Am I missing something obvious? - fun 4 seater

[Luke H]

Thanks all, some very interesting stuff!

I think its helped my sharpen my focus - I've been fortunate to have some very special stuff over the years and i want to retain that but also have some level of normality with the thing so i can get a little more use out of with both the family and in general. As great as something like a S5 / M240 is its probably not the sort of thing thats going to get me out of bed to go for a blast over the peaks or into wales on a Sunday morning.

TVR Cerbera - have always loved these. Ever since Gran Turismo actually - more laps in the LM edition round Grand Valley Speedway than i would like to admit!


Food for thought but I really do get the impression these things take a lot of looking after (hence the reasonable entry price)... think i need to drive one...

E92 M3 was what my first thought was a few months ago when i started thinking about this - tried a couple, 11/10 engine in a 7/10 chassis is the only way i could really sum it up, i think i could live with it just for the engine but not long term. Tried an F80 M3 Comp - fast as hell but felt massive and only really came alive in numbers that I'm not comfortable doing on a public road, manuals also like hens teeth. Thats what pushed me towards trying an M2 which whilst not as capable was a much more involving car to actually drive.

1M - thought the values on these would have drifted towards unobtainium in the last 12 months but it appears not... some research to be done!

Manual M2 Comps are fairly slim pickings as a few have mentioned - especially through AUC but a couple of later cars floating around which have a good chunk of MFR warranty remaining so not a massive issue.

Thanks again, a few new avenues to explore!

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

What about an E93 BMW? My thinking is with the metal roof down it will be engaging and fun in a different way.

[georgeyboy12345]

Can you get two kids in the back of a Cerbera?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111069...


Japanese Rally Replicas

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII FQ-300
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112080...

Mistubishi Lancer Evo X FQ-360
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105042...


Subaru WRX STI Final Edition with 6 miles on the clock
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105273...

Subaru Impreza WR1
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110058...


French Hot hatches

Renaultsport Megane RS300 Trophy
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111290...

More subtle but in many ways better - Peugeot 308 GTI 270
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112030...


Left field? Not sure you'll keep up with your pals in the Lotuses!

Vauxhall Monaro
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111259...


Alfa Romeo 156 GTA
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112210...

[Cascade360]

I'd buy a really good Cerbera from a well-renowned specialist, and it shouldn't be too bad an ownership experience with a bit of luck.

e.g.

http://www.str8six.co.uk/car_sales/cerb_gtf/4.2.ht...

[cerb4.5lee]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Can you get two kids in the back of a Cerbera?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111069...

You can get kids in the back seats easily. My missus is 5"1' and she used to sit behind me in the Cerb, I'm only 5"8' though. The great thing about the Cerbera is that you can take your family out with you if you want...they might moan about how loud it is though!

[georgeyboy12345]

Cascade360 said:

I'd buy a really good Cerbera from a well-renowned specialist, and it shouldn't be too bad an ownership experience with a bit of luck.

e.g.

http://www.str8six.co.uk/car_sales/cerb_gtf/4.2.ht...

That is a nice one!

[MDL111]

E46 M3, slower than the M2 but imo prettier and more special (if not necessarily better) engine. Should have some money left to refresh the suspension and whatever else needs doing to get it into tip top shape.

A 996 C2 Coupe, ideally with a Hartech (or similar) rebuild, but if not then as above money left over for remedial work. I love my 996 (although far from standard). Interior feels special, especially with a centre console delete. I think given your car experience it might suit you better than a 991 or similar. As above, invest some money in a fresh suspension (possibly more geared towards dynamics than comfort),

If you want a prettier looking car and accept that it will be a bit heavier, then a 996 C4S would be my choice. I still want one of those, never driven one though.

At the top end of your budget, you might get a 997.2 C2S - also great cars and less engine worries plus some (ok pretty much everybody) prefer the looks over the 996.

[durbster]

Unless both people in the front are closer to 5ft than 6ft, or your children have no legs, you will really struggle getting two kids in the back of a TT. Mrs durbs has one and if I'm my driving it, my seat is pressed up against the rear one.

What about a Jag XK, or XF for a bit more space in the back? Would a 5 litre V8 be considered ruinous...?

[moonigan]

Personally, based on experience I'd discount anything that didn't have 4 doors. With a coupe you start off thinking it will be OK but it soon becomes a massive PITA. If your fun 4 seater is a second car then its less hassle.

- M3
- RS4
- RS3
- AMG A45
- Golf CS

[T1547]

Thinking along the same lines due to having a little'un and best three options I could come up with are:

997.2 (don't forget these come in S and non-S versions, the non-S is still 345bhp).
Evora 400
BMW M2

There's something a bit 'normal' about the M2 that doesn't really appeal to me personally, although would like to try one which might change that view.

[pb8g09]

moonigan said:

Personally, based on experience I'd discount anything that didn't have 4 doors. With a coupe you start off thinking it will be OK but it soon becomes a massive PITA. If your fun 4 seater is a second car then its less hassle.

- M3
- RS4
- RS3
- AMG A45
- Golf CS

A45 isn't manual, and unless you're referring to older versions, neither is the RS3.

I don't think a Golf is a particularly special car to look out the window and lust over.

[PH User]

moonigan said:

Personally, based on experience I'd discount anything that didn't have 4 doors. With a coupe you start off thinking it will be OK but it soon becomes a massive PITA. If your fun 4 seater is a second car then its less hassle.

- M3
- RS4
- RS3
- AMG A45
- Golf CS

A 2/3 door is fine, unless it's really tiny in the back. I would still go with a Megane RS275, more fun than lots of other choices and with money left over for a proper weekend car!

[nickfrog]

T1547 said:

There's something a bit 'normal' about the M2 that doesn't really appeal to me personally, although would like to try one which might change that view.

I agree, it really doesn't have the ultimate poise/pedigree/prestige of the other two that you listed.

But it's surprisingly good to drive given its humble origins.

And it is very versatile. I would indeed suggest a test drive, even if it is to rule it out.

[moonigan]

pb8g09 said:

A45 isn't manual, and unless you're referring to older versions, neither is the RS3.

I don't think a Golf is a particularly special car to look out the window and lust over.

Yep. Missed the "manual" requirement. Twice!!

GR Yaris.

[Luke H]

2 Door will be fine, its predominantly a car for me, i just know it will get more use if we can stuff the kids in the back too!

T1547 said:

Thinking along the same lines due to having a little'un and best three options I could come up with are:

997.2 (don't forget these come in S and non-S versions, the non-S is still 345bhp).
Evora 400
BMW M2

There's something a bit 'normal' about the M2 that doesn't really appeal to me personally, although would like to try one which might change that view.

This is actually a really good point, and thinking about it that level of 'normalness' is partly whats attracting me to the M2C, i think it strikes a nice balance of being a bit more 'special' than a hot Golf or Megane (I've had a few renaultsports and loved them but really want RWD) but isnt trying to be a supercar and i don't have to wrap it up in cotton wool and worry about sticking miles on it. I'm fairly confident i could buy one, use it whenever and bang 30k miles on it over 3 years at a max cost of £5k a year in depreciation - which lets be honest is about what it would cost to lease a Vauxhall Mokka over the same period in the current climate!

The 991 was a similar proposition and i thought would be the one but £50k doesnt get you much and the 3.4 i drove was pretty meh whereas the OG M2 was more enjoyable than id expected.

I guess I'm just weighing up the balance between sensible and special despite it being a car i don't 'need'. Head is saying M2C, heart is in that same 3 year period i could have a Cerbera, 1M and an Evora for 12 months each!

[TheAlastair34]

If you look at the lower end of Evora i dont think you will loose anything, yeah the 50-70k current cars will drop a little but all the Evora's alternatives are older are more expensive to run like the 996 and 997.

Assume you want a manual and that will limit the choices but the best cars for what you want are auto unfortunatly.

If you could live with an auto id be looking at the Alfa or a Maserati grand Turismo

[Luke H]

moonigan said:

Yep. Missed the "manual" requirement. Twice!!

GR Yaris.

"tried a Yaris GR - mega car but too similar to the wifes MK8 fiesta ST which despite being less capable is IMO more fun to drive."

Missed that bit too!

Amazing car and if it wasn't for the ST would be right up there but i can prise the keys from her when i need to scratch the hot hatch itch, which i do... a lot!

[dirtbiker]

Intrigued by this topic, I'm in a similar place with wanting a nice toy that can also transport the kids (currently 2.5 and eight months).

I've not driven an M2 yet but it does seem to tick an awful lot of boxes (can put the bikes on the roof too - another win!)

[Luke H]

nickfrog said:

That's probably a little optimistic Luke. I had budgeted £250/month when I bought my OG 2 years ago and while it's still up on what I paid for obvious reasons, I think this will be a minimum when "normal" depreciation resumes. But still, £9k over 3 years is still very good VFM in my book.

I was at £5k per year so £15k over 3 years which i didnt think was overly optimistic?

Cant see a tidy manual (which longer term given the numbers will be the one to have IMO) dropping much below £30k unless something drastic happens with the economy!

[LayZ]

Not manual but a lot of fun to drive and definitely good size back seats for this type of car. Very safe place for your money too.



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201051...