Help with suggestions for a sporty car with a wish list!

[Patrick-zjggd]

Ok here I go. We are two early pensioners that still want to enjoy life so Selling my old late 90s cars to buy one newer car for sunny day use ( doesn’t have to be a convertible) but needs the following.

A decent entry into the car which is not to low seating wise. Wifes demand as she is fed up rolling out of the present car! ( Merc 300sl year 1991)

A car with great looks and power as I still want to be able to show off! Not dead yet!

Hopefully something that is not going to lose shed loads of depreciation. ( Daily Running costs less important)

Insurance, tax not an issue and green credentials also not a concern as this will be my last real car!

Oh and the final stipulation the length cannot be anymore than. 16ft or 487cm long by 7 ft or 213cm Wide as that’s the size of my garage.

And finally the budget is up to £45k maximum.

Looking forward to help and suggestions (Getting in and out of it has to be one of the key points.)


Thanks in anticipation from such a knowledgeable group.

[StoutBench]

Tiguan R? If you need the height that is, otherwise some of the modern hot hatches hit the brief I would say. Focus ST, Mégane RS or a Civic Type R if you can handle the looks.

Assuming the budget is to buy new? Second hand you'll have much more interesting options.

[esuuv]

Everything I can think of even remotely sporty is going to be low.......getting the C of G low is one of the major factors in making it sporty.

That leaves you with the anachronism that is a sporty SUV - a Macan of some flavour maybe?

[covmutley]

Yes, the low down part could be an issue. Are cars like a convertible e400 Mercedes/rs5/440i/m4 (I.e sallon car based) a bit better than things like the merc sl,jag f type etc?

[Patrick-zjggd]

Very happy with second hand sorry I should have put that.

[Al U]

Macan GTS? Sports car, No. Sporty and easy to get into? I'd say so.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203877284716?hash=item2...

[Dohnut]

My first thought was a C7 RS6 as easy enough to get in and out of, but I guess that won't fit in the garage.

F80 M3 or F82 M4? Although no idea if they'll fit either!

Mk7.5 Golf GTI Clubsport or Golf R?

[Patrick-zjggd]

I think I might of emphasised the getting out of it a bit to much as we are not invalids but a little overweight and therefore if we could find a sporty car with seats a little higher then being low to the road it would be ok , my daughter has a Porsche 917? 4s and we are just about ok with that but out of our price range. I think my requirements are getting teased out of me so many thanks for the suggestions so far.

[HustleRussell]

Some kind of Mazerati?

[HustleRussell]

Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio?

[brillomaster]

No idea about the physical dimensions but id say youre looking around a jaguar xk, bmw 6 series or maybe a bentley conti gt.

Heck you might even be able to get a nice aston for 45grand secondhand.

But a big gt car based on a big saloon should do it.

[Patrick-zjggd]

Thank you all for suggestions I will check measurements and then that will be my short list and then go and sit in one of each so thank you.

[ZX10R NIN]

Patrick-zjggd said:

Ok here I go. We are two early pensioners that still want to enjoy life so Selling my old late 90s cars to buy one newer car for sunny day use ( doesn’t have to be a convertible) but needs the following.

A decent entry into the car which is not to low seating wise. Wifes demand as she is fed up rolling out of the present car! ( Merc 300sl year 1991)

A car with great looks and power as I still want to be able to show off! Not dead yet!

Hopefully something that is not going to lose shed loads of depreciation. ( Daily Running costs less important)

Insurance, tax not an issue and green credentials also not a concern as this will be my last real car!

Oh and the final stipulation the length cannot be anymore than. 16ft or 487cm long by 7 ft or 213cm Wide as that’s the size of my garage.

And finally the budget is up to £45k maximum.

Looking forward to help and suggestions (Getting in and out of it has to be one of the key points.)


Thanks in anticipation from such a knowledgeable group.

I'd take a look at the SL/CL500/S500 Coupe as these sit high as standard but they also have the ability to raise another 20mm which will make getting in & out a breeze.

The bonus is you don't have to spend the 45k.

SL500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110158...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109227...

CL500

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110258...

Or if you want to go all out the CL65 AMG is a beast:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010094...

S500 AMG Line Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203053...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110078...

[PH User]

any car you go for will be fine living outside, so I wouldn't worry about it fitting in the garage.

[georgeyboy12345]

I checked the dimensions of all these, so they should fit in your garage!

What about another Mercedes? Here's an E53 AMG - a bit less low slung than an SL class
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108136...


Other ideas

Ford Mustang GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110068...


Jaguar XK-R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111059...


Audi S5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203314...

Or for a bit more ooph, an RS5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204074...

[LightningBlue]

Patrick-zjggd said:

I think I might of emphasised the getting out of it a bit to much as we are not invalids but a little overweight and therefore if we could find a sporty car with seats a little higher themselves being low to the road it would be ok , my daughter has a Porsche 917? 4s and we are just about ok with that but out of our price range. I think my requirements are getting teased out of me so many thanks for the suggestions so far.

The weight need not be permanent surely? Diet and exercise for a few weeks and get anything your healthier shapes can get into and that takes your fancy

[PH User]

LightningBlue said:

Patrick-zjggd said:

I think I might of emphasised the getting out of it a bit to much as we are not invalids but a little overweight and therefore if we could find a sporty car with seats a little higher themselves being low to the road it would be ok , my daughter has a Porsche 917? 4s and we are just about ok with that but out of our price range. I think my requirements are getting teased out of me so many thanks for the suggestions so far.

The weight need not be permanent surely? Diet and exercise for a few weeks and get anything your healthier shapes can get into and that takes your fancy

Agreed, being overweight to the point that it affects your car choice is a grim thought, but I would imagine it will take them more than a few weeks of dieting and exercising.

[georgeyboy12345]

WTF are people seriously recommending the OP and his wife alter their lifestyle choice?! It's a car buying forum FFS not a self help page!

[PH User]

georgeyboy12345 said:

WTF are people seriously recommending the OP and his wife alter their lifestyle choice?! It's a car buying forum FFS not a self help page!

Yes

[Patrick-zjggd]

Sorry my question has gone on to lifestyle, diets etc one day some that have made a comment might get old and suffer from a debilitating condition as a result possibly of the semi professional sports that we both played when young and unfortunately when you stop training and playing due to our conditions you tend to put on extra weight!
But thanks for the advice from the members that have given us the benefit of their knowledge and not judged us on whether we are of good health with strong and healthy hips !