£30k fun 2+2...?

[Lefty]

Looking for something fun that feels special and with a good approved-used backup. I'll do about 15k miles per year in it so needs to he reliable enough. Not too fussed about mpg (I currently drive a v10 rs6 which averages 18mpg and a 450bhp impreza which is even worse!)

So far i''ve come up with:

997 gen 1
V8 m3
Evora

Any more suggestions? I'd prefer manual. Not interested in golf R, m135 would be interesting but think I'd rather have an m3 if I was going down the bmw road.

[danp]

Not sure if an approved gen1 997 or a non approved gen2 with dfi is safer option.

GT86 with a supercharger? Presumably litchfield etc warrant their work.

[Dr Interceptor]

New RS3? 2.5 Turbo 5 pot with 360 odd HP?

A more interesting car than the Golf R I'd say...

[ewenm]

I think I'd be waiting for a lightly used new Mustang...

Maybe the Porsche in the meantime

[Dr Interceptor]

ewenm said:

I think I'd be waiting for a lightly used new Mustang...

Good shout... a V8 would surely lose a whole heap of cash in the 1st year. Of course you're reliant on someone buying one in the first place!

[irfan1712]

C63 Coupe with PPP & LSD gets my vote.

[grkify]

A little bit above budget

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Maserati-Granturism...

[ewenm]

Dr Interceptor said:

ewenm said:

I think I'd be waiting for a lightly used new Mustang...

Good shout... a V8 would surely lose a whole heap of cash in the 1st year. Of course you're reliant on someone buying one in the first place!

I'm seeing reports of the V8 order book being pretty good in the UK, but yes, who knows what will happen!?

[Dr Interceptor]

ewenm said:

I'm seeing reports of the V8 order book being pretty good in the UK, but yes, who knows what will happen!?

I'd have one... This time next year it could be my next company car if fuel prices stay reasonable...

[Roger Irrelevant]

ewenm said:

I think I'd be waiting for a lightly used new Mustang...

Maybe the Porsche in the meantime

Precisely what I'm planning on doing. At the end of next year I'll have a hefty deposit to put towards a Mustang; if they've depreciated like you'd expect a V8 petrol to then I'll take a year-old one, if used prices are holding up I'll buy it new.

[Lefty]

Haha, yes I know all about the mustang and could well be persuaded into one next year but want something in the next month!

[RobbieM-Evo]

Dr Interceptor said:

ewenm said:

I think I'd be waiting for a lightly used new Mustang...

Good shout... a V8 would surely lose a whole heap of cash in the 1st year. Of course you're reliant on someone buying one in the first place!

I ordered a Mustang in Jan, think prices will remain strong however ordering looks healthy so will be loads about in 1.5 years time so who knows. Hate waiting this long for my next car.

Back on topic, C63 or Mazza would get my vote

[Dr Interceptor]

M6 V10? http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Not a manual though I'm afraid

[astirling]

The Evora is definitely worth a look. Loved mine.

[bp1000]

You can buy my fully loaded 38k XFR for £24k so i'd vote for that.

The other i'd vote for is the m3. I came from the BMW so i wanted a change. On the road the XFR was a lot nicer. I'm sure if you tracked it we know the answer. I liked the XFR because the 5L v8 and supercharger made it usable quick at most revs.

I'd also recommend c63 with LSD even though never owned one, they are a very similar proposition.

Sorry no manual option in my recommendations

[aspirated]

M3 csl, you won't lose your money and may even make a profit of you decide to get a v8 'stang

[Dr Interceptor]

aspirated said:

M3 csl, you won't lose your money and may even make a profit of you decide to get a v8 'stang

Not sure I'd buy one to stick 15k miles on though... It'd likely undo any appreciation.

[Lefty]

Dr Interceptor said:

aspirated said:

M3 csl, you won't lose your money and may even make a profit of you decide to get a v8 'stang

Not sure I'd buy one to stick 15k miles on though... It'd likely undo any appreciation.

Precisely. Really like the CSL but I might keep this car for 2 years and definitely wouldnt want to put 30k miles on it. Same as the Maserati above.

[kambites]

I doubt you're that far off being able to get into an R35 GTR if that sort of mental performance floats your boat.

For me, it'd be between some sort of 911 and the Evora.

[Lefty]

kambites said:

I doubt you're that far off being able to get into an R35 GTR if that sort of mental performance floats your boat.

For me, it'd be between some sort of 911 and the Evora.

To be honest, coming from a 700bhp RS6 and a 450bhp impreza I'm keen to "come down the horsepower tree and climb the interesting tree" as my mate put it. I've driven a couple of GTR's but that's not really what I'm after this time round.

I haven't driven a v8 m3 (yet) but I suspect it will feel much like a regular 3 series most of the time (like the e46 m3 does) and I'm really looking for something that feels special but is usable and reliable - 997 and Evora are top of my list just now I think.