pls recommend fun drivers car?

[menousername]

Looking for ideas for next car, maybe something I hadn't thought of

Budget 8-12k depending on the car, 14k at a push

previous e46 330ci owner looking for a thrill-car before I settle down

Not necessarily flash more power and performance

Not really into Subarus and the like

Thanks in advance

[Asterix]

What have you thought of?

[Jasandjules]

TVR Chimaera.

[Rawwr]

Elise S2 with a K-Series.

[p4cks]

Rawwr said:

Elise S2 with a K-Series.

Or go one better, a VXT with a Z20LET

[StottyZr]

p4cks said:

Rawwr said:

Elise S2 with a K-Series.

Or go one better, a VXT with a Z20LET

I've been deciding between these 2 recently

What is the difference in the corners? I'm skewed towards the Elise at the second as it is much much prettier than the VXT.

[menousername]

I thought of really obvious cars like m3, z4, Audi s4 tks be honest

Where I also fall down is the trade off, I know my budget isn't enormous but it should get me something nice

But you still need to work out what boxes they tick and what they don't

Eg is it really worth the loss of fuel consumption to go from 330 to an m3 will I really notice the extra power on an Ave day

Shall I get an e90 3 series but it would be an SE, how is the SE

Etc

[Asterix]

Looking like you're thinking of saloons/coupes with rear seats.

What about the Boxters/S2000/Elise 2 seaters?

[300bhp/ton]

menousername said:

Looking for ideas for next car, maybe something I hadn't thought of

Budget 8-12k depending on the car, 14k at a push

previous e46 330ci owner looking for a thrill-car before I settle down

Not necessarily flash more power and performance

Not really into Subarus and the like

Thanks in advance

What can't you buy at this level?

All of these are potentially viable for this budget:


-Elise
-VX220
-Esprit
-Excel
-Chim
-Griff
-Cerbera
-S Series TVR
-Wedge shape TVR
-TR6
-Stag
-2n Gen Camaro
-3rd Gen Camaro
-4th Gen Camaro
-2nd Gen Firebird
-3rd Gen Firebird
-4th Gen Firebird
-1960's Mustang
-Fox body Mustang
-Sn95 Mustang
-Sn95 Mustang Cobra
-S197 Mustang (V6 maybe)
-C3 Corvette
-C4 Corvette
-C5 Corvette (just)
-BMW M Coupe
-BMW M Roadster
-BMW e30 M3
-BMW e36 M3
-BMW e46 M3
-BMW Z1 (maybe)
-GTM Libra
-Caterham
-Westfield
-Dax Rush
-944 Turbo
-968
-Boxster
-911 (996)
-928
-Audi S4 (B5)
-Cadillac STS Seville
-Honda S2k
-Nissan 350z
-Supra Turbo MKIV
-Mitsubishi 3000GT Vr4
-Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo
-Celica ST205 GT-Four
-Alfa 156 GTA
-Alfa GTV V6
-Jaguar XJR
-Jaguar XK8/R
-Jaguar XJS
-Chrysler Crossfire
-Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6
-BENTLEY TURBO R
-Integra Type R DC2/DC5
-200SX S15
-Ferrari Modial
-Abarth 500
-RS Focus
-Megane R26.r
-2.8 or 3.0 Capri
-Escort RS Cosworth
-Sierra RS Cosworth
-1994 Marcos Mantara 400 V8

[300bhp/ton]

doogz said:

I must be missing something. Wasn't the K-series in the S1, Toyota-whatever-the-hell-they-call-the-engine-in-my-MR2 in the S2?

Or do you mean a Honda conversion?

Nah, early S2 Elises still ran the Rover Unit. They are a bit lighter and a bit/lot sweeter to drive than the Toyota powered ones, although they are giving away some HP in stock trim.

[StottyZr]

doogz said:

Rawwr said:

Elise S2 with a K-Series.

I must be missing something. Wasn't the K-series in the S1, Toyota-whatever-the-hell-they-call-the-engine-in-my-MR2 in the S2?

Or do you mean a Honda conversion?

Isn't the 111s S2 a K series? I always though it was the same/very similar to the Zr 160 engine.

[kambites]

StottyZr said:

Isn't the 111s S2 a K series? I always though it was the same/very similar to the Zr 160 engine.

Yes, the S2 111S hass the same internals as the ZR160 with with a Lotus ECU rather than the Rover one so the power delivery isn't quite the same. I drove most of the Elise variants (S1, S2 and VX220) available a few years ago and in my opinion the S2 111S was the best daily driver (although the SC wasn't out then).

I doubt the OP will find a decent S2 111S for 12k though. For me it'd be between the N/A and turbocharged VX220 at that budget, depending on ones engine preference. Plus maybe a TVR or two.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 10th July 09:52

[Liquid Knight]

Only spend £1,000 and get something you can drive on the limit without breaking the speed limit. Mini, Fiat 126, Panda, Cinquecento, Morris Minor, MG Midget or something like that. Real drivers cars, no ABS, traction control, air bags and other ballast. Best of all you don't need a lap top to see what's wrong with it.

But as it appears you're after an ego extension instead of a drivers car and with your budget you can get pretty much anything.

[menousername]

What's everyone's thoughts on an S2000?

For the power and handling, was expecting a quicker 0-62 than 6.2s.

I never considered the vx220 actually, but may be a bit too noticeablebon my street

Not necessarily a saloon but do need some degree of practicality

[kambites]

Liquid Knight said:

... Best of all you don't need a lap top to see what's wrong with it.

I used to think like this... then I bought a CAN bridge for my laptop and discovered that asking the ECU what's wrong is actually a damned slight easier than finding out the old fashioned way.

[kambites]

menousername said:

What's everyone's thoughts on an S2000?

It's very geometry sensitive but even set up well, it's not the best chassis in the world. Lovely engine.

Personally, I'd prefer a mk2 MX5 with a supercharger.

[StottyZr]

kambites said:

StottyZr said:

Isn't the 111s S2 a K series? I always though it was the same/very similar to the Zr 160 engine.

Yes, the S2 111S hass the same internals as the ZR160 with with a Lotus ECU rather than the Rover one so the power delivery isn't quite the same. I drove most of the Elise variants (S1, S2 and VX220) available a few years ago and in my opinion the S2 111S was the best daily driver (although the SC wasn't out then).

I doubt the OP will find a decent S2 111S for 12k though. For me it'd be between the N/A and turbocharged VX220 at that budget, depending on ones engine preference. Plus maybe a TVR or two.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 10th July 09:52

Thanks for the clarification

And I agree, he could pick a 111s up for 12k but its not going to be an ideal one. I think they are asking about 16k for a low mileage 05 plate in good condition.

[kambites]

StottyZr said:

And I agree, he could pick a 111s up for 12k but its not going to be an ideal one. I think they are asking about 16k for a low mileage 05 plate in good condition.

Residuals are silly strong. I bought my 2004 car for 16k five years ago; from what I've seen, if I put it on the market now for 14k it'd go in a few days.

[sandbagsniper]

Liquid Knight said:

But as it appears you're after an ego extension instead of a drivers car and with your budget you can get pretty much anything.

Excellent!

[Hooch747]

How about a 968 Sport or CS ? Fantastic cars to drive, S2000 dull by comparison.