Buying advice for 10-12k
Discussion
Having read the 6k for some evoness thread I can see that there are plenty of opinions kicking around here so I wondered if I could tap this rich vein of experience...
I've currently got a tvr s3 which I tend to use when the weather isn't so good as my main form of transport is a fireblade. I don't want to spend the winter on the bike again - it's too cold and I didn't enjoy it last time. The reason for selling the s3 is that while I love it too bits, it's absolutely sh*te at the commute which is currently 45 miles of motorway. I can stand the noise (pardon), I can stand the tramlining (A34 lorry grooves) but I can't stand doing the whole trip at 50mph if it's p*ssing it down which it always is.
So, when it's gone, I'll have between 10-12k to spend and I'd like some ideas from you lot if you would be so kind. I'd like sportness built in (obviously) and I love the chuckability of the s3. I'd like performance (the s3 is a bit weak here). I don't mind the odd leak. I don't need it to be utterly reliable but I don't want to be recovered all the time (I'm happy fixing the s3 but it has never left me stuck anywhere). It needs to be able to be driven at more than 50mph in the rain (either the wipers are terrible in the s3 - and I've tried rain-x - or the angle of the screen is all wrong or something... it's just awful at clearing lot sof water). It absolutely *has* to be rear wheel drive. I'm not terribly keen on autos. It's going to get used everyday from early October through to April and then it's going to get occasional use through the summer, mainly for long trips.
I've looked at...
- Mitsubishi gto - I found this really dull to drive
- Nissan 300zx - not bad but why are they all autos?
- TVR V8s - presumably same rain diffusion problems as my s3?
- TVR Griffith 4.0 - yet to drive one (can't afford a 500)
- TVR Chim 4.0 - driven a 4.5 and liked it a lot, will the 4.0 feel a bit weak?
- BMW 850i - these are *soooo* gorgeous but mainly autos and not that quick (on paper), haven't driven one
- Lotus elise - never driven one, can now get one for about 12k, always thought they were a bit 'girly' looking but am prepared to be convinced - need to find one to test drive.
- Subaru imprezza wrx - did nothing for me, probably the most tedious car I have ever driven although it was clearly very fast.
Anyone got any comments or suggestions please?
Thanks,
Mark
>>> Edited by mhibbins on Monday 1st July 13:50
I've currently got a tvr s3 which I tend to use when the weather isn't so good as my main form of transport is a fireblade. I don't want to spend the winter on the bike again - it's too cold and I didn't enjoy it last time. The reason for selling the s3 is that while I love it too bits, it's absolutely sh*te at the commute which is currently 45 miles of motorway. I can stand the noise (pardon), I can stand the tramlining (A34 lorry grooves) but I can't stand doing the whole trip at 50mph if it's p*ssing it down which it always is.
So, when it's gone, I'll have between 10-12k to spend and I'd like some ideas from you lot if you would be so kind. I'd like sportness built in (obviously) and I love the chuckability of the s3. I'd like performance (the s3 is a bit weak here). I don't mind the odd leak. I don't need it to be utterly reliable but I don't want to be recovered all the time (I'm happy fixing the s3 but it has never left me stuck anywhere). It needs to be able to be driven at more than 50mph in the rain (either the wipers are terrible in the s3 - and I've tried rain-x - or the angle of the screen is all wrong or something... it's just awful at clearing lot sof water). It absolutely *has* to be rear wheel drive. I'm not terribly keen on autos. It's going to get used everyday from early October through to April and then it's going to get occasional use through the summer, mainly for long trips.
I've looked at...
- Mitsubishi gto - I found this really dull to drive
- Nissan 300zx - not bad but why are they all autos?
- TVR V8s - presumably same rain diffusion problems as my s3?
- TVR Griffith 4.0 - yet to drive one (can't afford a 500)
- TVR Chim 4.0 - driven a 4.5 and liked it a lot, will the 4.0 feel a bit weak?
- BMW 850i - these are *soooo* gorgeous but mainly autos and not that quick (on paper), haven't driven one
- Lotus elise - never driven one, can now get one for about 12k, always thought they were a bit 'girly' looking but am prepared to be convinced - need to find one to test drive.
- Subaru imprezza wrx - did nothing for me, probably the most tedious car I have ever driven although it was clearly very fast.
Anyone got any comments or suggestions please?
Thanks,
Mark
>>> Edited by mhibbins on Monday 1st July 13:50
10-12K is way over the top for a 300ZX (5-8K is more like it). They're nearly all autos as many are imports from Japan. UK cars are more likely to be manuals, but will more than likely have higher miles than the imports.
For that sort of money I'd have either a Supra Twin Turbo or, even better an RX-7.
I too love the 8-series Beemer, but I'd want a V8 (840) with a manual box. Might struggle to find one on your budget too.
For that sort of money I'd have either a Supra Twin Turbo or, even better an RX-7.
I too love the 8-series Beemer, but I'd want a V8 (840) with a manual box. Might struggle to find one on your budget too.
quote:I love the look of the rx-7 but that engine frankly scares the willies out of me. Everyone keeps telling me that they will last and last if you look after them but I still see a disproportionate number advertised with new engines. Ro-teknics quote about 3k for a rebuild including fitting which is quite a lot imo.
For that sort of money I'd have either a Supra Twin Turbo or, even better an RX-7.
Mark
BMW M3 or 328i etc.
Supra Twin Turbo
Mercedes 300 SL (1991 but might need 14-16K for RHD)
Porsche 968 (at £12K RHD might be higher mileage)
Porsche 944 Turbo and Turbo Cabriolet
Porsche 911 (1990) C2 LHD
Honda Integra Type R
???? See what you fancy. So many to choose from, but I personally think the 968 looks good for the money and would prefer that to a 944 Turbo. Can from experience recommend the Supra, which is brilliant at everything it does.
Supra Twin Turbo
Mercedes 300 SL (1991 but might need 14-16K for RHD)
Porsche 968 (at £12K RHD might be higher mileage)
Porsche 944 Turbo and Turbo Cabriolet
Porsche 911 (1990) C2 LHD
Honda Integra Type R
???? See what you fancy. So many to choose from, but I personally think the 968 looks good for the money and would prefer that to a 944 Turbo. Can from experience recommend the Supra, which is brilliant at everything it does.
Gotta say from that list consider the Elise. 40mpg, RWD,handling to die for...shouldn't be too expensive to service (Lotus guys?)
not sure about the wipers though...
Chimaera's wipers have all the problems you describe about your S3. I RainX the windscreen to get any kind of wet weather visibility...Chimaera is properly practical too with a huge boot. The Elise wouldn't give you that - the luggage space being the passenger seat.
not sure about the wipers though...
Chimaera's wipers have all the problems you describe about your S3. I RainX the windscreen to get any kind of wet weather visibility...Chimaera is properly practical too with a huge boot. The Elise wouldn't give you that - the luggage space being the passenger seat.
quote:The wet weather use has to be a prime consideration as I'll drive it mainly in the winter - getting a test drive in the rain for any of these cars is nigh on impossible, hence the questions.
Chimaera's wipers have all the problems you describe about your S3. I RainX the windscreen to get any kind of wet weather visibility...Chimaera is properly practical too with a huge boot. The Elise wouldn't give you that - the luggage space being the passenger seat.
The luggage space isn't a consideration at all though as when I'm with the family we go in the mondeo estate (which still, amazingly, never seems to be big enough
). Mark
The BMWs are fine cars but everyone has one. I'd try a 911 for the money if you're used to running an S3.
My Elise was 100% reliable, but I was scared of the potentially big bills. The front ends take a battering from stones (many are resprayed), care is needed in the wet (when they can be tiresome to drive, you like to have the window open but water drips in when standing still) & servicing at main dealer is (JCT quotes) £250, £250, £350, £250, £250, £550 at 9k intervals. Head gaskets are weak on the K-series engine although I didn't have problems & plastic body panels can be expensive.
They are a superb drive in the dry though, probably one of the best cars ever. 4WD rally cars are excelent x country but you need a much higher speed to have fun in them than in the Elise.
If you shortlist an Elise, let me know & I'll e-mail you more deatils of my experience.
My Elise was 100% reliable, but I was scared of the potentially big bills. The front ends take a battering from stones (many are resprayed), care is needed in the wet (when they can be tiresome to drive, you like to have the window open but water drips in when standing still) & servicing at main dealer is (JCT quotes) £250, £250, £350, £250, £250, £550 at 9k intervals. Head gaskets are weak on the K-series engine although I didn't have problems & plastic body panels can be expensive.
They are a superb drive in the dry though, probably one of the best cars ever. 4WD rally cars are excelent x country but you need a much higher speed to have fun in them than in the Elise.
If you shortlist an Elise, let me know & I'll e-mail you more deatils of my experience.
quote:A fine plan but I'm trying to steer clear of modifying a car too much because my insurance will go through the roof. I'm 'only' 33 and I have a honda fireblade to insure too. Insurance is stupid, I got a quote of 900 to insure a 300zx import but a quote of 400 to insure a 1998 corvette! Only problem is that I can't afford to buy the corvette... doh.
You could get a good 89/90 944 Turbo for about £8k, spend about £2k on it and end up with a 320 bhp/330 lbft practical car. A stock 250 bhp 951 does 0-60 in about 5.5 and 160+ while still managing to do 30+mpg on the motorway.
Also, from my experiences of an old shape 200sx, modified turbo 4-cyls tend to be rather on/off... would this be the case with the 944?
Mark
Haven't driven the old Elise, but the Mk II is fantastic - apart from the non-servo brakes! Steering and handling are superb, although there really isn't that much outright grunt. Not much comfort, and really wooden brakes are the only downsides.
Have also driven an Integra Type-R and would concur that it is stunning. Am seriously considering buying one of these next year, but you'd probably have to have a white one.
Why not get an early Chim?
Have also driven an Integra Type-R and would concur that it is stunning. Am seriously considering buying one of these next year, but you'd probably have to have a white one.
Why not get an early Chim?
A friend of mine has recently bought a Porsche 964 Carrera 4, 1990 G-reg, RHD (NOT left), for just £13,000. The catch? 140K miles. However, it has FSH and it had a few grand spent on it last year, eg clutch, flywheel (I think). It's a lovely dark blue with cloth interior (it wears better than leather). It looks lower and sounds louder than standard, which is nice, but I'm not sure about the exact spec. Still, one hell of a car for £13K. 4WD as well. He's upgrading to a 993 soon because he's just sold a property to release capital....sod, so he might sell it. Interested?
What about a Porsche 928. The forgotten porsche !
Misunderstood by many but a cracking car, and available in both manual and Auto. I had a couple in the late 80s/early 90's and loved them. Since then I have had a stack of cars (20+) but after getting sick of depreciation I decided to get another 928, which I found a couple of weeks ago - 1991 One owner, FSH, and only 39000mls. They go well (330bhp), Handle well (50/50 weight dist due to transaxle), still look special despite the age of the design, and feel like they will go on forever.
Misunderstood by many but a cracking car, and available in both manual and Auto. I had a couple in the late 80s/early 90's and loved them. Since then I have had a stack of cars (20+) but after getting sick of depreciation I decided to get another 928, which I found a couple of weeks ago - 1991 One owner, FSH, and only 39000mls. They go well (330bhp), Handle well (50/50 weight dist due to transaxle), still look special despite the age of the design, and feel like they will go on forever.
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