"Interesting" car ideas needed - 5-10k budget - Page 1 - Car Buying

His Lordship

Original Poster

2,354 posts

200 months

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Monday 10th April 2023

Well it's that time of year again when I turn to PH for buying advice, You always come up trumps :-D

Having just sold my '88 Alfa Spider, I'm looking for this year's "interesting" semi-daily car.

Budget up to 10k, may be able to stretch a little for the right car but would prefer not to. Preferably not a VAST distance from Derby, but again, for the right car...

OK so I like something that looks good, not "common" on the roads, sounds good, zero interest in EV, practicality isnt high on my priorities but a non-leaking roof would be good. No interest in generic motorway floaters/barges.

Ideas that have been swirling about in my head:
- bottom-of-the-barrel TVR chimera
- Maserati Quattroporte / 3200 / 4200
- Abarth 595
- also classics, although I'm not a fan of the MGs

Unfortunately out of budget: Lotus Elise, XV220, Maserati GranTurisimo....

........... GO!

CalisenQX

218 posts

103 months

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Monday 10th April 2023

Same category as you. Bookmarked for some good ideas!

D_G

1,952 posts

239 months

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Monday 10th April 2023

I have my Nissan Fairlady Z (300zx) for sale on here if that is of interest.

Xcore

1,531 posts

120 months

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Monday 10th April 2023

Isn’t there a whole thread on this topic somewhere?

Captain Smerc

3,347 posts

146 months

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[news]

Monday 10th April 2023

Fun
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023030950...

His Lordship

Original Poster

2,354 posts

200 months

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Monday 10th April 2023

Captain Smerc said:

Fun
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023030950...

JUST sold my smart roadster brabus - absolutely hate the gearbox, even well "tuned" complete dogs

t.

hairykrishna

14,526 posts

233 months

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Monday 10th April 2023

I had a similar budget and criteria a year ago. Ended up with a 986 Boxster S. Good fun, even though it's a bit sensible. My conclusion after viewing a couple was that a TVR close to that price range is a terrible idea.

I quite fancies an old Jag XKR but decided I wanted a manual.

There are some bonkers things on eBay for a around that budget sometimes. I think I probably would have ended up with a ropey Capri with a small block Chevy in it if the dude hadn't sold it before I had chance to view.

Hoofy

80,109 posts

312 months

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Monday 10th April 2023

MINI Cooper S?

5lab

1,935 posts

226 months

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Monday 10th April 2023

Gt86 is within budget and would tick all the boxes, not a huge number sold, if you want more rarity the brz is available too

Captain Smerc

3,347 posts

146 months

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[news]

Monday 10th April 2023

His Lordship said:

Captain Smerc said:

Fun
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023030950...

JUST sold my smart roadster brabus - absolutely hate the gearbox, even well "tuned" complete dogs

t.

Drive them as a manual & works good I've found, I'm on my 3rd Brab but each to their own.

anonymous-user

84 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 10th April 2023

His Lordship said:

Captain Smerc said:

Fun
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023030950...

JUST sold my smart roadster brabus - absolutely hate the gearbox, even well "tuned" complete dogs

t.

Adored my 450 Brabus, zero issues with box.

duncs

231 posts

297 months

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[news]

Monday 10th April 2023

How about a Lotus Elan M100 - can't guarantee a non-leaky roof but they are very interesting and capable cars and £10K should secure a reasonable example.

Some Gump

13,018 posts

216 months

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Monday 10th April 2023

Could do worse than a boxster.

Hoofy

80,109 posts

312 months

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Monday 10th April 2023

5lab said:

Gt86 is within budget and would tick all the boxes, not a huge number sold, if you want more rarity the brz is available too

I didn't believe you. And now I do. OPer, I'd be grabbing a GT86!

Killer2005

20,615 posts

258 months

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Monday 10th April 2023

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Just browsing these myself.

georgeyboy12345

4,633 posts

65 months

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Monday 10th April 2023

pb8g09

3,252 posts

99 months

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Monday 10th April 2023

georgeyboy12345 said:

Wow you win the internet today- what a selection. Shame the Megane isn’t a cup chassis and that 308 isn’t 30k miles fewer on the odo

CrippsCorner

3,386 posts

211 months

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Tuesday 11th April 2023

Yeah great selection there! £10k really does open your choices up.

The 370Z, Megane or BRZ would be my choices I think smile

DodgyGeezer

49,003 posts

220 months

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Tuesday 11th April 2023

A few suggestions...

SLK350
Crossfire
MGB GT/MGB
Spitfire
TR7
X1/9
Fiat 124
350Z/370Z
Mini Coupe Cooper S/Clubman Cooper S

Honourable Dead Snark

597 posts

49 months

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Tuesday 11th April 2023

I’ll have the same dilemma come September. That list posted above is great but it does make me question whether it’s worth going up to a budget of £15k for much better examples. A