Second 'fun' car, limited depreciation, £10k budget

[_Mac_]

Its that time again, now that the last project has rolled off the driveway - space for the next one!

Musts:

• Limited depreciation - usually means its already at the bottom of it's valuation curve or just starting to lift from it. Or physically unable to drop further of course!
• Desirable - Not interested in Fords or hatchbacks. Bright colours make me smile over graphite or silver. TVR/Rover flip paints makes my nut spinners tingle.
• Not a basket case - been there, done that. Needs to be usable as a weekend/second car when needed. Crash damaged but "easy fix" projects can nope on out of the room. Scruffy interior or light body damage considered.
• Petrol only! - Don't do the mileage to warrant a diesel and the associated DPF/EGR issues.
• £10k budget - Doesn't mean I want to spend it all of course ~standard~

Should:

• 3 or 4 seats preferred over 2.
• Convertible keeps the lady and the kids happy.

Current contenders:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15074745
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/13318693
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14579327
Or Old Landy/Jeep
Or 70s/80s American lowrider type (itch to be scratched)
Or use banger-nomics and buy a £500 Audi A4 cab 1.8T circa 2005

[Sycamore]

I like how you've given a list of must/should-haves, and then your list of contenders just ignores it in terms of bright colours and 3/4 seats being prefferred

Bright, (assuming) it's a removable top, 4 seats... you had keep on your list...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301203...

I like it
No experience with them whatsoever though

Edited by Sycamore on Thursday 15th June 11:23

Edited by Sycamore on Thursday 15th June 11:23

[Shabaza]

Cant go far wrong with an E46 M3 manual

[_Mac_]

Sycamore said:

I like how you've given a list of must/should-haves, and then your list of contenders just ignores it in terms of bright colours and 3/4 seats being prefferred

Yeah, current crop of cars on PH aren't great for colour choice... And I kinda forogt the droptop XKR was only a 2 seater...

Maybe an MX5 should be on that list too?

Jeep certainly a contender - could even go for a Jurassic Park replica and the bodywork/paint is shoddy enough and the price low enough

[_Mac_]

Shabaza said:

Cant go far wrong with an E46 M3 manual

Not a great fan of BMWs, which is a shame 'cos I should be. But I've noticed one on AT with a sequential box fitted...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304116...

[CrippsCorner]

Z4 is the biggest rival to the Boxster for me.

Ultra low mileage on this older one (personally I prefer the older headlight style)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...

Newer style and still the fast version...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305097...

Slow and massive mileage, but it's bright

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...

[rotaryjam]

350Z in sunburst orange

They really are proper cars, they feel manly and purposeful!

[coldel]

Sycamore said:

I like how you've given a list of must/should-haves, and then your list of contenders just ignores it in terms of bright colours and 3/4 seats being prefferred

Bright, (assuming) it's a removable top, 4 seats... you had keep on your list...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301203...

I like it
No experience with them whatsoever though

Edited by Sycamore on Thursday 15th June 11:23

Edited by Sycamore on Thursday 15th June 11:23

Yes I was going to say! 3-4 seats...heres what I am considering *lists a load of two seaters

The Z4 is your reliable option. Porsche always has that higher chance of landing a massive bill on your doorstep, much moreso than its competitors.

[_Mac_]

coldel said:

Yes I was going to say! 3-4 seats...heres what I am considering *lists a load of two seaters

Yeah whoops, I swear I was looking at other cars too... Looks like I'm subconsciously heading for a 2 seater.

coldel said:

The Z4 is your reliable option. Porsche always has that higher chance of landing a massive bill on your doorstep, much moreso than its competitors.

Z4 would be a natural fit; had a Z3 early in my car-eer and really led my interest in cars and motoring. Porsche is, well a Porsche. Pros and Cons I guess.

[coldel]

The 350z in sunburst is a very viable option if something that stands out is your thing though...hard to find but they are gorgeous looking cars.

[jamesbilluk]

I know you said you weren't a fan of BMWs, but the E36 convertible is a great looking thing, and this on in 328 form, and should be low depreciation as well.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-e36-328i-Auto-Indiv...



Or the 916 model Alfa spider, you can get the Busso for that price, although they're not the finest in handling (I have the GTV)
It does sound good!

[_Mac_]

I had considered a 3.2l Busso in one guise or another - I've not owned an Alfa either. Can't remember why I stopped looking at them.
On ze list it goes...

Edited by _Mac_ on Thursday 15th June 17:10

[jamesbilluk]

_Mac_ said:

I had considered a 3.2l Busso in one guise or another - I've not owned an Alfa either. Can't remember why I stopped looking at them.
On ze list it goes ??

With Busso, it would be the 3.0 Busso in the 916 spider

Certainly a lovely sounding engine!

I think they did put the 3.2 in the 916 facelift, but quite rare I think



Or this generation with a GM V6 I think

[Macron]

The 2.0T in Z4's is the same in the 18 as the 20, so they map up well. The actual fast one isn't the 28i, for that you need the 35i, and a lot more money

[Mikebentley]

Z4 Coupe.

[jamesbilluk]

Just looking at the last car you mentioned, the A4 Cab, 1.8T

These look good too, and with the 4.2 V8

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023060681...



Or the TT Quattro Sport
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-06-AUDI-TT-1-8-T-S...

Edited by jamesbilluk on Thursday 15th June 21:30

[anonymous-user]

jamesbilluk said:

Just looking at the last car you mentioned, the A4 Cab, 1.8T

These look good too, and with the 4.2 V8

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023060681...

Those have not aged well at all.

[jamesbilluk]

I've always thought they were a nice clean design.

[Jiebo]

Not sure why the Z4 is being compared to the 987. The Porsche blows it out the water, it's in a completely different league.

The E89 Z4 is a fairly poor handling cruiser. The older one isn't a patch on the Boxster.

I'm no porsche fan, I drive an Mx5. But let's be real here, the z4 isn't competition.

[cerb4.5lee]

jamesbilluk said:

I've always thought they were a nice clean design.

Same.