Weekend car advice

[steveb8189]

Hi all. Looking for a bit of advice for something to buy for the weekend.

Budget:
- 20k
- Moderate insurance premiums (I'm 35, no NCD as this will be second car)
- Lowish VED
Must have's:
- Back seats suitable for baby car seat
- A bit of power; 0-60 faster than my current car (7.3)
- Something I could take to a car show and generate a little interest in the car park
Must not have's:
- Chav appeal
- Huge servicing / repair bills

I currently have an Octavia VRS Tdi and have been through various "warm hatch" diesels, Golf GTD, Leon FR, Ibiza FR. Most interesting car I've owned is an S2000 followed by an E46 330ci

An Elise would be ideal but I've now got a 10 month old so the rear seats are a must.

Thanks!

[RobM77]

Something interesting with rear seats for £20k? The obvious choice is a 911 and there should be a choice of 996s for that price (though buy wisely and research the engine issues), although you can't really take one to a car show. There's a choice of Cerberas at that price, but they do have a reputation for ripping your wallet apart, and I'm guessing with a 10 month old you don't want the hassle or unexpected bills?

[kiethton]

Jaguar XKR?

older:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

newer:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

996 Porsche 911

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Maserati 3200 GT/4200

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Mercedes CL63 AMG

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Just a few random/illustrative examples

[steveb8189]

Thanks Rob. I had looked at the 996 extensively in the past but I can't get beyond the fact I massively prefer the looks of the 997 which seems to be at least £10k above my budget for a good one.

Unexpected bills would be good to avoid but I'll be doing a very limited mileage and no track days etc.

[Andy665]

A good GTV V6 will be massively under budget, wont cost a fortune to maintain (although some will disagree purely because its an Alfa), will generate conversation at shows and will not lose money

[steveb8189]

kiethton said:

Jaguar XKR?

older:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

newer:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

996 Porsche 911

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Maserati 3200 GT/4200

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Mercedes CL63 AMG

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

The newer Jag looks fantastic and could well meet the bill. Interior of the old one starting to look very dated now.

Maserati just isn't my thing although certainly fits the "interesting" criteria.

I didn't realise you could get a CL63 in my price budget. That issue with that one is I could probably use it as a daily and spend the money I spend on the Octavia on fuel and tyres.

[Gruber]

What about a classic of some sort - Porsche 928 for example?

The pros would be cheaper tax and insurance, much less depreciation, plus it would tick your car show appeal box. The downside of old car ownership is higher maintenance costs - but if you choose wisely then that might be offset by the saved depreciation etc.

Another thought would be a B5 RS4 - they seem to be appreciating at the moment, still look ace, go like stink, have great kudos, and bags of room for taking the family to a car show.

[steveb8189]

Andy665 said:

A good GTV V6 will be massively under budget, wont cost a fortune to maintain (although some will disagree purely because its an Alfa), will generate conversation at shows and will not lose money

Now that's an idea. Any experience getting a baby into the back?

[steveb8189]

Gruber said:

What about a classic of some sort - Porsche 928 for example?

The pros would be cheaper tax and insurance, much less depreciation, plus it would tick your car show appeal box. The downside of old car ownership is higher maintenance costs - but if you choose wisely then that might be offset by the saved depreciation etc.

Another thought would be a B5 RS4 - they seem to be appreciating at the moment, still look ace, go like stink, have great kudos, and bags of room for taking the family to a car show.

I did think of the older cars although I was going more down the classic ford type route. The issue is it will be parked on my driveway (sorry, I didn't mentioned earlier) and anything too old may not like being abused by the British weather 365 days a year.

The RS4 buyers guide last week on PH got me interested in the B5 but I'm yet to go and see one. It would be a little odd buying a car which is seemingly more practical than my daily just to use for weekends! I would be concerned about repair bills should anything go wrong too..

[RobM77]

steveb8189 said:

Thanks Rob. I had looked at the 996 extensively in the past but I can't get beyond the fact I massively prefer the looks of the 997 which seems to be at least £10k above my budget for a good one.

Unexpected bills would be good to avoid but I'll be doing a very limited mileage and no track days etc.

A friend had a Cerbera and it was a nightmare. My choice would be a 996 after a lot of research, but you do need to like to looks of a special weekend car... It's a shame the 964 has risen so much - a few years ago you could have bought one for £12k and they have that more classic 911 look that the 997 returned to.

[rotarymazda]

Unmodified Series 8 RX7 registered as a 1.3L. Servicing has been £300-400/year, very few faults in the 10+ years I've had mine.

Kids were OK in the back until age 7-8.

20mpg on a good day is the downside.

[Gruber]

steveb8189 said:

Gruber said:

What about a classic of some sort - Porsche 928 for example?

The pros would be cheaper tax and insurance, much less depreciation, plus it would tick your car show appeal box. The downside of old car ownership is higher maintenance costs - but if you choose wisely then that might be offset by the saved depreciation etc.

Another thought would be a B5 RS4 - they seem to be appreciating at the moment, still look ace, go like stink, have great kudos, and bags of room for taking the family to a car show.

I did think of the older cars although I was going more down the classic ford type route. The issue is it will be parked on my driveway (sorry, I didn't mentioned earlier) and anything too old may not like being abused by the British weather 365 days a year.

The RS4 buyers guide last week on PH got me interested in the B5 but I'm yet to go and see one. It would be a little odd buying a car which is seemingly more practical than my daily just to use for weekends! I would be concerned about repair bills should anything go wrong too..

Fairy nuff!

FWIW, I don't see a B5 RS4 having substantially greater bork potential than a 996/7 with IBS or a Maser with a bone to pick. It's all just a big gamble really.

Some other random thoughts to throw into the mix... A RenaultSport Megane or something of that more modern ilk? An older RS Focus? Demo Clubsport Golf GTI's are almost within your budget too, from a quick look at AT.

If the kid is in a forward facing seat, the options are greater. But getting a rear facing seat into a lot of the smaller sportier stuff becomes a bit problematic (at least if your front seat passenger has legs and wants to retain use of them).

[steveb8189]

rotarymazda said:

Unmodified Series 8 RX7 registered as a 1.3L. Servicing has been £300-400/year, very few faults in the 10+ years I've had mine.

Kids were OK in the back until age 7-8.

20mpg on a good day is the downside.

I'll have to admit I didn't even know they had back sets as they look must more sleek than the RK8. I'll do some further investigation as there seem to be quite a few for sale on PH.

[steveb8189]

Gruber said:

FWIW, I don't see a B5 RS4 having substantially greater bork potential than a 996/7 with IBS or a Maser with a bone to pick.

[RobM77]

The RS4 has the undesirable accolade as the car I've driven that's hidden its performance the most. I drove an '07 model back in 2009 with a view to buying and it genuinely felt like a bog standard A4 Comfortable, efficient, well made, rather dull and nose heavy in the corners. I like the fact they look so subtle but muscular and the fact it's a V8, but....

[Gruber]

RobM77 said:

The RS4 has the undesirable accolade as the car I've driven that's hidden its performance the most. I drove an '07 model back in 2009 with a view to buying and it genuinely felt like a bog standard A4 Comfortable, efficient, well made, rather dull and nose heavy in the corners. I like the fact they look so subtle but muscular and the fact it's a V8, but....

I was advocating a B5 rather than a B7. I too was left underwhelmed by the experience of the B7, but somehow the earlier turbo'd car felt (in my admittedly very very limited experience) a bit more special. Still nose heavy, of course.

[RobM77]

Gruber said:

RobM77 said:

The RS4 has the undesirable accolade as the car I've driven that's hidden its performance the most. I drove an '07 model back in 2009 with a view to buying and it genuinely felt like a bog standard A4 Comfortable, efficient, well made, rather dull and nose heavy in the corners. I like the fact they look so subtle but muscular and the fact it's a V8, but....

I was advocating a B5 rather than a B7. I too was left underwhelmed by the experience of the B7, but somehow the earlier turbo'd car felt (in my admittedly very very limited experience) a bit more special. Still nose heavy, of course.

Sorry - my Audi model code knowledge isn't very good! Would I be right in saying the earlier cars were even more nose heavy though? Didn't they move the engine back for the B7, much to Clarkson's [unwarranted] excitement?

[designforlife]

Integra DC2 or DC5
R33 GT-R/R34 GT-ST
Supra
JZX100 chaser
300ZX
Evo 7/8/9/10

In your budget I'd personally go with an Evo, having the extra set of doors would be handy with kids. I have a DC5 and the room in the back isn't bad a t all, but the extra set of doors adds all that practicality to a nice and quick car...they're holding value brilliantly too.

[steveb8189]

designforlife said:

Integra DC2 or DC5
In your budget I'd personally go with an Evo, having the extra set of doors would be handy with kids. I have a DC5 and the room in the back isn't bad a t all, but the extra set of doors adds all that practicality to a nice and quick car...they're holding value brilliantly too.

I considered the integra - probably DC5 and did enjoy the S2000 for a couple of years.

Concern with the evo would be someone wanting to steal it. Being parked on the driveway I imagine it's a bit of a target. Probably applies to any nice car but for some reason I've always considered evos and scoobys more of a target. I could get a nice FQ300 for the money. I haven't checked yet but I imagine the insurance would be considerable..

DC5 added to short list

[designforlife]

steveb8189 said:

designforlife said:

Integra DC2 or DC5
In your budget I'd personally go with an Evo, having the extra set of doors would be handy with kids. I have a DC5 and the room in the back isn't bad a t all, but the extra set of doors adds all that practicality to a nice and quick car...they're holding value brilliantly too.

I considered the integra - probably DC5 and did enjoy the S2000 for a couple of years.

Concern with the evo would be someone wanting to steal it. Being parked on the driveway I imagine it's a bit of a target. Probably applies to any nice car but for some reason I've always considered evos and scoobys more of a target. I could get a nice FQ300 for the money. I haven't checked yet but I imagine the insurance would be considerable..

DC5 added to short list

I have a lot of very nice things to say about the DC5, owned mine for 6 months sofar, so if you want any owner based info then ask away.