Weekend car conundrum
Discussion
Hi all,
As part of my garage reshuffle I am looking at changing my weekend/occasional use car but am slightly at odds with what to do- so I am looking for some ideas and experiences.
I have just sold a 996 carrera 3.4 which I loved but felt the need for something different, even if it was a great thing to drive.
Essentially my issue is that I am torn between a few different options from a nearly new MX5 to a classic which I can tinker with? I can wield a spanner so can do some work and enjoy the process, but do sometimes tire of bills on old cars.
So requirements for my next car are up to around £25k, got to be interesting and something to enjoy on high days. I will mainly use the car on road for evening drives, road trips and weekends away. Some suggestions for classics or otherwise would be appreciated.
Current options are:
Boxster/Cayman S 987.2
Lotus Elise S1 or 2
Z4 M
E46 M3
ND MX5
TVR Chim or Griff.
Thanks for reading my ramblings.
Edit to add: Although £25k is my max, I would happily spend £10k if it got what I wanted.
As part of my garage reshuffle I am looking at changing my weekend/occasional use car but am slightly at odds with what to do- so I am looking for some ideas and experiences.
I have just sold a 996 carrera 3.4 which I loved but felt the need for something different, even if it was a great thing to drive.
Essentially my issue is that I am torn between a few different options from a nearly new MX5 to a classic which I can tinker with? I can wield a spanner so can do some work and enjoy the process, but do sometimes tire of bills on old cars.
So requirements for my next car are up to around £25k, got to be interesting and something to enjoy on high days. I will mainly use the car on road for evening drives, road trips and weekends away. Some suggestions for classics or otherwise would be appreciated.
Current options are:
Boxster/Cayman S 987.2
Lotus Elise S1 or 2
Z4 M
E46 M3
ND MX5
TVR Chim or Griff.
Thanks for reading my ramblings.
Edit to add: Although £25k is my max, I would happily spend £10k if it got what I wanted.
Edited by Baked_bean on Friday 25th February 23:28
The Chim would be a good choice, has a good boot for bags etc but this does get smaller with the roof panel in there.
Find a good one that has had all the annoying problems sorted that let them down and they are a fantastic tourer, not blessed with pin point handling but a total event every time you drive them.
Good for a tinkerer too.
A good Cayman S would be hard to look past for me, a car I’ve shortlisted myself for next year.
I’ve also put the Elise/Exige on that list but feel they are slightly too raw for just road use, no doubt they would make an excellent weekend blast car.
Find a good one that has had all the annoying problems sorted that let them down and they are a fantastic tourer, not blessed with pin point handling but a total event every time you drive them.
Good for a tinkerer too.
A good Cayman S would be hard to look past for me, a car I’ve shortlisted myself for next year.
I’ve also put the Elise/Exige on that list but feel they are slightly too raw for just road use, no doubt they would make an excellent weekend blast car.
I spent £14k on a 2006 987 Boxster S. I have had and have bigger, faster, better sports cars but it is small, wieldy and fun. And fast enough to keep up with anything shy of a full fat electric!
Not the most exciting looking but the bum on seat experience is excellent and there is plenty of cabin and boot space.
It has also been completely reliable (touch wood), which is not bad for a 16 year old car.
Not the most exciting looking but the bum on seat experience is excellent and there is plenty of cabin and boot space.
It has also been completely reliable (touch wood), which is not bad for a 16 year old car.
If you go MX5, get a good NB or NC. The ND is lovely, but will be 'sterile' the same as driving a BMW 1 Series or something equally as new. Plus you can fettle and fiddle with the older cars.
But, it's obviously got to be the Chimaera.
Nothing else has that raw driver appeal, sounds as good, smells as good or just plain involves you.
But, it's obviously got to be the Chimaera.
Nothing else has that raw driver appeal, sounds as good, smells as good or just plain involves you. Tyre Smoke said:
If you go MX5, get a good NB or NC. The ND is lovely, but will be 'sterile' the same as driving a BMW 1 Series or something equally as new. Plus you can fettle and fiddle with the older cars.
But, it's obviously got to be the Chimaera. Nothing else has that raw driver appeal, sounds as good, smells as good or just plain involves you.
I had an NB as a weekend and track car. Cheap and great fun, but it would never make a decent noise. Even with an induction kit and a sports exhaust, it still sounded like a washing machine. A brilliant handling washing machine though…But, it's obviously got to be the Chimaera.
Nothing else has that raw driver appeal, sounds as good, smells as good or just plain involves you. Chimaera wins if you get a good one, or are very patient.
If RWD front engined manual V8s are in the mix then the Maserati Coupe is another option to the TVR.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106083...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106083...
Baked_bean said:
Hi all,
As part of my garage reshuffle I am looking at changing my weekend/occasional use car but am slightly at odds with what to do- so I am looking for some ideas and experiences.
I have just sold a 996 carrera 3.4 which I loved but felt the need for something different, even if it was a great thing to drive.
Essentially my issue is that I am torn between a few different options from a nearly new MX5 to a classic which I can tinker with? I can wield a spanner so can do some work and enjoy the process, but do sometimes tire of bills on old cars.
So requirements for my next car are up to around £25k, got to be interesting and something to enjoy on high days. I will mainly use the car on road for evening drives, road trips and weekends away. Some suggestions for classics or otherwise would be appreciated.
Current options are:
Boxster/Cayman S 987.2
Lotus Elise S1 or 2
Z4 M
E46 M3
ND MX5
TVR Chim or Griff.
Thanks for reading my ramblings.
Edit to add: Although £25k is my max, I would happily spend £10k if it got what I wanted.
That's a nice list. Here are some alternativesAs part of my garage reshuffle I am looking at changing my weekend/occasional use car but am slightly at odds with what to do- so I am looking for some ideas and experiences.
I have just sold a 996 carrera 3.4 which I loved but felt the need for something different, even if it was a great thing to drive.
Essentially my issue is that I am torn between a few different options from a nearly new MX5 to a classic which I can tinker with? I can wield a spanner so can do some work and enjoy the process, but do sometimes tire of bills on old cars.
So requirements for my next car are up to around £25k, got to be interesting and something to enjoy on high days. I will mainly use the car on road for evening drives, road trips and weekends away. Some suggestions for classics or otherwise would be appreciated.
Current options are:
Boxster/Cayman S 987.2
Lotus Elise S1 or 2
Z4 M
E46 M3
ND MX5
TVR Chim or Griff.
Thanks for reading my ramblings.
Edit to add: Although £25k is my max, I would happily spend £10k if it got what I wanted.
Porsche 944 Turbo Cabriolet
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202002197...
Vauxhall VX220 Turbo
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107265...
Honda S2000
Higher budget
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112240...
Lower budget
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202162...
Nissan 370Z
Higher budget
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202032...
Lower budget
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201071...
Toyota GT86
Higher budget
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110268...
Lower budget
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201071...
Subaru BRZ equivalent
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112100...
If its infrequent use/summer only then I'd go for the z4m from the list you have.
However if its all year round imo they aren't worthy of the £600 road tax they command.
E46 M3 is a great car but they need to much care and attention and youll will tire from the labour of love trying to keep one mint.
If you do wait it out you aren't far off M4 money and could easily pick up a convertible when the market stabilises again.
My shouts for your budget would be SL63, S5 (2.9 v6t), m240i or I would spend 15k and buy a 370Z.
However if its all year round imo they aren't worthy of the £600 road tax they command.
E46 M3 is a great car but they need to much care and attention and youll will tire from the labour of love trying to keep one mint.
If you do wait it out you aren't far off M4 money and could easily pick up a convertible when the market stabilises again.
My shouts for your budget would be SL63, S5 (2.9 v6t), m240i or I would spend 15k and buy a 370Z.
Baked_bean said:
Hi all,
As part of my garage reshuffle I am looking at changing my weekend/occasional use car but am slightly at odds with what to do- so I am looking for some ideas and experiences.
I have just sold a 996 carrera 3.4 which I loved but felt the need for something different, even if it was a great thing to drive.
Essentially my issue is that I am torn between a few different options from a nearly new MX5 to a classic which I can tinker with? I can wield a spanner so can do some work and enjoy the process, but do sometimes tire of bills on old cars.
So requirements for my next car are up to around £25k, got to be interesting and something to enjoy on high days. I will mainly use the car on road for evening drives, road trips and weekends away. Some suggestions for classics or otherwise would be appreciated.
Current options are:
Boxster/Cayman S 987.2
Lotus Elise S1 or 2
Z4 M
E46 M3
ND MX5
TVR Chim or Griff.
Thanks for reading my ramblings.
Edit to add: Although £25k is my max, I would happily spend £10k if it got what I wanted.
If you want something you could work on & that's a future classic then I think the C6 Corvette ticks a lot of boxes they're Targa's too so there are more opportunities to enjoy that V8 & they have a good chassis too, the hardest part will be finding a manual:As part of my garage reshuffle I am looking at changing my weekend/occasional use car but am slightly at odds with what to do- so I am looking for some ideas and experiences.
I have just sold a 996 carrera 3.4 which I loved but felt the need for something different, even if it was a great thing to drive.
Essentially my issue is that I am torn between a few different options from a nearly new MX5 to a classic which I can tinker with? I can wield a spanner so can do some work and enjoy the process, but do sometimes tire of bills on old cars.
So requirements for my next car are up to around £25k, got to be interesting and something to enjoy on high days. I will mainly use the car on road for evening drives, road trips and weekends away. Some suggestions for classics or otherwise would be appreciated.
Current options are:
Boxster/Cayman S 987.2
Lotus Elise S1 or 2
Z4 M
E46 M3
ND MX5
TVR Chim or Griff.
Thanks for reading my ramblings.
Edit to add: Although £25k is my max, I would happily spend £10k if it got what I wanted.
6.0
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154754692571?hash=item2...
6.2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102189...
Now if you fancy something modern that's still very much a drivers car & great weekend away car then the 370Z Nismo is a peach of a car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202252...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201051...
Gen1's are a little rawer:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111269...
6.0 VXR8 Manual well under budget & an enjoyable steer that's also a very fun set of wheels when you want to be silly:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112020...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201251...
147 GTA I've only driven a few but every drive was an event:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202232...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112280...
RX-7 great cars get a well looked after one & you'll have a great classic on your hands:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154869290955?hash=item2...
Thanks all for the suggestions, some good ideas that I hadn’t thought of to be honest.
The TVR seems to be a favourite, my grandmother lived near a TVR dealer when I was younger and I loved seeing/hearing Chims and Griffs back when they were new. Never driven or even been in one though.
I should have said, but I have had an S2000, NA MX5 previously so they are off the list- I did love them though.
The TVR seems to be a favourite, my grandmother lived near a TVR dealer when I was younger and I loved seeing/hearing Chims and Griffs back when they were new. Never driven or even been in one though.
I should have said, but I have had an S2000, NA MX5 previously so they are off the list- I did love them though.
village24 said:
If its infrequent use/summer only then I'd go for the z4m from the list you have.
However if its all year round imo they aren't worthy of the £600 road tax they command.
E46 M3 is a great car but they need to much care and attention and youll will tire from the labour of love trying to keep one mint.
If you do wait it out you aren't far off M4 money and could easily pick up a convertible when the market stabilises again.
My shouts for your budget would be SL63, S5 (2.9 v6t), m240i or I would spend 15k and buy a 370Z.
My Z4MC is taxed all year - it's a small price to pay for an S54 engine soundtrack! However if its all year round imo they aren't worthy of the £600 road tax they command.
E46 M3 is a great car but they need to much care and attention and youll will tire from the labour of love trying to keep one mint.
If you do wait it out you aren't far off M4 money and could easily pick up a convertible when the market stabilises again.
My shouts for your budget would be SL63, S5 (2.9 v6t), m240i or I would spend 15k and buy a 370Z.
And I think 370Zs are in the same tax Band, possibly SL63s too?
If I had a bit more budget and was feeling brave I'd love a TVR so I like the OP's plan.
Mr Tidy said:
My Z4MC is taxed all year - it's a small price to pay for an S54 engine soundtrack!
And I think 370Zs are in the same tax Band, possibly SL63s too?
If I had a bit more budget and was feeling brave I'd love a TVR so I like the OP's plan.
I tax the 370Z all year round too(even though it doesn't get used much over winter). The tax is £600 which I do moan about because I'd rather have a V8 engine for the money to be fair. However I love the car, so I'm willing to get on with it like you do with your Z4M. And I think 370Zs are in the same tax Band, possibly SL63s too?
If I had a bit more budget and was feeling brave I'd love a TVR so I like the OP's plan.
I've owned both an NA and Turbo VX220. The NA is fun and very precise but the turbo just gives you that wooooaaah wtf as it kicks in and fires you down the road. I took it on a 5 day road trip to Scotland and have to say I got home and felt like I was done with it. The miles in the hills are amazing, the hours you spend on motorways getting there and back horrendous. Do though bear in mind the engines are agricultural Vauxhall things.
You should however at some point own an Elise chassis car, not much else on the road comes even close to driver engagement.
I sold my VXT and after umming and urring around thinking along similar lines to yourself (I thought about an SLK55 etc) I ended up getting a Z4 3.0si Coupe which so often goes under the radar as people chase the M badge option. Pretty lightweight by modern car standards, loaded with goodies, tax and running costs very normal and quite literally one of the most stunning engines in the N52 you will ever drive in this price range - oodles of torque low down but revs so freely with a lovely notchy gearbox matched up to it. I was so impressed.
I also owned a 350z and I would say the BMW engine is so much more over the VQ in the Nissan.
You should however at some point own an Elise chassis car, not much else on the road comes even close to driver engagement.
I sold my VXT and after umming and urring around thinking along similar lines to yourself (I thought about an SLK55 etc) I ended up getting a Z4 3.0si Coupe which so often goes under the radar as people chase the M badge option. Pretty lightweight by modern car standards, loaded with goodies, tax and running costs very normal and quite literally one of the most stunning engines in the N52 you will ever drive in this price range - oodles of torque low down but revs so freely with a lovely notchy gearbox matched up to it. I was so impressed.
I also owned a 350z and I would say the BMW engine is so much more over the VQ in the Nissan.
coldel said:
I also owned a 350z and I would say the BMW engine is so much more over the VQ in the Nissan.
I definitely agree with this too. The N52 in the E90 330i I had was silky smooth and it chased the redline with so much enthusiasm, the VQ is pretty much the complete opposite and that gets grumpy as the revs build I reckon. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff