£9-13k, 4-5 seats - manual (ideally V8) Sportscar options?

[Z4MCSL]

So far on the list:

e90 M3 - not sure money will buy me a decent one and running costs are high?
S5 V8 - I am warming to this
Monaro VXR - always wanted one but cant help feeling it might be a let down/to brash for daily driving around London
RS4 - again not sure a good one can be had for the money plus running costs add up
TT - no interest in this, other half has a TTS
6 series - could look at a 4.8V8 manual, getting rare these days, not sure on the looks

any other thoughts?

[Thales]

I'd try and stretch as much as poss to an E90 M3 - different league to the others.

[barryrs]

Maserati 3200 or 4200?

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the VXR8 ticks every box & is more than cultured enough to do the daily commute in & around London.

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

S5

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

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

650i

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

M6

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

M3

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

[cerb4.5lee]

Sports car and 4/5 seats has thrown me a bit from the thread title!

The S5 holds a really strong appeal for me. A lovely engine and a great place to sit.

[ninjag]

XFR supercharged 5.0 V8

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

[stedaley]

Isf?

[Dolf Stoppard]

ninjag said:

XFR supercharged 5.0 V8

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

Man, that looks good. I fancy something a bit epic myself next year. The XE-S is tempting, or this, for half the price...

[deebs]

I've not driven or owned the others on the list but I have a S5 V8, it's our primary family car, mostly driven by the missus. Weve had it about 2 years, I drive it once a week or so. My impressions, the steering is too vague, the brakes are overly sensitive , the gearshift (manual) not particularly enjoyable, the noise is muted from the inside, the mpg 17.4 over 6k miles of mostly town driving with a bit of city bypass chucked in.

To be fair it feels like it's solid and I've had zero issues with it but it's not "the" V8 experience if you ask me.

[Terzo123]

Dontbrule out Monaro VXR's, as they are great. Youll get loads of attention, but it's enerally always of the good kind. People will stop you at petrol stations wanting to talk to you about it.

They seat 4 people very comfortably although getting access to the rear can be a bit of a faff as the electric seats in the front are slow to move backwards/forwards.

Performance is decent, although not a patch on its German rivals, but that's not really the point of a Monaro.

They are getting old now, so I'd be checking underneath for rust.

[andy43]

I reckon I'd go ISF as already suggested. Great 8 speed paddleshift, sounds great and they're bulletproof. Note only a 4 seater.
Or E39 M5 - depreciation proof manual V8 but finding a good one in budget will be tricky. TVR Cerbera out of budget now.
Audi manuals aren't much fun and I'd guess the Holden stuff all has a heavy shifting yank box - and no rustproofing - but I've never tried one.
XFR is a good shout, or E55/CLS55/'63 if autos are ok. '55 autobox is slow witted but the supercharger compensates
Budget creep left field choice (potentially ending in bankruptcy) - Maserati Gran Turismo. Early ones are full auto with paddles, genuinely a 4 seater, noise to die for, likewise the looks.

[Mr_s81]

Been considering an ISF myself but from what I've read, it seems space is tight, particularly for those in the rear. I'm 6 foot so it seems the seat has to go way back for someone of this height, negating space in the back. Shame, as I really want one, but seems like I would need to run it along something else for 'family duties'.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mr_s81 said:

Been considering an ISF myself but from what I've read, it seems space is tight, particularly for those in the rear. I'm 6 foot so it seems the seat has to go way back for someone of this height, negating space in the back. Shame, as I really want one, but seems like I would need to run it along something else for 'family duties'.

At 6'0 you'll find rear space is an issue on the M/AMG/RS models due to the depth of their front seats, I'd say look for a VXR8