What sub 22k, coupe, exotic, etc
Discussion
Have inherited a bit of money and thinking of allocating up to 22k on another car after I’ve got married later this year.
My current cars are:
2001 BMW 330i e46 pre-facelift – the daily driver. Spec is incredible for 2001, still drives nicely so am very happy with this and no plans to get rid.
1999 TVR Griffith 500 – the point A to point A weekend classic. Never selling.
Whenever wife to be and I want to go somewhere on the weekend, we often take our dog, which means I can’t take the TVR. Also want to do more UK/Europe road trips to luxury boutique type hotels before kids come along and ruin the fun. So I’m after something more special than the 3 series, and more dependable and bigger than the TVR.
So, criteria is:
- Ideally V8, absolute minimum of 6 cylinder
- Rear seats. Don’t need to be massive but need belts at least. If they are big enough for kids however, it means I can keep it as fun family car in years to come
- Coupe body style
- Decent grand tourer, not a stripped out track special. I’m not going to be doing track days with this
- Make me feel special, that there aren’t many about and is exotic in a way – (so as brilliant as they are its probably no to an e90 M3/C63)
- No diesels
- No black interiors
- It has to live outside as the TVR has the garage
- Nothing too old/classic (up to 25 years I’d say), the Griffith kind of fills that roll and I want it to be better than that would in a crash
- Residuals aren’t much of a worry, but it would be nice if it has done the majority of its depreciating by now
- Up to 22k budget
Options I’ve been thinking of:
Maserati Granturismo 4.2
Pros – Looks, sound, feels very special, I’ve never had an Italian car, proper four seater. “Shall we take the Maserati?” I think this is top of the list currently.
Cons – Maintenance costs, variator worries.
Lotus Evora
Pros – Looks amazing, a proper mini supercar. Having that bonded chassis and mid-engine is exciting. Likely the sharpest to drive. Won’t rust, and Toyota engine pretty much unbreakable.
Cons – Will be a cat C/D at this price and that’s if I can even find one – cheapest spotted so far is 22.5k pre-crashed. Not enough cylinders perhaps. Better than an Elise but still not great on motorways?
Jaguar XK/XKR (the aluminium one)
Pros – Sounds great, looks great, will never rust. Super cheap to buy (9k+ XK, 12k+ XKR).
Cons – Interior ok but a bit underwhelming?
Porsche 911 (996)
Pros – Probably the easy option. Ok reliability and maintenance costs? Not worried about residuals but this is probably the best in that regard too.
Cons – I don’t want the default silver with black interior, which it seems they all are - (I’d want full on retro 90s spec: pre facelift, orange fried eggs and a tan/red/green interior). Not sure how special they feel to the Maserati. Not enough cylinders perhaps. IMS/RMS yadda yadda yadda
Bentley Continental GT
Pros – Super super comfy, most special interior, the POWER!
Cons – The complexity and breakage factor is pretty terrifying, the Tavarish repair series on YouTube has probably sealed its fate in removal from the list…
Any other potential options I’ve missed?
My current cars are:
2001 BMW 330i e46 pre-facelift – the daily driver. Spec is incredible for 2001, still drives nicely so am very happy with this and no plans to get rid.
1999 TVR Griffith 500 – the point A to point A weekend classic. Never selling.
Whenever wife to be and I want to go somewhere on the weekend, we often take our dog, which means I can’t take the TVR. Also want to do more UK/Europe road trips to luxury boutique type hotels before kids come along and ruin the fun. So I’m after something more special than the 3 series, and more dependable and bigger than the TVR.
So, criteria is:
- Ideally V8, absolute minimum of 6 cylinder
- Rear seats. Don’t need to be massive but need belts at least. If they are big enough for kids however, it means I can keep it as fun family car in years to come
- Coupe body style
- Decent grand tourer, not a stripped out track special. I’m not going to be doing track days with this
- Make me feel special, that there aren’t many about and is exotic in a way – (so as brilliant as they are its probably no to an e90 M3/C63)
- No diesels
- No black interiors
- It has to live outside as the TVR has the garage
- Nothing too old/classic (up to 25 years I’d say), the Griffith kind of fills that roll and I want it to be better than that would in a crash
- Residuals aren’t much of a worry, but it would be nice if it has done the majority of its depreciating by now
- Up to 22k budget
Options I’ve been thinking of:
Maserati Granturismo 4.2
Pros – Looks, sound, feels very special, I’ve never had an Italian car, proper four seater. “Shall we take the Maserati?” I think this is top of the list currently.
Cons – Maintenance costs, variator worries.
Lotus Evora
Pros – Looks amazing, a proper mini supercar. Having that bonded chassis and mid-engine is exciting. Likely the sharpest to drive. Won’t rust, and Toyota engine pretty much unbreakable.
Cons – Will be a cat C/D at this price and that’s if I can even find one – cheapest spotted so far is 22.5k pre-crashed. Not enough cylinders perhaps. Better than an Elise but still not great on motorways?
Jaguar XK/XKR (the aluminium one)
Pros – Sounds great, looks great, will never rust. Super cheap to buy (9k+ XK, 12k+ XKR).
Cons – Interior ok but a bit underwhelming?
Porsche 911 (996)
Pros – Probably the easy option. Ok reliability and maintenance costs? Not worried about residuals but this is probably the best in that regard too.
Cons – I don’t want the default silver with black interior, which it seems they all are - (I’d want full on retro 90s spec: pre facelift, orange fried eggs and a tan/red/green interior). Not sure how special they feel to the Maserati. Not enough cylinders perhaps. IMS/RMS yadda yadda yadda
Bentley Continental GT
Pros – Super super comfy, most special interior, the POWER!
Cons – The complexity and breakage factor is pretty terrifying, the Tavarish repair series on YouTube has probably sealed its fate in removal from the list…
Any other potential options I’ve missed?
With a 22k budget I wouldn't go for a GranTurismo I'd go for a GranSport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
If you do go for a GranTurismo check that the Cam Variator issue sorted, you can check on with Maserati as they have a register.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I can recommend the CL500 these are a very capable & have a very bombastic choice of (505 N/A or 4.7TT) V8'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...
or E500 Coupe these can be a very special car (I'm bias because I have one) & have an epic engine.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The XKR is another good call
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Last but not least the CL63 AMG
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...
If you do go for a GranTurismo check that the Cam Variator issue sorted, you can check on with Maserati as they have a register.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I can recommend the CL500 these are a very capable & have a very bombastic choice of (505 N/A or 4.7TT) V8'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...
or E500 Coupe these can be a very special car (I'm bias because I have one) & have an epic engine.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The XKR is another good call
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Last but not least the CL63 AMG
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Wednesday 22 May 22:36
Slightly biased as I own two, but how about an older SL?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Last of the (4v, M119) v8 engine, but with the facelift 5-speed box which makes it a much better distance cruiser. Hardtop & soft for whatever mood takes you (and easy to justify keeping outside). Spend a bit of time waiting on ebay for a panoramic roof to come up, and you’ll have something that meets your needs (I reckon) - they’re not all that common, cover distances superbly well, and meet the Euro boutique chic spec too. They’re not a sports car, but do do the GT thing very well indeed.
The one linked above looks in reasonable nick (although no hood down shots, test the roof & roll bar action multiple times if trying out.
I also own an M6 with that engine. It’s an entirely different prospect. It always wants to go, and is bleedin’ good at it too, the downside is the pitifully small tank, I’ve managed 250 miles once, I think, and that was a pure motorway schlep at <70 (on work time, why speed?). I average about 13 normally. A long distance euro tour haul gets boring when you’re stopping every 2h for fuel.
They’re both very capable cars for the long haul, but very different ways of doing it.
For me, it comes down to what you’re going to do on the Euro trip. If for example you’re near Marseilles, then in the SL, you cruise the coast road along through Cassis, La Ciotat, making sure to be seen along the waterfront, i.e. touring the riviera. If you’re in the M6, you take the D roads past Aubagne & revel in the (largely empty) twists and turns. Flip those scenarios, and the other car isn’t fun (the SL is too heavy & rolls & loses composure, the M6 is shouty & uncouth with the SMG box when crawling in traffic).
If you’re ever near N.Manchester, happy to let you try both for size. All that said, neither is a Maserati!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Last of the (4v, M119) v8 engine, but with the facelift 5-speed box which makes it a much better distance cruiser. Hardtop & soft for whatever mood takes you (and easy to justify keeping outside). Spend a bit of time waiting on ebay for a panoramic roof to come up, and you’ll have something that meets your needs (I reckon) - they’re not all that common, cover distances superbly well, and meet the Euro boutique chic spec too. They’re not a sports car, but do do the GT thing very well indeed.
The one linked above looks in reasonable nick (although no hood down shots, test the roof & roll bar action multiple times if trying out.
I also own an M6 with that engine. It’s an entirely different prospect. It always wants to go, and is bleedin’ good at it too, the downside is the pitifully small tank, I’ve managed 250 miles once, I think, and that was a pure motorway schlep at <70 (on work time, why speed?). I average about 13 normally. A long distance euro tour haul gets boring when you’re stopping every 2h for fuel.
They’re both very capable cars for the long haul, but very different ways of doing it.
For me, it comes down to what you’re going to do on the Euro trip. If for example you’re near Marseilles, then in the SL, you cruise the coast road along through Cassis, La Ciotat, making sure to be seen along the waterfront, i.e. touring the riviera. If you’re in the M6, you take the D roads past Aubagne & revel in the (largely empty) twists and turns. Flip those scenarios, and the other car isn’t fun (the SL is too heavy & rolls & loses composure, the M6 is shouty & uncouth with the SMG box when crawling in traffic).
If you’re ever near N.Manchester, happy to let you try both for size. All that said, neither is a Maserati!
XKR or Granturismo from that list. Issue with the GT is running costs and for the budget you'll be looking at the 4.2 when you really want the 4.7 in the S.
XKR not quite as special or spacious inside but a lot cheaper to run and you'll be able to pick up a well spec'd 5.0 car for your budget and have the choice of the cabriolet if that takes your fancy.
Not convinced any of the MB options are special enough and the Evora isn't really a long distance cruiser + you'll struggle to get anything bigger than a Chihuahua in the back from what I've seen.
You might be able to pick up an early 997 C2S in budget or a nice 996 C4S but again more of a sportscar than GT and a lot less practical than the XKR/GT.
Hoping to be in a similar position later this year with the same sort of budget and at the minute the XKR looks to offer the most car for the money IMHO.
XKR not quite as special or spacious inside but a lot cheaper to run and you'll be able to pick up a well spec'd 5.0 car for your budget and have the choice of the cabriolet if that takes your fancy.
Not convinced any of the MB options are special enough and the Evora isn't really a long distance cruiser + you'll struggle to get anything bigger than a Chihuahua in the back from what I've seen.
You might be able to pick up an early 997 C2S in budget or a nice 996 C4S but again more of a sportscar than GT and a lot less practical than the XKR/GT.
Hoping to be in a similar position later this year with the same sort of budget and at the minute the XKR looks to offer the most car for the money IMHO.
griffsomething said:
Have inherited a bit of money and thinking of allocating up to 22k on another car after I’ve got married later this year.
My current cars are:
2001 BMW 330i e46 pre-facelift – the daily driver. Spec is incredible for 2001, still drives nicely so am very happy with this and no plans to get rid.
1999 TVR Griffith 500 – the point A to point A weekend classic. Never selling.
Whenever wife to be and I want to go somewhere on the weekend, we often take our dog, which means I can’t take the TVR. Also want to do more UK/Europe road trips to luxury boutique type hotels before kids come along and ruin the fun. So I’m after something more special than the 3 series, and more dependable and bigger than the TVR.
So, criteria is:
- Ideally V8, absolute minimum of 6 cylinder
- Rear seats. Don’t need to be massive but need belts at least. If they are big enough for kids however, it means I can keep it as fun family car in years to come
- Coupe body style
- Decent grand tourer, not a stripped out track special. I’m not going to be doing track days with this
- Make me feel special, that there aren’t many about and is exotic in a way – (so as brilliant as they are its probably no to an e90 M3/C63)
- No diesels
- No black interiors
- It has to live outside as the TVR has the garage
- Nothing too old/classic (up to 25 years I’d say), the Griffith kind of fills that roll and I want it to be better than that would in a crash
- Residuals aren’t much of a worry, but it would be nice if it has done the majority of its depreciating by now
- Up to 22k budget
Options I’ve been thinking of:
Any other potential options I’ve missed?
You have a good list but i have a one little bit of left field option: Toyota Supra mkIV Turbo. Should get a decent one with that amount of money. Goes well, handles well, looks good (IMO of course), decent Grand tourer. Interior is spartan like but it is very uniqiue in a good way. Reliability is as good as your BMW. My current cars are:
2001 BMW 330i e46 pre-facelift – the daily driver. Spec is incredible for 2001, still drives nicely so am very happy with this and no plans to get rid.
1999 TVR Griffith 500 – the point A to point A weekend classic. Never selling.
Whenever wife to be and I want to go somewhere on the weekend, we often take our dog, which means I can’t take the TVR. Also want to do more UK/Europe road trips to luxury boutique type hotels before kids come along and ruin the fun. So I’m after something more special than the 3 series, and more dependable and bigger than the TVR.
So, criteria is:
- Ideally V8, absolute minimum of 6 cylinder
- Rear seats. Don’t need to be massive but need belts at least. If they are big enough for kids however, it means I can keep it as fun family car in years to come
- Coupe body style
- Decent grand tourer, not a stripped out track special. I’m not going to be doing track days with this
- Make me feel special, that there aren’t many about and is exotic in a way – (so as brilliant as they are its probably no to an e90 M3/C63)
- No diesels
- No black interiors
- It has to live outside as the TVR has the garage
- Nothing too old/classic (up to 25 years I’d say), the Griffith kind of fills that roll and I want it to be better than that would in a crash
- Residuals aren’t much of a worry, but it would be nice if it has done the majority of its depreciating by now
- Up to 22k budget
Options I’ve been thinking of:
Any other potential options I’ve missed?
Wow, so many responses, thanks all!
Seems I'm not the only one who enjoys studying Auto Trader with a budget and scenario in mind!
Some great suggestions, I can't believe I'd forgotten about the M6! That V10 is very tempting, will need to look into ownership experiences. My other half said "you don't want yet another BMW though", and maybe she's right. It'd be my fifth one out of 20 cars and variety is the spice and so on
Monaro an interesting shout, I feel its probably not quite right for me here though.
Supra was fun on granturismo growing up, but that interior is shockingly bad, and I think it only came in that delightfully dull 90s Japanese car grey plastic.
Maserati Gransport, yes I had considered, but its always looked a little truncated to my eyes, as if its slightly pinched at the top. Also have read in multiple places that it is a lot more finicky and unpredictable than the GT?
All the Merc suggestions, yes, very good call. Anything with that 6.2 would be amazing, or even the SL with the V12 is doable within budget, and thats all kinds of tempting....
but
but
buuuut
I just don't lust after a Merc. As a daily, yes. But for a 3rd car? I'm not sure currently. I know one day I will, but for now I think I want something else
DB7 suggestion actually had me looking on AutoTrader this morning. I think if looking at DB7s though, it would be so much more tempting to get the V12... Hmmm
I think its looking it'll likely be between the Maserati, 911, Jag, and maybe the M6/DB7 depending on what I unearth in buyers guides and specialists servicing costs etc. Maybe the Evora if one pops up cheap enough. Or an SL600 if one with the red interior surfaces.
Ok, so I've now made my list longer. If you need me I'll be setting up more eBay/Autotrader alerts
Thanks again all.
Seems I'm not the only one who enjoys studying Auto Trader with a budget and scenario in mind!
Some great suggestions, I can't believe I'd forgotten about the M6! That V10 is very tempting, will need to look into ownership experiences. My other half said "you don't want yet another BMW though", and maybe she's right. It'd be my fifth one out of 20 cars and variety is the spice and so on
Monaro an interesting shout, I feel its probably not quite right for me here though.
Supra was fun on granturismo growing up, but that interior is shockingly bad, and I think it only came in that delightfully dull 90s Japanese car grey plastic.
Maserati Gransport, yes I had considered, but its always looked a little truncated to my eyes, as if its slightly pinched at the top. Also have read in multiple places that it is a lot more finicky and unpredictable than the GT?
All the Merc suggestions, yes, very good call. Anything with that 6.2 would be amazing, or even the SL with the V12 is doable within budget, and thats all kinds of tempting....
but
but
buuuut
I just don't lust after a Merc. As a daily, yes. But for a 3rd car? I'm not sure currently. I know one day I will, but for now I think I want something else
DB7 suggestion actually had me looking on AutoTrader this morning. I think if looking at DB7s though, it would be so much more tempting to get the V12... Hmmm
I think its looking it'll likely be between the Maserati, 911, Jag, and maybe the M6/DB7 depending on what I unearth in buyers guides and specialists servicing costs etc. Maybe the Evora if one pops up cheap enough. Or an SL600 if one with the red interior surfaces.
Ok, so I've now made my list longer. If you need me I'll be setting up more eBay/Autotrader alerts
Thanks again all.
Edited by griffsomething on Thursday 23 May 09:47
I would vote XK-R. I've had mine for just coming up to 6 years now, but will soon be up for sale due to Classic Ferrari project taking up too much of my time and funds!
Can't fault it in any way, been very reliable (needed nothing apart from service items and the usual sensor here and there). Looks the part, turns heads, right blend of classy and aggressive (I de-chromed/de-silvered everything early on), is a big car, but feels very light and nimble (it is for it's size. The bare shell weighs less than a new MINI bare shell). I've never driven a car that feels so happy being driven sedately, flat out or anything in between. Exceptionally comfortable, great handling for its size, fully loaded and can do it all. Not cheap on fuel, but not hideous either.
A few years back I had the intention of getting rid of it for a DB9, but after driving one I decided I much preferred the Jag, mainly because of how agile it felt on the road in comparison and also felt more modern.
I also owned a Monaro VXR back in the day as a daily from about 8 months old for 3 years. Loved that too. A very simple car on paper, but worked so well.
Can't fault it in any way, been very reliable (needed nothing apart from service items and the usual sensor here and there). Looks the part, turns heads, right blend of classy and aggressive (I de-chromed/de-silvered everything early on), is a big car, but feels very light and nimble (it is for it's size. The bare shell weighs less than a new MINI bare shell). I've never driven a car that feels so happy being driven sedately, flat out or anything in between. Exceptionally comfortable, great handling for its size, fully loaded and can do it all. Not cheap on fuel, but not hideous either.
A few years back I had the intention of getting rid of it for a DB9, but after driving one I decided I much preferred the Jag, mainly because of how agile it felt on the road in comparison and also felt more modern.
I also owned a Monaro VXR back in the day as a daily from about 8 months old for 3 years. Loved that too. A very simple car on paper, but worked so well.
lots of misconceptions about Maserati ownership here...
Gransport vs Granturismo - Gransport is a lot smaller and whilst I was comfortable in Granturismo (and car is genuine 4 seater and is huge) 4200 (same as Gransport felt small and cramped...
4.2 vs 4.7 - everyone says get 4.7 - realistically both are way to fast for UK roads when pushing and driving a Maserati (unless you're in that kind of thing) is supposed to be more dignifying experience so you tend to drive slower (giving others opportunity to hear that glorious sound for longer).
If you can't afford good 4.7 then get good 4.2 and you can always swap exhaust for something more fruity or add x-pipe if sound is what you need.
among all other cars listed Maserati is the only one that will feel like an event every time you take it out. Trust me on that.
Cost wise - yes they can go wrong and are more expensive to service but servicing is every 2 years or 12k miles and generally they are a lot more reliable than research online would suggest.
Gransport vs Granturismo - Gransport is a lot smaller and whilst I was comfortable in Granturismo (and car is genuine 4 seater and is huge) 4200 (same as Gransport felt small and cramped...
4.2 vs 4.7 - everyone says get 4.7 - realistically both are way to fast for UK roads when pushing and driving a Maserati (unless you're in that kind of thing) is supposed to be more dignifying experience so you tend to drive slower (giving others opportunity to hear that glorious sound for longer).
If you can't afford good 4.7 then get good 4.2 and you can always swap exhaust for something more fruity or add x-pipe if sound is what you need.
among all other cars listed Maserati is the only one that will feel like an event every time you take it out. Trust me on that.
Cost wise - yes they can go wrong and are more expensive to service but servicing is every 2 years or 12k miles and generally they are a lot more reliable than research online would suggest.
s4tronic said:
wise words
Yep, I'd be more than happy with a 4.2 - plenty fast enough for me. And I like the reassurance of having that relaxed and fairly robust and commonplace ZF autobox over the MC Shift that most 4.7s seem to have. Owners reviews and buying guides seem to point to the GT being a reliable car. mbwoy84, that Jag is lovely! Sounds like a fantastic car to own as well, a real breadth of capability.
RS5? Not really an Audi fan, and that seems a little too closely related to a cooking A4 for me. Plus I'm afraid I find Audi waterfall grills gopping sorry. They make amazing engines though
I am biased as I have now owned 2
But this is what you want - and this isn't a Cat D (mileage is highish so check when the clutch was last replaced)
[Evora For Sale|https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/evora/gorgeous-lotus-evora-122-v6-2-2-2011/9672875[/url]
The advantage of the Evora in addition to being great to drive, is that the n/a is relatively cheap to run and if you are not the first owner depreciation is pretty minimal.
But this is what you want - and this isn't a Cat D (mileage is highish so check when the clutch was last replaced)
[Evora For Sale|https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/evora/gorgeous-lotus-evora-122-v6-2-2-2011/9672875[/url]
The advantage of the Evora in addition to being great to drive, is that the n/a is relatively cheap to run and if you are not the first owner depreciation is pretty minimal.
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