£25-30k With Too Many Itches to Scratch...

£25-30k With Too Many Itches to Scratch...

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Discussion

CABC

5,533 posts

100 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
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with daily duties catered for i'd look beyond cars like the Jag. awesome engine but it's big.
fun. Lotus, TVR or fix the S2000.
Projects can be fun (i guess you know that from the race car?), so fixing & modding the S2000 could be interesting.
As you say, many itches. plenty of time for heavy cars when you're older.

Leggy

1,018 posts

221 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
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Surely an Elise should be considered. For your budget a supercharged S2 should be obtainable.
Bomb proof, cheap to run and strong residuals.

samoht

5,633 posts

145 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
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You could consider an RX-7, the size and weight is similar to an S2K, reasonable for longer journeys, very responsive and nicely balanced on track, easy to find one with 300hp+. It's one of those cars that would be perfect if one leaves reliability out of the equation (!)

ShadFx

Original Poster:

58 posts

165 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
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Thank you for all the comments - not really bothered about track work because realistically, I’m going to want more seat time in the race car. I’m not adverse to modding and fettling, but I’d rather be doing that on the race car too.

I guess ideally I’m after something fast, that can go down a B road and give me some brown trousers once in a while, but be civilised enough to manage a trip to Scotland and back and not feel like a cripple at the end of it smile

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
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Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2019
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Just a thought, but what about a BMW Z4 Coupe?

A video review to whet your appetite:- https://youtu.be/9YXYAR_BEIU

blueg33

35,588 posts

223 months

Thursday 24th January 2019
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ShadFx said:
Thank you for all the comments - not really bothered about track work because realistically, I’m going to want more seat time in the race car. I’m not adverse to modding and fettling, but I’d rather be doing that on the race car too.

I guess ideally I’m after something fast, that can go down a B road and give me some brown trousers once in a while, but be civilised enough to manage a trip to Scotland and back and not feel like a cripple at the end of it smile
Evora

I have done 10 day European road trips in mine, chasing a mates Ferrari 360 through various mountain ranges then blasting across Spanish plains for 4 to 5 hours a day. It’s perfectly comfortable and to drive has that special lotus subliminal steering.

Your budget won’t stretch to the S but the n/a car is very good, probably better balanced but slightly slower on our acceleration.

I was in the market for a £30k 911 or Cayman, but one I tried the Evora it was a no brainer. Reliable, quick, rare, superb to drive, good sense of occasion. I am on my second.

They do have some niggles but nothing major and nowhere near TVR level of niggles.

If you don’t consider one, and don’t try one, you are missing out. Remember, it’s the car that Ferrari used as the ride and handling benchmark for the 458.

OFORBES

533 posts

99 months

Thursday 24th January 2019
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ShadFx said:
Thank you for all the comments - not really bothered about track work because realistically, I’m going to want more seat time in the race car. I’m not adverse to modding and fettling, but I’d rather be doing that on the race car too.

I guess ideally I’m after something fast, that can go down a B road and give me some brown trousers once in a while, but be civilised enough to manage a trip to Scotland and back and not feel like a cripple at the end of it smile
M2.

Fast, will get down a back road and certainly give you plenty of brown trouser moments. I took mine from Surrey to Inverness the first weekend I had it to get it run in before the first service. There and back and I felt fine.

spreadsheet monkey

4,544 posts

226 months

Thursday 24th January 2019
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Jag_luvver said:
I think the F-type is the best looking car on sale today, and you can get it with the same engine as the XKR (probably not for £30k yet), but its handling seems to get mixed reviews.
I'd also recommend the F-type. Decent early cars available for just over £30k from Jag dealers. I'm sure they'd be willing to haggle a bit...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

mshed

35 posts

84 months

Thursday 24th January 2019
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Try an Abarth 124 - GT version worth considering also. Hassle free new car, discounts available, loads of character and you can use all of the power rather than having to hold back all the time in a more powerful car.

IAmTupperware

128 posts

70 months

Thursday 24th January 2019
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ShadFx said:
Thank you for all the comments - not really bothered about track work because realistically, I’m going to want more seat time in the race car. I’m not adverse to modding and fettling, but I’d rather be doing that on the race car too.

I guess ideally I’m after something fast, that can go down a B road and give me some brown trousers once in a while, but be civilised enough to manage a trip to Scotland and back and not feel like a cripple at the end of it smile
That rules out the Exige then in my opinion.

mshed said:
Try an Abarth 124 - GT version worth considering also. Hassle free new car, discounts available, loads of character and you can use all of the power rather than having to hold back all the time in a more powerful car.
I second this. Having had both an mx5 and a 595 Competizione I can't imagine a better hybrid of two cars. The record monza exhaust makes the abarth the best sounding 4 cylinder in production right now. An mx5 but with the theatre the chassis deserves.

If you want something special, I'd add a morgan to the mix? (I am a romantic) Potentially an Alfa junior if you're into classics. I also reckon DB7's are a good investment. I imagine a Z3M Coupe would be out of your budget? What about a VXR8?

ShadFx

Original Poster:

58 posts

165 months

Thursday 24th January 2019
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Nooooo! Don't you all go adding even more to my list! I can't take it!

I think you're all right about the Exige - from what I've read it seems too track focused.. I've definitely added the Evora into the mix and think i'll drop the requirement to drive a Cayman or the Jag.

One thing I hadn't considered which is just, juuuuust in reach is a GTR... I don't think i'd keep it long long term because I've always been opposed to overly assisted "playstation generation" type of car (despite growing up in that era!).

My "to drive" list:

Evora
Tuscan
Cerb
911
GTR
... Will probably still drive an Exige anyway.....
If I can find one, a blown S2000. I got in the car today and I still can't help but be in love with it, even with the hard top on to prevent all the water ingress caused by incompetent roof fitters.

Oh and about the Alfa / MX-5 - Brand New cars just don't do it for me. Sorry! I get it; the warranty and your arse is the first in the seat etc. but... for me that doesn't feel as special.

Trevor555

4,405 posts

83 months

Thursday 24th January 2019
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ShadFx said:
I've definitely added the Evora into the mix and think i'll drop the requirement to drive a Cayman or the Jag.

Don't discount the Cayman until you've heard that flat six at full chat.

There's a very good reason the 981's are holding onto their value so well.

Find one with the full leather including the dash and doors and they feel upmarket inside.

Lexus RCF also worth a look in your budget, although mine did 16mpg, not for everyone.

lewisf182

2,084 posts

187 months

Thursday 24th January 2019
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Trevor555 said:
ShadFx said:
I've definitely added the Evora into the mix and think i'll drop the requirement to drive a Cayman or the Jag.

Don't discount the Cayman until you've heard that flat six at full chat.

There's a very good reason the 981's are holding onto their value so well.

Find one with the full leather including the dash and doors and they feel upmarket inside.

Lexus RCF also worth a look in your budget, although mine did 16mpg, not for everyone.
+1. I’ve been exactly where you are last year and i’m also the same age funnily enough. The choice at £25-35k is huge which is great but also makes narrowing down options very hard.

I test drove a jag f type and 981 cayman s back to back. The 981 won hands down and the noise it made massively surprised me given i’ve got a 996 with aftermarket exhaust now... it sounded ace, as did the f type though tbf. But the drive of the F type was 100% more GT like than sports car, whereas the cayman was just incredible to drive, even with all the comforts it still felt raw as in a proper drivers car raw like my 996 does, while maintianing good long distance cruising ability.
The 911 would also be a serious contender if I were you. You might just squeeze into a 997.2 at your budget meaning no engine issues (although bore scoring starting to make an appearance even with these engines). 997.1 i wouldn’t bother with.

Evora is also a great shout, a friend at work had one and it’s just ace, proper supercar looks and sound! Doing really well depreciation wise too.

Not sure what your thoughts are on a boxster but 981 S well within your budget and adds another dimension of roof down if you don’t want to lose that.

It’s a hard choice out there, so many options!

Not sure you’ve mentioned Mustang 5.0 in there either... another to add!

For me it would be;
Cayman
M2
F type
Evora
Mustang
RCF



Jamescrs

4,450 posts

64 months

Thursday 24th January 2019
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IAmTupperware said:
MX-5s and Volvos, a man after my own heart! If you are happy taking the s2000 on road trips then get an exige. Otherwise the other half wont appreciate road tripping in an exige! I wouldn't rule out the XKR so soon. That 5.0 SC must sound epic and go absolutely quick! I'd say rule out the cayman, TT and maybe M2, they'll be no were near as exciting as the rest on the list.
I've got nothing to add to the topic but I just wanted to register myself as part of the exclusive?!? club of being a Volvo and MX-5 owner too.

CABC

5,533 posts

100 months

Thursday 24th January 2019
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Jamescrs said:
I've got nothing to add to the topic but I just wanted to register myself as part of the exclusive?!? club of being a Volvo and MX-5 owner too.
perfect combination i think.
what would be your third car?

InductionRoar

2,001 posts

131 months

Thursday 24th January 2019
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A Z4M, for all its faults, ticks a lot of boxes.

I personally find it to be a similarly raw experience as an S2000, but has more torque and sounds nicer (IMO), although it is heavier.

I've had mine getting on for five years now and cannot think of anything I would swap it for, outside of a Corvette/Viper which are both far more expensive and of course LHD.

Zero depreciation so far too.

walm

10,609 posts

201 months

Thursday 24th January 2019
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This https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Don't get one in Ultimate Silver, it's a nightmare.

IAmTupperware

128 posts

70 months

Thursday 24th January 2019
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Jamescrs said:
I've got nothing to add to the topic but I just wanted to register myself as part of the exclusive?!? club of being a Volvo and MX-5 owner too.
CABC said:
perfect combination i think.
what would be your third car?
Unfortunately I don't have the space for 2 cars atm let alone frown But i'd have an 850R, SC my mx5 and then maybe restomod an alfa junior into a GT car.

I have been really tempted to build a fiat 500 with a Subaru boxer engine though. Now that would be fun.

CABC

5,533 posts

100 months

Thursday 24th January 2019
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IAmTupperware said:
But i'd have an 850R, SC my mx5 and then maybe restomod an alfa junior into a GT car.
good taste. i'm liking the mix

IAmTupperware said:
I have been really tempted to build a fiat 500 with a Subaru boxer engine though. Now that would be fun.
mmmm...
quirky.