miles £14,995
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2765999.htm


Or even maybe one of these for the shear drama and fun of it all!

1970 Firebird Formula 400 (1970)
£11,000
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1517702.htm


Low depreciation (actually likely to appreciate) and free road tax would more than make up the short fall in increased fuel usage.

[kambites]

maxp said:

Is the elise your daily? Is it a 111r? How have you found it on 100+ mile trips and motorway drives?

I run an Elise (S2 111S) as my daily. The high speed ride is quite good, so the only real problem on long motorway trips is the noise level. If I was spending a lot of time on the motorway, I'd wear ear plugs.

You may, or may not find the seats and driving position comfortable. It just depends on how you're built.

[ehonda]

Not now, but I've had an S1 (135) and an S2(SC) as a daily and they're fine. Only time they've been into a garage is for a service. I found the corbeau seats in the S1 more comfortable than the S2's probax ones, but that probably doesn't mean much.
There's enough room and comfort in them for a long weekend away for 2 easily. Long trips are a doddle, but they're not really a motorway car.
Given the option of opening the garage door and looking at an elise or golf/a3 every morning, I know what I'd choose....

[vixen1700]

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C228158

[chriscoates]

E46 M3: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2826484.htm

130i: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2421416.htm

Audi TT 3.2: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2823220.htm

[Agoogy]

M3 and 130i are nice suggestions..but S2000 interior dated??!! its LCD digital man! that will never date!
all major controls clustered within the finger tips. Stereo hidden from view so no fussy stuff going on...I'm aiming for a nice one in the next couple of years...and actually why are you bothered if it looks dated... good looks are good looks regardless of age I think (in cars anyway)
Maybe a Z4 coupe 3.0?
Alfa Brera (I know, heavy and not renowned for handling - but gorgeous IMO)
Alfa Spider
MB SLK

Edited by Agoogy on Wednesday 25th May 15:26

[ukwill]

Golf GTi Edition 30.
E39 M5.