Which of these cars for around the 9K mark

[PompeyPaul]

As the title suggests, which of these would you choose costing (up to or around) the 9k mark and why? To make you smile when you drive, be happy to be driven on a very occasional track and venture overseas to "The Ring". It must stand out from the crowd and look good. Practicality is not really an issue, nor is MPG, but ongoing servicing costs are (don't want £700 plus service costs every time!)

E46 M3

Toyota Mk2 MR2 turbo

Lotus Elise

Vauxhall VX220

[rob.e]

On that criteria, Elise would be my choice.

Just try saying it out loud: "my car? Oh, it's a lotus"

[Matt UK]

If practicality is not an issue, £9k will get you into a decent Caterham.

[66comanche]

Stretch the budget a little and get a VX220 Turbo.

[Heathwood]

The one that would most interest me from your list is an Elise. Should get a nice Series 1, like this….

[NiceCupOfTea]

TVR Chimaera

You're welcome.

[robsco]

NiceCupOfTea said:

TVR Chimaera

You're welcome.

Ahem... Cerbera?

[Buzzkill]

Are you sure you aren't playing spot the odd one out? An MR2 Turbo for 9k

[theironduke]

robsco said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

TVR Chimaera

You're welcome.

Ahem... Cerbera?

Brave man...

[robsco]

theironduke said:

Brave man...

Fortune favours the brave. Or should it be, in the case of a Cerbera, "bravery costs a fortune"...? I did it, no catastrophic failures thus far.

[PompeyPaul]

Buzzkill said:

Are you sure you aren't playing spot the odd one out? An MR2 Turbo for 9k

Haha yeah I know, that would obviously leave a good few £££s for modding up to a decent spec!

I like the look of the VX220 turbo, but looking around £12k unless you go for a Cat C/D.

The Elise looks good, although I understand the models up to around 2001 (which is the year I would be looking for my money) have the old Rover engine and are prone to head gasket failure which would be a concern.

TVR Chimaera do look good too, but I know very little about them.

[danneth]

m3 by far

[theironduke]

robsco said:

theironduke said:

Brave man...

Fortune favours the brave. Or should it be, in the case of a Cerbera, "bravery costs a fortune"...? I did it, no catastrophic failures thus far.

Good man!!! I did feel i was taking a gamble with my 5k ish Chim, but all good so far!

[PompeyPaul]

danneth said:

m3 by far

Thats what I was expecting the general consencus to be if i'm honest!

[harryowl]

Elise no contest.

[theironduke]

PompeyPaul said:

TVR Chimaera do look good too, but I know very little about them.

They look good, they go well, they sound EPIC and the roof comes off!!! Whats not to like!

Buy wisely and they are reliable cars, very simple and pretty bombproof mechanically, just check the chassis with a fine tooth comb. The biggest running cost i've found is just fuelling the beat!!!

Best smile per mile car i've ever had!!

[robsco]

theironduke said:

Good man!!! I did feel i was taking a gamble with my 5k ish Chim, but all good so far!

Something special aren't they?

[PompeyPaul]

harryowl said:

Elise no contest.

Seems big ups for the Elise! There seem to be SO many different models available, what would be the best to aim for realistically for around the 9k mark?

[theironduke]

robsco said:

theironduke said:

Good man!!! I did feel i was taking a gamble with my 5k ish Chim, but all good so far!

Something special aren't they?

Very nothing i've had comes close, just feels like an event every time i drive it!

[robsco]

OP, I didn't read your post as thoroughly as I should have done, sorry. If you're open minded enough to consider a TVR, you'd be better looking at a Chim than a Cerbera to keep servicing costs that bit lower.