£15-25k everyday(ish) B-Road blast?
Discussion
Having recently helped refurbish and then sell a property that was left to us, I'm in the fortunate position of being able to use some of the cash to purchase a new car. I have £11k from my own car fund (and having sold my 147 GTA after 3 years of ownership) and I'm looking to throw in a maximum of around £15k of the money made from the property sale. The car will be used perhaps 4 days a week at most for going to work, and when weather dictates, getting to Uni as I normally cycle; it will probably only cover 3-4k miles per year. I'm looking ideally for running costs which do not exceed that of the 147 GTA; practicality is not an issue so long as I can fit a Sea Sucker bike rack to it; but most importantly it must be a really great drive. The thing that always bugged me about the Alfa was that every time I had to drive it somewhere it put a big grin on my face; it sounded awesome, looked great and went well. However, I never found myself wanting to just go for a drive in it, it cost to much to take on a long hoon in the country and felt out of its depth on the kind of roads I really enjoy. Before the Alfa I owned an Megane R26 which was brilliant; sensible running costs; great for a B road blast and I always found myself going on random trips to Wales etc in that car.
As such, I've been waiting for an R26.R with the spec I want to come up for sale, but after a few months now it has failed to materialise so I'm looking for possible alternatives. The R26.R is probably the only hatchback that I'm really attracted to for its rarity, stupidity and ability. Beyond that I think after 3 hot hatches I'd like to progress to something rear wheel drive and more of a true sports/performance car. I've been tempted by a Lotus Exige S or Elise SC but besides their inability to transport bikes, I'm 6ft 5" and think I'd get tired of having people watch my car give birth to me every time I try to get out of it. A Z4M has been another consideration but £475 RFL and fuel consumption put me off.
On a final note, I'd also like to put my money into something with fairly strong residuals so that once I come to sell (which will most likely be when I finish Uni) I can recoup enough of the original outlay for perhaps a deposit on a House etc.
Any suggestions?
As such, I've been waiting for an R26.R with the spec I want to come up for sale, but after a few months now it has failed to materialise so I'm looking for possible alternatives. The R26.R is probably the only hatchback that I'm really attracted to for its rarity, stupidity and ability. Beyond that I think after 3 hot hatches I'd like to progress to something rear wheel drive and more of a true sports/performance car. I've been tempted by a Lotus Exige S or Elise SC but besides their inability to transport bikes, I'm 6ft 5" and think I'd get tired of having people watch my car give birth to me every time I try to get out of it. A Z4M has been another consideration but £475 RFL and fuel consumption put me off.
On a final note, I'd also like to put my money into something with fairly strong residuals so that once I come to sell (which will most likely be when I finish Uni) I can recoup enough of the original outlay for perhaps a deposit on a House etc.
Any suggestions?
I wouldn't worry about fuel consumption. In the Boxster S I average 20 mpg, at 130p a litre that's £1181.98 a year if you do 4,000 miles. If you get something that does 30mpg you're saving £300 on that. Guess it depends how much you've budgeted for running costs but £300 a year doesn't sound like loads to me if you're going to have to massively compromise on driving pleasure.
If you're spending that much on anything mainstream, you're going to lose more than £5k a year in depreciation, worrying about 300 quid's worth of fuel is probably somewhat missing the point. 
I'm trying my best to not buy mainstream. I want something rare/interesting/unusual. Only ever saw ine other 147 GTA on the road during my ownership. I very nearly bought an Integrale Evo 1 the week before buying my Alfa. It would have cost me no more to keep on the road and I'd have made money when selling rather than losing. I like the 265 but the depreciation is scary, they cost the same or less now than an older R26.R, which I can see holding around the £15K mark for a while. Residuals on the Lotus are naturally fantastic and I have seen pictures of people using the Sea Sucker bike racks with them, but the comments that follow usually include the cost of a new rear clam. Not a big fan of Porsche although the Cayman has been considered, but I'm put off by people saying you need a warranty.
Still being at Uni you're probably the right age for this sort of thing to be very tempting, especially in Bayside blue:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/n...
This could be an entertaining weekend car, fuel economy may be a bit off though:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
This could be a more sensible option for practicality as well as fun? It wouldn't compare to an R26.r for raw fun and ability though:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
As a big Honda fan I have to suggest this as something relatively cheap, practical and great performance to go with it, you get the exclusivity as well:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...
My money would be on this though, just for sense of occasion that you would probably not get with the others:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/n...
This could be an entertaining weekend car, fuel economy may be a bit off though:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
This could be a more sensible option for practicality as well as fun? It wouldn't compare to an R26.r for raw fun and ability though:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
As a big Honda fan I have to suggest this as something relatively cheap, practical and great performance to go with it, you get the exclusivity as well:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...
My money would be on this though, just for sense of occasion that you would probably not get with the others:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
clowesy said:
I've seen those racks as well, I think they cost a fair whack though. Not sure I'd want to be drilling holes and it doesn't fit the Exige which I think would be my choice of the two.
Yeah, I think the rack is four figures, plus you have to find someone to do the clam modifications for you so it's far from ideal.You can buy bolt-on roof rack assemblies for the Boxster (they essentially add fixed door frames while on) which might be another option?
I'm sure you can get a rack for the Cayman, too.
I think the answer to the question about Porsche engines is "low, but if it does happen it can be very expensive to fix".
The only issue I'm aware of with the Z4M is the Vanos failures which again are rare but fairly expensive to fix if it does go.
How about something nice and reliable like a TVR?
The only issue I'm aware of with the Z4M is the Vanos failures which again are rare but fairly expensive to fix if it does go.
How about something nice and reliable like a TVR?
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 29th April 17:02
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff