Which Cars Are The (Relative) Performance Bargains Now ?

[KTMsm]

I'm a huge 90s Jap performance fan but I liked them because they offered more smiles per pound than anything else, now they have skyrocketed I couldn't justify buying one.

Looking around the Cayman seems relatively cheap - compared to a 200sx it's a bargain !

As does the V8 M3

What others are about ?

[samoht]

The way all the old stuff has skyrocketed as you say makes a GR Yaris look good value at £30k for a brand new 260hp 4WD lightweight car, 10 year warranty*, PCP at under £300 a month.

On the used market, everything's up, but still 986 Boxster is the obvious one, even more so than the aforementioned Cayman I think.

Mazda RX-8 is another one, even with high running costs you'd think you'd get your money's worth.

Conversely the 350Z is fairly solid, still good value at £8-10k for 280hp or so.

Rare, but the AMG C32 at £5k or under for a 350hp supercharged V6 might be a consideration, esp if you need some practicality. Maintenance is again an issue, need to seek out a cherished example to avoid the rampant rust of the period.

( * warranty years 4-10 with franchised dealer servicing only )

Edited by samoht on Saturday 11th September 11:09

[Mr Tidy]

Yes, early Boxsters still look relatively cheap.

Early BMW Z4s aren't silly money either.

Although another thread made me realise Chrysler Crossfires are still cheap - but possibly not the most dynamic drive!

[T1berious]

Depends on how you define "performance bargain" and your budget?

So the cars you mentioned are Coupes so by that rationale I could say (and yeah, I'm biased) that a Z4MC is a performance bargain based on its currently only going one way (presently but don't hold me to that) and a well looked after one is >320 Bhp

If you're looking <10k and not really fussed about how much value its retained then yeah an E92 M4 is a good shout. I guess it's pick your poison as with any car, your mileage may vary and that bargain might be a money pit waiting to happen.

M140i or pretty much anything with the B58 in it is a good bang for buck baseline.

Porsche Cayman 981 is a good bet if the budget can reach that far (Engine horror stories not withstanding)

Nissan 370Z would be the left field choice?

[KTMsm]

T1berious said:

Depends on how you define "performance bargain" and your budget?

I've never really had a budget as I've always run multiple cars but most have been circa £5k cars as there was no need to spend any more:

200SX
RX7
Sierra Cosworth
Integrale
Mk1 & Mk2 Escorts
944 Turbo

They made sense (to me) when they were circa £5k they make no sense at £20k+ so what cars are as good or better, for less ?

[cerb4.5lee]

The 350Z and 370Z are a good shout I reckon. Although they don't offer much performance the GT86 seems like a really good value car to me as well.

The E92 M3 is going up in value now(like most things) and it isn't the performance bargain that it was a year or so ago.

[egor110]

There are a lot of sub 3k bmw z4's around at the moment , admittedly not the 3.0 engine .

Also for a hot hatch the r53 mini cooper s is far cheaper to but than a clio or civic .

[russy01]

M135i at 15k is a proper rocket and has a pretty exciting engine to go with.

[ZX10R NIN]

370Z Nismo

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109036...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106173...

VXR Insignia

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108256...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104050...

F Type V6 S

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108316...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108096...

[FamousPheasant]

13-15k gets you in a XFR which is pretty unbeatable for the performance.

Gratuitous video of one smoking a lambo:

https://youtu.be/k942oabdU38

[Summit_Detailing]

Along the Jag theme as per the above reply - XKR was my first thought - bhp/£ ratio pretty darn good.

Cheers,

Chris

[flying-banana]

FamousPheasant said:

13-15k gets you in a XFR which is pretty unbeatable for the performance.

Gratuitous video of one smoking a lambo:

https://youtu.be/k942oabdU38

[Mr_D]

Mk 3 Megane RS at circa £10k for a decent example must be right up there for a performance bargain. I have had 3 in total, and they are properly good in both standard and fettled trim.

It took other marques a while to catch up in the hot hatch section imo. I would have another in a heartbeat too.

[tberg]

I second (or third) the Jaguar XKR, especially the 5.0L cars. I've had mine now for 8 years, with a $700 pulley and tune, you are pushing 600hp with gobs of usable torque. Mine will pass 190,000 miles in the next week or two, is still gorgeous to look at and even better to drive. It's been completely reliable, and how many other 600hp cars have you ever seen that has the original transmission with no work having been done on it except for 2 fluid changes. The early 5.0L cars are now available in the low $20,000 range which makes it the performance bargain of the century. And my car is not babied or obviously not a garage queen (not with 190,000 miles on it). In fact, it has never spent a night in the garage and has been tracked dozens of times, never missing a beat. In 52 years of driving and dozens of cars, I have never owned as good an automobile as this, spectacular achievement.

Edited by tberg on Tuesday 14th September 03:11

[FastEdd11e]

I'm going to chuck in a Scooby.
Four years ago we got our 2005 WRX Prodrive wagon for £4,500 with 110k miles. Also, in wagon form you get real practicality with around 270bhp to chuck around.

Just had a cricket tour and was hoolying around Wiltshire, 4 up with a boot stacked full of bags.

We are now at 137k miles and it's a dream.

A standard Prodrive or JDM import could be for you. Hard to find but worth it when you get a good one.

[anonymous-user]

tberg said:

I second (or third) the Jaguar XKR, especially the 5.0L cars. I've had mine now for 8 years, with a $700 pulley and tune, you are pushing 600hp with gobs of usable torque. Mine will pass 190,000 miles in the next week or two, is still gorgeous to look at and even better to drive. It's been completely reliable, and how many other 600hp cars have you ever seen that has the original transmission with no work having been done on it except for 2 fluid changes. The early 5.0L cars are now available in the low $20,000 range which makes it the performance bargain of the century. And my car is not babied or obviously not a garage queen (not with 190,000 miles on it). In fact, it has never spent a night in the garage and has been tracked dozens of times, never missing a beat. In 52 years of driving and dozens of cars, I have never owned as good an automobile as this, spectacular achievement.

Edited by tberg on Tuesday 14th September 03:11

Not sure if there is a difference between manufacturing quality between the UK and our transatlantic cousins but I really like that suggestion. My 440i GC was written off last week after some deers hit it. There is an XKR available locally so will try to test drive it if it’s still available on the weekend.

[anonymous-user]

If anyone is interested. XK guide:

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-buying-guides/...

[KTMsm]

I've owned a few Jags as have mates they have all been unreliable

I'm not a fan of Autos either

I agree the Impreza estates are still relatively cheap

[Welshbeef]

V10 M5&M6
How else can you get into a V10?

The 30 Jarah F10 M5

[KTMsm]

Welshbeef said:

V10 M5&M6
How else can you get into a V10?

Dodge, Audi, VW...