Best handling / drivers car - £20k or less

[rallyeS2]

Morning folks,

I’m looking for a car within these parameters as a summer commuter / occasional track day car.

Max budget - £20k less is better
Age - not too bothered
Will be stored outside
Will use daily when I feel like and possible track day and a Ring trip at some point. Could do with some luggage space for a long weekend.
Fuel economy / tax not an issue.
Will be a 3rd car alongside a Discovery for family duties so practicality not a big issue although open top stuff like Caterham probably not ideal for a work commute!

Appreciate any ideas!

[rallyeS2]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far,

Cayman S had cropped up but IMS / bore scoring concerns pushed me towards the 987.2 2.9 engine.

I’ve had a 2.7 987 boxster when they were new and I never truly thrashed it from a track driving point of view, so never really got a feel for it at ten tenths. I’m older and the car will be much cheaper than I paid back then so I’m probably more likely to drive it harder.

Some other interesting suggestions I hadn’t considered, Elise had come up in my searches but had forgotten about the vx220.

At very top end of budget, what’s the consensus on the M2 (albeit a high mileage / categorised one at my budget) they seem fast but possibly not the last in handling finesse?

[rallyeS2]

The cup-s seem to be in hens teeth territory but I do like the already track focused options they seem to have - ohlins suspension, akrapovic exhaust and recaro buckets. Not sure about the styling but I’ve driven worse looking cars!

I need to try and get myself a drive of an Elise, I’ve been round oulton park in an S2 exige but as a passenger….

[rallyeS2]

nickfrog said:

Most don't have ohlins or Akra, neither of which make much difference on track. But plenty of Cup-S are called something else, like 265 Trophy (just 10 ponies less) or even "275 Nav" if they have the Cup chassis option. What you want is the Cup chassis and the LSD (ie the Cup chassis) irrespective of what the car is called or if it is std or an option, confusing or what?. Even a 265 non Trophy would fit the bill with the Cup option.

Thanks for the detailed info, I’ve never looked into the Meganes of this generation, I thought the suspension being an expensive option would be worth it but will have another look with those broader search parameters.

[rallyeS2]

Jiebo said:

This made me laugh, £15k for this. It wasn't that long ago they were £2k bangers. Must be out of your mind to buy this over a cayman

I’m afraid I’d struggle to spend 5k let alone £15k on one of these! I sadly sold a S2 106 Rallye when they were as easy to get hold of as the 182’s and couldn’t bring myself to spend that much no matter how good they are!

[rallyeS2]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'm bias but the Nissan 370Z Nismo is a very sweet steer that'll eat track work & is also good on a long (so trips to the Ring/Spa) are also a breeze.

Gen 1's are a little rawer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305117...

Gen 2's come with nicer seats & more sound deadening:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302194...

Z4M personally I've found the suspension runs out of ideas earlier than expected:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305157...

Megane Cup S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302033...

Hadn’t considered the 370z Nismo, that’s another one to add to the shortlist.

Have been burned with an older BMW in the past so would shy away from the Z4 plus have heard similar that they are more hot rod than track biased without suspension and brake mods.

[rallyeS2]

Om said:

I have a 370z and a Cayman 987 2.7.

Of the two the Cayman is definitely more the sports car. It is lighter, and feels more responsive on twisty roads. It is about five years older than the 370z (and probably worth similar) and is definitely more in need of (expensive) tlc - mainly just maintenance items due to age.

In comparison the 370z is more a sports GT. It handles well and is great fun to drive. It rides better and is faster than the Cayman. It is more than capable of being used as an occasional track day car (though I haven’t) and far better for covering long distances in. It feels like a class above the Cayman - a bit more grown up/rounded/dependable.

Tax is cheaper on the Cayman, though if it was an S it would be the same I think. Fuel works out similar overall, the Cayman being more economical in general use and the 370z being better on long runs.

Of the two the 370z is typically Japanese - get in, press the start button and go - without wondering if there will be any problems etc. The Cayman I am still preparing the list of things I need/want to do over the next year (though to be fair that is one of the reasons I got it).

Given the choice to have only one of the two it would be a 370z again. I still love the Cayman though and it is my choice of the two to rev out and throw around on country lanes…

Now there is a man living the dream! 2 two seater coupes!

I don’t mind tinkering and doing basic maintenance like brakes etc but would like to keep it to what’s necessary, unless I were to get an especially cheap cayman and give it to a specialist to sort out.

[rallyeS2]

SWoll said:

Not drive n one myself but was always led to believe they make a better GT (Gen 2) than sportscar as a bit heavy and one dimensional.

For me the answer is a manual 987 Cayman S as suggested earlier in the thread. Considerably more practical and hardy than an Elise (if kept outside), dynamically better than any of the hot hatch/coupe suggestions and a low mileage, top notch example can be found well within budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305026...

That’s a lovely example I hadn’t spotted on my searches. Thank you!

Thanks Ash and coldel, I think I need to try and find a vx220 locally and have a look at one. 👍

Edited by rallyeS2 on Thursday 25th May 20:34

[rallyeS2]

TheStig44 said:

NC MX5 is my vote for a great driving/handling car.

The last couple of years Ive had a 182 trophy, S3 exige and a mclaren 12c. The MX5, for me, is better to drive than that lot.

That does surprise me out of that lineup, was the MX 5 tinkered with or standard. I’ve been looking at the BBR conversions for the NC models.