Something fun for £50k, with some caveats

[Second Best]

Seasons greetings, merry christmas, happy new near, happy anniversary and all that.

I've just sold my V8 F-Type and am looking for something fun to replace it with. It's a weekend toy, I can't say that in any other way, and will sit on the driveway next to daily drivers of a Twizy and S4 Avant, and an Impreza for another fun car.

I've scratched a few itches over the years so I've had a TVR and AMGs and an M3 and a 911 etc on my drive, and right now I'm thinking of either a V8 Vantage (already had a 4.3 but I quite like the idea of a 4.7) or a Maserati GranCab or Audi R8.

Just wondering if you folks could point me towards anything else to consider. I have a couple of requirements:
Must have cruise control
Must be convertible
Must be 1998+
Auto/semi-auto preferred

I have £45k to spend, which I can bump to £50k max if necessary.

I'm torn between a Maserati and an Aston at the mo, and whilst I'll probably say "thanks but...." to loads of suggestions, please let me know what you think.

[fflump]

The Mazza is a big car compared to the V8V they are quite different propositions driving-wise.

The DB9 Volante probably more similar to the Grancabrio?

Another rival to the Grancabrio the gen 2 Bentley Conti GT is in budget.

Other options are the latest Boxster (718) or take your pick of 997..2s. 997.1 Turbo is also in range. If you had a 911 coupe the convertible might be enough if a difference?

Bit left field is the Alfa 4C. Disappointingly the 8.3 V10 Dodge Viper is also about £10k too much

With about £5k budget creep the Ferrari 360 Spider is an option. The Cali is probably out of reach as starts in the early 60's.

Edited by fflump on Tuesday 27th December 07:10

[omniflow]

It really does depend on what you mean by "fun".

I had an Alfa 4C spider - and that was great fun. I've replaced it with a Gran Cabrio MC, and whilst it's definitely not as much fun as the 4C - I much prefer it.

[blueg33]

You might just get a Ferrari 360 spider for £50k

[DKL]

sl63?
Not fun per se as in round the twisties but as you want cruise and an auto maybe that's not key.

[Marc p]

Love Maserati’s and Aston’s but to offer up a more reliable option, maybe the R8 V10? Then for a wild card suggestion….Corvette C6/C7.

[georgeyboy12345]

Some ideas, though I think all of these have already been suggested

Ford Mustang GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210080...


Alfa Romeo 4C
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211091...


Mercedes SL63 AMG
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208028...

[craigjm]

It’s convertible, it has cruise, it’s auto, it’s post 1998….

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211231...

[craigjm]

MYOB said:

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Leftfield option. It’s not as prestigious as others but with the Ferrari engine, it’s bound to be a fun weekend toy.

See must be convertible criteria above

[marky911]

blueg33 said:

You might just get a Ferrari 360 spider for £50k

Great cars but prohibitively expensive to run if you actually put any miles on them.
I know you’re an owner BlueG but there’s no denying they are one of the most expensive used cars to run in the sub-£70k bracket.

Having said that the OP hasn’t said there’s a cap on maintenance so it could suit him.
It would be a rough one for £50k though.

OP how much are 987 Spyders now?
Quick enough for B roads but not hugely so, mega reliable later DFi engine, great mini-Supercar looks and one of the best chassis Porsche have done. Lovely on the road with no sacrifices made to be good on the track, unlike GT3s and things.
They feel way more special than your common or garden Boxster too. Great residuals too. You could try one without risk of losing any money if you were to sell on.

Failing that maybe a Lotus of sone sort.

I’ve been looking at Alpine A110s lately, but they aren’t convertible.

But yeah 987 Spyder would be my first choice.

What’s not to like -
(Library pic)

Edited by marky911 on Tuesday 27th December 14:33

[classicfred]

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/13970195

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1516489

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1470066

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14364073



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211101...

Edited by classicfred on Tuesday 27th December 14:47

[skircoatshed]

Lotus Exige…….as long as you can get in and out of it.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you'd like a GT then the S500 AMG Line Premium is a very good option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206216...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210281...

Now a leftfield option is the SL65:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207147...

If you want a sports car then the R8 is the one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208249...

4.2:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206156...

Now a truly leftfield (aswell as LHD) option is the C7 Corvette now they're not a convertible but they are a Targa, get one with the Z51 Pack & 2/3LT interior packages & you'll have a great/special car:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185688290922?hash=item2...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295391233321?hash=item4...

[Yolevas]

skircoatshed said:

Lotus Exige…….as long as you can get in and out of it.

They even offer it with an auto box, though not common. You might be able to haggle this one down into budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205055...

[blueg33]

marky911 said:

Great cars but prohibitively expensive to run if you actually put any miles on them.
I know you’re an owner BlueG but there’s no denying they are one of the most expensive used cars to run in the sub-£70k bracket.

Having said that the OP hasn’t said there’s a cap on maintenance so it could suit him.
It would be a rough one for £50k though.

OP how much are 987 Spyders now?
Quick enough for B roads but not hugely so, mega reliable later DFi engine, great mini-Supercar looks and one of the best chassis Porsche have done. Lovely on the road with no sacrifices made to be good on the track, unlike GT3s and things.
They feel way more special than your common or garden Boxster too. Great residuals too. You could try one without risk of losing any money if you were to sell on.

Failing that maybe a Lotus of sone sort.

I’ve been looking at Alpine A110s lately, but they aren’t convertible.

But yeah 987 Spyder would be my first choice.

What’s not to like -
(Library pic)

Edited by marky911 on Tuesday 27th December 14:33

Running costs are ok once you get it to the right place. A Maserati or an Aston will probably cost as much. None of these cars will be cheap to run.

For cheapish to run, you need a Lotus, or cabs by volume makers.

[Second Best]

Thanks all for the suggestions.

I appreciate the GranCab is a different car to the V8 Vantage, but they both sound great. No need to do 199mph round the corners if you can enjoy the soundtrack.

As mentioned, lots of reasons why I don't have a few of the cars you folks have mentioned - but thanks again for your time.

SL63: I've had a C63 and ML63 in the past, whilst that 6.2 V8 is incredible, I don't really want another one. Would rather something else.

911: same issue, I've had a 997.1 C2S before, I liked it but I'd prefer a different car.

360 / DB9: Whilst I'm not fussed about maintenance costs to some extent, I really don't want something that'll cross the £1 per mile mark for maintenance. I'll be covering c.3000 miles a year, and whilst I know these sorts of cars will always throw you a bill when you least expect it, I fell out of love with a number of cars I've owned for similar reasons. I prefer buying cars with a solid warranty (yes, I know people's opinions may differ), but as an example, earlier this month my S4 threw me a healthy 4-figure bill. It went back to Audi, they put me in a very nice 265bhp A4 and got it all sorted. Top-notch service. I don't want to be chasing after my car to get it fixed. I'm lazy.

Mustang: It's crossed my mind a few times. I think I need to have a drive of one and see if I like it. Added to the list.

Craig: ps off

Lotus: I've had a VX220 before and whilst an Evora would fit the bill, I'm not sure it suits the car. Hmmm. Maybe one to consider.

Sadly LHD is a no-go.

Oh the 4C - I like the idea but, if I may be honest, it doesn't do much for me. I love the sound of a car more than how fast it goes around corners, and driving a supercharged V6 every day, a 4C seems like it'd be a bit of a backwards step in terms of acoustics.

[fflump]

I was not aware that a Vantage was on a different level to a DB9 maintenance-wise?

[blueg33]

Really not sure how a Maserati is going to be cheaper to run than a 360. Many shared components, both built by Italians etc

[fflump]

blueg33 said:

Really not sure how a Maserati is going to be cheaper to run than a 360. Many shared components, both built by Italians etc

For £55k you can get a Used Approved 2016 Grancabrio from HR Owen with 31k miles.
For £55k you can get a 2002 360 Spider with 69k miles.

The running costs will be lower with a warrantied Maserati, and even if not used approved it is a far newer model .There will be depreciation to factor in though.

[craigjm]

Second Best said:

Craig: ps off

it’s unique amongst all these suggestions and the Mrs will love it….

No seriously out of everything discussed here the grancabrio would be my suggestion. The coupe is a great car and as I’ve got older and can now appreciate the roof down thing I can only imagine it would be a real fun car to have…. Hmm might go and have a look