20k Car ... what would you buy?

[Ursicles]

So this is my dilemma.

Currently have a VRs on order for March, and need a 'fun' thing for about £20k (max £22k) for when i want to have a little bit of more spirited driving and my annual 2k european road trip in May.

Sold my boxster last month, and biding my time on next purchase as i have no idea what to actually buy.

Must haves:

2008 or newer (unless its special or potential investment eg M3 E46)
0-60 in sub 6, prefereably sub 5.5
Top speed of around 160/170
Manual
A proper sports car
No major horror stories or £5k potential rebuild requirements.
Running costs sensible - so no 500 SL's etc

Really struggling this time as to what to buy this time round.

Edited by Ursicles on Monday 13th November 11:32

[designforlife]

FD2 civic type R...£20k won't get you the mugen RR unfortunately, but that's where i would be putting my money right now.

[Ursicles]

Very interesting idea.

Used to have an Integra Type R and always loved these, but forgot about them.

[angels95]

370Z Nismo?

[Strudul]

VXR8 or a VX220 Turbo?

[Ursicles]

I thnk the VXR8 is a bit too big, but the VX220 is an intersting proposition.

[mcg_]

996 carrera 4s. Probably doesn't fit all category's but I really want one ha

[cat with a hat]

Top speed of 160-170.. Now that is a weird request.

[aquarianone]

Z4m coupe...

[The Dangerous Elk]

Forget the moderns

[AyBee]

Lotus Elise/Exige? Bought mine 3 years ago and sold on this year for a small profit.

[Actus Reus]

Ursicles said:

I thnk the VXR8 is a bit too big, but the VX220 is an intersting proposition.

I love my VX220 Turbo and you'd have plenty of money left for mods and trackdays (decent turbos go for £15k - £17k) - there's a thread on my car over in Reader's Cars (due an update soon).

[Ursicles]

cat with a hat said:

Top speed of 160-170.. Now that is a weird request.

Others on the road trip have a top speed over around 190 - so dont want to be left too far behind!

[mcg_]

Ursicles said:

cat with a hat said:

Top speed of 160-170.. Now that is a weird request.

Others on the road trip have a top speed over around 190 - so dont want to be left too far behind!

can't be too hard, my golf has a top speed of just over 150 I believe

[MrGCC]

E92 M3? got to be considered in my opinion.
the 370z is also a good shout.
Also what about another Porsche? Cayman S?

[Ursicles]

I tend to like to try diff cars, so the cayman s would be similar to the boxster id say, esp as for the budget it would prob still be a Gen 1 with similar to my old boxster.

The E92 i would consider, but be far too similar (in shape/interior etc) to my old 335D coupe i had - yes different engine etc, but not diff enough to feel 'new' to me.

That prob sounds a bit nuts im guessing!!

[kiethton]

A lot more modern (and ours is auto) but picked this up a few '000 below bottom budget last week and is very well optioned. Manuals cheaper still!

[MrGCC]

Ursicles said:

I tend to like to try diff cars, so the cayman s would be similar to the boxster id say, esp as for the budget it would prob still be a Gen 1 with similar to my old boxster.

The E92 i would consider, but be far too similar (in shape/interior etc) to my old 335D coupe i had - yes different engine etc, but not diff enough to feel 'new' to me.

That prob sounds a bit nuts im guessing!!

I used to have a 535d and you can say interior is same as the M5 but my brother had the M5 and no matter what the 535d was, it never will have the drama of the engine nor the handling like the M5.

I can see it being the same case as the E92 335d and the M3. I wouldn't say you have to go for it but don't just rule it out until you have taken one for a test drive, ideally one with an aftermarket exhaust.

But if you want something completely 'new' and as mentioned before, don't mind an older car if its the right car. Why not a Skyline GTR? an R33 can be found for that price range in good condition and will be a completely new experience for you.

[Actus Reus]

Re: Cayman vs Boxster, yes, I had both (987.1 S models), and yeah, they're similar. The Cayman's the better car in my book, but only just. I only bought it as I regretted selling the Box.

The VX220 (and related S2 Elise) are totally different, much much more exciting cars. Highly recommend trying one.

[ZX10R NIN]

If it has to be a sports car then I'd say the 370Z Nismo ticks the boxes but they're hard to find:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Z4M Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Audi TT RS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Leftfield:

RX-7

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I'd probably go for the Nismo.