Analogue sports car. £30k
Discussion
justin220 said:
I've owned a few of your list, and here are my thoughts -
V8 Vantage - owned a couple, one coupe and one roadster, Both felt very special to drive, more so the roadster for getting the roof off. Fantastic noise, a really wonderful thing to own. Both of them did come with a few typical hand built niggles but if you accept that may happen you'll be good. Didn't drive very well, a bit disconnected and my wife hated driving them with the handbrake operation.
Evora - Owned an early NA one for around 4 years and it was utterly brilliant. I wanted to PX it for a supercharged one but Lotus offered me peanuts for mine (so ended up in the Vantage above). Wonderful all round car, we did many road trips away in it, the rear 'seats' we could fit two airport suitcases in it so it was very useable. Great to drive. Didn't sound as good as the vantage but to drive it was night and day. Long distance, track days, B roads... I'm not sure how Lotus did it, but it excelled on all of them.
TVR T350 - Frightening and wonderful at the same time. Sounded outrageous, and was a real event just going out anywhere in it. I think I was lucky with mine as I didn't experience any real issues but not sure I would go back and possibly taint my fond view of it. Difficult to drive quick, but managed a trip to the Nurburgring and will always be a highlight of my car ownership.
Would I go back to any of them? Yes for different reasons. The Vantage was fantastic to own, Evora was a great all rounder, and the TVR for how special it was. I think for a toy I'd want a convertible again though so that rules out the Evora, and would mean a different flavour of TVR. Fast is all relative, but out of the three the only one that felt fast was the TVR. Although it was easier to actually drive the Evora quickly.
How about an Exige? Much more raw but another fantastic car to experience. Maybe a Boxster for a bit more usability?
Really useful post.V8 Vantage - owned a couple, one coupe and one roadster, Both felt very special to drive, more so the roadster for getting the roof off. Fantastic noise, a really wonderful thing to own. Both of them did come with a few typical hand built niggles but if you accept that may happen you'll be good. Didn't drive very well, a bit disconnected and my wife hated driving them with the handbrake operation.
Evora - Owned an early NA one for around 4 years and it was utterly brilliant. I wanted to PX it for a supercharged one but Lotus offered me peanuts for mine (so ended up in the Vantage above). Wonderful all round car, we did many road trips away in it, the rear 'seats' we could fit two airport suitcases in it so it was very useable. Great to drive. Didn't sound as good as the vantage but to drive it was night and day. Long distance, track days, B roads... I'm not sure how Lotus did it, but it excelled on all of them.
TVR T350 - Frightening and wonderful at the same time. Sounded outrageous, and was a real event just going out anywhere in it. I think I was lucky with mine as I didn't experience any real issues but not sure I would go back and possibly taint my fond view of it. Difficult to drive quick, but managed a trip to the Nurburgring and will always be a highlight of my car ownership.
Would I go back to any of them? Yes for different reasons. The Vantage was fantastic to own, Evora was a great all rounder, and the TVR for how special it was. I think for a toy I'd want a convertible again though so that rules out the Evora, and would mean a different flavour of TVR. Fast is all relative, but out of the three the only one that felt fast was the TVR. Although it was easier to actually drive the Evora quickly.
How about an Exige? Much more raw but another fantastic car to experience. Maybe a Boxster for a bit more usability?
Edited by justin220 on Monday 20th May 06:41
TVR: I have driven the Griffith and the Cerbera, but neither for about 15 years. As regards their behaviour I have no qualms with interesting RWD handling as I grew up with Volvo 360, Ford Capri, 80's BMWs. All of which are the perfect training ground for that kind of thing. Treat them with respect and build a relationship with the car. So that aspect of them is not a negative, in fact quite the reverse.
Aston Martin: I love the idea, they just don't tickle me like the Aston Martins I really want (1990's V8 Vantage & 1970 DBS V8), so if the TVR is a more fun and cheaper car to own then they are out of the running. Having driven 1980's Aston V8's they are more like the TVR driving experience any way, big power, big noise, slowly round corners and blast the straights. :-)
Lotus: I haven't driven a Lotus since the Excel and that is still my yardstick for a car that feels totally planted. I will go & try some.
Porsche: They just don't excite me, certainly not the Boxster / Cayman and they will eventually depreciate to nothing, which I am not a fan of. The 996 is just old enough to be interesting, and the only one I really liked when new. So will try one and keep the idea of buying one and doing the engine on my watch in mind.
I've shopped in the bracket a few times over the last 5 or so years.
If we are going to ignore the brief re gearbox then a good Maserati Gransport and £10K change.
Yes I do have one, and I think it's brilliant, sharp steering, a real event to drive, amazing sound and still practical if you need it to be.
There isn't really any weekend car for less than 40K that I'd change it for.
I owned a Griff 500 for two years, It's an itch many of us have to scratch. Looked and sounded great but even with Nitron shocks etc driving it quickly on a twisty road was not really that much fun; the handling is vintage almost. But burbling about with the roof down and putting your foot down occasionally is brilliant. Then went to a Z3M Coupe and now the Maserati.
There is a nice looking T350 for sale at the Iconic Auctions Sywell Sale now listed as buy it now 30K, featured in Harry's garage recent vieo round up.
I did look at 996's but what a minefield and they are so ubiquitous.
Have driven both and Evora NA and a 400, both very competent cars but neither (not even the 400) felt quick enough somehow; perhaps it's the ratio of the power to capability of the chassis.
Another leftfield is the Corvette either in C6 Z06, C5 Z06 Form or C4 ZR1.
I need to scratch that vette itch at some point.
If we are going to ignore the brief re gearbox then a good Maserati Gransport and £10K change.
Yes I do have one, and I think it's brilliant, sharp steering, a real event to drive, amazing sound and still practical if you need it to be.
There isn't really any weekend car for less than 40K that I'd change it for.
I owned a Griff 500 for two years, It's an itch many of us have to scratch. Looked and sounded great but even with Nitron shocks etc driving it quickly on a twisty road was not really that much fun; the handling is vintage almost. But burbling about with the roof down and putting your foot down occasionally is brilliant. Then went to a Z3M Coupe and now the Maserati.
There is a nice looking T350 for sale at the Iconic Auctions Sywell Sale now listed as buy it now 30K, featured in Harry's garage recent vieo round up.
I did look at 996's but what a minefield and they are so ubiquitous.
Have driven both and Evora NA and a 400, both very competent cars but neither (not even the 400) felt quick enough somehow; perhaps it's the ratio of the power to capability of the chassis.
Another leftfield is the Corvette either in C6 Z06, C5 Z06 Form or C4 ZR1.
I need to scratch that vette itch at some point.
Edited by urquattroGus on Monday 20th May 11:58
Caterham, not sure you can get anymore analogue than that?
£21K - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405189...
£25k - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404218...
£21K - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405189...
£25k - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404218...
Martyn76 said:
Caterham, not sure you can get anymore analogue than that?
£21K - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405189...
£25k - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404218...
Probably not the kind of car you would really want to use all year round. £21K - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405189...
£25k - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404218...
surely an unpopular opinion
someone indicated a gransport here or a 4200 coupe here, good choice!
however among the cars offered IMO nothing will come close to an original 3200 gt manual gearbox. such beauty, incredible noise once the exhaust muffler are changed, special interior, it feels faster than you can imagine, raw, old school power delivered by the old biturbo v8 very funny on dry ground and scary in the wet. obviously reliability is not its strong point but often this is resolved quickly. In the "event" genre it's difficult to find better or at least as special.
someone indicated a gransport here or a 4200 coupe here, good choice!
however among the cars offered IMO nothing will come close to an original 3200 gt manual gearbox. such beauty, incredible noise once the exhaust muffler are changed, special interior, it feels faster than you can imagine, raw, old school power delivered by the old biturbo v8 very funny on dry ground and scary in the wet. obviously reliability is not its strong point but often this is resolved quickly. In the "event" genre it's difficult to find better or at least as special.
Murci.sv said:
surely an unpopular opinion
someone indicated a gransport here or a 4200 coupe here, good choice!
however among the cars offered IMO nothing will come close to an original 3200 gt manual gearbox. such beauty, incredible noise once the exhaust muffler are changed, special interior, it feels faster than you can imagine, raw, old school power delivered by the old biturbo v8 very funny on dry ground and scary in the wet. obviously reliability is not its strong point but often this is resolved quickly. In the "event" genre it's difficult to find better or at least as special.
Here you go;someone indicated a gransport here or a 4200 coupe here, good choice!
however among the cars offered IMO nothing will come close to an original 3200 gt manual gearbox. such beauty, incredible noise once the exhaust muffler are changed, special interior, it feels faster than you can imagine, raw, old school power delivered by the old biturbo v8 very funny on dry ground and scary in the wet. obviously reliability is not its strong point but often this is resolved quickly. In the "event" genre it's difficult to find better or at least as special.
https://www.richardgracecars.co.uk/for-sale/masera...
I had a 3200 Asetto Corsa but sadly it was the Auto.
They are very characterful cars and much more hairy to drive than many would think.
Having had both though, I’d take the Gransport any day.
The composure and balance of the Gransport is impressive; I think the transaxle gearbox in the back and dry dumped low slung engine in the front help to give it better weight distribution than the 3200.
urquattroGus said:
Murci.sv said:
surely an unpopular opinion
someone
https://www.richardgracecars.co.uk/for-sale/masera...
I had a 3200 Asetto Corsa but sadly it was the Auto.
They are very characterful cars and much more hairy to drive than many would think.
Having had both though, I’d take the Gransport any day.
The composure and balance of the Gransport is impressive; I think the transaxle gearbox in the back and dry dumped low slung engine in the front help to give it better weight distribution than the 3200.
yes the weight distribution is not the same, I was in a gransport it is a more modern, sportier car but I find it has less character than the 3200 and the 3200 really feels faster more explosive especially the manual version. the steering is also not great on the 3200, worse than the gransport. preferences.... everyone has their ownsomeone
https://www.richardgracecars.co.uk/for-sale/masera...
I had a 3200 Asetto Corsa but sadly it was the Auto.
They are very characterful cars and much more hairy to drive than many would think.
Having had both though, I’d take the Gransport any day.
The composure and balance of the Gransport is impressive; I think the transaxle gearbox in the back and dry dumped low slung engine in the front help to give it better weight distribution than the 3200.
After driving the Evora you'll find the rest don't come close as a drivers car, I'd agree about the Z06 but you'll be nearer to 40k.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404248...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404068...
You will get a nice C6 with the Z51 pack for around 30k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402086...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404248...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404068...
You will get a nice C6 with the Z51 pack for around 30k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402086...
ZX10R NIN said:
After driving the Evora you'll find the rest don't come close as a drivers car, I'd agree about the Z06 but you'll be nearer to 40k.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404248...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404068...
You will get a nice C6 with the Z51 pack for around 30k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402086...
Love that Corvette, just not the colour (color?).https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404248...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404068...
You will get a nice C6 with the Z51 pack for around 30k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402086...
Interesting idea.
Transaxle Porsche of some variety - doddle to work on, spacious for at least driver plus two others, proper hatchback versatility, depreciation-proof, and generally recognised as great handling sports.
My money went on a 968, and before that, a manual 928S4 which is much more fun than the internet says it should be. Others might prefer a late 944T.
Parts are easy to get, specialists are everywhere, condition is everything.
I had a Nissan 400Z for a day and came away thinking that my 30yo 968 was more fun, more often, despite being 30yo and down about 150bhp. OK, the engine is an anodyne 4-cyl thing but it works v well and is pretty much bombproof - the bottom end is good for about 500bhp.
They’re not everyone’s cuppa, but if you’re looking at 90s TVRs then age isn’t an issue - take one for a spin!
My money went on a 968, and before that, a manual 928S4 which is much more fun than the internet says it should be. Others might prefer a late 944T.
Parts are easy to get, specialists are everywhere, condition is everything.
I had a Nissan 400Z for a day and came away thinking that my 30yo 968 was more fun, more often, despite being 30yo and down about 150bhp. OK, the engine is an anodyne 4-cyl thing but it works v well and is pretty much bombproof - the bottom end is good for about 500bhp.
They’re not everyone’s cuppa, but if you’re looking at 90s TVRs then age isn’t an issue - take one for a spin!
PomBstard said:
Transaxle Porsche of some variety - doddle to work on, spacious for at least driver plus two others, proper hatchback versatility, depreciation-proof, and generally recognised as great handling sports.
My money went on a 968, and before that, a manual 928S4 which is much more fun than the internet says it should be. Others might prefer a late 944T.
Parts are easy to get, specialists are everywhere, condition is everything.
I had a Nissan 400Z for a day and came away thinking that my 30yo 968 was more fun, more often, despite being 30yo and down about 150bhp. OK, the engine is an anodyne 4-cyl thing but it works v well and is pretty much bombproof - the bottom end is good for about 500bhp.
They’re not everyone’s cuppa, but if you’re looking at 90s TVRs then age isn’t an issue - take one for a spin!
At the time I bought my Nissan 200SX (S13) a Lotus Excel or 944S (16v) were the other cars I looked at.My money went on a 968, and before that, a manual 928S4 which is much more fun than the internet says it should be. Others might prefer a late 944T.
Parts are easy to get, specialists are everywhere, condition is everything.
I had a Nissan 400Z for a day and came away thinking that my 30yo 968 was more fun, more often, despite being 30yo and down about 150bhp. OK, the engine is an anodyne 4-cyl thing but it works v well and is pretty much bombproof - the bottom end is good for about 500bhp.
They’re not everyone’s cuppa, but if you’re looking at 90s TVRs then age isn’t an issue - take one for a spin!
I plumped for the 200SX as it was only a couple of tears old & I thought it would be the more sensible choice.
So yes great suggestion & a 944 Turbo has long been a hero car of mine.
928 S4 manual is a bit of a unicorn but I’d have one.
Had a good drive in the Boxster.
Very impressive and good fun. I also had another long drive in the F-Type R.
Also, just for fun stuck my head in the Ferrari dealership.
Came away with one absolute certainty:
I want an older car. Something 1990’s or feels like it came from the 1990’s.
As good as the Porsche was I didn’t feel ‘the fizz’.
Poking around at Ferrari (Dean the salesman was a gent & led me around all the more interesting areas) the car that made me want to take it home there & then was a 457M manual.
So, this is really good news, my search is going to be TVR, Lotus, Porsche but all pre-2000 stuff.
I will update.
Very impressive and good fun. I also had another long drive in the F-Type R.
Also, just for fun stuck my head in the Ferrari dealership.
Came away with one absolute certainty:
I want an older car. Something 1990’s or feels like it came from the 1990’s.
As good as the Porsche was I didn’t feel ‘the fizz’.
Poking around at Ferrari (Dean the salesman was a gent & led me around all the more interesting areas) the car that made me want to take it home there & then was a 457M manual.
So, this is really good news, my search is going to be TVR, Lotus, Porsche but all pre-2000 stuff.
I will update.
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