5k-15k thrilling to drive but able to do a Euro trips

[kazino]

Looking for a weekend car that can thrill and entertain me with delicious steering and balance but is able to do Euro trips and take the odd track day without disintegrating.
So reasonably reliable, with some modicum of luggage space and decent mpg so I will be able to travel far and wide.

Jotted down a little list so far

Honda dc2/dc5, mazda mx5, lotus elise, vauxhall vx220,s2000 (newer less twitchy model), porsche 968.
Some very hot hatch.

Regrettably I feel I should discount the following due to mpg : z3m, z4m, M3, m5, any TVR, porsche 964.

[Spanna]

kazino said:

Looking for a weekend car that can thrill and entertain me with delicious steering and balance but is able to do Euro trips and take the odd track day without disintegrating.
So reasonably reliable, with some modicum of luggage space and decent mpg so I will be able to travel far and wide.

Jotted down a little list so far

Honda dc2/dc5, mazda mx5, lotus elise, vauxhall vx220,s2000 (newer less twitchy model), porsche 968.
Some very hot hatch.

Regrettably I feel I should discount the following due to mpg : z3m, z4m, M3, m5, any TVR, porsche 964.

You're willing to discount all those fantastic cars due to a few MPG.

From the title the first thing I thought was Z3M as the prices don't look like falling and that 320bhp straight 6 is simply sublime. If it's a weekend car it surely won't be driven in a sensible manner looking to pull the extra few MPG out of it. An S2000 and an Integra wouldn't be all that much greater on fuel anyway.

If economy is really too much an issue, then a 2.2 VX would easily see 30s MPG as would an Elise and both give great satisfaction when driven.

[Johnboy Mac]

This gets my vote.


http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3757355.htm

[HonestIago]

Megane R26?

[mmm-five]

I get 30mpg+ in my Z4MC on my run to the 'Ring and back, and it does as my daily driver too (20k+ per year)!

[Altrezia]

Elise / 996

[kazino]

My thinking is if I were to throw money on the fuel then I would just take my 996 turbo and give it a few tweeks to handle better. Instead thought should rather get something different that does give good mpg and ready made for the job.

Spanna said:

You're willing to discount all those fantastic cars due to a few MPG.

From the title the first thing I thought was Z3M as the prices don't look like falling and that 320bhp straight 6 is simply sublime. If it's a weekend car it surely won't be driven in a sensible manner looking to pull the extra few MPG out of it. An S2000 and an Integra wouldn't be all that much greater on fuel anyway.

If economy is really too much an issue, then a 2.2 VX would easily see 30s MPG as would an Elise and both give great satisfaction when driven.

[rottie102]

mmm-five said:

I get 30mpg+ in my Z4MC on my run to the 'Ring and back, and it does as my daily driver too (20k+ per year)!

Same here with the z3m. 30mpg on the motorway easily

[kazino]

Good call, but none under 15k that I can see

HonestIago said:

Megane R26?

[HonestIago]

kazino said:

Good call, but none under 15k that I can see

HonestIago said:

Megane R26?

Plenty! Maybe you're thinking of the R26.R

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3785794.htm

[kazino]

I was indeed, woops.

HonestIago said:

Plenty! Maybe you're thinking of the R26.R

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3785794.htm

[jason61c]

the renault if you want it to be worth nothing except repair bills in a couple of years. Z3m coupe if you want a modern classic and a safe place to put your cash.

[kazino]

Are they really that fragile?

jason61c said:

the renault if you want it to be worth nothing except repair bills in a couple of years. Z3m coupe if you want a modern classic and a safe place to put your cash.

[HonestIago]

jason61c said:

the renault if you want it to be worth nothing except repair bills in a couple of years. Z3m coupe if you want a modern classic and a safe place to put your cash.

So a 10-12 year old Z3M will be less problematic than a 3-4 year old R26? Tosh.

[jason61c]

yep.

And in a year or two the froggy will be worth about 50% of its price now if you're lucky and the z3m will be worth the same if not more.

[rottie102]

I've just sold a Z3-M Roadster after 22 months of ownership for £50 less than I paid for it. That's pretty decent depreciation in my books

[Cactussed]

MR2 turbo.
Comfy, reliable, very chuckable, great fun and a comfortable GT car when needed.

[Nedzilla]

rottie102 said:

mmm-five said:

I get 30mpg+ in my Z4MC on my run to the 'Ring and back, and it does as my daily driver too (20k+ per year)!

Same here with the z3m. 30mpg on the motorway easily

Same here with the E46 M3 convertible.......would make a great Euro cruiser....not so good on track days though!

[sinizter]

You just discounted all the stuff worth having.

[confused_buyer]

I would have thought a Boxster would tick pretty much every box.