Summer fun for ~£8k
Discussion
My current car is getting replaced by my first company car later this year (October), so I'm considering selling my car and using the proceeds to purchase something more interesting for the time between now and then.
Like most people this year, I'm holidaying in the UK. This means I'll be doing a lot of driving, which makes me lust after something a bit more interesting than my 1 Series!
After selling the 1 Series, and dropping a bit of extra cash, I think I have a budget of about £8k. Criteria aren't strict, but I'd like something with good reliability, preferably convertible (or coupe), petrol engines, automatic, and something that will not lose too much money over the 5-6 months I plan to own it! I've always fancied an S2000, but that's pretty much out of budget so I've been eyeing up Z4s for the past few days, but unsure of the potential for borkage.
Bonus points if it has room for the dog somewhere too (more likely a coupe I guess). Any thoughts or left field suggestions?
Like most people this year, I'm holidaying in the UK. This means I'll be doing a lot of driving, which makes me lust after something a bit more interesting than my 1 Series!
After selling the 1 Series, and dropping a bit of extra cash, I think I have a budget of about £8k. Criteria aren't strict, but I'd like something with good reliability, preferably convertible (or coupe), petrol engines, automatic, and something that will not lose too much money over the 5-6 months I plan to own it! I've always fancied an S2000, but that's pretty much out of budget so I've been eyeing up Z4s for the past few days, but unsure of the potential for borkage.
Bonus points if it has room for the dog somewhere too (more likely a coupe I guess). Any thoughts or left field suggestions?
cerb4.5lee said:
A Nissan 350Z Coupe or Roadster?(you can get an import with an auto as well and I've seen a few for sale).You can get a UK 370Z with an auto with a bit of budget creep too.
350z good choice if its going to be cruising about the country, not so good if you want something that handles like a whippet, consumables are expensive though however they are at the bottom of depreciation so you wont lose anything a could even make moneyObjective Alpha said:
350z good choice if its going to be cruising about the country, not so good if you want something that handles like a whippet, consumables are expensive though however they are at the bottom of depreciation so you wont lose anything a could even make money
Definitely lots of long distance cruising on the horizon, so sounds like a good bet. I'll investigate further!Objective Alpha said:
cerb4.5lee said:
A Nissan 350Z Coupe or Roadster?(you can get an import with an auto as well and I've seen a few for sale).You can get a UK 370Z with an auto with a bit of budget creep too.
350z good choice if its going to be cruising about the country, not so good if you want something that handles like a whippet, consumables are expensive though however they are at the bottom of depreciation so you wont lose anything a could even make money
I do appreciate the brawny side to the 350/370Z though, and they are a totally different proposition to the GT86 with them being more of a GT cruiser than a sports car I reckon.
CLK 55 AMG Convertible would be my choice prices have been solid for a few years & for something to enjoy the best the UK has to offer it's hard to beat & that V8 is a peach.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104061...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104061...
I must admit, I haven't really looked at Mercs much, but will definitely check out the suggestions listed above.
I keep coming back to the Z4 coupe, and 350Z. Mrs ALP spotted an MR2 while looking over my shoulder and liked that because it "looks fun". Not sure how that fits with her automatic criteria however.
I keep coming back to the Z4 coupe, and 350Z. Mrs ALP spotted an MR2 while looking over my shoulder and liked that because it "looks fun". Not sure how that fits with her automatic criteria however.
If two seats is ok then yeah i wouldn't look past a boxster really, for that money its hard to beat as a fun summer drivers car.
That said. Given you already have had a BMW and are looking at the Z4 and you mention the possibility of taking the dog with you (cus why wouldn't you).
I would throw the 335i into the mix.
Convertible - tick
Characterful engine - tick
Power - tick
Back seat for the dog - tick
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105022...
It might not be excellent but it is a good drive. Sounds lovely, the 306hp on tap is handy and its fun in the twisties similarly to a 1series or Z4 would be.
Another option would be the Audi TTS - underrated i think these are. Yes, they are not the last word in dynamics, but they cope with british weather just fine thanks to the quattro and they go very well. Yes there are a few people that will scoff at the looks etc. But honestly, i think they look good and are a bit of a forgotten performance bargain at the moment - They also come in both manual and auto.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104191...
Lastly for my options i'll throw in the Mazda Rx8. A lovely drivers car. The engine has a bad reputation but honestly they aren't as bad as what the internet makes out and for your budget you could set aside money for a rebuild should you need one and still pick up a top level car. The r3 would be the pick of the bunch. Yes they drink fuel and oil and you need to keep on top of the maintenance. BUT. You get a great drivers car, a lusciously smooth high revving engine and a lot of style to go with it, and, four doors to make getting the dog in and out perfectly easy.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101117...
That said. Given you already have had a BMW and are looking at the Z4 and you mention the possibility of taking the dog with you (cus why wouldn't you).
I would throw the 335i into the mix.
Convertible - tick
Characterful engine - tick
Power - tick
Back seat for the dog - tick
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105022...
It might not be excellent but it is a good drive. Sounds lovely, the 306hp on tap is handy and its fun in the twisties similarly to a 1series or Z4 would be.
Another option would be the Audi TTS - underrated i think these are. Yes, they are not the last word in dynamics, but they cope with british weather just fine thanks to the quattro and they go very well. Yes there are a few people that will scoff at the looks etc. But honestly, i think they look good and are a bit of a forgotten performance bargain at the moment - They also come in both manual and auto.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104191...
Lastly for my options i'll throw in the Mazda Rx8. A lovely drivers car. The engine has a bad reputation but honestly they aren't as bad as what the internet makes out and for your budget you could set aside money for a rebuild should you need one and still pick up a top level car. The r3 would be the pick of the bunch. Yes they drink fuel and oil and you need to keep on top of the maintenance. BUT. You get a great drivers car, a lusciously smooth high revving engine and a lot of style to go with it, and, four doors to make getting the dog in and out perfectly easy.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101117...
Nissan 350z for the cruising part, there is a big fettling scene for this car also to tighten it up for twisty fun if needed. Consumables are not really an issue if you are only keeping it for 5-6 months and get a good deal you wont lose money on them if anything prices are creeping up, they bottomed out a couple of years ago. Do bear in mind they got snapped up generally by a bunch of kids thinking they could run one on a budget and ended up shirking on maintenance costs and neglecting them, so do look for good ownership history. But they are most definitely a GT car and were always meant to be, they are not sports cars.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff