£10K Fun Machine Wanted

[300bhp/ton]

billzeebub said:

the 996, but at that level they are going to need plenty of regular maintenance. As long as you allow for £2-£5k per year then should be very rewarding. I think early 996s had a tendency to suffer from major engine failure though. The Maserati is infinitely cooler, but not sure I am brave enough to sink my own cash into one! Keeping older motors in good fettle is costly. I have sank over £2k into my E36 this year alone, and over a grand into the Corrado..but then I am a tad OCD!! Unfortunately the sensible option at this level (E46 M3) probably won't feel special enough after your Boxster..

..this leaves the TVR Chimaera, this is what you should buy..

Curious, but what exactly would you need to spank £5000 on each and every year to run a 996? Yes there are horror stories about the engines (although the op is already running a Boxster). But from what I've read the internet seems to have massively over inflated the severity of such a failure.

I would guess that most people planning on running a car such as a 3200 or a 996 will not be doing 20k a year mileage in them. So chances are 1 or 2 oil changes a year and maybe a set of tyres every 12-24 months.

Ok the occasional bush/link or other item might crop up. But £5000 each year on a car costing only £10k to start with.

[Funkstar De Luxe]

I really appreciate all the help so far guys, some really great suggestions. However...

I think I can get a 4200 GT for 10k now. I simply cannot resist that, especially in manual.

[LordHaveMurci]

Funkstar De Luxe said:

I really appreciate all the help so far guys, some really great suggestions. However...

I think I can get a 4200 GT for 10k now. I simply cannot resist that, especially in manual.

Drive both, I did & I bought a 996 C2

[Funkstar De Luxe]

LordHaveMurci said:

Drive both, I did & I bought a 996 C2

Amazing, can you tell me more? Would love a brief comparison

[jack01825]

dont mind the maser but the vx220 or the cerbrera is still your best bet.

vx220 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3963746.htm
not many people have them but for 10k you can get a top very low milage one like that one

[Baron Greenback]

Alternative possibility
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3563216.htm

[LordHaveMurci]

Funkstar De Luxe said:

Amazing, can you tell me more? Would love a brief comparison

Maser looks nice, nice roomy interior, sounds fantastic but feels more like a GT to drive, sharp turn in I seem to remember. Plenty quick enough but the 996 was a revelation, I drove them back to back so it was a fair comparison. Depends what you want from a car I guess but dynamically the 996 is streets ahead.
Drive both & buy what makes YOU happy, they're both great cars

[dapearson]

Buy a caterham and go racing.

http://www.graduates.org.uk/forsale/default.asp

[Funkstar De Luxe]

It's a PITA to get a test drive in either of these cars where I live (north Scotland). I'll make a point of doing so before I commit, but by the sounds of things I don't want a tourer to be honest.

[roystinho]

Some great suggestions, I'd throw a Clio V6 in there too. £10k would get you a mint Phase 1.

Surprised Elise S1 hasn't been mentioned too

Both these should be pretty depreciation proof too

[mft]

Funkstar De Luxe said:

I really appreciate all the help so far guys, some really great suggestions. However...

I think I can get a 4200 GT for 10k now. I simply cannot resist that, especially in manual.

I was going to post 'good luck' as the manuals are pretty rare, but then checked the classifieds and the cheapest 4200 on there currently is a manual!

http://beta.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Quite leggy, but only £13.5k