Which "funster"?

[wadsy]

Thinking of a roadster for fun / w'ends away, so needs some luggage space. Also suitable for wife to commute in on nice days and with 'low-ish' running costs. Ideally something that will hold its money well or even appreciate if poss. Budget up to 15k.

My thoughts...

Caterham 7
Caterham 21
Elise S1 or S2
VX220 NA or turbo
S2000
Boxster S - concerns over engine?
SLK55 AMG

Thoughts, experiences of the above and other recommendations please.

Cheers

[anonymous-user]

I’ve owned Boxster, Boxster S and SLK.

If you want better handling then get the Porsche but for more comfort and security the SLK is great.

I’d get the 350, not the 55, unless you want the madness of the AMG engine. I had a manual 350 SLK which had plenty of performance and you’ll get newer/lower mileage for your money.

[g7jhp]

I've owned an Elise Mk1 and then a Caterham 7 HPC.

The Caterham is the most fun of your list and the biggest adrenaline rush.

The biggest challenge will be if you wife likes it. Fantastic cars but a little raw and too muxh compremise for others.

You must go and drive one to make up your minds.

[wadsy]

Thanks chaps

Anymore thoughts please?

Cheers

[anonymous-user]

Good luck getting a decent caterham 7 for 15k.

Not great for luggage either unless you put a rack on.

Westfield give you 95% of the caterham experience without the cost, plus there are even cheaper alternatives like tiger or gbs if that style suits.

Personally I bought a 2017 Westfield last month and love it, but as others say, it's not comfort motoring.

[davek_964]

culpz said:

Bit of a left-field choice, given your suggestions, but what about a Clio 182 Trophy? They're generally pretty cheap to run and can only really go up in value. It's a hot-hatch compared to your other sports car choices though, so depends on what you'd define as special and fun really.

Quite left field - I think the key part of the description was roadster?

[culpz]

davek_964 said:

Quite left field - I think they key part of the description was roadster?

My apologies, I'm really not on the ball today. As you were

[InductionRoar]

Z4M fits the criteria, if you can look past the £535 VED.

[vixen1700]

Serious lack of TVRs on that list.

http://www.fernhurst-tvr.co.uk/car-details.php?id=...

£15k Would get you a nice Chimaera.

[ZX10R NIN]

It would be the SLK whilst it's not as sweet a steer as the Porsche, it's still a good steer & that 5.5 engine & drivetrain are bulletproof so in my bias opinion that's the one to go for, finding one will be the harder bit:

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

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

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

One that often gets overlooked is the 370Z they're very underrated & are a (the Aubergine looks great in the flesh) good steer:

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

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

The S2000 GT is another good shout:

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

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

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

[vsonix]

There's some real opposite end of spectrum things going on here... Caterham 7 to CLK55?
That's like saying you can't decide if you want a Bedford Rascal or a Unimog... without knowing what you personally enjoy most from a car, what the roads near you are like, if you intend to drive only in the immediate local area or halfway across the continent for your fun drives - it's pretty much impossible to give guidance when the remit is that broad.
Although it's a great 'wahey, I've got 15k to burn' statement thread.

[TXG399]

I had an SLK55 for close to 2 years. I absolutely loved it, it's an utterly stupid car and never failed to make me grin!

It's also surprisingly practical - the boot is much bigger than you'd think. It's also possible to get a respectable MPG on a motorway run if driven sensibly (36mpg was my record). I used to get 18-20mpg general driving. And 4mpg at the Nurburgring...

The roof works very well, it's a real best of both situation. With the roof up it may as well be a coupe, I had no leaks and the soundproofing was spot on. Get a good one and you'll make money too, I made a profit on mine despite adding 14,000 miles to it.

[vsonix]

davek_964 said:

culpz said:

Bit of a left-field choice, given your suggestions, but what about a Clio 182 Trophy? They're generally pretty cheap to run and can only really go up in value. It's a hot-hatch compared to your other sports car choices though, so depends on what you'd define as special and fun really.

Quite left field - I think the key part of the description was roadster?

RenaultSport Spider?

[anonymous-user]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I have a Westfield ( as posted earlier) and I bought my wife a 2009 mx5 last year, and to be honest it's not a bad car when you don't want to take a mundane daily out but also think the 7 is just too much for the roads and weather forecast.
and it has a good boot!

It would be better with a SC of course, but she won't let me as she likes it as it is.

Whether I'd buy it as a funster is of course a different question!

[mattman]

got retro-classic - White Xr3i cabriolet or a Mk1 Golf GTI convertible or even the Mk1 or Mk2 Toyota MR2?

if it really has to go around corners without falling over how about a Supra Aerotop?

|https://thumbsnap.com/aMfAjoUO[/url]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-P-TOYOTA-SUPRA-3-0...


Lastly - if you fancy something that will ruin you financially, then you can't beat the Maserati Spyder for £13k - this one seems to have been for sale for ages



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

Edited by mattman on Monday 19th March 16:17

[vixen1700]

Gotta love the diversity here.

Just needs 300bhp/tonne to come along with Corvette suggestion.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C969135

How about the 'classic' option?

[wadsy]

Thanks for the diverse and interesting replies

More to ponder on and maybe, when the weather is appropriate we'll get out to try some options....or the wife will veto my plan in favour of bathroom, carpets, sofa etc!

Cheers

[anonymous-user]

wadsy said:

when the weather is appropriate we'll get out to try some options....or the wife will veto my plan in favour of bathroom, carpets, sofa etc!

Cheers

Don't know how true it is but when the weather gets better the price of convertibles goes up so they say by a considerable amount apparently.