Budget: £22k Target: Wow!! Factor

[Trellis]

OK so heres the question

£22-24k budget available next spring, and given I like to try, test and check and will always travel the country if needs be, I'm starting to think about the next thing in the garage.

Thing is I'm pretty green when it comes to things beyond M cars and so I'm open to suggestions from you experts out there....

Criteria:

a)this car is going to come out on weekend blasts, sunny day commutes and needs to feel 'special'

b)must sound fantastic

c)c.5secs 0-60 or quicker

d)must be a 'proper' car - ie handle as well as it goes, and be properly engineered - sorry no TVRs! been there already! (no caterhams, ariel atoms etc)

e)happy to think about 2 or 4 seats but I suspect its best a 2+2 for when the kids need to come along

f)must be relatively easy to get in/out of, I'm too old for a lotus elise!

g)not too fragile!

h) most of all - must have WOW factor!

So thats the brief, and to start off - some thoughts in my mind are E46 CSL; Maserati 4200; Audi RS4; Ferrari 348; Porsche - but no idea which variant;

PS - dont think I like an E60 M5 - undoubtedly a great car but I find them a bit ugly. An M6 is ok but too big to be focused??

what do you recommend??

cheers!!!

[rocketdogbert]

964 with modified suspension, pick up a good one for that money, and you won't lose any money when you sell it either.

[kiethton]

Noble M12?

May fail under the practical/build quality stakes though...But won't depreciate and most people that see them think they cost more than the £24-30k they do

[pete a]

Cayman s

[DoubleSix]

Another for Cayman S

[Terzo123]

996 Turbo
M3 CSL
Supercharged VXR8
R34 GTr Skyline
22b Impreza

[checkmate91]

Aluminium xkr with sports exhaust, or an SL AMG merc

[Corpulent Tosser]

Watching this one, want a car to replace 996, short (14mile) daily commute but to make it feel special plus weekend blasts.

[Johnboy Mac]

Honda NSX.

[SystemParanoia]

just get an audi TT or a golf.

as if your looking for "wow" factor from complete strangers then you want a car that is subjective styling over substance, rather than something that ticks all the right boxes but leaves the great unwashed thinking WTF..

my 2c

[OllyHill]

I've been looking for something similar, and the one that'd tempt me right now is a Porsche 996 C4S - with the Porsche Sports exhaust - think that would fit your bill, especially the noise side of things.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3691321.htm

Edited by OllyHill on Sunday 29th April 22:13

[LuS1fer]

Supercharged Mustang but slightly biased.
Needs to have been lowered and proper suspension put on as most have.

My friend's daughter always insisted on vacating his Maserati 4200 GT to ride in the Mustang so it has the wow factor.

Edited by LuS1fer on Sunday 29th April 22:11

[cris654321]

lacking slightly in the accelaration area but im sure it would make up for this in almost every other aspect

[Mastodon2]

Honda NSX or an older 911, both with a good sports exhaust.

[NadiR]

+1 for the Impreza 22b, NSX and Skyline.

Unlike newer cars like Jag XKR's and Audi RS4's, they won't lose a dime in depreciation and for 22k, you'll get a very, very good example of them.

Slightly over budget
http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3775363.htm

[ajprice]

cris654321 said:

lacking slightly in the accelaration area but im sure it would make up for this in almost every other aspect

Well it is faster than a Ferrari around Donington

[kchika]

DoubleSix said:

Another for Cayman S

+2

[The Hitman]

Some options

Mercedes E63 AMG (2006)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3575669.htm

BMW M5 (2007)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3504083.htm

Audi RS4 Avant (2007)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3784575.htm

Nissan R34 GT-R
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3663085.htm

Are they really "Wow" Factor anymore? If you want to get peoples attention, it isn't by having a saloon car although some of these cars may have rear seats....they aren't really for use....or can't be said to be very reliable. Basically, for 22K you might have to compromise in some way.

Renault Clio V6 Phase 2
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3833770.htm

Porsche 911 Turbo (996)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3825795.htm

Aston Martin DB7 V12 Volante
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3443882.htm

BMW Z4M Coupe
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3789205.htm

Porsche Cayman S (2006)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3865513.htm

Ford Mustang Saleen
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3833170.htm

Edited by The Hitman on Sunday 29th April 22:48

[Hoygo]

I'd get a NSX or a R34 if it were my money,but just can't resist the rarity or the "WOW" factor of a Clio V6 but definitely would get this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3787504.htm

[roystinho]

The Wow factor is difficult. Are you out to impress other petrolheads or just the general public?

A cayman etc would impress the public, but not me

Whereas an E46 CSL would get my attention, but the GP might see it as just another BMW...

For me, something special that most would appreciate as different, Z3MC and Clio V6, 4 seats would be a 997 carrera 2S, will be in budget next year.

If its to impress PH than a CSL, but a decent one will be worth more next year.

Will evoras have dropped enough by next year? Has the 2+2...