What everyday car to complement my Ferrari?

[wineman02]

I am currently driving a E270 diesel as my daily with the 328 GTS as my fun car.

I am hankering after something more fun as a daily though and have a budget of up to £20k. What would you recommend? I don't want to sell the 328 and get a 360 BTW as I am perfectly happy with it.

I am thinking of getting another 911 in either 996 Targa (hard to resell?) or C2/4S spec as they seem very good value at the moment.

Ideally I want something that has had its major depreciation hit so realise that it will be a few years old and that is fine as is 60k or so on the clock.

Can you give me some ideas on reliable yet fun cars? Some Maserati's come into the equation but servicing is too expensive for me for a daily. I have had a few Mercs and I don't like particularly like BMW's.

Thanks

[6th Gear]

Go and test drive a Golf GTI Mk 6. I'm serious, just drive one and let me know your thoughts.

Yes I do rate them.

Well done on the 328. Stunning car.

[3200gt]

If you need a bit of carrying capacity, an RS4/6 avant?

[MDahmen]

you did not mention if you need 4 seats and what your threshold re age is. some ideas, that should be in your budget:
- cayman
- merc CL old model
- defender
- jaguar xk (slighlty more than 20k)
- bmw m5 (they do seem like a lot of car for the money) as is the z3 m coupe, mine was very reliable, good boot and no depreciation
- aston db7 (I guess running costs might be too high)

so thats all the slightly unconventional ideas out of the way ....

[6th Gear]

Go and test drive a Golf GTI Mk 6. I'm serious, just drive one and let me know your thoughts.

Yes I do rate them.

Well done on the 328. Stunning car.

[wineman02]

My wife has a 4 seater and we have an old Disco Tdi so I can have a 2 or 4 seater

I like the idea of a RS4 - seem to be around the £13k mark for one with 60-90k on the clock. It seems a lot for this but maybe they retain there value well?
A Cayman is a good suggestion and had not considered that. I guess I got a bit fixated on a 911 again.
I don't want a BMW or Merc really.
The Golf is too new for me so has a lot of depreciation to go through I think although lovely cars I am sure.

A Mazda RX8 just came to mind as they seem to be priced very low at the moment. Has anyone had any experience of one? For £3-4K you can get a 30-40k one in 231 spec. I think from memory road tax is pretty high but for that price and pace it seem good.

How about a Nissan 250Z? Anyone have knowledge of these?

[tony993]

Such an easy choice - especially if you're into 911s. Get a Cayman. They're like a 911 but better.

[rossw46]

What about a Mitsubishi Evo,or a Subaru?

[Mario149]

wineman02 said:

My wife has a 4 seater and we have an old Disco Tdi so I can have a 2 or 4 seater

I like the idea of a RS4 - seem to be around the £13k mark for one with 60-90k on the clock. It seems a lot for this but maybe they retain there value well?
A Cayman is a good suggestion and had not considered that. I guess I got a bit fixated on a 911 again.
I don't want a BMW or Merc really.
The Golf is too new for me so has a lot of depreciation to go through I think although lovely cars I am sure.

A Mazda RX8 just came to mind as they seem to be priced very low at the moment. Has anyone had any experience of one? For £3-4K you can get a 30-40k one in 231 spec. I think from memory road tax is pretty high but for that price and pace it seem good.

How about a Nissan 250Z? Anyone have knowledge of these?

I hear 456s are quite practical, even knew a chap who owned one

On a serious note, I'd go for a 996 C2 (could also enjoy it on track days ) or for something more practical, an E39 M5. I know you said no BMWs, but you HAVE to have love for a 5 litre V8

[Mario149]

Mario149 said:

wineman02 said:

My wife has a 4 seater and we have an old Disco Tdi so I can have a 2 or 4 seater

I like the idea of a RS4 - seem to be around the £13k mark for one with 60-90k on the clock. It seems a lot for this but maybe they retain there value well?
A Cayman is a good suggestion and had not considered that. I guess I got a bit fixated on a 911 again.
I don't want a BMW or Merc really.
The Golf is too new for me so has a lot of depreciation to go through I think although lovely cars I am sure.

A Mazda RX8 just came to mind as they seem to be priced very low at the moment. Has anyone had any experience of one? For £3-4K you can get a 30-40k one in 231 spec. I think from memory road tax is pretty high but for that price and pace it seem good.

How about a Nissan 250Z? Anyone have knowledge of these?

I hear 456s are quite practical, even knew a chap who owned one

On a serious note, I'd go for a 996 C2 (could also enjoy it on track days ) or for something more practical, an E39 M5. I know you said no BMWs, but you HAVE to have love for a 5 litre V8

Actually, I lie. I'd find myself a mint 964 C2, preferably black

[NEFOC]

I use a lotus esprit in the summer and an Evo VI in the winter for daily drives. Cheap and fun no matter what the weather

[Audi 525i]

wineman02 said:

How about a Nissan 250Z? Anyone have knowledge of these?

I presume you mean a 350Z?

Anyway, have you thought about a classic car, rather than more modern fare? With a 20k budget, you could have alot of choice and fun.

[wineman02]

Not really into the Japanese cars. Bit traditional like that.

I think it will come down to the following 3 as I want a more modern interior:-

Cayman 3.6 (these do look lovely but the 2+2 in reality is a better option in terms of luggage space etc. I used to get exhibition panels in my previous C2!)
996 Targa
996 C4S

I am going to look at some at Hendon Way motors tomorrow.

Mario - about time we met up old chap!

[johnnyreggae]

wineman02 said:

I am going to look at some at Hendon Way motors tomorrow.

Recipe for success.....

[wineman02]

Please enlighten me via PM about Hendon Way so they do not get deleted! is there a problem?

I have been to see a tidy Targa at Beck Evans - a good firm? I have not heard of them before but seemed like a good bunch and efficient.

A 350Z yes

I have a 328 so do not want another classic particularly unless you have some great suggestions! I do think an XJS is looking pretty cool these days but how much fun are they? I do need reliability as it will be an everyday car.

Edited by wineman02 on Wednesday 23 November 19:34

[wineman02]

Ok - a basic search showed up some threads about HWM on here. Most were about selling to them but what about buying? Anyone have any experience they can enlighten me with?

[Mario149]

wineman02 said:

Not really into the Japanese cars. Bit traditional like that.

I think it will come down to the following 3 as I want a more modern interior:-

Cayman 3.6 (these do look lovely but the 2+2 in reality is a better option in terms of luggage space etc. I used to get exhibition panels in my previous C2!)
996 Targa
996 C4S

I am going to look at some at Hendon Way motors tomorrow.

Mario - about time we met up old chap!

Mate, def on for a meet up Ref HWM and some other unrelated stuff, I'll PM you shortly....

[wineman02]

Thanks for the messages guys.

[RevHappy]

If you can live with the image a 3.4 boxster S would be a lot of fun and in budget.

[wineman02]

A Boxter is a fine suggestion but I already have the 328 GTS so am really looking for a fixed roof.

I think I am set on a 996 Targa as it is a little different and very good value at the moment. A real buyers market.