What 30k sports car?

[R8Steve]

I’m looking to buy a new weekend car in the next few weeks and I’m not 100% sure what to go for.

The shortlist so far is -

Aston Martin Vantage V8
Aston Martin DB9
Maserati Gran Tourismo
Bentley Continental GT
Porsche 911

I’m currently thinking Vantage V8 but was looking to get others thoughts on what one to go for and why?

[romeodelta]

R8, Steve?

I would go for a GranTourismo for a weekend car - the biggest 'event' from this list.

[R8Steve]

romeodelta said:

R8, Steve?

I would go for a GranTourismo for a weekend car - the biggest 'event' from this list.

The Gran Tourismo is probably the one i know least about and the one that gives me the biggest fear over big bills. I might be wrong though, i'd need to research them a good bit more.

[ZX10R NIN]

R8Steve said:

romeodelta said:

R8, Steve?

I would go for a GranTourismo for a weekend car - the biggest 'event' from this list.

The Gran Tourismo is probably the one i know least about and the one that gives me the biggest fear over big bills. I might be wrong though, i'd need to research them a good bit more.

They're great cars I still miss my Sportline budget on them costing between 1-2k a year depending on your usage, they make driving at 30mph an event let alone when you up the pace & then there's the noise (I can personally recommend the Larini cat back system with X pipes) which is just superb.

The real key is to work out where the majority of the driving will be done because if you're doing a lot of town driving then go for the S as lots of town work will cause premature wear to MC Shift cars, if it's more open road then the MC Shift is the pick.

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...

Or if you fancy something more raw take a look at an Evora.

[FWIW]

ZX10R NIN said:

Or if you fancy something more raw take a look at an Evora.

^This. Has to be on the short list.

[R8Steve]

Good shout on the evora, i hadn't considered one of those.

[Herbs]

FWIW said:

^This. Has to be on the short list.

This again.

Only reason I never did, is because there is no convertible option but they drive sublime.

[p4cks]

I was in a very similar position a couple of years ago and opted for the Evora. The main reasons I discounted each car are listed below

Aston Martin Vantage V8 - not that good to drive, expensive runnings costs
Aston Martin DB9 - I'd not considered one of these actually, but see above most likely
Maserati Gran Tourismo - reliability concerns and the fact it's a bit of a GT rather than a sports car
Bentley Continental GT - too old/dated
Porsche 911 - had one before and never ever again will I have a Porsche. Dull, expensive to run and woefully unreliable
Evora NA - perfect and cheap to run as it's a 'bitsa' car (Toyota engine, Ford key, Vauxhall electrics, Jaguar mirrors etc etc)
Evora S - real world performance wasn't worth the additional premium over the NA

[ColdoRS]

Ive been in this position recently too. I went for a TVR Tuscan.

Argueably, it may be slightly less ‘useable’ than most of the cars on the lists above but its no less fun and in my opinion, more of an event to drive than any of them!

[CABC]

ColdoRS said:

TVR Tuscan.

Argueably, it may be slightly less ‘useable’ but its no less fun and in my opinion, more of an event to drive than any of them!

understatement!

great choice btw.

[R8Steve]

ColdoRS said:

Ive been in this position recently too. I went for a TVR Tuscan.

Argueably, it may be slightly less ‘useable’ than most of the cars on the lists above but its no less fun and in my opinion, more of an event to drive than any of them!

I do like the bonkers look of the more modern TVR's like the tuscan and tamora but do worry about reliability and the chassis issues (not sure if this affects the tuscan/tamora).

I've decided to rule out the 911 as i already have a boxster S and don't really see the value in getting a 911 at this kind of price range. Most seem leggy and poor value for money given the 997.1 engine issues and the 996 being too similar to the boxster IMO. The turbo i've already had and didn't think it was that great a drive TBH.

The Bentley as mentioned above might be a bit dated, it would need to be black/black with mulliner spec interior as the non mulliner looks very dated along with any weird colour combos. They also seem to be a real struggle to sell on as the ones on my watchlist appear to have been up for sale forever.

I've never even seen an Evora so i'll try and have a look at one of these, they seem to hold their money well and no-one seems to have a bad word against them.

I've never driven a Gran Tourismo so not sure on how it will drive but the looks and sound definitely do it for me.

Haven't driven a DB9 but i do like the look of them and having the seats (if you can call them that) in the back is a bonus.

My heart says Vantage V8, i've driven one over a weekend and i did like it, love the looks of them and from what i can see running costs, especially when depreciation is added in, seem pretty reasonable for the type of car.

Is there anything else i'm missing? Exige? Maybe a bit hardcore

[CABC]

what do you define as a w/end car?
yr list doesn't seem very weekendy

[R8Steve]

CABC said:

what do you define as a w/end car?
yr list doesn't seem very weekendy

Something special to take out a run at the weekend basically, something that sounds, looks and goes well and is a bit of an 'event' to drive.

To make it a bit clearer, i have an X6 that i use during the week, a Boxster S for when the sun is out, a track car for track days and a gearbox kart for racing.

I'm looking for a car feels special to take out but is still usable hence why there's no caterhams. radicals, etc in my list which may be what you are thinking of when i say weekend car.

[davek_964]

p4cks said:

I was in a very similar position a couple of years ago and opted for the Evora. The main reasons I discounted each car are listed below

Aston Martin Vantage V8 - not that good to drive, expensive runnings costs
Aston Martin DB9 - I'd not considered one of these actually, but see above most likely
Maserati Gran Tourismo - reliability concerns and the fact it's a bit of a GT rather than a sports car
Bentley Continental GT - too old/dated
Porsche 911 - had one before and never ever again will I have a Porsche. Dull, expensive to run and woefully unreliable
Evora NA - perfect and cheap to run as it's a 'bitsa' car (Toyota engine, Ford key, Vauxhall electrics, Jaguar mirrors etc etc)
Evora S - real world performance wasn't worth the additional premium over the NA

Aston Martin Vantage is slightly 'bitsa' too. Lots of Volvo & Jag parts.

[LeoSayer]

F-Type V6s are in that price range and V8s not too far away.

[Herbs]

Exige V6 should definitely be on that list then

[HocusPocus]

OP, you've got lots of pointy noisy modern cars already. Even an Evora or Vantage is more of the same. Suggest you consider a wafty luxo barge with real sense of occasion, like a 1990s RR/Bentley. Snorting Connolly leather whilst navigating the lounge down to the pub might be a refreshing change.

[Big GT]

CABC said:

ColdoRS said:

TVR Tuscan.

Argueably, it may be slightly less ‘useable’ but its no less fun and in my opinion, more of an event to drive than any of them!

understatement!

great choice btw.

Tuscan all day long.
I chose the Tuscan over V8V after test driving a few as its much more of an event.

However the V8V in my eyes is the best looking Aston of all and you wont be disappointed.