£8k What car, fun

[keo]

Just after some ideas for what car to get next and think out loud with a bit of feedback hopefully. So I have been driving a Volvo V40 for over 12 months now, my Dad gave it to me when I brought my house. I sold my beloved Clio Trophy for a bit extra deposit I still really regret that now. The Volvo has been great for going the tip, fetching plasterboards etc nut its just not me, I am a petrol head like we all are here I would imagine.

Ideally I would like a S2 Lotus Elise but havent got the money (That's the other option, just keep saving but I am just so bored of the Volvo) I don't really need practical, I draw the line at a Caterham 7 as a daily though!

My ideas at the minute

Honda Integra Type R DC5

Always quite liked them, insurance isn't a problem now.
I have been looking for a good one for a few months, really struggling to find a low miles red one which would be my preference.

A lot of money for an old front wheel drive Honda. Of course I understand they are more than this.

Porsche Boxster S

Would be my first Porsche. Two seat sports car. Rear wheel drive.

Worried I would find it a bit boring though. Could be expensive to run, but this can happen with any second hand performance car.

Would I just wish I had got a 911?

Westfeild/ Kit car

I would keep the Volvo if i went down this route. Could i get anything more fun? But I don't think i would drive it much with the weather in this country. So i think I would still get fed up as 90% of the time i would be in the Volvo.

Just to finish off, I don't live far from work so MPG not a problem. I want fun, country lane blasts and a couple of track days a year. Has anyone else got any ideas? I don't want a S2000 the electric power steering puts me off, i hated my Civic Type R.

Thats enough of my ramblings thanks

[kambites]

How about a VX220? It's pretty much an Elise S1.5 and I think available in budget (just about).

The mk3 MR2 is also a very good "budget Elise". Especially if you can find one with the 190bhp engine from the Celica in it.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 30th December 16:28

[anonymous-user]

You might get into a Monaro CV8 for £8k. A manly, man's car for real men!

[keo]

I have had a VX220 Turbo in the past, i would have another one but just thinking about trying something different. I went to look at a 2.2 a few months ago actually but it ended up being pretty rough. I dont realy fancy a MR2 or MX5. Would like something nippy, atleast clio sport pace with good handling/ feedback

Just don't fancy a Monaro sorry not my Type of car. Too big and heavy.

I am hard work it's doing my head in.

Edited by keo on Tuesday 30th December 16:36

[kambites]

How about something like a Fisher Fury or GTM Libra/Spyder? Slightly more usable than a Seven type car but not much less fun.

[Roundozo]

BMW Z4 3.0si. I don't think you can stretch to an M with that money but the 3.0 is still plenty of fun and sounds nice. Cheap to maintain and run too, unlike the Porsche.

Edited by Roundozo on Tuesday 30th December 16:57

[bakerstreet]

keo said:

Honda Integra Type R DC5

Always quite liked them, insurance isn't a problem now.
I have been looking for a good one for a few months, really struggling to find a low miles red one which would be my preference.

Miles on Type R engines are not so much of an issue compared to forced induction cars. Are you one of those people that consider high miles to be anything over 80k?!?

Agree on the red. The Honda red looks great. I had a red FN2 Type R and it was a great car apart from the bone crushing ride.

You could get a decent E46 BMW M3 for that sort of money. Decent amount of power and a timeless design. Bit boring looking, but a Mk5 Golf R32 is just about in budget. They sound amazing with a decent exhaust.

[keo]

I like the Fisher Fury but again i think i would end up leacing it in the garage most of the time. Don't fancy a Z4 (i do like the M though) i have read they have got electric power steering, that puts me off the S2000 as well.

Its just my preferance that i want low miles u what i buy. My Volvo has done 117k, still pretty mint so i realise miles are just a number. But low miles cars are easiee to sell on incase i want a change.

[R2T2]

You're buying sporty cars, not the sort of hatchbacks that the mass market go for, miles mean numbers on a dash, keep the condition up and it will sell on, unless it's got mega miles (200k+) I wouldn't worry that much.

I'd have a look at a 'teg, or even a Civic Type R and supercharge it.
BMW 840i? Got presence, looks good, will be higher miler cars now, but look great, V8 with enough power?

Edited by R2T2 on Wednesday 31st December 11:49

[loskie]

Agree it seems that Caterhams or westfields get to a certain price point and then stop depreciating. Not that I have been lucky enough to experience either.
The depreciation will really hit though if you bin the car into a hedge!

[Tickle]

I had a DC5 after using an Elise S2 as a daily for a two years. The DC5 was good but I wouldn't call it fun, very capable but not fun. Maybe I was a spoiled with the Elise and DC2 I had before it though.
I much preferred the Clio Trophy I replaced the DC5 with, The little Renaultsport was faultless too in my ownership which couldn't be said for the DC5.

Have you considered a Trophy or a mini GP (maybe stretching your budget on the GP). Also why discount the S1 Elise, you may get one for your £8k, cheap to run easy to fix.

[Roundozo]

keo said:

I like the Fisher Fury but again i think i would end up leacing it in the garage most of the time. Don't fancy a Z4 (i do like the M though) i have read they have got electric power steering, that puts me off the S2000 as well.

Its just my preferance that i want low miles u what i buy. My Volvo has done 117k, still pretty mint so i realise miles are just a number. But low miles cars are easiee to sell on incase i want a change.

The M versions doesn't have electric power steering but all other models do. The sport button stiffens this up but its still not to everyone's tastes. You may just be able to scrape a M roadster but prices are starting to creep up as they will soon be sort after. In my opinion, the last real M.

[keo]

Thanks for you opinion of the DC5, normally its quite one sided by Honda "fan boys". I had a Trophy for four years, loved it shouldn't of sold it. I don't want another one though, want to try something different and imo i would struggle to get one as good as my old one.

I have looked at the Mini's i don't know much about them though. Will need to have a better look at them. I thought a S1 was out of my budget now, they have seamed to have gone up alot in recent years. This is when my budget starts to creep up!

[Tickle]

keo said:

Thanks for you opinion of the DC5, normally its quite one sided by Honda "fan boys". I had a Trophy for four years, loved it shouldn't of sold it. I don't want another one though, want to try something different and imo i would struggle to get one as good as my old one.

I have looked at the Mini's i don't know much about them though. Will need to have a better look at them. I thought a S1 was out of my budget now, they have seamed to have gone up alot in recent years. This is when my budget starts to creep up!

I'm curently on the look out for an S1, I am being quite picky on colour/spec/possible project/etc.. though so I have not found the 'one' yet! S1 Elises are still lower priced than S2's. The lower priced ones will probably need a suspension refresh (I have been quoted £1800 for this, including S2 bilsteins). Saying that there are some quite high priced S1's with the standard koni's in the classifieds.

One thing I have noticed is that more S1's seem to have the suspension refreshed compared to S2's with the same mileage.

Finally there is a good community with Lotus so If you do decide to get a lower priced one as a project there are second hand parts readily available on the likes of SELOC.

Happy hunting anyway, from the cars that you have mentioned I don't think you will be disappointed.

[irocfan]

Crossfire SRT8? Bloody quick (for the ££) with the choice of going quicker still, reliable, comfortable, affordable, (reasonably) practical, tiptronic box, rarity vs marmite looks, not the best steering 'feel', tiptronic box

Edited by irocfan on Wednesday 31st December 13:56

[nicolelh]

I have to agree with the DC5 not really being 'fun'
it feels like a big car on and off the track and is just a bit too wafty for me to consider fun. the turning circle feels similar to a LWB van!
I'm a honda lover- I have an ek9, but the dc5s i've been in have done nothing but disappoint. great engines and they feel quick, but not 'raw' enough to feel fun

[Hell27]

Mercs?

For that money you'd get a nice clk 350 or slk 320.

Also consider an old CL or SL - 500's might be in budget if you look around.

Focus ST or Golf GTi mk 5 would also give many / miles

[anonymous-user]

130i, 270HP,RWD, manual.

Look past the little 1 series stigma and you'll have a blast.

[Jasandjules]

Not sure what quality you will get but I suspect 4.0 Chimaeras will be around that money?

[MissChief]

Surely £8k is right in good E46 M3 territory?