F-Type alternative?

[J1990]

Looking to add a fun car to our driveway and myself and my partner are fairly set on an F-Type based on purely looks, I've got a test drive coming up this weekend but I'm trying to work out what other cars I should be considering, even if it's only to reaffirm the F-Type decision. Mainly looking for a second car for running around locally and then doing some longer drives through Europe.

Basic criteria is:

• Budget circa £30k, give or take 5.
• Must be a hardtop, mrs won't sign off on a convertible.
• Nice balance between easy and fun driving - Mrs wants the ease, I'd like to slip it in dynamic mode and have a little fun.
• Automatic
• Would rather avoid potentially ruinous bills (Maserati or cheapo DB9 would be a no go)
• Needs enough space in the boot for a week's luggage (F-Type hits this, despite seemingly being closer to a sport than GT?)

Cars I'd considered so far were:
Audi TTS - Just doesn't have enough visual appeal to me, just doesn't seem at all special
Jaguar XK - Seems to be much more of a GT car but I actually know nothing of them
Cayman - Could just about scrape in to a 718 for £35k but I can't get excited about these for some reason.

[Om]

J1990 said:

Looking to add a fun car to our driveway and myself and my partner are fairly set on an F-Type based on purely looks, I've got a test drive coming up this weekend but I'm trying to work out what other cars I should be considering, even if it's only to reaffirm the F-Type decision. Mainly looking for a second car for running around locally and then doing some longer drives through Europe.

Basic criteria is:

• Budget circa £30k, give or take 5.
• Must be a hardtop, mrs won't sign off on a convertible.
• Nice balance between easy and fun driving - Mrs wants the ease, I'd like to slip it in dynamic mode and have a little fun.
• Automatic
• Would rather avoid potentially ruinous bills (Maserati or cheapo DB9 would be a no go)
• Needs enough space in the boot for a week's luggage (F-Type hits this, despite seemingly being closer to a sport than GT?)

Cars I'd considered so far were:
Audi TTS - Just doesn't have enough visual appeal to me, just doesn't seem at all special
Jaguar XK - Seems to be much more of a GT car but I actually know nothing of them
Cayman - Could just about scrape in to a 718 for £35k but I can't get excited about these for some reason.

Toward the bottom of your budget have you considered a 370z? Something like https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207057... or https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205185... It is probably the closest to the F-type in layout/character. A late model would be at the lower end of your budget.

Cheaper to buy and a lot cheaper to run, plus reliable. Easy to drive (my first car that my partner likes to drive without complaining about something!) but fun also - using the paddles down twisty lanes is great fun and the engine while not the best sounding V6 as standard (easily resolvable with a nice exhaust) has some character.

It has plenty of space in the back and behind the seats for a weeks luggage (or in our case a dog or two) and rides very well for this kind of car.

Of your list I looked at early Caymans (great car but questions around reliability and not enough space for the dog), Audi (too Audi looking/to drive, but plenty of space), Jag XK (too big, too barge. I also looked at 911 (too old), Merc SLs (too big - see XK).

The other option that springs to mind is a BMW M4?

[SLK55AMG]

Slk 55 AMG. Wonderful soundtrack from the V8. Quite economical as it has cylinder shut off if in eco mode, I’ve had over 30mpg. Boot is quite big and it’s a proper hardtop

[Dynamoduck]

Mercedes Sl500, BMW 650i, BMW M4

I think a V6 F-Type would definitely be the best option though

[DT1975]

Lexus RCF?

[M.F.D]

Surely the Cayman peaks your interest more than the TTS, which to me sounds ultra dull in comparison.

Supra would be a great alternative too, but perhaps closer to the £35-£40k bracket.

[Stick Legs]

Porsche 996 C4S Tip. As above.

Porsche 997.2 Tip. These are a great if predictable shout.

Jaguar XKR 5.0 are essentially a long wheelbase F-Type. They drive differently but not ‘worse’.

Left field choice?

Audi R8. Supercar experience for half the money & feel genuinely special.

That’s what I’d be looking at.

[2Btoo]

As has been said, I'd look again at the Cayman option. I follow that you can't get excited about one but try driving one; it would seem to tick all your boxes pretty well.

Is it the fact that it's the 718 that's the problem? That sort of budget would get a VERY nice 981.

[2Btoo]

M.F.D said:

Surely the Cayman peaks your interest more than the TTS, which to me sounds ultra dull in comparison.

Agreed. In terms of being a driver's car, no TT has ever lived in the same sentence as a Cayman.

[J1990]

Thanks for all the great shouts so far, this is what I love about PH!

So...

370z - I liked it when it came out but personally I don't think it has aged well and doesn't appeal.
M4 - Previously had a convertible M4, I did enjoy it enough that I could easily be tempted to go back to one but in the coupe guise.
SLK55 - Lovely car, amazing sound and one that I'd consider if I was disappointed driving the F Type.
RCF - This would be top of the list but they don't seem to be in the right pricepoint for me at the moment, I do tend to keep an eye on these though.
997.2 - I'm really out of the loop on 911's but would welcome any info here? Am I looking at a ropey example for closer to 30k? I'm less worried about depreciation than I am about big repair costs and time in the garage,
R8 - Seems to be scraping the bottom of the barrel and that's just not the best approach IMO when going for a first supercar#

Quite a few people pushing the Cayman, I know it's a bit pathetic but I'd hate to get myself a 2.0, especially with the rise of electric cars I think I'd like some fun from something with a more exciting soundtrack. I see quite a few 3.4 models within budget but my background knowledge on Porsche goes as far as knowing each of the models they offer but not the iterations of each one. I'd welcome any specific advice if you think I'd be overlooking a cracking option.

[J1990]

M.F.D said:

Surely the Cayman peaks your interest more than the TTS, which to me sounds ultra dull in comparison.

Supra would be a great alternative too, but perhaps closer to the £35-£40k bracket.

Supra's aren't down there in price yet so unfortunately they're out.
The TTS was the mrs 1st choice after the F Pace, she had a MK1 TT and loved it. I didn't write it off as they look like a nice place to sit but they just look a little bland to me.

[Stick Legs]

J1990 said:

997.2 - I'm really out of the loop on 911's but would welcome any info here? Am I looking at a ropey example for closer to 30k? I'm less worried about depreciation than I am about big repair costs and time in the garage,
R8 - Seems to be scraping the bottom of the barrel and that's just not the best approach IMO when going for a first supercar#

Fair enough.
I’m kind of a sucker for ‘bottom of the depreciation curve keep your fingers crossed’ cars.

Yes in both those cases you are getting cars which may be problematic, but they only MAY break.
The newer low mileage car WILL depreciate so it’s swings & roundabouts.

[cerb4.5lee]

J1990 said:

370z - I liked it when it came out but personally I don't think it has aged well and doesn't appeal.

It is like you've been teleported back to the 70s inside too!

I used the sat nav in mine yesterday, and the bloody thing is absolutely ancient! As a car they do have a very nice bit of character about them though I reckon.

[akirk]

I had the same set of choices at the end of last year - the Cayman is too bland for me, the cabin a bit too germanic and stark...
So I sold the M5 and now have a 380bhp v6 f-type on the drive - and it ticks all the boxes:
- great to look at
- easy to drive gently locally
- sounds great in dynamic mode and having fun
- can do two people and luggage for a weekend
loving it

[J1990]

akirk said:

I had the same set of choices at the end of last year - the Cayman is too bland for me, the cabin a bit too germanic and stark...
So I sold the M5 and now have a 380bhp v6 f-type on the drive - and it ticks all the boxes:
- great to look at
- easy to drive gently locally
- sounds great in dynamic mode and having fun
- can do two people and luggage for a weekend
loving it

When looking did you take a V8 out to test drive also? Currenlty I'm leaning towards a V6S AWD, I think the extra power and harshness of the V8 might be a bit much for the mrs, which is also the main reason that AWD is something I'd be leaning towards strongly.
Something about the F is just so damn good looking, the only thing I like the look of more at the moment is the Lexus RCF

[DodgyGeezer]

SLK55AMG said:

Slk 55 AMG. Wonderful soundtrack from the V8. Quite economical as it has cylinder shut off if in eco mode, I’ve had over 30mpg. Boot is quite big and it’s a proper hardtop

would be my thought.

Possibly Mustang

[ettore]

J1990 said:

When looking did you take a V8 out to test drive also? Currenlty I'm leaning towards a V6S AWD, I think the extra power and harshness of the V8 might be a bit much for the mrs, which is also the main reason that AWD is something I'd be leaning towards strongly.
Something about the F is just so damn good looking, the only thing I like the look of more at the moment is the Lexus RCF

I’ve got a V8R (with AWD) and Mrs Ettore is more than happy burbling about in it. V8 super relaxed in normal driving - only turns to loony tunes when required.

F Type is a lovely, usable car that’s easy to live with.

[croyde]

Mustang GT

[cerb4.5lee]

It would be the F-Type or Mustang for me.

[akirk]

J1990 said:

akirk said:

I had the same set of choices at the end of last year - the Cayman is too bland for me, the cabin a bit too germanic and stark...
So I sold the M5 and now have a 380bhp v6 f-type on the drive - and it ticks all the boxes:
- great to look at
- easy to drive gently locally
- sounds great in dynamic mode and having fun
- can do two people and luggage for a weekend
loving it

When looking did you take a V8 out to test drive also? Currenlty I'm leaning towards a V6S AWD, I think the extra power and harshness of the V8 might be a bit much for the mrs, which is also the main reason that AWD is something I'd be leaning towards strongly.
Something about the F is just so damn good looking, the only thing I like the look of more at the moment is the Lexus RCF

No, I have a number of friends who have driven or owned f-types and the general consensus seems to be that the v6s - 380 is the sweet spot.
I was selling an e39 M5 to buy it and was therefore trading across a similar power and performance level.

I have increasingly been switched off bigger power levels - I have driven e63 / DB11 / R8 / types of car with a lot more power and found almost nowhere I can use that extra power, the e39 M5 and now the v6s f-type has a level of power which is still too high for roads in this country, but a far greater % of it is usable, so I wasn't attracted by higher power levels - as for the v8, yes it is a better sound, but have had v8 cars, and still retain a very nice one in my classic rangie (bespoke built engine), so don't feel a lack of v8 burble

with the v8 costing a fair bit more, there was no real choice, the v6 was the car for me - I paid quite a bit more than your budget, so I think you will struggle to get a good v8 if any v8 for the £30k mark

I did drive AWD and normal RWD - saw very little difference between them - enjoy driving both setups... in the end my choice was between two cars, one AWD and one RWD - we chose on the basis of colour, not setup!

I would go for the memory / performance seats... definitely get the panoramic roof, transforms the car - be aware that some cars come without cruise control etc. so check the spec carefully - in the end, it was only heated front window / heated steering wheel that I didn't get, the car even came with extended leather which is fantastic...