30k - Special but Practical?

[jdwoodbury]

Looking to spend about 30k on a fun but practical weekend car, full criteria as follows:

- Must be able to fit an 18 month old in the back
- Must feel special to be in and drive (when I want a spirited solo hoon)
- MPG not important
- A certain durability would be nice
- I can cope with reasonable running costs (but not Ferrari 456 costs)

So far I have been concentrating on the 997 C2S which seems to tick most of these boxes, but before I end my search here I am opening things up to the PH masses.

So what other cars could provide a buzz to drive, this could be dynamics or noise or whatever.....but it must feel special, something to make me smile at the weekend.

No answers regarding leaving the family at home, reality is if they can't come it will hardly be used!

[1a35]

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...

[Dave Hedgehog]

what about a nice M3, plenty of room for an ever growing family and stuff

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3783076.htm

[james28]

I seem to recall you wanting to stick the misses in an old subaru and you had your heart set on a Porsche so let us not sway you otherwise.But the 997 seems a good choice regardless

[jdwoodbury]

1a35 said:

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...

I feel a 70k mile Bentley GT is going to fail on the last point

[John D.]

R34 GTR.

Simply as I'm going through one of my Skyline phases again.

[Mr Roper]

Loads of very special cars out there for you to choose from.....how about something you're unlikely to see on the roads?


There's a nice B6 Alpina on sale here for around your money. Sorry can't seem to link using my iPad but I'm sure you can find it.

Edited by Mr Roper on Sunday 8th April 21:05

Edited by Mr Roper on Sunday 8th April 21:06

[edo]

997S.

[jdwoodbury]

james28 said:

I seem to recall you wanting to stick the misses in an old subaru and you had your heart set on a Porsche so let us not sway you otherwise.But the 997 seems a good choice regardless

Yep I did get her a Subaru (not that old though), just wanting to make sure I am considering all options. I have a few months to stew over it :-)

Owners opinions welcome as it may open my mind to other things.

[jdwoodbury]

Dave Hedgehog said:

what about a nice M3, plenty of room for an ever growing family and stuff

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3783076.htm

Is an M3 really special? Lots of views on the forums that it feels like a mundane 3 series until you really open up the taps.

[David87]

You'll get a brilliant one for £25k. I love mine!

[darreni]

12 months BMW warranty & providing you dont put 30k miles on it, should hold its value well:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3775252.htm

I'm sure the rear seats have isofix & as for hooning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMJOACY5xiM

[chriscoates]

jdwoodbury said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

what about a nice M3, plenty of room for an ever growing family and stuff

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3783076.htm

Is an M3 really special? Lots of views on the forums that it feels like a mundane 3 series until you really open up the taps.

What about an M3 CSL then?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3695297.htm

ETA: Beaten to it.

[jack01825]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

ticks all the boxes :-)

[jdwoodbury]

Nice call on the CSL...now we are talking

The Focus RS does have a certain appeal to my inner hooligan, I may struggle with the interior as the Focus is not my favourite hatch, I expect the drive could divert my attention though!

[Dave Hedgehog]

jdwoodbury said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

what about a nice M3, plenty of room for an ever growing family and stuff

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3783076.htm

Is an M3 really special? Lots of views on the forums that it feels like a mundane 3 series until you really open up the taps.

its all relative compared to what you drive i guess

personally i would get an RS4 avant but if you mention audi on here you get called a cock

[Eliser]

For goodness sake don't buy a Porker - the most dull car in its category - M3, CSL if you can locate a good one!!

[BERGS2]

this is one of those threads...

i'm biased - but hows about summat like this : http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3802709.htm

[anonymous-user]

997 and learn to drive it

[hairykrishna]

Open to a classic? How about a Lotus Carlton? Bit different from the usual M3/M5.