18k budget - Help please!

[mechagran]

Hi there,

Long time reader, but I don't post much so please bear with me....

As the title suggests I'm struggling to decide on what to spend my 'hard-earned' on, and I am inviting your thoughts!

I'd like to create a list of what I could buy for my budget. Preferably within 10-15k but with "wiggle room" of up to 18k - the last bit being topped up with some sort of loan.

=A little bit about me & my criteria=

I'm 32 and I've owned 44 cars in just under 3 years ranging from 1938 - 2005! I am therefore very "open minded" about cars and usually find something to like about each one I have owned....Best car has been a 911 (c4s) and worst - probably the dreaded Beetle which almost set fire to a Db4 next to it. Naughty Beetle!

In order to pool my resources and put some money into our new home, I have decided to reduce the fleet (Motorhome, Mk1 Golf, e30 saloon, Rav 4, X-Trail) down to two cars. Most likely My wife will keep the X-Trail as we are now talking sprogglets over the course of the next year or so. It does 40+mpg and will hopefully last a while yet.

We are doing more trips from the South Hams up to the Midlands to see our folks too so there is a two monthly 300 mile round trip to factor in.

The other main factor is that I now have a garage (which is begging to be filled with car worthy of it) and we have only one other space so I need to drastically reduce the fleet and pdq.

=My Criteria=

>10-18k (not a penny over, and preferably at the lower end)
>Fast / Torquey - so 250bhp plus really and some grunt.
>Comfortable (ish) - I drive up to 5 days per week averaging 200-300 miles but sometimes have to do longer trips from Devon to London and the continent etc.
>MPG - over 25 please...
>Fairly practical...
>Reasonable running costs (say £1000 per yr)
>Fun!

So far my list is basically
>911 c4S (996) again
>Audi Rs4 (b7)

I welcome any feedback, as you can see I am having a mental block and I simply want to enjoy driving again!

Cheers in advance
Mech

Edited by mechagran on Thursday 10th April 15:53

[Dave G fsi]

Mk2 Focus Rs

[Risotto]

Could you run a Maserati 3200 / 4200 or Quattroporte on a grand a year? I very much doubt it but you could put it to the test

[Herbs]

44 cars in under 3 years is one and a half a month!!!!!!!!

Is that right?

[AAD44H]

Crikey 44 cars in 3 years! That's mental, I'd be looking at a 335i or 135i.

[mechagran]

Herbs said:

44 cars in under 3 years is one and a half a month!!!!!!!!

Is that right?

Yeah I know it sounds mental but some have been long term projects that all went quite quickly and others just came and went! (it includes some vans and a couple of old campers so perhaps not as exciting as it sounds in reality!)

[mechagran]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

How much does one have to pay for one of these? Also is the CSL really not worth the extra?

[Ved]

You'll do well to find a CSL but it'll be a rock solid residual if you did want to up your budget.

[mechagran]

Ved said:

You'll do well to find a CSL but it'll be a rock solid residual if you did want to up your budget.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-M3-Coupe-SMG-with-CSL-Alloys-and-Sat-Nav-ONLY-29619-Miles-/171259746846?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27dfe05a1e

sort of tempting as long as the subframe doesn't require attention!

[Ved]

mechagran said:

Ved said:

You'll do well to find a CSL but it'll be a rock solid residual if you did want to up your budget.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-M3-Coupe-SMG-with-CSL-Alloys-and-Sat-Nav-ONLY-29619-Miles-/171259746846?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27dfe05a1e

sort of tempting as long as the subframe doesn't require attention!

That's not a CSL, it's a regular M3 with CSL wheels. Looks nice though

How about a V8 S5? Unstressed engine, good interior, big boot, not too ugly and won't depreciate too much further.

[mechagran]

Ved said:

That's not a CSL, it's a regular M3 with CSL wheels. Looks nice though

How about a V8 S5? Unstressed engine, good interior, big boot, not too ugly and won't depreciate too much further.

Whoops...see now I'm glad I asked! v8 s5.....

[motor mad]

Porsche Cayman S

[Shaoxter]

mechagran said:

Ved said:

You'll do well to find a CSL but it'll be a rock solid residual if you did want to up your budget.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-M3-Coupe-SMG-with-CSL-Alloys-and-Sat-Nav-ONLY-29619-Miles-/171259746846?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27dfe05a1e

sort of tempting as long as the subframe doesn't require attention!

That's not a CSL or even a CS, it's just a regular E46 M3 with CSL wheels

[mechagran]

mechagran said:

Whoops...see now I'm glad I asked! v8 s5.....

Had a look, surely for similar money am I not better off thinking Rs4 avant? (in terms of depreciation and not looking like a drug dealer)

[mechagran]

motor mad said:

Porsche Cayman S

Yep that was on the list, but I started to think the c4s is about the same albeit 3 years older....and would I regret not having gone for the 911 again. I don't know, the Cayman S looks stunning and sounds like the complete package.

[Ash From Flux]

44 cars in 3 years?! Wow. I think you'll fit in here.

[mechagran]

Ash From Flux said:

44 cars in 3 years?! Wow. I think you'll fit in hear.

haha thanks. I should probably EDIT that to 44 "vehicles" of which probably only 37 were cars (and one boat). hehe

[mechagran]

oh and by the way chaps I was thinking off stretching to a decent 996 Turbo....am I wrong in thinking they might drop a little bit more (sub 19k) in the next year or so....would love to hear opinions!

[Ved]

£1000 on upkeep for a 996T or RS4 might just stretch to 3 months if you're unlucky. You might be getting issues due to the last keeper limiting a low figure for maintenance....

Buy very carefully with £50k+ cars, especially old ones.

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results...

V8 S5 is still my choice and will likely be trouble free.

Edited by Ved on Thursday 10th April 16:48

Edited by Ved on Thursday 10th April 20:23

[jayemm89]

I would vote regular 996 - the C4S looks a bit prettier, but the price premium it commands is fairly unjustified.

Your pick of cars from £10k - £12k, there will be dogs out there but some tidy cars too. Both in C2 and C4 flavour.