What car - £20k Elise replacement with 4 seats

[AllyBee]

I'm hoping PH can help me out, I'm thinking replacing my Elise with something my whole family can come out in (3 of us). Ideally I'd like something that can deliver the driving thrills of the Elise on a Sunday morning, but can take the family out on a Sunday afternoon. This is strictly a weekend car.

I don't really have a preference for car type e.g. coupe or saloon, for me the number one priority is driver enjoyment, it does not have to be the sports car experience of the Elise but something that leaves a smile on the face.

Same with engine configuration (a v8 would be nice), and car age. I'm not adverse to running a classic, a lot of modern cars leave me a bit cold but would want one that I feel confident is going to get me home at the end of the day.

I appreciate the obvious choice here is a 996, but I really do not want to worry about the engine. However I don't mind spending a bit of money to keep the car in good condition.

Thanks.

[kambites]

If you're happy with a classic how about something like an Excel?

[Gdgd]

Maybe a million miles off if your talking Porsche but focus RS?

[Dick Seaman]

How about a classic Lotus Elan +2S. £20k (or less) would find a lovely one, entertaining and involving to drive at relatively sane speeds, using it will always be an event and it's also likely to hold its value.

[greggy50]

Maserati 4200 would be a good shout I think they offer a lot of car for the money at 20k

Nice one for sale in classifieds for 17k manual with sub 30k miles with a 400hp ferrari developed V8 i think they are a bargain!

Edited by greggy50 on Monday 23 February 18:13

[The Badger]

M3, STI or some flavour of Evo.

[clarkmagpie]

Cerb?
Quattroporte?

[kambites]

You might get a nice 964 in budget?

[AllyBee]

kambites said:

You might get a nice 964 in budget?

I figured the aircooled 911 boat had long since sailed. Will check.

[AllyBee]

Gdgd said:

Maybe a million miles off if your talking Porsche but focus RS?

That was one I'd thought of actually.

[PGNCerbera]

clarkmagpie said:

Cerb?
Quattroporte?

A Cerb is punchy. But do-able.

Quattroporte is cool but I'd say too heavy to enjoy a blat on the weekend.

M3?

[kambites]

AllyBee said:

kambites said:

You might get a nice 964 in budget?

I figured the aircooled 911 boat had long since sailed. Will check.

The 993 one probably has, I think the 964 is a bit cheaper.

ETA: there seems to be a number around the £23k mark in the PH classifieds. Probably within haggling distance of your budget.

[The Big G]

Another +1 for the Cerbera.

All others are good shouts but won't have you feeling the same way. Or you could go completely different and find a Bentley turbo r or to be really practical a e61 m5.

[billywhizzzzzz]

Spend 3k more and get a 997. Although you would get a good 996 which has had an engine rebuild for £14k. But the 997 is sublime looking, but not the 996. You won't get an air cooled 911 worth having for your £20k

Alternatively, the obvious choices are:

RS4 (B7) - a real event.
M3 (E92) V8 - not as much of an event but amazing in other ways
M3 (E46) CS - last great in line NA 6
Monaro - lovely big V8, horrid in most other ways
M5 (E28) would be pretty amazing - coolest car on list
M6 (E24) second coolest car on list
M5 (E34/39/60/61) - for maximum coolth get a left hooker E34 Touring
M3 (E30) well, for £25k you'll get one. If you know cars you'll know why you should.

or, do the 2 (or more) car route and get another 2 seater and something else. Remember, one car really can't do it all. I've gone round and round and round over the years on this, and trust me, you'll be wanting a 2 seater again before too long.

Edited by billywhizzzzzz on Monday 23 February 20:04

[framerateuk]

AllyBee said:

That was one I'd thought of actually.

Megane 250/265 too.

Puts a huge smile on my face every time I take it out. As I've said on other threads, I can spend a day driving my Caterham and step back into the Megane and it still impresses me.

[KMud]

VXR8, heavy, but you will smile

[AllyBee]

framerateuk said:

Megane 250/265 too.

Puts a huge smile on my face every time I take it out. As I've said on other threads, I can spend a day driving my Caterham and step back into the Megane and it still impresses me.

Seem pretty well priced as well.

[AllyBee]

billywhizzzzzz said:

Spend 3k more and get a 997. Although you would get a good 996 which has had an engine rebuild for £14k. But the 997 is sublime looking, but not the 996. You won't get an air cooled 911 worth having for your £20k

Alternatively, the obvious choices are:

RS4 (B7) - a real event.
M3 (E92) V8 - not as much of an event but amazing in other ways
M3 (E46) CS - last great in line NA 6
Monaro - lovely big V8, horrid in most other ways
M5 (E28) would be pretty amazing - coolest car on list
M6 (E28) second coolest car on list
M5 (E34/39/60/61) - for maximum coolth get a left hooker E34 Touring
M3 (E30) well, for £25k you'll get one. If you know cars you'll know why you should.

or, do the 2 (or more) car route and get another 2 seater and something else. Remember, one car really can't do it all. I've gone round and round and round over the years on this, and trust me, you'll be wanting a 2 seater again before too long.

The running costs of the Audi and the M5s would concern me, what are the E92s like in comparison any idea? The go for two cars (that would make 3 in total) is one that I've also been thinking of. Been looking at a few old Mercs.

[SidewaysSi]

What about a C63? Always seem a lot more desirable than the equivalent M3.

[itcaptainslow]

GT86?