What sports car? - 10k budget - leftfield, fast, fun
Discussion
I'm in the fortunate position of having up to 10k to blow on a toy, practicality is fairly low on the list of priorities though it will have to live on the street, be reasonably reliable and be able to handle some motorway miles one in a while.
Putting and grin on my face and offering a back to basics fun is really what I'm looking for along with something a bit different. Prefer 2 seats to more and have and have a strong aversion to any kind of hatchbacks, hot or otherwise.
The usual suspects would be the Z4, 350Z, S2000, Boxter or, the obvious MX5.
Having already owned and enjoyed an MX5 I want something a bit more grown up and performant.
Up until recently I was pretty much sold on a Z4 3.0, ticks all the boxes - reliable, quick and fairly good fun on a B road. The problem is that it's the sensible choice, they are lovely looking things and I really should just buy one but they just don't grab me like they should.
Budget no option I'd go for an Evora S, NSX, Noble M12, 240Z or an Esprit. When my mortgage is up for renewal next year there's a good chance I'll liberate some funds and get one of those ticked off my bucket list.
Thinking more with my heart than my head the following hold a semi-religious kind of appeal.
Lotus Elan - Played Lotus Turbo Challenge as a kid and have lusted after one ever since. The roof leaks, parts are hard to get, its front wheel drive and it's not really that quick (though with minimal mods the power can be upped substantially).
RX7 - Can you even get one for around this kind of price? Values have shot up recently and I could very well end up with a dog. Running costs, engine rebuilds, the chance of finding a car with one careful owner being about as likely as a substantial lottery win.
Porsche 996 - This thought cropped up again recently in no small part due to poppopbangbang's epic thread (https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=1601182). I'd be buying at the lower end of the market and even without expensive problems cropping up the running costs could be a bit much. A friend has one and apart from oil and tyres, it's cost nothing. Would I be as lucky or would I be living on pot noodles to afford to run the thing? It ticks off the box of Porsche ownership and I could tell myself I'm being a savvy investor rather than a delusional car nut heading towards bankruptcy. Probably need to up the budget a smidge.
So over to you, are there any interesting cars I've missed out?
Putting and grin on my face and offering a back to basics fun is really what I'm looking for along with something a bit different. Prefer 2 seats to more and have and have a strong aversion to any kind of hatchbacks, hot or otherwise.
The usual suspects would be the Z4, 350Z, S2000, Boxter or, the obvious MX5.
Having already owned and enjoyed an MX5 I want something a bit more grown up and performant.
Up until recently I was pretty much sold on a Z4 3.0, ticks all the boxes - reliable, quick and fairly good fun on a B road. The problem is that it's the sensible choice, they are lovely looking things and I really should just buy one but they just don't grab me like they should.
Budget no option I'd go for an Evora S, NSX, Noble M12, 240Z or an Esprit. When my mortgage is up for renewal next year there's a good chance I'll liberate some funds and get one of those ticked off my bucket list.
Thinking more with my heart than my head the following hold a semi-religious kind of appeal.
Lotus Elan - Played Lotus Turbo Challenge as a kid and have lusted after one ever since. The roof leaks, parts are hard to get, its front wheel drive and it's not really that quick (though with minimal mods the power can be upped substantially).
RX7 - Can you even get one for around this kind of price? Values have shot up recently and I could very well end up with a dog. Running costs, engine rebuilds, the chance of finding a car with one careful owner being about as likely as a substantial lottery win.
Porsche 996 - This thought cropped up again recently in no small part due to poppopbangbang's epic thread (https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=1601182). I'd be buying at the lower end of the market and even without expensive problems cropping up the running costs could be a bit much. A friend has one and apart from oil and tyres, it's cost nothing. Would I be as lucky or would I be living on pot noodles to afford to run the thing? It ticks off the box of Porsche ownership and I could tell myself I'm being a savvy investor rather than a delusional car nut heading towards bankruptcy. Probably need to up the budget a smidge.
So over to you, are there any interesting cars I've missed out?
370Z a budget & haggling should get you one for around £500 over budget.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-Nissan-370-Z-3-7-G...
Audi TTS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or the V6 TT:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
987 3.2 Boxster S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-Nissan-370-Z-3-7-G...
Audi TTS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or the V6 TT:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
987 3.2 Boxster S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Thanks for the suggestions guys.
All great cars in their own way but more head than heart cars. I'm willing to open up the budget by a few grand for something a bit less practical and a bit more special.
GT86 - Low on power and great handling - a combination I had with my MX5's. They are utterly bomb proof and have a fair chunk of depreciating to do, so now doesn't feel like the right time too buy either.
Audi TTS / V6 - Great cars on paper and you get allot for the money. Far too practical and not enough b road fun.
Boxster S - These were at the top of my list for a long time. Great cars and perfect apart from the engine issues on the cars I could afford.
Chatting to a bloke about his RX7 currently...
All great cars in their own way but more head than heart cars. I'm willing to open up the budget by a few grand for something a bit less practical and a bit more special.
GT86 - Low on power and great handling - a combination I had with my MX5's. They are utterly bomb proof and have a fair chunk of depreciating to do, so now doesn't feel like the right time too buy either.
Audi TTS / V6 - Great cars on paper and you get allot for the money. Far too practical and not enough b road fun.
Boxster S - These were at the top of my list for a long time. Great cars and perfect apart from the engine issues on the cars I could afford.
Chatting to a bloke about his RX7 currently...
Caterham or one of the many variations
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GBS-ZERO-CATERHAM-7-600...
dYAAOSw9gRaK9sW
Alfa spider
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Alfa-Romeo-Spider-...
Maserati 4200 (a bit over budget)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Maserati-4200-Camb...
TVR S2
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-S2-2-9-170-BHP-LSD/...
Or something a little more retro?
Xr3i
Mk2 golf gti
MR2
type thing
Having the same thoughts myself at present and keep ending back at the boxster
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GBS-ZERO-CATERHAM-7-600...
dYAAOSw9gRaK9sWAlfa spider
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Alfa-Romeo-Spider-...
Maserati 4200 (a bit over budget)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Maserati-4200-Camb...
TVR S2
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-S2-2-9-170-BHP-LSD/...
Or something a little more retro?
Xr3i
Mk2 golf gti
MR2
type thing
Having the same thoughts myself at present and keep ending back at the boxster
Edited by mattman on Saturday 23 December 22:32
I'm probably looking for a car that doesn't exist in my price range.
Looks mental, handles, well, 0-60 < 6 seconds and scratches my particular itch.
Caterham - Can't leave it in the rain, no chance of doing more than 20 miles on English motorways in the winter without wanting to end it all.
Alfa Romeo Spider - I'll hand in my credentials now, but I've never seen the attraction unless we're talking 'the graduate' version which would last 5 minutes on my street.
Maserati 4200 - An early 996 was pushing it on ruinous running costs, this steps over the edge. Fun suggestion though.
Xr3i ford - Not a ford guy. Stupid prices for slow cars I used to view as cheap rust buckets as a kid. Do see why people see the love, I'm not one.
Mk2 golf gti - Hatchbacks hold 0 appeal.
MR2 - Cool cars and not a bad shout. Just not special enough. Feels too close to the MX5's I've had in the past.
DC5 pimped up - pseudo hatchback. Cool things but it's a spiced up family car not a sports car.
RX7 looking more likely now than ever...
Looks mental, handles, well, 0-60 < 6 seconds and scratches my particular itch.
Caterham - Can't leave it in the rain, no chance of doing more than 20 miles on English motorways in the winter without wanting to end it all.
Alfa Romeo Spider - I'll hand in my credentials now, but I've never seen the attraction unless we're talking 'the graduate' version which would last 5 minutes on my street.
Maserati 4200 - An early 996 was pushing it on ruinous running costs, this steps over the edge. Fun suggestion though.
Xr3i ford - Not a ford guy. Stupid prices for slow cars I used to view as cheap rust buckets as a kid. Do see why people see the love, I'm not one.
Mk2 golf gti - Hatchbacks hold 0 appeal.
MR2 - Cool cars and not a bad shout. Just not special enough. Feels too close to the MX5's I've had in the past.
DC5 pimped up - pseudo hatchback. Cool things but it's a spiced up family car not a sports car.
RX7 looking more likely now than ever...
How grave are you feeling??
Never even knew they made these
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Never even knew they made these
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Chrysler Crossfire - Certainly leftfield, a marmite car if ever there was one. A the end of the day it's a rebodied SLK so more of a gentleman's cruiser than a driver-focused car.
VX220 - Really love these things. Black with black wheels. But suffers from the same issues as the Elise below.
Elise - I need to own one of these at some point. As already mentioned, these cars do not like living on the street and I'm not quite committed enough to own one all year round. Visiting friends in Bristol I need to do a hungover drive home to Brighton with it pissing with rain in the dark. It would be a horror show in one of these.
TVR - Well this is a solid choice, looked seriously into getting a Chimera the last time I had some spare cash. Ended up buying a house instead. Living on the street with no way to use a trickle charger I think I'd be doing it a disservice. That and the worry that I'd be flying backwards into a hedge, on fire.
RX7 and all the expensive joys of ownership look like they might be the best bet at this stage.
VX220 - Really love these things. Black with black wheels. But suffers from the same issues as the Elise below.
Elise - I need to own one of these at some point. As already mentioned, these cars do not like living on the street and I'm not quite committed enough to own one all year round. Visiting friends in Bristol I need to do a hungover drive home to Brighton with it pissing with rain in the dark. It would be a horror show in one of these.
TVR - Well this is a solid choice, looked seriously into getting a Chimera the last time I had some spare cash. Ended up buying a house instead. Living on the street with no way to use a trickle charger I think I'd be doing it a disservice. That and the worry that I'd be flying backwards into a hedge, on fire.
RX7 and all the expensive joys of ownership look like they might be the best bet at this stage.
......TVR Chimaera. Maybe not the best thing to keep on the street, but as for performance for your budget.....unbeatable.
TR4man said:
I think that a sub £10k Chimaera is a rare thing indeed unless you fancy a bit of spannering.
What about an XK8 convertible, a Merc SL or SLK - or are they too much the cruiser and less the sports car?
A Chim would be epic and I can up the budget a bit, looking seriously at an RX-7 and have created a thread here (https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=1714383) to get some opinions on it. Know little about them and either this ones expensive or prices have doubled since I last looked - I suspect the latter. What about an XK8 convertible, a Merc SL or SLK - or are they too much the cruiser and less the sports car?
Always had a soft spot for the XK's, my dads got one and it had been rock solid and taken him and my mum on a fair few euro trips.
Once again, like the SLK - they are more of a GT than a sports car. Great at what they do but I'm looking for something more raw and driver-focussed - though with a few more creature comforts than an Elise.
If I could afford an Evora S it would be a no-brainer!
For ten grand on a car that has to live outside I'd have a Z4 coupe, I think they were all 3.0cc.
The VX220 suggestions I'm with, great cars, but won't like being outside, I've had three of them, and a pain driving them in the winter trying to demist the screen. Summer toy only I feel.
Or for a slightly more vintage look the 3.0cc Z3.
Not sure if there's any left, but the Alfa 155 V6 I had sticks in my memeory as one of the finest sounding cars I've had.
The VX220 suggestions I'm with, great cars, but won't like being outside, I've had three of them, and a pain driving them in the winter trying to demist the screen. Summer toy only I feel.
Or for a slightly more vintage look the 3.0cc Z3.
Not sure if there's any left, but the Alfa 155 V6 I had sticks in my memeory as one of the finest sounding cars I've had.
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