Second / weekend car with genuine 2+2 seating for under £50k
Discussion
Hi folks, I'm after a second / weekend car which feels special with genuine 2+2 seating for max £50k.
I've just sold my Lotus Evora Sport 410 as it was a 2+0 and I want to start taking my two daughters (currently 4 and 7) with me on occasion. The Lotus was a fantastic car and the only reason I sold it was due to the lack of rear seats. I did consider the 2+2 variant of the Evora, but the seats are just too small and compromised for my girls - they'd feel too claustrophobic and hate being cramped in the rear with the engine just behind them
.
We have an EV as the main family runaround, but my wife also uses that to commute in to work, so I also need the car to be useable / reliable enough to potter around town, pick the kids up from clubs, do the occaisional shop in etc.
I know I won't be able to replicate the steering and feel of the Evora, but something with a sense of occasion is important. Running costs are also important (something where the Evora really excelled), so I don't want something that is going to be ruinous to run.
I've got a few cars on my list, but thought I check with you folks to see if there's anything I should add. I'm not really fussed about having a manual and I'm more than happy with an auto.
1) Maserati Granturismo - either the post 2017 facelift, or a 2013 is MC Stradale. Pros - good rear seats, engine sound, MC has the sense of occasion I'm after. Cons - running costs!
2) Mercedes C63 507 Edition - I've had two of the 204 C63 variants before and love the engine. Pros - good rear seats, engine sound, reasonable running costs. Cons - more of a cruiser with a poor gearbox and not something you really want to throw down a B road. 507 edition is overpriced for what it is, but they seem to be becoming more collectable and the small 507 changes elevate it slightly in the feel good factor department.
3) Alfa Romeo QV. Pros: practical, look good. Running costs ok. Cons: Not a fan of turbocharged engines, prefer the sound of NA.
4) Jaguar XKR-S. Pros: love the rarity, looks, and engine. Cons - realistically there's not enough space in the rear.
5) BMW F82 M4 CS. Pros: looks, relative rarity, ease of use, running costs. Cons - don't think the engine is special enough...
I've also briefly thought about the BMW M2 (F87 and newer G82) and M4 (G82). But after driving them, they just don't give me any fizz (engines are souless). I also considered the Lexus LC500, but for some reason it just doesn't do it for me. Ditto the BMW E92 M3 with the V8 - the engine is great and it handles better than the C63, but the C63 has a certain charm that really gets under my skin,
Any thoughts gratefully appreciated.
I've just sold my Lotus Evora Sport 410 as it was a 2+0 and I want to start taking my two daughters (currently 4 and 7) with me on occasion. The Lotus was a fantastic car and the only reason I sold it was due to the lack of rear seats. I did consider the 2+2 variant of the Evora, but the seats are just too small and compromised for my girls - they'd feel too claustrophobic and hate being cramped in the rear with the engine just behind them
. We have an EV as the main family runaround, but my wife also uses that to commute in to work, so I also need the car to be useable / reliable enough to potter around town, pick the kids up from clubs, do the occaisional shop in etc.
I know I won't be able to replicate the steering and feel of the Evora, but something with a sense of occasion is important. Running costs are also important (something where the Evora really excelled), so I don't want something that is going to be ruinous to run.
I've got a few cars on my list, but thought I check with you folks to see if there's anything I should add. I'm not really fussed about having a manual and I'm more than happy with an auto.
1) Maserati Granturismo - either the post 2017 facelift, or a 2013 is MC Stradale. Pros - good rear seats, engine sound, MC has the sense of occasion I'm after. Cons - running costs!
2) Mercedes C63 507 Edition - I've had two of the 204 C63 variants before and love the engine. Pros - good rear seats, engine sound, reasonable running costs. Cons - more of a cruiser with a poor gearbox and not something you really want to throw down a B road. 507 edition is overpriced for what it is, but they seem to be becoming more collectable and the small 507 changes elevate it slightly in the feel good factor department.
3) Alfa Romeo QV. Pros: practical, look good. Running costs ok. Cons: Not a fan of turbocharged engines, prefer the sound of NA.
4) Jaguar XKR-S. Pros: love the rarity, looks, and engine. Cons - realistically there's not enough space in the rear.
5) BMW F82 M4 CS. Pros: looks, relative rarity, ease of use, running costs. Cons - don't think the engine is special enough...
I've also briefly thought about the BMW M2 (F87 and newer G82) and M4 (G82). But after driving them, they just don't give me any fizz (engines are souless). I also considered the Lexus LC500, but for some reason it just doesn't do it for me. Ditto the BMW E92 M3 with the V8 - the engine is great and it handles better than the C63, but the C63 has a certain charm that really gets under my skin,
Any thoughts gratefully appreciated.
I would strongly advise you against GT cars like the Maserati or a C63 ... they feel like boats on a winding B-road compared to a 410.
Staying with Lotus... moving to a standard 400 or GT410 with the glass engine cover makes the rear cabin feel brighter and less claustrophobic for little ones. On the factory Evora 400 (2+2), you can also remove the rear seat cushions. The factory base cushions are thick. Popping them out (they are held by velcro and two bolts) gives your daughters an extra 2–3 inches of crucial headroom and legroom, allowing them to sit directly on the carpeted floor well into their pre-teen years....
Finding something that matches that lightweight Lotus agility, offers naturally aspirated (NA) soul, provides genuine 2+2 seating, and stays under £50,000 is incredibly difficult because most focused driver's cars are strict two-seaters except obviously the 911.
Staying with Lotus... moving to a standard 400 or GT410 with the glass engine cover makes the rear cabin feel brighter and less claustrophobic for little ones. On the factory Evora 400 (2+2), you can also remove the rear seat cushions. The factory base cushions are thick. Popping them out (they are held by velcro and two bolts) gives your daughters an extra 2–3 inches of crucial headroom and legroom, allowing them to sit directly on the carpeted floor well into their pre-teen years....
Finding something that matches that lightweight Lotus agility, offers naturally aspirated (NA) soul, provides genuine 2+2 seating, and stays under £50,000 is incredibly difficult because most focused driver's cars are strict two-seaters except obviously the 911.
Current GT410 Sport owner here,always been a lightweight two seater fan ( 4 TVR’s 2 Nobles etc ),and I had the same dilemma for several years. As above, you’re really gonna struggle and have to compromise somewhere.The only thing I owned for “specialness”as a genuine 4 seater was one of your suggestions,a Granturismo 4.7 MC-Shift.Yes it’s big and heavy, but the excitement you felt knowing you was going to hear that engine fire up was wonderful and it gave me one of the best drives of my life through the Welsh valleys listening to the noise bounce off everywhere.I bought it to replace the Noble so I could take the kids out ,but ultimately the Noble won snd I had it 19 years,
Other options ? Very few maybe an early 6.3 CLS,but I’d probably be looking backwards towards some 4 seat modern classics especially as there’d be more manuals involved, and probably better steering feel to boot.
Other options ? Very few maybe an early 6.3 CLS,but I’d probably be looking backwards towards some 4 seat modern classics especially as there’d be more manuals involved, and probably better steering feel to boot.
Crumpet said:
The answer for most is 911 . Although my children preferred the seats in my DB11.
Others that I ve considered are BMW M8, M2 and M4 and Maserati Granturismo.
Yep. Also the Bentley Continental.Others that I ve considered are BMW M8, M2 and M4 and Maserati Granturismo.
I've had a few 2+2s over the years and you'd struggle to get Douglas Bader in the back - Vanquish and XKR being two examples.
I had a Bentley GTC and that was pretty good in the rear - I have a 911 at the moment and kids would fit. The Maserati is a good shout too.
Not a 2+2, but this ticks a fair few boxes (and leaves you with a sizeable contingency fund):
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606133...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606133...
Perhaps not quite in the same vein as your current picks, but about 10 years ago when PBJnrs 1 & 2 were aged 8 and 6 I bought a 928S4 for the same reasons. Bonus was that the rear seats were big enough for a lightweight, forward facing child seat so 2yo PBJnr3 could come too.
Car was superb and the rear hatch/folding seats meant with a spare seat behind me I could fold the seat down and fit in a couple of kids bikes and scooters/skateboards.
That car met an unfortunate end but it did make me want another car with such flexibility and enjoyment, couldn’t afford another 928 so got a 968.
Yes, the youngest are 30yo now and yes there are many EVs and diesels that are faster off the lights, but a 928 is much more fun than the numbers suggest and really does have a sense of occasion, and a late, good GTS could be within your budget. Also, it’s not a 911…
Car was superb and the rear hatch/folding seats meant with a spare seat behind me I could fold the seat down and fit in a couple of kids bikes and scooters/skateboards.
That car met an unfortunate end but it did make me want another car with such flexibility and enjoyment, couldn’t afford another 928 so got a 968.
Yes, the youngest are 30yo now and yes there are many EVs and diesels that are faster off the lights, but a 928 is much more fun than the numbers suggest and really does have a sense of occasion, and a late, good GTS could be within your budget. Also, it’s not a 911…
There’s a compromise somewhere with this. I have the same problem.
Try them all out. What I found I only the Maserati genuinely has 2 rear seats. It’s all about the engine and you’re compromising driving dynamics but it’s better than most peope say. But it is a GT car and not a sports car and you have to remember that. It’s never going to match the Lotus dynamically.
M4/M2 is too small in the back. Same with 911. But depends how tall you and other half are.
Some of this might depend on your kids and the colour palette of the car. All the ones I tried had black interiors and it was cramped and dark in the back and the kids hated it so I know it wouldn’t get used.
I also thought about a Levante Trofeo but haven’t tried it.
Try them all out. What I found I only the Maserati genuinely has 2 rear seats. It’s all about the engine and you’re compromising driving dynamics but it’s better than most peope say. But it is a GT car and not a sports car and you have to remember that. It’s never going to match the Lotus dynamically.
M4/M2 is too small in the back. Same with 911. But depends how tall you and other half are.
Some of this might depend on your kids and the colour palette of the car. All the ones I tried had black interiors and it was cramped and dark in the back and the kids hated it so I know it wouldn’t get used.
I also thought about a Levante Trofeo but haven’t tried it.
LC500, Japanese GranTurismo a very good car add an XPipe & you get near to GT levels on the exhaust note:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607204...
The GranTurismo is a peach (yes they're more expensive to run but starting one up soon makes you forget about the bills
) I never regretted owning mine:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601249...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606203...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605132...
The Sports are very good BUT the MC Stradale just feels that bit more special:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608295...
Jaguar wise the XFR S hits the brief & are well under budget as well as being under budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606133...
Mach1 Mustang:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608215...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607174...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607304...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607204...
The GranTurismo is a peach (yes they're more expensive to run but starting one up soon makes you forget about the bills
) I never regretted owning mine:https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601249...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606203...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605132...
The Sports are very good BUT the MC Stradale just feels that bit more special:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608295...
Jaguar wise the XFR S hits the brief & are well under budget as well as being under budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606133...
Mach1 Mustang:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608215...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607174...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607304...
Bentley Conti GT or a Maserati GrandSport. Both have a sense of occasion and are great to drive (as GTs).
However, buying either of those under £50k is like playing hopscotch through a minefield. You might emerge the other side with a huge grin or blow yourself up seconds into the game. One small fault can be catastrophically expensive - a failed starter motor on the Bentley W12 is an engine-out job.
A 911 is a safer play.
However, buying either of those under £50k is like playing hopscotch through a minefield. You might emerge the other side with a huge grin or blow yourself up seconds into the game. One small fault can be catastrophically expensive - a failed starter motor on the Bentley W12 is an engine-out job.
A 911 is a safer play.
AstonZagato said:
Bentley Conti GT or a Maserati GrandSport. Both have a sense of occasion and are great to drive (as GTs).
However, buying either of those under £50k is like playing hopscotch through a minefield. You might emerge the other side with a huge grin or blow yourself up seconds into the game. One small fault can be catastrophically expensive - a failed starter motor on the Bentley W12 is an engine-out job.
A 911 is a safer play.
Granturismo’s are nowhere near hopscotching through a minefield. Yes, some parts are expensive, but they are generally very reliable, engine and gearbox are bulletproof. However, buying either of those under £50k is like playing hopscotch through a minefield. You might emerge the other side with a huge grin or blow yourself up seconds into the game. One small fault can be catastrophically expensive - a failed starter motor on the Bentley W12 is an engine-out job.
A 911 is a safer play.
Spread over several years they generally cost about 2-2500/year on average to service and maintain, obviously depending on how many miles you do. Some years cost less, some years more.
Of course they don’t handle like a lotus, much bigger and heavier, but they are fine for a GT, pretty much 50/50 weight distribution. And of course, sound epic, nothing comes close for the price and not much at any price.
I went for a 991.1 with very similar criteria although I was set on a manual. Kids are 3 and 5 and fit well, but only because me and other half are not that tall and gives them a bit of leg room.
The 911 is going to feel the most 'sports car'. I think most other options I looked at have been mentioned, but what about a BMW 1M?
The 911 is going to feel the most 'sports car'. I think most other options I looked at have been mentioned, but what about a BMW 1M?
I don't think the OP needs to find something as close as possible to the driving experience of the Lotus. I hope one would not be pushing on 10/10ths down a B road with two children in the car, so something pleasant on a B road and great on an A road should fit the bill.
Better to go for something quite different, which meets the key criteria. Personally I wouldn't choose a 911 as the rear seats are too small.
Better to go for something quite different, which meets the key criteria. Personally I wouldn't choose a 911 as the rear seats are too small.
Edited by SFTWend on Saturday 5th September 21:48
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