Weekend / Sports car for £15,000

[Matt230]

Hi all

I sold my Caterham two years ago due to medical reasons, i replaced it with a Lotus Elise Sport 160 which I have decided to sell due to lack of use despite it being an absolute gem.

I am looking for a weekend car which will give the feeling of the Caterham / Elise but is more practical and something that SWMBO is happy to go for long trips in. Realiability would also be good as the Elise and Caterham were suprisingly reliable!

My preference is for a convertible but would consider a coupe. This is for weekend and pleasure use only.

Suggestions for around £15 - £18K max. Obviously smaller the budge the better so dont discount under £15K cars.

I have a track MK1 MX5 tucked away and a company car for the daily grind.

Matt

[kambites]

Have you tried her in one of the later Elises?

If a late 111R is still too uncomfortable for long trips, I think you'll struggle to beat a Boxster.

[rigga]

Very good chimaera or a Griffith for that money, don't believe the horror story's, looked after that can be reliable as any other car.

[RobM77]

kambites said:

Have you tried her in one of the later Elises?

If a late 111R is still too uncomfortable for long trips, I think you'll struggle to beat a Boxster.

I was about to say exactly the same thing. Try a later Elise S2 111R - it'll be a world apart from the S1 160. If that's not comfortable enough, then get a Boxster S!

[HonestIago]

I'd go Tamora but reliability might be questionable...

[Phil Dicky]

HonestIago said:

I'd go Tamora but reliability might be questionable...

One that's had a Power 4.5 rebuild...just the job

[cat220]

How about an Honda s2000 or a z4? Cayman might be worth considering too.

Not going to come close to the experience of the Elise however not a lot will. Nice problem to have.

[Matt230]

Thanks, not so sure a TVR is quite what i am looking for repliabiliy wise although i do love a TVR!!!

I am tempted by an early 987 3.2S Boxster, just not sure if its a bit boring....maybe Z4M?

Its a difficult trade off between something reliable and practical but yet gives some of the feeling of driving something different to the German Company barge!!

Keep the ideas coming please!!

Matt

[cat220]

370z as a bit of a leftfield choice.

[Yiliterate]

BMW Z3M Coupe:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

or Z4M Coupe:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

there are the roadster variants as well but I think I'd prefer the Coupes, especially the Z3M...

[james_gt3rs]

Matt230 said:

Thanks, not so sure a TVR is quite what i am looking for repliabiliy wise although i do love a TVR!!!

I am tempted by an early 987 3.2S Boxster, just not sure if its a bit boring....

From what I've read the Boxster engines have their own problems...

You need to man up and get another Caterham

[SeanyD]

Nissan 350Z/370Z
Audi TT V6 Ragtop
Merc SLK 55
Lexus SC 430

Any of the above will still give you fun, but slightly softer on the missus.

[Matt230]

james_gt3rs said:

You need to man up and get another Caterham

I wish i could. Medically i cant drive one anymore. Miss my last Caterham like crazy. Ex race Roadsport A (supersport, 6 speed. LSD.)

Matt