When is too much, too much?

[tmck]

Hi All

Hope you are all safe and sane.

I'm replacing my current car - M235i - at the end of it's PCP.

It's got me thinking, obviously, about possible daily driving replacements.

The options are staggeringly diverse.

Used cars in my price range go from Conti GT, via AM V8 Vantages and 987 S to JCW GP - stripped out Caterham and Lotus Elise S1/S2 are not practical enough for daily driving.

All different outputs, all different sizes, all different weights and all different handling characteristics.

I have always followed the mantra that I need more power but I've now reconsidered this position.

Why do I need more power?

Already, the M235i can propel me to speeds far in excess of the law and, in some circumstances, safety.

What do I need from a daily driver that mixes town commute with great Scottish A and B roads on my doorstep?

I now think I need LESS.

Less power, less weight, less electronics.

I'd love to hear other people's views and suggestions.

[Roguexcess]

Less fake noise
less fake steering
less fake gearboxes etc

[JP18]

Alfa 4C seems to tick all the less boxes and should be fun. Also looks great in my opinion

[T1547]

What’s your budget? A 981 Cayman S would make an excellent daily drive and fun on the twisties. 987 CS too but does the day to day in a less modern cabin, although more raw/less electrically assisted for the ‘going out for a drive’ bit.

[Haltamer]

I'd consider something from the era of NA hot hatches.

Relatively practical; Not bonkers fast,less assistance and fakery. - Perhaps a little (well?) under budget too.

EP3s, Renault / German contemporaries would seem to be a good option.

[DeWar]

I'm about to get out of an M240i. The problem is the car has too much power for what is basically a boggo 2-series. It goes like stink when it's hot, the tyres are sticky and the road is bone dry; which means about 15 days a year round here. The rest of the time a 230i would keep up with it. Nice competent car. I like it, but it isn't special.

Point being there's a good chance that whatever your trade it in for will probably put more of a smile on your face. If I didn't have to contend with the missus and a second kid on the way, I'd be looking at a Cayman of some description.

[off_again]

Ah, slow car fast.....

I have a C63S which is astonishing and great. But, to get to the point where you can start to have 'fun' I am well over the legal limit! The capabilities of the car are significantly above mine. Love it and will be keeping it for many more years. However, I also have a 986 Boxster. Its slow by comparison but is significantly better to drive. Its swift, not fast, but you can wring out the gears (manual), has great steering feel and the handling is interactive. It rides nicely, is surprisingly economical and with the roof down, a lot of fun. Which is nicer? Depends on what I want, but the simpler feel and attributes of the Boxster cant be ignored.

I will admit that I would sell the Boxster first over the AMG, but while I can keep it, its staying for some time at least. I have a massive soft spot for say a Conti GT, but simply cannot justify it. Not on price or anything, but on the fact that I cant use it at close to its limits and it wouldnt give the type of pleasure I am looking for. If my daily driver was something simpler and slower, maybe, but at the moment no. In fact, I would look to go for an older 911 or something to replace the Boxster, for the driving experience rather than anything else. Speed isnt everything.

[lowdrag]

If as you say, you want less not more why not turn the equation upside down and compare costs until you find what interests you the most from that angle? It's just a thought, but you are planning to come down froma pretty high level, so don't go too far and land with a big bump. Would a used Golf or Scirocco do? Just a thought.

[ian_c_uk]

Another ex M140 owner - it’s one of those cars that just makes you think “there is actually more enjoyment to driving than sheer pace”. I went to a JCW mini afterwards, and didn’t regret the drop in power, as it was so much more fun being able to make use of the power available.

[Dift]

JP18 said:

Alfa 4C seems to tick all the less boxes and should be fun. Also looks great in my opinion

I'd agree... back to basics!

[CABC]

power makes you lazy.
weight dulls the feel.
size limits ability to hoon.
it's all a compromise.
i reckon a 3rd gen Mini Cooper S would be comfortable and yet as much real fun as a V8V.

[V88Dicky]

How about a Nismo 370Z?

Quite an analogue car;

Normally aspirated V6, proper mechanical LSD, 6 speed manual 'box etc. Cheap VED too

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

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd second that the 370Z Nismo is definitely a car that ticks your boxes so that's where I'd be looking.

[CABC]

V88Dicky said:

How about a Nismo 370Z?

Cheap VED too

Z a good call. always chuckle about VED when looking at 370Z - £555 or £145?
i know it's not the end of the world, but when running a fleet of cars i do look at VED to ensure they're not all at £555!

[The Ors]

You seem to have a reasonable budget; how about buying two cars?

Caterham & a Focus etc.

[cerb4.5lee]

I have both a 370Z GT Roadster and a F56 Mini Cooper S and I'm a big fan of both. But for me personally the Mini is more fun to throw around a nice road. The smaller size and the lower weight make a big difference, plus it is a car that you can drive pretty much flat out and not worry about throwing your licence away.

The brakes are useless though in the Mini...whereas the brakes are really good in the 370Z.

I'm another one who is a really big fan of the 370Z Nismo that has been mentioned.

[cerb4.5lee]

CABC said:

V88Dicky said:

How about a Nismo 370Z?

Cheap VED too

Z a good call. always chuckle about VED when looking at 370Z - £555 or £145?
i know it's not the end of the world, but when running a fleet of cars i do look at VED to ensure they're not all at £555!

The VED on my 370Z has just recently cost £580!

[Jag_NE]

You need a bike.

[V88Dicky]

cerb4.5lee said:

The VED on my 370Z has just recently cost £580!

I believe all post 1/4/17 Nismos will be £145 as they were all under £40k list

[James-m5qjf]

Jag_NE said:

You need a bike.

The problem with a bike is, it takes years to get anywhere near the edge of performance. Unless you buy a ropey two stroke with drum brakes!