I need acceleration that makes me smile for £13k

[AlexNJ89]

Please help me find something for summer!

I currently drive a 320d and need something else for fun sunny road trips.

I'm on the hunt for a 2nd car. My criteria is:
- Something that can be used as a daily - so 20mpg+
- It can be 2 seats but 4 would be nice
- Petrol
- A convertible would be amazing as I've never owned one
- Can be any age
- It must be a rare car, I love having something different
- Done the majority of it's depreciation
- Isn't going to bankrupt me on parts if something goes wrong
- I'm quite a big built guy so needs to be reasonably big

The reason I made this thread is that I thought I was going to end up with a Mercedes SL r129 until I drove one today and to be honest ... it didn't light my fire.

My current shortlist:
Mercedes 320SL r129 (Would be amazing to beat depreciation and looks so unique)
BMW 335i (Nice ones are a bit out of budget)
Mercedes SL350 r230 (unreliable apparently)
SLK55 (will probably bankrupt me on parts)
BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0si
BMW 330Ci convertible

Would love suggestions or any experience with the cars on my shortlist!

[Ilovejapcrap]

All bmw and merc on that list, won’t be rare at that.

Get on eBay and look at some random stuff

[Integroo]

SLk55 is apparently fairly easy on maintenance other than 16 spark plugs at the major service and expensive front discs (though third party discs are now available I understand).

[DickyC]

SLK32

[AlexNJ89]

Integroo said:

SLk55 is apparently fairly easy on maintenance other than 16 spark plugs at the major service and expensive front discs (though third party discs are now available I understand).

Wow thanks, this car really is awesome too. I thought it was going to have the same maintenance costs as the SL55 or CL55!

I'll get reading the forums

[AlexNJ89]

DickyC said:

SLK32

Thanks for the suggestion, I didn't even know these existed!

They've got all the makings of an appreciating asset too

[Integroo]

AlexNJ89 said:

Wow thanks, this car really is awesome too. I thought it was going to have the same maintenance costs as the SL55 or CL55!

I'll get reading the forums

Check my thread out here:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I've been considering one and there's some good advice in there.

[DickyC]

AlexNJ89 said:

Thanks for the suggestion, I didn't even know these existed!

They've got all the makings of an appreciating asset too

Rare and a hilarious Q car. Around £10,000 at the moment compared to fifteen hundred quid for a normal one.

[Ilovejapcrap]

Not saying any of these are good or bad but wanted to chuck some ideas about not merc or bmw for you -

Lexus is250 convertible
Lexus sc430 ( never seen one, some say rubbish)
Jag xk8 convertible
Alfa Romeo spider
Saab 900 turbo convertible
Honda S2000 ( I know just two seats but they say great engine and well built)

[romeodelta]

Not rare, but 987.2 Boxster S fits most other criteria.

ETA: TTS is another you could consider.

Edited by romeodelta on Sunday 23 June 23:54

[SiT]

VX220 either supercharged or turbo, ticks all your boxes and some!!!

Yes it’s a small car but I am 6’3 and 16 stone and have no problems with it.

I can GUARANTEE it will make you smile whilst leaving your wallet in tact.

Si

[alabbasi]

I'm not sure about the rest of the car, but the SL350 (R230) should have the M112 motor which is about as bomb proof as you can get

[itz_baseline]

How about a Monaro? Might struggle with the MPG but what's an extra few quid on fuel. Ticks most of the other boxes and can be had in various states of tunes.

[ilikejam]

Jag XKR?

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

[Douglas Quaid]

Why don’t you get a Porsche 996?

[ZX10R NIN]

The SLK/CLK55 AMG's would be where my money would go both have sensible running costs & both will put a smile on your face especially after you fit the X pipe.

SLK

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

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

CLK

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

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

[TR4man]

You'd get a higher mileage Z4M roadster for your budget, but whilst not common, they look very similar to the more mundane Z4.

VED is a bit of a killer too.

[Andy665]

BMW 650i - weil within budget and once valve stem seals are done its pretty solid

[james_gt3rs]

Sounds like some sort of tuned turbo would suit, Impreza?

[SteveR1979]

I had a BMW Z4M, fantastic car and just about within your budget for a leggy one. M tax on parts makes some parts pricey but liveable. They are really good at going sideways if you turn the traction off. Proper hooligan car, and I sort of wish I'd kept mine. £550 a year on VED was one of the reasons I got rid as I was only doing 1500miles a year in it.

I currently have a 996C2, again, you can get an older one for about your budget. Its a great car, very easy to live with and so far easy to work on. The convertibles are generally cheaper than the coupes, avoid the tip gearbox.

I also have a TVR Chimaera. You MIGHT get a ropey 450 for your budget, but you'll easily get a very nice 400. They are easy to work on and a real event to drive. The noise is something else. I've done all my own work on mine apart from the clutch, and they are really simple. Prices on parts aren't too bad because most of them come from other cars. Lack of power roof, and the fact you have to take the top off and put it in the boot is a pain in the arse, but, its a TVR!

Final suggestion, Porsche Boxter S. Easily in your budget, same front end as the 996, not as quick, but its still a Porsche and still easy to work on. Be careful though, sometimes a one off big bill can write the car off.