Which 6k "modern classic"? mk1 TT, Z3, SLK or Boxster S?
Discussion
WJNB said:
Consider getting less pre-occupied with image & the badge & in the cases of the cars quoted beware serious money when things go wrong. Think overpriced parts just because they have Porsche or BMW stamped on them.
My guess is that the idea of an MX-5 will get a sneer because of it's soft image but nothing beats them for smiles per miles & up-keep is loose change.
Prices hold up well.
MK 1 prices can be silly & they rust. Being such a small car you will feel vulnerable.
Mk 2 can be cheaper & has a less toy-car look to them. As with Mk 1's they do rust.
Mk 3 The lumpy shape not to everybody's taste nor is the handling at the limit, but given that most people are deluded as to their ability that should not be a problem. Massive choice, later models had air & cruise.
No doubt the Eunos the cheapo penny-pinching option for the poor is well below your aspirations & rightly so.
You mention the Honda S2000. Prices very much on the up or at the worse plateaued. Problem is they have got into the hands of the Chav element & finding one that hasn't been messed with by such petrol children is difficult. The hard ride is a pain as is lack of appointments such as cruise if you do long journeys, & road tax for 2006-on cars in the £400's.
Would add I have owned MX-5's & Honda S2000's, the City rich flash-git image of Porsche & BMW would spoil ownership for me.
The SLK (of which I have owned a few) is an interesting option especially older versions which have lost much of the prestige & are more socially acceptable. A bit hairdresser image as per the MX-5 & I sense that the lowly engine versions of which there are more to choose from would not be good enough for you. Servicing by some very well informed & experienced non-franchised dealers the way to go.
So a really well looked after R170/171 350 SLK it is then, so the best of luck.
Not really a brand snob. In my 16 car history, there has only been one BMW, one Merc and 3 VWs. More Japanese and American stuff actually! MX5s are great cars and if I had 20k burning a hole in my market a new mk4 would be a strong contender (as would an Abarth 124)...but mk1s probably a bit too old for me now, had a mk2, it was alright, not sure about mk3s. I can't see a 6k mk3 MX5 sticking at that value. If I was using it as my daily then for sure, that would be the best buy when you factor in reliability and running costs but I'm after something with more power, with a less utilitarian engine and a bit more rare/special.My guess is that the idea of an MX-5 will get a sneer because of it's soft image but nothing beats them for smiles per miles & up-keep is loose change.
Prices hold up well.
MK 1 prices can be silly & they rust. Being such a small car you will feel vulnerable.
Mk 2 can be cheaper & has a less toy-car look to them. As with Mk 1's they do rust.
Mk 3 The lumpy shape not to everybody's taste nor is the handling at the limit, but given that most people are deluded as to their ability that should not be a problem. Massive choice, later models had air & cruise.
No doubt the Eunos the cheapo penny-pinching option for the poor is well below your aspirations & rightly so.
You mention the Honda S2000. Prices very much on the up or at the worse plateaued. Problem is they have got into the hands of the Chav element & finding one that hasn't been messed with by such petrol children is difficult. The hard ride is a pain as is lack of appointments such as cruise if you do long journeys, & road tax for 2006-on cars in the £400's.
Would add I have owned MX-5's & Honda S2000's, the City rich flash-git image of Porsche & BMW would spoil ownership for me.
The SLK (of which I have owned a few) is an interesting option especially older versions which have lost much of the prestige & are more socially acceptable. A bit hairdresser image as per the MX-5 & I sense that the lowly engine versions of which there are more to choose from would not be good enough for you. Servicing by some very well informed & experienced non-franchised dealers the way to go.
So a really well looked after R170/171 350 SLK it is then, so the best of luck.
Thanks, some other interesting suggestions and good advice on the ones under consideration. DC2s are great cars but not really the kind of thing that I am after and no to the Lexus I'm afraid (just can't get on with the looks and don't want something that big and bargy) but I'm sure they're very good at what they do. A GTV Cup is gorgeous but I'm not quite brave enough to own a 15 year old Alfa and except for the TT, I'm leaning more towards a convertible! A Z3M (roadster or coupe) would obviously be amazing but yeah, looking at their values, that horse has already bolted!
Sal Kar said:
Not sure i'd fancy any of them becoming classics. TT too boring, Z3 having the potential but never living up to it, SLK being too much of a cruiser, boxster having chocolate engines and too long gearing.
For my money, of a similair age and style, I would look at 350z. S2000 cant really be found for this money anymore, which is a shame. (350Z seem to actually still be coming down from where they were even last year, which is a very very pleasant surprise for me)
I sold my 2007 Roadster with 35k on for 7 grand, they were daft prices a year ago when I sold that but having had a quick look, some of the same ones are still for sale by the looks of it, realistically 8 grand is top money for a 350Z, I think its a buyers market for them.For my money, of a similair age and style, I would look at 350z. S2000 cant really be found for this money anymore, which is a shame. (350Z seem to actually still be coming down from where they were even last year, which is a very very pleasant surprise for me)
http://www.usedcarsni.com/2003-Porsche-Boxster-S-3...
68k and within a haggle of your budget.
Not sure about the all tan interior though.
68k and within a haggle of your budget.
Not sure about the all tan interior though.
went through the same question myself 3 years ago.
my list was - 225 TT coupe, Boxster, z4, 330 coupe and rx8. 350z was still too expensive then.
test drove all of them, and norrowed it down to the TT and boxster - 330 didn't feel special enough, but was a great car, wasn't keen on the rotary - nae torque and horror stories, Z4 was very nice, but only very used ones in my price bracket at the time.
final choice came down to 3 things.
usability - test drove a boxster in the pissing rain one day and spent most of the test drive concentrating on not spinning it, not because it was a bad drive, but I was completely unfamiliar with it and very wary. realised that wet/snowy conditions would probably see it left in the garage. Didn't want that.
practicality - as pointed out before, I can take the kids in the TT. Also made it an easier sell to the wife.
Parts - did some research on parts prices. while the Boxster is cheaper by Porche standards, they're still bloody expensive by 'ordinary' car standards. as everyone loves to say, a TT is just a golf in drag, meaning a plentiful and cheap supply of parts.
so I got the TT. haven't regretted it for a minute.
my list was - 225 TT coupe, Boxster, z4, 330 coupe and rx8. 350z was still too expensive then.
test drove all of them, and norrowed it down to the TT and boxster - 330 didn't feel special enough, but was a great car, wasn't keen on the rotary - nae torque and horror stories, Z4 was very nice, but only very used ones in my price bracket at the time.
final choice came down to 3 things.
usability - test drove a boxster in the pissing rain one day and spent most of the test drive concentrating on not spinning it, not because it was a bad drive, but I was completely unfamiliar with it and very wary. realised that wet/snowy conditions would probably see it left in the garage. Didn't want that.
practicality - as pointed out before, I can take the kids in the TT. Also made it an easier sell to the wife.
Parts - did some research on parts prices. while the Boxster is cheaper by Porche standards, they're still bloody expensive by 'ordinary' car standards. as everyone loves to say, a TT is just a golf in drag, meaning a plentiful and cheap supply of parts.
so I got the TT. haven't regretted it for a minute.
Rovnumpty said:
test drove a boxster in the pissing rain one day and spent most of the test drive concentrating on not spinning it, not because it was a bad drive, but I was completely unfamiliar with it and very wary. realised that wet/snowy conditions would probably see it left in the garage.
That Boxster was broken. HTH. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff