£15k with the hope of retaining some value...

[BobsPigeon]

Regardless of conversations as whether a car can ever constitute an "investment" I've got £15k to spend on a third (weekend) car. I've got a family so 4 or 5 seats would be better or a 2+2 at least. Doesn't have to fast, fast, I'm resigned to the reality of British roads and policing these days, more interested in something genuinely interesting or emotional. Preferably from the 00s or 90s. Something to make me fall in love with motoring again or I'll just get a motorbike (and probably a divorce with it)

Nothing too big as it'll have to fit the garage with a bit of room to spare.

E46 M3 was my initial want but I've started to go off the idea now I've got the money in hand, the good ones seems to have gone up in value and the M tax to maintain one seems like it will negate any further rises.

Looked at an Alfa Brera, a Mini JCW, a really over priced EP3 Civic. An Evo or a Imprezza might do the trick but I'm just not drawn to them.

Any ideas?

[edc]

A 996 or TVR will probably hold pretty flat in price with a chance of some gentle increase.

[Dav72D]

edc said:

A 996 or TVR will probably hold pretty flat in price with a chance of some gentle increase.

There's only one TVR with 4 seats and £15,000 won't get a good one.

[tomwilliams0326]

i think for getting an evo is a smart move as you wont lose much if anything on it, at least better for an investment than most scoobies

[Trackdayer]

E9x M3? Little bit newer than the E46, no rust issues, no RACP issues.

A genuine drivers car.

And at the bottom of it's depreciation curve

[fflump]

Maserati coupe?

[sherman]

An rx8 and rebuild it with the rest of your budget.

[Summit_Detailing]

XK/XKR?
ISF?
840ci?
CLS63?

Cheers,

Chris

[BobsPigeon]

Thanks guys. The XK was one I hadn't considered, I think they've aged well, likewise an ISF but there is only one on the trader and its got big miles. My friend has an E92 M3, it's a great car but I'm not sure I'd want the running costs, buying a £15k 15 year old Maserati seems like a step too far.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'm bias but the CLK63 AMG is a good choice rare & they're holding their money pretty well so you'll only get a convertible but you'll get a very nice one:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-Mercedes-CLK-63-AM...

RS4 last of the manual RS4's & a very good steer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102289...

I think this Cat D VXR8 is very good value especially if you get it for between 10/11k, these are holding their money very well & are a cracking steer too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103280...

Non Cat VXR8

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vauxhall-vxr8/303949019...

Monaro VXR

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Monaro-VXR-Hol...

[HaydenS2k]

You mentioned an ep3 and have a healthy budget
I'd be inclined to look at Integra dc5 type R's.
£15k could score you a nice one and the rarity factor both here and dwindling numbers in Japan mean they're likely to at least retain value and most likely rise.
Also a dc5 is one hell of a car and I'd be very tempted to swap my E46 M3 for one as it's imo just as fun and is much more perfmance focussed car.

[Baked_bean]

I was in a similar boat to you, I ended up going to Porsche 996 route, managed to get a manual coupe and love it. You do mention running costs though, and these might be a little on the high side?

[Martyn76]

BobsPigeon said:

Thanks guys. The XK was one I hadn't considered, I think they've aged well, likewise an ISF but there is only one on the trader and its got big miles. My friend has an E92 M3, it's a great car but I'm not sure I'd want the running costs, buying a £15k 15 year old Maserati seems like a step too far.

All the ISFs disappeared! there is a 2nd one now but is £23K, as a long time ISF watcher £15K would get you an early car with as you have said maybe more mileage than you would like, although I think prices are heading upwards again so might still be a good purchased?

Edited by Martyn76 on Sunday 11th April 10:42

[England87]

M135i, mk7 gti?

[PH User]

Why not get something just for you as this is a third weekend car? That would give you some much more interesting options.

[fflump]

PH User said:

Why not get something just for you as this is a third weekend car? That would give you some much more interesting options.

It's a good point. If it's car number three you can get away with anything, and I would not discount 2-seaters. A Cayman in 2.7 guise has no bore score issues and you can wring everything from the engine on the twisties as it's not overpowered.

[BobsPigeon]

Thanks for the replies, I'd love a 2 seater but the reality of family life would mean it just wouldn't get used as much as I'd like, my commute is uninspiring and weekends involve driving kids from one thing to another (well it will when we get back to normal) I'd like to share my love of cars with them anyway. If I was able to have my own time I'd get a motorbike having had bikes for years before the kids.

The 135i, especially the convertible looks ideal, just reading about the turbo waste gate rattle issues and other engine issues has put me off a bit, I'm handyish with spanners but the turbos on that engine look like a nighmare job.

[edc]

If a 1 series convertible is on the radar and it's more cruiser than sports car you want I'd definitely look at the CLK 55/63. The AMG 55 is solid.

[Trackdayer]

E36 M3? Fairly simple. Drivers car. Lots of fun.

Look at E30 prices for an idea of where they are heading

[ZX10R NIN]

BobsPigeon said:

Thanks for the replies, I'd love a 2 seater but the reality of family life would mean it just wouldn't get used as much as I'd like, my commute is uninspiring and weekends involve driving kids from one thing to another (well it will when we get back to normal) I'd like to share my love of cars with them anyway. If I was able to have my own time I'd get a motorbike having had bikes for years before the kids.

The 135i, especially the convertible looks ideal, just reading about the turbo waste gate rattle issues and other engine issues has put me off a bit, I'm handyish with spanners but the turbos on that engine look like a nighmare job.

If you're handy with the spanners some of those big engined V8's will actually be a very good option.