The once in a lifetime 15-20k fun car thread - Page 1 - Car Buying

MrBrightSi

Original Poster

2,926 posts

198 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 2nd August 2021

Hey everyone,

I've lurked in this subforum for ages and have pined for various suggestions for a couple years now. Well at last the time to stop pining and actually make a purchase.

My biggest question before I start is the current market situation - Is it worth going for the dream car in the current climate as everything is inflated.

Now the main question - Which car for someone who's had relatively low powered cars but prefers RWD and a convertible after being spoiled by the reliable rust situation of an mx5. I'm more preferable to a manual but certain automatics have always been on the list (Slk55). The car will be a sort of daily drive so I'd like some sort of nod towards 20's in mpg and reliability would be nice but I wont kid myself for the current pricepoint a lot of the cars I have wanted are leggy in this range.

Shortlist - SLK55, Monaro, 370z(Roadster or Coupe), z4m/z4 3.0si, Alpina Roadster S.
Oddball list - mx5 NC + BBR bits, Mx5 ND + super 200 pack, TR6, SLK250CDI (If the derv doesn't make the biggest difference i do like them if i had to be sensible)

fflump

3,444 posts

66 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 2nd August 2021

You've got some quite diverse cars Monaro vs mx-5. But here's some suggestions-all manual.

Maybe requiring a brave pill...

TVR Griffith or Chimaera.
Maserati 4200 Manual.

Middle Ground...
987 Boxster Manual.

In the lower power / nimble type you're used to.
Honda S2000
Lotus Elise
Abarth 124 Spider-pretty good value 'newish' option.

MrBrightSi

Original Poster

2,926 posts

198 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 2nd August 2021

The wide selection is to do with what i want the car for. I'm still very much for b-road driving and cars focused on that, but at the same time the mx5 was a bit of a tiring slog when i drove it to germany but the overall buzz to touring in a car even if relegated to UK shores for the foresable future is something that is attractive. I'm lucky to live in a bit of green midlands with some decent b-roads in close proximity but the rest of the country would be off limits with something like a vx220, elise or overly focused modified mx5.

I'm looking for a middle ground that is primarily fun, i know there will be flaws on any car in either touring or b road but it's finding other's experience of cars in the price range that can be that big step up to what i've had before but not be some track weapon or sciatica generator.

Cascade360

11,630 posts

113 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 2nd August 2021

I'm biased but I would have a TVR in your shortlist. Chimaera probably at your budget. Perfectly good cars for touring, I have no qualms taking my Tuscan for long journeys.

Belle427

11,796 posts

261 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 2nd August 2021

Boxster all day long, Cayman if you don't want a rag top.

samoht

7,174 posts

174 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 2nd August 2021

I know it's not a convertible, but probably worth considering the GT86, as it seems to be one of those cars with 'chuckable / instinctive' handling.

samoht

7,174 posts

174 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 2nd August 2021

MrBrightSi said:

My biggest question before I start is the current market situation - Is it worth going for the dream car in the current climate as everything is inflated.

I'd say yes, it is. Firstly I think that older performance cars (10 years or so plus) are generally fairly safe as they're typically approaching their value 'floor', where they'll stay for some years before appreciating again. So the 'normal' depreciation losses are likely to be fairly small. Secondly I think the post-pandemic drop is less certain and less likely to be so large on such cars, compared to nearly new which have been most directly inflated by the shortage of brand new cars. Thirdly, if it's your dream car and you're planning on keeping it for the long term then small variations in purchase price are relatively less significant (if you were relying on selling it on for minimal loss in a year's time, that would be different). Fourthly, well, you only live once. You can waste the best years of your life waiting for something that may never happen, or you can get on and live your life, and maybe risk losing an extra £2k in depreciation in exchange for a couple of years driving something that puts a big smile on your face.

Belle427 said:

Boxster all day long, Cayman if you don't want a rag top.

This has to be the most obvious answer, yeah.

Specifically, I think there's a strong argument for going for the 987.2 Boxster with the 2.9L engine, since they're available for about £20k and the second-gen engines have a much better reliability record.

juice

9,834 posts

310 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 2nd August 2021

I'd suggest trying them all and seeing which one floats your boat.
I went for an SLK55 as (and this is only my opinion) I didn't want a Boxster. I'm sure it's a brilliant car, and way better than my SLK....but I'm shallow and wanted a big V8 before they were consigned to history.

cerb4.5lee

43,954 posts

208 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 2nd August 2021

I'm biased to be fair...but I can definitely recommend the 370Z Roadster. I've been really happy with mine for over 2 years now. I've also had a Z4M Roadster as well.

A TVR of some description would certainly temp me as well I reckon. thumbup

That would definitely hit the once in a lifetime remit for certain. smile

Jasandjules

72,506 posts

257 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 2nd August 2021

A nice TVR Chimaera will be perfect for the fun car category. And also comfy enough to cruise around in...

ZX10R NIN

30,462 posts

153 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 2nd August 2021

MrBrightSi said:

Hey everyone,

I've lurked in this subforum for ages and have pined for various suggestions for a couple years now. Well at last the time to stop pining and actually make a purchase.

My biggest question before I start is the current market situation - Is it worth going for the dream car in the current climate as everything is inflated.

Now the main question - Which car for someone who's had relatively low powered cars but prefers RWD and a convertible after being spoiled by the reliable rust situation of an mx5. I'm more preferable to a manual but certain automatics have always been on the list (Slk55). The car will be a sort of daily drive so I'd like some sort of nod towards 20's in mpg and reliability would be nice but I wont kid myself for the current pricepoint a lot of the cars I have wanted are leggy in this range.

Shortlist - SLK55, Monaro, 370z(Roadster or Coupe), z4m/z4 3.0si, Alpina Roadster S.
Oddball list - mx5 NC + BBR bits, Mx5 ND + super 200 pack, TR6, SLK250CDI (If the derv doesn't make the biggest difference i do like them if i had to be sensible)

Firstly there's never a wrong time to buy your dream car.

The SLK55 is a great car & with a little fettling they can (X Pipe/Remap to improve the throttle response) be made to be special:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107124...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107165...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105132...

Or you could go for the more sensible SLC200:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105303...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106093...

Now with the 370Z Id recommend going for the Nismo which only comes in Coupe form but it's a cracking steer & has sensible running costs

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009093...

My leftfield option is the Abarth 124 these go well & can be fettled to a high standard:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107265...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105052...

If you like the thought a diesel convertible the SLK250 is a good pick but the E350cdi is the better package:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107064...

Or the SLC 250d

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107305...

If you could live with a saloon then the VXR8 is a great option & a special car:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164984068095?hash=item2...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184825704379?hash=item2...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105152...

Evolved

4,078 posts

215 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 2nd August 2021

Exactly what I’ve got in the garage for fun, a Mitsubishi Evo. 20k will buy you into a decent one, and the way prices are climbing, you’ll likely make on it too.

Not much will destroy a B road like an Evo does, impeccable handling, scalpel steering and loads of feedback.

Brett748

977 posts

194 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 2nd August 2021

SLK55. An AMG V8 is just so special. My W204 C63 eye watering running costs as a daily driver but it’s just so special on every trip.

Mr Tidy

31,013 posts

155 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 2nd August 2021

I don't think there is anything that fits the bill but hasn't already been mentioned!

It really depends exactly what you are looking for in a car. If you'd just like a more "grown-up" MX5 then the Nissan 370Z, BMW Z4, SLK, Boxster and S2000 suggestions may be the best options.

Prices are high, but somehow I can't see them crashing so if you are in a position to do it why wait? You never know what the future holds, as I discovered soon after I bought my current weekend toy in December 2019!

As has been suggested you need to get out and try as many as possible before you decide. Enjoy the search. thumbup

Edited by Mr Tidy on Monday 2nd August 23:01

georgeyboy12345

4,581 posts

63 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 2nd August 2021

cerb4.5lee

43,954 posts

208 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 2nd August 2021

georgeyboy12345 said:

Suggestions (some of these already in your shortlist)

That is a cracking selection of cars that you've picked there. thumbup

I've had 4 cars off your list as well. smile

Inspectorclueso

787 posts

280 months

[report]

[news]

Tuesday 3rd August 2021

Another vote for TVR Chimaera. I bought one in 2003 for a road trip to Rome and it was fantastic, unfortunately I sold it in 2005 to fund some property, but it's probably the most memorable car, and for the right reasons that I've had. In the following years, I've had or had use of M3 (E36 and E43), M4, M5, Audi TT, MX5, Impreza, Xk8, Boxster, Range Rover and various other more normal cars and I can honestly say the TVR was by far the most special. I wouldn't use one as a daily, but I don't think that's what you're after. I reckon buying the right one now, means you get a fairly simple car and they won't lose value.

cerb4.5lee

43,954 posts

208 months

[report]

[news]

Tuesday 3rd August 2021

Inspectorclueso said:

Another vote for TVR Chimaera. I bought one in 2003 for a road trip to Rome and it was fantastic, unfortunately I sold it in 2005 to fund some property, but it's probably the most memorable car, and for the right reasons that I've had. In the following years, I've had or had use of M3 (E36 and E43), M4, M5, Audi TT, MX5, Impreza, Xk8, Boxster, Range Rover and various other more normal cars and I can honestly say the TVR was by far the most special. I wouldn't use one as a daily, but I don't think that's what you're after. I reckon buying the right one now, means you get a fairly simple car and they won't lose value.

I really struggled after I sold my Cerbera to find a car that felt as special as that did(and I still haven't found anything as special as that). All the other cars that I've had just felt so normal(almost too ordinary) in comparison for me. A TVR is a very special thing I reckon.

Everyone should experience a TVR at some point I think.

nobrakes

3,782 posts

226 months

[report]

[news]

Thursday 5th August 2021

georgeyboy12345 said:

TVR Cerbera
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107084...

End of thread for me!

DanL

6,586 posts

293 months

[report]

[news]

Thursday 5th August 2021

It’s a good choice to have! Having owned one, while they’re good I think you’d be bonkers to spend 20k on an S2000. They’re great little cars, but don’t feel that special inside. At 10k, maybe I’d have one, but I’m not sure how far they’ve appreciated since I last looked at them.

Haven’t owned one, but surely it has to be a Boxster at this price point? They always got amazing reviews, and while the service costs are bound to be higher than some of the other options I imagine the overall package makes up for it.