toy for 5k

[Pistonheader101]

looking to have a weekend/fast road toy for the 20k budget

-circa 300bhp
-doesn't need to be reliable
-not too small - no clios etc.
-not a classic or a convertible
-involving drive


Edit: Budget increase from 5k to 20k.

Bit more specifics

-point A to A car, won't be used for commuting or anything.
-Will likely live on the driveway, so nothing that is prone to rust.
-nothing too small (as 6ft4 100kg) so no roadsters ideally.
-Something I can take for a blast on the evenings or weekends to unwind.
-budget is upto 20k, but flexible depending on car.
-I think something from around the 2005-2009 era would be suitable?

Edited by Pistonheader101 on Sunday 29th September 19:57

[MissChief]

Pistonheader101 said:

looking to have a weekend/fast road toy for the 5k budget

-circa 300bhp
-doesn't need to be reliable
-not too small - no clios etc.
-manual is preferred
-not a classic or a convertible
-involving drive

You're really going to struggle at that criteria.

The only thing that comes to mind is either a Nissan 350Z from £3.5k (just shy of 300HP) or a BMW Z4 (No Z3 Coupe in your price range) but even the leggiest one is 265HP and over budget. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I suppose you could go modded but as usual, fast, cheap, reliable. Pick two. And even though VAG stuff might get you to 300BHP an involving drive isn't something you'll get there.

[Pistonheader101]

MissChief said:

Pistonheader101 said:

looking to have a weekend/fast road toy for the 5k budget

-circa 300bhp
-doesn't need to be reliable
-not too small - no clios etc.
-manual is preferred
-not a classic or a convertible
-involving drive

You're really going to struggle at that criteria.

The only thing that comes to mind is either a Nissan 350Z from £3.5k (just shy of 300HP) or a BMW Z4 (No Z3 Coupe in your price range) but even the leggiest one is 265HP and over budget. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I suppose you could go modded but as usual, fast, cheap, reliable. Pick two. And even though VAG stuff might get you to 300BHP an involving drive isn't something you'll get there.

yeah its quite the ask. reliability doesn't matter too much. could get a 2006 S3 with a remap to 360bhp 4wd - but sadly its the most boring drive ever!

[ZX10R NIN]

At your price point all roads would lead to a 350Z it's a better drivers car than the Z4 but the BMW counters with the sweeter engine.

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

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

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

Leftfield

Skyline GT350

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

[V8RX7]

Buy my IS200 with a 300bhp V8 transplant, manual with LSD - it's in the classifieds

[designforlife]

I would say a turbo or SC mk1 or mk2 MX5 should fit the bill nicely and come in under £5k.

[alabbasi]

If you can forego the manual, A 210 Mercedes E55 has 350hp and is a great drive , if you can't, an E39 540i/6
I have both and would choose the Mercedes over the BMW but I understand that they can rust in the UK.

[MissChief]

alabbasi said:

If you can forego the manual, A 210 Mercedes E55 has 350hp and is a great drive , if you can't, an E39 540i/6
I have both and would choose the Mercedes over the BMW but I understand that they can rust in the UK.

Not really ‘toys’ are they though?

[Mr Tidy]

MissChief said:

You're really going to struggle at that criteria.

The only thing that comes to mind is either a Nissan 350Z from £3.5k (just shy of 300HP) or a BMW Z4 (No Z3 Coupe in your price range) but even the leggiest one is 265HP and over budget. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I know the Nissan is a bit more powerful, but it's also about 200kg heavier than the Z4 Coupe so I doubt whether performance is much different.

A Z4 Coupe with high 90K miles just sold on eBay for £5,600, so you might find one with a little bit of budget creep!

Good luck with your quest anyway!

[Rotary Potato]

I'm afraid I can't think of anything that hits all your criteria.

You'd either need to up the budget or get flexible with some of your criteria.

I was in a very similar position to you a couple of months ago - except I was looking for something sub-7 seconds to 60, rather than a specific BHP target (300bhp sets your world on fire in a Caterfield, but only makes things smoothly progressive in a 5 series)

I ended up flexing on the 'no convertible' rule and getting a 2001 Porsche Boxster S.

[DoubleD]

I would say forget the power level and concentrate on what is the most fun to drive for your budget.

[Pistonheader101]

Budget just been bumped upto 20k now

Thinking m3 e92

[MissChief]

Pistonheader101 said:

Budget just been bumped upto 20k now

Thinking m3 e92

Elise/Exige?
VX220 Turbo?
Boxster/Cayman?

[p4cks]

V8 Vantage? If you're lucky you may get this for £20K

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aston-Martin-Vantage-4-...

[MC Bodge]

MissChief said:

Elise/Exige?
VX220 Turbo?
Boxster/Cayman?

That's the sort of thing I'd be thinking about. Or a Caterham/Westfield.

I suppose everybody has a different idea of fun/toy.

[DoubleD]

Me too. I certainly wouldn't be looking at a heavy saloon type car for a toy.

[Mr Tidy]

Pistonheader101 said:

Budget just been bumped upto 20k now

Thinking m3 e92

At that budget you could think about a Z4M Coupe.

[shake n bake]

Isn’t there a single car you’ve ever lusted after?

[talksthetorque]

Pistonheader101 said:

Budget just been bumped upto 20k now

Thinking m3 e92

I'm thinking how did you not notice a spare 15K lying around?

How do you like your thrills?

Caterham?
Z4MC?
C63AMG?
Elise?
XKR 5.0?

[cerb4.5lee]

Cerbera?

I'd be really happy to have gone from a 5k budget to a 20k budget that is for sure. 20k gives you plenty of options I would have thought.