Second Car £80k

[Adams88]

Hi All,

I am very fortunate and I’m looking at spending up to £80k for a second/ weekend toy. Looking for a fun engaging drive which will be road and occasional track, odd Europe trip, probably do 4k miles a year. Practicality isn’t required however I need running cost for the first few years in the budget if they are high. First few thoughts are
•New Lotus Emira (Currently have a deposit against one)
• Exige 410, pocket money for more tracks
•McLaren 12C some money for running
•Ferrari 430 auto, afraid the auto would be dated but love that sound
•Ferrari 355 as above but slower and better sound
• McLaren 540, bit of a stretch but I’m very good at man maths.
Any suggestions/wildcards welcome

[WonkeyDonkey]

I'd personally stick with the deposit you have Emira. 2nd of all I'd go for the Exige as I'd imagine the running costs would be far less than the others. Then again I'm far more budget constrained in my purchases!

[p4cks]

WonkeyDonkey said:

I'd personally stick with the deposit you have Emira.

This, all day every day.

[2Btoo]

Something GT3-ish should be on that list. That would get you into a nice 996 GT3 and a bit more would make it a 997.

You'd love it or hate it, but it would be worth a try.

[aponting389]

Would be Cayman GT4 for me I think

[ColdoRS]

For me it would be the 12C or F430.
Both should prove to be cheap motoring for a few years given residuals in comparison to the others on your list. Appreciate that’s not everyone’s concern when choosing a special car but it’s how my mind is wired right now!

[av185]

I've ordered an Emira first Edition.

Will no doubt be a great car but not as driver focused as the GT4.

Possibly consider a 981 GT4 or (softer) Spyder pending delivery of the Emira which could well be 12months off yet, at least.

[Adams88]

Thanks all, I do agree I like the look of the Emira, just wish it was a bit more hardcore. I have selected the V6 manual and have until about mid Jan to confirm I’m going with it, depends on the delivery date for me. I have been looking at Porsches, 996 Gt3 feels a bit dated inside for me, and I was struggling to find a 997 manual which would be my preference in budget. Bit of a Porsche newbie so not sure what’s best to look out for if you have any tips? I would love a 718 spyder/gt4 but once again although retail price is around £75k actual cost seem higher.
I do agree the 12C in particular looks very tempting and I imagine most issues will be ironed out by now. The F430 would be a dream but I would wish to do a manual conversion, not sure on cost but I do believe the F1 gearbox is a manual box with an automated system attached?

Edited by Adams88 on Monday 29th November 13:22

Edited by Adams88 on Monday 29th November 22:46

[blue_haddock]

i'd be looking at something like this personally

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

or maybe one of these.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108065...

Or for a touch of discrete performance..

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111239...

[albertoss]

I’ve been going through a similar thought process and considering similar cars. 12C was top of my list but running costs do scare me. I’ve had a F355 which I loved but it always felt fragile. 360 manual is a consideration. I test drove a 430 and didn’t like the gearbox (I’ve had a CSL before but the SMG somehow suited the car better, so not bashing paddle-shifts in general). There are quite a few 430 manuals for sale right now but pricey. High up the list for me is an Evora GT410 Sport but probably doesn’t make sense if you have a spot for the Emira. I tried an Audi R8 V8 manual as everyone raves about them but I felt was an inferior car to my old Cayman R on just about every level. I’m going to try to look at a GT4 but I really do think the gearing thing would annoy me (it was evident to some degree on the 987 R). The problem is that a lot of stuff is quite expensive now.

[anonymous-user]

I went through a similar process with a similar budget and objectives.

I was tempted by a 430; less so a 355 as I greatly prefer the 430’s looks. Also by the 12C, which I see as the best looking of all the McLarens. But in the end the running costs and age of the Ferrari, and the (to maintain neutrality) variable rep the McLs have for reliability if not used regularly steered me away.

That left a GT3 of some flavour, an R8 V10+ gen 1 from around 2013/14 (much less fussy looking than the current version) or a 981 GT4.

The GT4 was the dark horse of the bunch which came through to take the win. For me: manual, tactile, good track focus, old school analogue, looks aggressive without being outlandish.

It’s ideal for what I wanted, and I’d say well worth a look. It’s by no means flawless: people go on about the long gearing, but I notice how short 6th feels at motorway speeds, where the engine ends up revving relatively high at 70mph. But then it’s not really intended to be a motorway cruiser…

[av185]

Adams88 said:

Bit of a Porsche newbie so not sure what’s best to look out for if you have any tips? I would love a 718 spyder/gt4 but once again although retail price is around £75k actual cost seem higher.

You won't get much change from £95k buying from an OPC for a decent spec and mileage 2020 718 GT4.

As ever spec and condition is all on these cars and whilst non bucket seat cars are cheaper they are less popular and much harder to sell.

The slightly tall gearing really is a non issue on the 718 GT4 and Spyder as these cars unlike the 981 have a proper and bespoke 8k rev limit Porsche GT engine this time which truly is a gem and power is developed lower down the rev range. The 991.2 GT3 manual does 82 mph in 2nd and the 718 GT4 84 mph so it really is a non issue in reality. The gearbox itself like the GT3 is one of the sweetest of contemporary Porsches.

Nicely focused but very usable too and great overall package especially at the money.

[ZX10R NIN]

Adams88 said:

Thanks all, I do agree I like the look of the Emira, just wish it was a bit more hardcore. I have selected the V6 manual and have until about mid Jan to confirm I’m going with it, depends on the delivery date for me. I have been looking at Porsches, 996 Gt3 feels a bit dated inside for me, and I was struggling to find a 997 manual which would be my preference in budget. Bit of a Porsche newbie so not sure what’s best to look out for if you have any tips? I would love a 718 spyder/gt4 but once again although retail price is around £75k actual cost seem higher.
I do agree the 12C in particular looks very tempting and I imagine most issues will be ironed out by now. The F430 would be a dream but I would wish to do a manual conversion, not sure on cost but I do believe the F1 gearbox is Ananias box with an automated system attached?

Edited by Adams88 on Monday 29th November 13:22

What about a C8 Corvette, although the 2022 allocation is supposed to be sold out there are some out there.

With the Emira people forget that it's being built to be a very good overall steer (like the Cayman) if you want an Emira to rival the GT4 that'll be coming a little later down the line.

With your budget in mind the car that stands out is the 12C, as you say all of the kinks will have been ironed out & they're a sensational car with the worst of their depreciation over it's the car I'd look at other than the Lotus.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011266...

[TREMAiNE]

My £80k would 100% be going on a manual 355 or 360.

The residuals would negate most of the running costs.

Although some wildcard suggestions would be:

TVR Sagaris
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10876372

Edited by TREMAiNE on Monday 29th November 16:24

[keo]

I had similar recently I bought a 981 GT4 last year. Nice car but for me it was a bit boring and numb. I sold it a few months ago and bought an Exige 410. Much happier.

[gotoPzero]

I think the biggest question is how many miles a year do you realistically plan to do?

Just fun driving? Longer drives / tours? Track days?

Also where in the UK are you?

This IMHO plays a part as with most of the cars listed you will want to use a specialist to look after it.

[LeroyLoser]

ZX10R NIN said:

Adams88 said:

Thanks all, I do agree I like the look of the Emira, just wish it was a bit more hardcore. I have selected the V6 manual and have until about mid Jan to confirm I’m going with it, depends on the delivery date for me. I have been looking at Porsches, 996 Gt3 feels a bit dated inside for me, and I was struggling to find a 997 manual which would be my preference in budget. Bit of a Porsche newbie so not sure what’s best to look out for if you have any tips? I would love a 718 spyder/gt4 but once again although retail price is around £75k actual cost seem higher.
I do agree the 12C in particular looks very tempting and I imagine most issues will be ironed out by now. The F430 would be a dream but I would wish to do a manual conversion, not sure on cost but I do believe the F1 gearbox is Ananias box with an automated system attached?

Edited by Adams88 on Monday 29th November 13:22

What about a C8 Corvette, although the 2022 allocation is supposed to be sold out there are some out there.

With the Emira people forget that it's being built to be a very good overall steer (like the Cayman) if you want an Emira to rival the GT4 that'll be coming a little later down the line.

With your budget in mind the car that stands out is the 12C, as you say all of the kinks will have been ironed out & they're a sensational car with the worst of their depreciation over it's the car I'd look at other than the Lotus.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011266...

C7 Z06?

Currently looking at a replacement track car and this is on my radar, that or the AMG GTR but i think the latter is a bit over budget

[samoht]

Have you had a read of Residuals, Man Maths and a 540C?

I personally can't get past the idea that the performance, chassis stiffness, ride and handling, brakes etc of the McLarens are just on another level from anything else for the money. Also the fact that so many people left Lotus to form the core McLaren engineering team, with the turbo V8 it seems like it's the "new Esprit" we were all waiting for.

[georgeyboy12345]

My picks

Manual Ferrari F355 Spider
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106254...

If you are going for a Ferrari though, you might as well get a V12 one - here's a manual 550 Maranello
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201910093...


Keeping on the V12 theme - what about this Aston Martin Vanquish?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107155...


Or if you want something vaguely sensible - what about this lovely Lexus LC500. Might not be brilliant at trackdays though
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111269...


If you want something sensible and good on track, what about this 911 Turbo?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...


At the other end of the scale, here are two TVRs

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

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

[ZX10R NIN]

LeroyLoser said:

C7 Z06?

Currently looking at a replacement track car and this is on my radar, that or the AMG GTR but i think the latter is a bit over budget

Also don't overlook the C7 GranSport it has the same chassis as the Z06 but with the N/A 6.2:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165164067383?hash=item2...

Z06

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194500192927?hash=item2...

I wouldn't overlook the C6 Z06

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108015...

or ZR1 if you want some extra go:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009153...