Forgive me - what car, fun 7k max?

Forgive me - what car, fun 7k max?

Author
Discussion

ringerz

Original Poster:

139 posts

227 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
quotequote all
Right chaps, due to living in central London the past few years I've not bothered with a car. Have reached a point though where I miss the joys of ownership - partly sparked by a recent pilgrimage to le mans!

Criteria is 7k limit in price, not too bothered about running costs as I won't be using it as a daily driver. Car will mainly be used as a toy at weekends / occasional trips to grand prix so will need a boot that could a fit tent. It will also be street parked.

Have been considering the following:

Clio 182 - have always wanted one of these and heard people rave about them. Not sure if it's "special enough"?
Honda s2000 - love the engine, interesting car.
E39 M5 - mental, but I've long dreamt of owning one.
E46 M3 - see above

The main criteria is I want the car to feel special enough to make me get out of bed on a weekend and drive it!

Thoughts? Ideas?

sparks_E39

12,738 posts

214 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
quotequote all
One of those BMW's. For me it would be the M5.

ringerz

Original Poster:

139 posts

227 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
quotequote all
Is 7k enough for a good one? Think I need to try a few out!

Schuey M

178 posts

143 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
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Consider a vw r32, honda civic type r, focus rs mk1, or a z3.

vinnie83

3,367 posts

194 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
quotequote all
sparks_E39 said:
One of those BMW's. For me it would be the M5.
+1

The M3 unfortunately is starting to suffer from the same poor image that the E36 suffered from (which was the main reason for me selling mine).

The M5 still makes me look twice when I see one, and the noise!

ringerz

Original Poster:

139 posts

227 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
quotequote all
Yeah take your point about M3, I do love em though.
Not too keen on the R32 and RS, not sure why but they just don't stir me. Sure their cracking cars though.


redgriff500

26,900 posts

264 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
quotequote all
For a weekend toy is am M3 / M5 fun enough ?

Is an S2000 / 182 special enough ?

I'd be considering a Chimaera or RX7 FD

sparks_E39

12,738 posts

214 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
quotequote all
Consider an Alpina E39 B10 6 Cylinder or V8. The 6 Cylinder has the running costs of a 528 and the performance of a 540, and there are very few around.

AMGpower

2,539 posts

147 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
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A tidy facelift E39 M5

ringerz

Original Poster:

139 posts

227 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
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I do like the alphas - are they as raucous as the M?

Chimera - always liked tvr - what would it be like putting up with street parking etc?

Tazio1

363 posts

208 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
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Ford Racing Puma - 25k when new, built by Aston Martin's Tickford division. Limited edition and reviews say one of the best handling cars ever made.

henrycrun

2,449 posts

241 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
quotequote all
has to be a ragtop !

Dalto123

3,198 posts

164 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
quotequote all
This possibly?



944 S2 cab. This is one of the later cars and looks pretty stunning (production from 1989-1991). From about 5 years experience of owning one (well Dad, but I've been here the entire time we had it) it was fantasticly reliable (only failed to start once as the battery was flat) and very good fun. Its a very well built car and has uses it's power very well. Near 50/50 weight distribution makes it a joy in the corners, and theres plenty of room in the boot/cabin for bags when going away. Plus you can get very cheap insurance - Dad was under £150 a year on the car for 5000 miles and garaged, fully comp.

Back to the interior, this is one of the cleanest I have seen, and the mileage is almost too low! Our car had 151,000 miles on the clock and was still going strong - by the sounds of it with the service history this car has, its a good'un.



Certainly a car to consider, or have a look at, I reckon you'd be impressed.

Dalto123

3,198 posts

164 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
quotequote all
Dalto123 said:
This possibly?



944 S2 cab. This is one of the later cars and looks pretty stunning (production from 1989-1991). From about 5 years experience of owning one (well Dad, but I've been here the entire time we had it) it was fantasticly reliable (only failed to start once as the battery was flat) and very good fun. Its a very well built car and has uses it's power very well. Near 50/50 weight distribution makes it a joy in the corners, and theres plenty of room in the boot/cabin for bags when going away. Plus you can get very cheap insurance - Dad was under £150 a year on the car for 5000 miles and garaged, fully comp.

Back to the interior, this is one of the cleanest I have seen, and the mileage is almost too low! Our car had 151,000 miles on the clock and was still going strong - by the sounds of it with the service history this car has, its a good'un.



Certainly a car to consider, or have a look at, I reckon you'd be impressed.
Edited to add link, sorry, know its just over price, but negotaion possible?

http://pistonheads.com/sales/4022764.htm

redgriff500

26,900 posts

264 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
quotequote all
ringerz said:
Chimera - always liked tvr - what would it be like putting up with street parking etc?
Mine have always lived outside - can get a bit damp in winter if you leave them for weeks but pull the roof off and the problem's solved.

I'm running one as a daily at the minute - even with this weather it's dry inside I'm not going to lie there are compromises compared normal cars but then the highs are higher too.

PUA

1,060 posts

160 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
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go for a ride in an e46 M3,

then make sure you post some pics after you've bought one!

Djdan

570 posts

149 months

Sunday 15th July 2012
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3 RX8s

ringerz

Original Poster:

139 posts

227 months

Monday 16th July 2012
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I do like the look of the 944 - not something I had considered to tell the truth.

350Z? I hear good things about them but they leave me slightly cold, strange one.

I think I need to sit myself down in one of the "M" and see what it's all about. I promise to post a pic of my eventual purchase!

Captain Muppet

8,540 posts

266 months

Monday 16th July 2012
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Can you get an Elise for 7k?