Affordable sportscar/coupe to live with

[hillwalker]

Hi, newb here (having lurked and enjoyed for many months)..I hope you don't mind if my first post is a request for buying advice.

I'm in the market for sub-£25k road car, must be new, rear-wheel drive, emphasis on fun rather than raw power, and "easy to own". Needless to say, the GT86 is top of my list - but I just can't get the Caterham Roadsport or Supersport (probably 140bhp) out of my head! Building it myself would be the biggest attraction of the Seven.

An unusual pairing perhaps, but actually both meet all of my criteria (and I can't think of much else that does). Ideally, I would also like to stipulate four seats (I have two little boys), but it's not essential as this will be a second car.

My thinking:
Caterham: The ultimate affordable sports car, plus the unique experience of building then driving my own machine - surely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

GT86: Far more day-to-day practicality; four usable seats (unlike the Audi TT, IMO); still a great driver's car.

(I'm ruling out the likes of the Elise or MX-5 as they don't offer either of the USPs mentioned above - self-build or 4 seats. Hot hatches aren't my style.)

I know it's apples and oranges, but that's the thing - I'm drawn to the crunchiness of one and zest of the other! Anyone have any relevant experience or advice? In particular, has anyone *regretted* either of these cars, perhaps for lack of live-with-ability or real driver reward?

thanks

[PearlWhiteGT86]

I would go for test drive in GT86

I have had mine for 8 months and it has been fantastic

The only issue are the rear seats depends how old your children are becausse there is no room in back.

I am 6 ft 2 and the seat is right back next to the rear seat there is room behind the passeger seat.

I would pop down to dealer and have look.

It drives like a dream and I am happy with its performance

[james280779]

Not a GT86 fan at all, coming from real sports cars (TVR, Lotus and Porsches) it just seems too blurgh- It does look nice but the wheels are too skinny and that twin exhaust is fooling nobody.

I know you say new but depreciation is a b*tch, The GT86 is common as dog muck so prices will be low (Look at the 350z for example, so many about they can be picked up for pennies.
If it was my money I would be looking at an older car or so thats done all its depreciating and will still go forever.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-Cayman-3-4-S-2dr...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-Porsche-Boxster-Man...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Ford-Mustang-Sports...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A5-TDi-S-Line-with-...

or buy this which is perfect for 90% of daily driving/commuting - this is what i did with my own money

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-SUZUKI-SWIFT-GL-ONL...

and then some truly epic vehicles for the weekend


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-52-TVR-Tamora-Sport...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-PORSCHE-911-TURBO-L...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-LOTUS-ESPRIT-V8-GT-...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Tuscan-MK1-4L-Speed-...

I have a CRV for the week and a choice of TVR/ Porsche/ Lotus for the weekends

[Dapster]

A Caterham is indeed a once in a lifetime opportunity but it really is a fully hardcore option and only a true nutter would consider it as an only car. I owned one for a year during which we had a fantastic summer - never the less it was for evenings and weekends only. The occasional trip to work was fun, but then I would use the backroads and accept getting to work late and looking like I had slept in my clothes.

Does it have to be new? A boring answer would be to spend £25k on a Boxster. I followed my Caterham with a Boxster and it is an astonishingly good car. You really have to drive one to appreciate just how good it is.

[ewenm]

I guess I'm a nutter then I've had my Caterham since 2000 and in the first 5 years it was my only car, averaging 10,000 miles a year in all weathers. Overall I've put ~80,000 miles on it.

Pros:

• It makes you smile on every journey, even in traffic.
• It makes everyone else smile - no road rage, people help you overtake and lots of thumbs up.
• It can be maintained by any mechanic so cheap servicing.
• It's light and has a small engine so good mpg (if you care).
• The performance.

Cons:

• It's pretty noisy with the roof on (although contrary to many, I've found the roof does work well).
• If you're tired/hungover and have a long journey to do it can be a pain.
• Motorways in heavy rain are scary

Sadly I rarely use it now as having a 3-year-old daughter and a work contract with no parking means I don't get the time to drive it much. I've been thinking about GT86s too...

[jamieduff1981]

New really does limit your options a bit. It actually limits out the GT86 strictly speaking too.

[kambites]

If it's a second car, I'd go down the Caterham (or similar) route. The GT86 is a lovely daily driver but is just too staid and frankly dull to be a second car, IMO.

If you have the skills to build it (it's probably rather more involved than building a Caterham), an Aeon GT3 might be an interesting option because it would let you take both kids out in it:




ETA: Alternatively it looks like they do factory builds within your budget.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 2nd October 08:53

[V8RX7]

GT86 isn't special enough to be a weekend car IMO.

Having had loads of Westies (basically a Caterham) the problem is that you never use it most clock up less than 1k a year because we tend to get so many cold wet days and then when it's a nice weekend you're probably in the garden / taking the kids out etc

I'd look for a 4 seater so you'll actually get to use it - wouldn't consider a new car either.

[ewenm]

V8RX7 said:

Having had loads of Westies (basically a Caterham) the problem is that you never use it most clock up less than 1k a year because we tend to get so many cold wet days and then when it's a nice weekend you're probably in the garden / taking the kids out etc

Cold, wet days are still fun in the Caterham - the roof works well and the car moves about nicely at low speeds on wet roads. If the driver has the right attitude there's no reason not to use it in typical British changeable weather.

The other point about rather being with the kids on the nice weekend days is valid though and is why I keep considering a 2+2...

[Chris71]

I'd agree with the above. I've spent a reasonable amount of time with both, and as an affordable everyday car from a mass manufacturer (with all the reassurances that brings) the GT86 really does feel special. But it's still a world away from the excitement and the sense of occasion you get from a Caterham.

To be honest, even as a weekend car I found my track-prep'd Seven a bit uncompromising at times. I know people do use them as daily drivers, and I take my hat off to them for doing so, but they've got to be pretty committed. As a weekend toy, though, I think they're about as good as you can get at any price - witness the number of big-budget supercar owners who also have a £20k Seven tucked away somewhere too.

In some respects it's also a surprisingly sensible choice. Caterham has to be one of the slowest depreciating brands on the planet and although they are essentially kit cars (even the factory built ones) the build quality is pretty reasonable and you can phone up and book a service at a proper dealership if you want to. Compared to some of the more obscure specialist cars it can be quite a mainstream ownership experience.

ETA Damn it, I want another Caterham now...

[V8RX7]

ewenm said:

The other point about rather being with the kids on the nice weekend days is valid though and is why I keep considering a 2+2...

The problem being that there really aren't many (any ?) good (fun) 2+2 about in the Caterham type style

[ewenm]

V8RX7 said:

ewenm said:

The other point about rather being with the kids on the nice weekend days is valid though and is why I keep considering a 2+2...

The problem being that there really aren't many (any ?) good (fun) 2+2 about in the Caterham type style

Absolutely. The GT86 is interesting for me but I can understand that for others it is not enough. A TT holds little interest. I had a brief peek at an Evora 2+2 on Sunday - it's a possibility but pricey and very limited for how long my daughter (aged 3 now) would be happy (or even fit) in the back! Then you're up to a 911 really...

Edit: Or brave pills and a Cerbera

Edited by ewenm on Wednesday 2nd October 12:04

[Steff]

before you discount an elise - drive one.

They are the modern day more practical version of a 7 which you really can use all year round.

[DoubleSix]

You may have noticed a lot of threads on people asking for advice about Caymans recently...

A good 987 can be had for under 25k now. A sublime car.

[V8RX7]

ewenm said:

V8RX7 said:

ewenm said:

The other point about rather being with the kids on the nice weekend days is valid though and is why I keep considering a 2+2...

The problem being that there really aren't many (any ?) good (fun) 2+2 about in the Caterham type style

Absolutely. The GT86 is interesting for me but I can understand that for others it is not enough. A TT holds little interest. I had a brief peek at an Evora 2+2 on Sunday - it's a possibility but pricey and very limited for how long my daughter (aged 3 now) would be happy (or even fit) in the back! Then you're up to a 911 really...

Or brave pills and a Cerbera

Yes 911 is the default choice but I don't like them. FD RX7 is close but with a bit more space in the back and a more reliable engine - also too old for many. 3200/4200 is nice but a GT car.

Cerbera - I'm not happy putting my kids in a very fast fibreglass tub with zero protection.

If the RX8 had a better engine it would have this niche sewn up.

[ewenm]

V8RX7 said:

Yes 911 is the default choice but I don't like them. FD RX7 is close but with a bit more space in the back and a more reliable engine - also too old for many. 3200/4200 is nice but a GT car.

Cerbera - I'm not happy putting my kids in a very fast fibreglass tub with zero protection.

If the RX8 had a better engine it would have this niche sewn up.

Yep, shame about the RX8 engine issues.

[jamieduff1981]

V8RX7 said:

Cerbera - I'm not happy putting my kids in a very fast fibreglass tub with zero protection.

Cerberas have a tubular steel cage and side impact protection.






My kids come out in mine all the time.

[Bisonhead]

jamieduff1981 said:

V8RX7 said:

Cerbera - I'm not happy putting my kids in a very fast fibreglass tub with zero protection.

My kids come out in mine all the time.

What the hell type of seats are they? Of course you'd feel safe taking them out in the Cerb with those bad boys...you could drive it off a cliff and they'd be safe as houses!

Sorry for the extreme reaction...just never come across child seats with so much protection

[jamieduff1981]

Bisonhead said:

jamieduff1981 said:

V8RX7 said:

Cerbera - I'm not happy putting my kids in a very fast fibreglass tub with zero protection.

My kids come out in mine all the time.

What the hell type of seats are they? Of course you'd feel safe taking them out in the Cerb with those bad boys...you could drive it off a cliff and they'd be safe as houses!

Sorry for the extreme reaction...just never come across child seats with so much protection

They're the Jane Montecarlo R1.

They're the only seat I know of which is currently on sale that fits in a Cerbera. You could get a TVR child seat back in the day, and the old model of the Recaro Start also fits. The new one looks bulkier but may fit - but I haven't bought one to try and I'm unaware of others which fit.

They do get good test results though. The impact cushions seem to score well compared to conventional straps.

[Chris71]

V8RX7 said:

Cerbera - I'm not happy putting my kids in a very fast fibreglass tub with zero protection.

That rules out the Caterham, then. You'd have to strap them to the roll bar...