£15k 2+2 sports car decision

[powgoff]

Looking for some guidance on choosing my next car.

I want to treat myself to something fun - needs 4 seats but the rear seats won't be used that often so +2 is fine

The car wil be used for some local commuting but mainly weekend blasts and trips to the continent when we're allowed again - recreating the opening scene of the Italain job but before the tunnel bit

Petrol and manual and not an in-line 4 preferred

On the shortlist are a Toyota GT86, Porsche 996.2 or a 6 cyl BMW of some flavour (M135i / M235i / M435i with some budget creep)) which covers a broad range of capability / performance to eye-watering potential for big bills

Haven't been able to try any of these so that will be a task post lockdown

Thanks

Edited by powgoff on Sunday 7th February 14:47

[MarkJS]

435i/440i as a do everything would be my vote. You can get it as a coupe or convertible (or even a ‘hatchback’)

The GT86 would be tiresome for me - you have to wring it’s neck to get the best out of it and the interior is pretty nasty (that digital clock!).

[cerb4.5lee]

Jag XK/Audi S5/Audi TT/E92 M3/BMW 640i?

Ignore me...I've missed the manual bit!

Edited by cerb4.5lee on Sunday 7th February 16:15

[300bhp/ton]

powgoff said:

Looking for some guidance on choosing my next car.

I want to treat myself to something fun - needs 4 seats but the rear seats won't be used that often so +2 is fine

The car wil be used for some local commuting but mainly weekend blasts and trips to the continent when we're allowed again - recreating the opening scene of the Italain job but before the tunnel bit

Petrol and manual and not an in-line 4 preferred

On the shortlist are a Toyota GT86, Porsche 996.2 or a 6 cyl BMW of some flavour (M135i / M235i / M435i with some budget creep)) which covers a broad range of capability / performance to eye-watering potential for big bills

Haven't been able to try any of these so that will be a task post lockdown

Thanks

Edited by powgoff on Sunday 7th February 14:47

I guess it is all about your own personal risk profile and how willing you are to maybe work on something yourself.

The GT86 will be a good car. But is it a great one? I honestly don't know. They do a lot of things right, but are still quite ordinary in many ways. But on the flip side, ownership is likely to be completely painless and very easy. But would you get those times when you see another car on the road that is a bit more special and just think you made completely the wrong decision. Historically cars such of these also haven't held their money all that well, so I assume spending £15k on one will see it depreciate quite heavily in your ownership. This might even offset higher running costs of other cars.

A 996 is going to be a heck of a lot more special and hugely more of an event no matter what you are doing with it.

The BMW's I'm sure are capable, but personally just leave me cold. Completely dull and soulless inside and hardly any better on the outside. I really don't care how good they go. Surely a special car is partly about the looks and flare too, something distinctly lacking from this type of BMW.


I see someone mentioned Jaguars. I think they are worthy on this list for European road trips alone. A brilliant place to spend your time and likely to feel a lot more special than the BMWs, even if they aren't quite as sharp to drive ultimately. But you may find them less thrilling just out and about for a blast. And of course a complete lack of manual gearboxes


A left ball suggestion. A 1998-2002 Fbody (Camaro z28 or Firebird Trans Am). You can get them with manuals, although rare. But you can find them with enough looking, or even import for your budget. LHD would suit Euro trips and they are a huge riot to drive and have loads of character. Should cost peanuts to run too. Certainly a lot less risky than the Porsche but offering up very similar ability and sense of occasion.

[sjc]

Monaro ?

[ZX10R NIN]

Leftfield first not out & out sportscars but very good handling sports GT cars that'll stand up to a 996/GT86 with ease:

I didn't know they made these with three pedals but it's a nice surprise, Manual G37 grunty N/A 370GT handling in a +2 package:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009193...

Monaro 6.0 VXR very good drivers cars mated to a legendary V8

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012026...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102038...

Prodrive Bera 3.2

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101298...

147 GTA

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-Alfa-Romeo-147-24v...7YAAOSwjBdgHdEP

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALFA-ROMEO-147-GTA-RARE...

Supercharged S5 I had this setup on an RS4 & it was a ball.do your checks but this could be a great buy.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012076...

Mainstream options:

RS4 Convertible

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008092...

S5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101147...

M235i nice cars but I'd go for the 335i everytime.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010104...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012257...

335i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011196...

You'll really have to stretch the budget to get a 435i manual although the first one does have the M Performance power upgrade.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011216...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102028...

V8 M3 a special car that needs a bit more attention than the above but well worth it especially with a bit of exhaust/airbox work.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102028...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101198...

[jonamv8]

996.2 all day for me. Had a C4S and a Turbo in 996 form, loved them both. 911s just feel special and the 996 just looks better as it ages IMO

[cerb4.5lee]

ZX10R NIN said:

I didn't know they made these with three pedals but it's a nice surprise, Manual G37 grunty N/A 370GT handling in a +2 package:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009193...

Me neither and it is a nice surprise I agree.

I love my 370Z, but this would give me more opportunity to take my kids out with me for sure. I like that a lot.

[powgoff]

Thanks for all your input - some interesting options I wouldn't have considered - particularly the Infiniti G manual. Not much love for the GT86 - which is the option the head would take. Think I'll add the Infiniti and something from Jag to the list (and ignore the manual preference) - perhaps the XE 3.0 s/c which is the most compact Jag

[300bhp/ton]

I guess with the GT85, it is more daily driver, rather than weekend warrior.

[CG2020UK]

I would of thought that your brief seems perfect for an Audi TT?