Fun for 5 or 6 grand

[billzeebub]

DanDC5 said:

M3 coupe would be better, the convertibles have a lot of roof issues.

Agree that any complex mechanism that is a few years old can be problematic. But this is why you look for one at around 5/6k with a hardtop rather than 3k without. Well maintained ones should have been to a dealer with any roof issues, and ideally have a new roof by now too. I have owned several E36 Convertibles and have never had a problem with a roof mechanism(and I have the roof down every time it isn't raining!). My current car had roof mechanism overhauled in 2008(the last time it was sold in the dealer network) and it also has a new mohair hood which operates perfectly every time. But, you are right you need to allow for any hood issues in maintenance budget. I wouldn't want to run an M3 or any comparable performance car with a budget of anything less than 2k per year.

The Coupe is brilliant, I just happen to like Convertibles more, and seeing as the OP mentioned a Boxster I thought maybe he does too? But apparently he wants a 2 seater so we are debating a non starter anyway!

Edited by billzeebub on Sunday 18th March 20:22

[fozzymandeus]

billzeebub said:

Agree that any complex mechanism that is a few years old can be problematic. But this is why you look for one at around 5/6k with a hardtop rather than 3k without. Well maintained ones should have been to a dealer with any roof issues, and ideally have a new roof by now too. I have owned several E36 Convertibles and have never had a problem with a roof mechanism(and I have the roof down every time it isn't raining!). My current car had roof mechanism overhauled in 2008(the last time it was sold in the dealer network) and it also has a new mohair hood which operates perfectly every time. But, you are right you need to allow for any hood issues in maintenance budget. I wouldn't want to run an M3 or any comparable performance car with a budget of anything less than 2k per year.

The Coupe is brilliant, I just happen to like Convertibles more, and seeing as the OP mentioned a Boxster I thought maybe he does too? But apparently he wants a 2 seater so we are debating a non starter anyway!

Edited by billzeebub on Sunday 18th March 20:22

My old E36 convertible was a bit of a flawed beast. It wasn't an M3 (323i) but it felt like it had enough power for the compromised chassis. I liked it a lot (still miss it in many ways), but it was neither one thing nor the other. Quite scuttle shakey when pushed, noisy on the motorway from the canvas roof, and bloody cold with the roof down outside of summer. The missus always complained that the passenger side was REALLY cold.

I can only imagine that an M3 convertible shows the limits of the wobbly body shell even more so... granted, still a nice car - lovely engine and all; but... mmm.. I dunno... I'd want the coupe.

What about an R129 Mercedes SL? Won't be cheap to run, but hey it's only money. A guy cruised past me in a 1995 SL280 in the week and I thought it looked like a nice car.

[snotrag]

http://pistonheads.com/sales/3734146.htm



Bonafide TVR for well under budget and cash left over for buggeration.

Or a Wedge if you like the shape.

That's what I'm doing as soon as I also find 5 grand down the sofa.


The V6 TVR's sound unbelievably awesome too.

[Toooldforthis]

I ain't hung up ona two seater although I prefer the sportier look

That TVR is the nts

[mikey k]

Welshbeef said:

CHIEF said:

Honda S2000

That is all.

Can you get a good one for 5k?
Always liked them and saw a v reg one in grey today totally standard as clearly well maintained. Looked lovely.
Something I'd always consider but not sure if they are suitable for 6'2" tall people?
Lovely engine great looks cannot see a good one losing any money really

No - 5k gets you an early car with high mileage with knackered roof, dying engine and seized suspension bushes
Better to stick to an +04 face lift (but no an 09 )
They have jsut about hit rock bottom no I think.
I've had four of them great car.

[Chris71]

snotrag said:

http://pistonheads.com/sales/3734146.htm



Bonafide TVR for well under budget and cash left over for buggeration.

Or a Wedge if you like the shape.

That's what I'm doing as soon as I also find 5 grand down the sofa.

The V6 TVR's sound unbelievably awesome too.

Not a bad price considering the work that's said to have been done. These are going up in value at the moment too, as they transition from 'cheap old sports car' into genuine classic territory.

Can't recommend one highly enough as a weekend car. They're practical enough to use for long distances and come with bags of character.

It depends what you want it for, really. I know how awesome M3s are to drive and I would love one as a daily driver, but I can't quite bring myself to see a recent four-door saloon (or indeed a saloon-derived coupe) as something to savour for the weekends only. A small open two seater is almost always a more visceral experience for a Sunday afternoon blast, even if it's not as competent in measurable terms.

[nosuchuser]

snotrag said:

http://pistonheads.com/sales/3734146.htm



Bonafide TVR for well under budget and cash left over for buggeration.

Or a Wedge if you like the shape.

That's what I'm doing as soon as I also find 5 grand down the sofa.


The V6 TVR's sound unbelievably awesome too.

+1

[Legend83]

Currently driving my BIL's 350Z while he tries to sell it. It's a Jap import and he reckons he will only get £5k for it.

It's a hoot to drive, has real presence, has good grunt and sound wonderful.

Knowing how much it has cost him to run and how reliable it has been, it's where my money would go.