Best handling / drivers car - £20k or less

[rallyeS2]

nickfrog said:

Most don't have ohlins or Akra, neither of which make much difference on track. But plenty of Cup-S are called something else, like 265 Trophy (just 10 ponies less) or even "275 Nav" if they have the Cup chassis option. What you want is the Cup chassis and the LSD (ie the Cup chassis) irrespective of what the car is called or if it is std or an option, confusing or what?. Even a 265 non Trophy would fit the bill with the Cup option.

Thanks for the detailed info, I’ve never looked into the Meganes of this generation, I thought the suspension being an expensive option would be worth it but will have another look with those broader search parameters.

[nickfrog]

It's nice to have but probably more fragile and the std Cup suspension/handling/steering/traction is sooooo sorted, the law of diminishing returns etc...

I remember a test where the Ohlins was one or two tenths quicker around a typical track.

[rallyeS2]

Jiebo said:

This made me laugh, £15k for this. It wasn't that long ago they were £2k bangers. Must be out of your mind to buy this over a cayman

I’m afraid I’d struggle to spend 5k let alone £15k on one of these! I sadly sold a S2 106 Rallye when they were as easy to get hold of as the 182’s and couldn’t bring myself to spend that much no matter how good they are!

[ZX10R NIN]

I'm bias but the Nissan 370Z Nismo is a very sweet steer that'll eat track work & is also good on a long (so trips to the Ring/Spa) are also a breeze.

Gen 1's are a little rawer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305117...

Gen 2's come with nicer seats & more sound deadening:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302194...

Z4M personally I've found the suspension runs out of ideas earlier than expected:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305157...

Megane Cup S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302033...

[rallyeS2]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'm bias but the Nissan 370Z Nismo is a very sweet steer that'll eat track work & is also good on a long (so trips to the Ring/Spa) are also a breeze.

Gen 1's are a little rawer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305117...

Gen 2's come with nicer seats & more sound deadening:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302194...

Z4M personally I've found the suspension runs out of ideas earlier than expected:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305157...

Megane Cup S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302033...

Hadn’t considered the 370z Nismo, that’s another one to add to the shortlist.

Have been burned with an older BMW in the past so would shy away from the Z4 plus have heard similar that they are more hot rod than track biased without suspension and brake mods.

[Hippea]

DC5?

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15071956

Edited by Hippea on Thursday 25th May 18:33

[MuZiZZle]

I'd try an FK2, it's basically a van, it's good on fuel, it's class at the ring.

[SWoll]

rallyeS2 said:

Hadn’t considered the 370z Nismo, that’s another one to add to the shortlist.

Not drive n one myself but was always led to believe they make a better GT (Gen 2) than sportscar as a bit heavy and one dimensional.

For me the answer is a manual 987 Cayman S as suggested earlier in the thread. Considerably more practical and hardy than an Elise (if kept outside), dynamically better than any of the hot hatch/coupe suggestions and a low mileage, top notch example can be found well within budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305026...

[cerb4.5lee]

SWoll said:

rallyeS2 said:

Hadn’t considered the 370z Nismo, that’s another one to add to the shortlist.

Not drive n one myself but was always led to believe they make a better GT (Gen 2) than sportscar as a bit heavy and one dimensional.

For me the answer is a manual 987 Cayman S as suggested earlier in the thread. Considerably more practical and hardy than an Elise (if kept outside), dynamically better than any of the hot hatch/coupe suggestions and a low mileage, top notch example can be found well within budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305026...

I love my 370Z and it drives and handles very nicely for me, but it wouldn't be something that I'd immediately think of for track work though. They are definitely more GT in their direction I think. I'd imagine the Cayman to be the much better track car with it being lighter and a bit more nimble.

[Robmarriott]

MuZiZZle said:

I'd try an FK2, it's basically a van, it's good on fuel, it's class at the ring.

How good on fuel?

[Om]

I have a 370z and a Cayman 987 2.7.

Of the two the Cayman is definitely more the sports car. It is lighter, and feels more responsive on twisty roads. It is about five years older than the 370z (and probably worth similar) and is definitely more in need of (expensive) tlc - mainly just maintenance items due to age.

In comparison the 370z is more a sports GT. It handles well and is great fun to drive. It rides better and is faster than the Cayman. It is more than capable of being used as an occasional track day car (though I haven’t) and far better for covering long distances in. It feels like a class above the Cayman - a bit more grown up/rounded/dependable.

Tax is cheaper on the Cayman, though if it was an S it would be the same I think. Fuel works out similar overall, the Cayman being more economical in general use and the 370z being better on long runs.

Of the two the 370z is typically Japanese - get in, press the start button and go - without wondering if there will be any problems etc. The Cayman I am still preparing the list of things I need/want to do over the next year (though to be fair that is one of the reasons I got it).

Given the choice to have only one of the two it would be a 370z again. I still love the Cayman though and it is my choice of the two to rev out and throw around on country lanes…

[CrippsCorner]

Jiebo said:

Martyn76 said:

Renault Clio 182/Cup/Trophy? Practical, comfortable, good down a B-road and on track.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304266...

This made me laugh, £15k for this. It wasn't that long ago they were £2k bangers. Must be out of your mind to buy this over a cayman

Not a Trophy, completely different beast to a standard Clio 182. Trophy's may have dipped to £4k for a rough one at one point, but they've always been around £8k really. Double the price seems perfectly reasonable (gulp) in this day and age.

[SWoll]

CrippsCorner said:

Not a Trophy, completely different beast to a standard Clio 182. Trophy's may have dipped to £4k for a rough one at one point, but they've always been around £8k really. Double the price seems perfectly reasonable (gulp) in this day and age.

Don't be ridiculous. £15k for an 18 year old Renault hatchback with 105k on the clock is just someone taking the piss.

[Ash_]

As some others have said, you will not get more bang for your buck as far as handling and driver feel goes than a VX220, far better value for money than an Elise at a similar price. Your budget will get you in to a Supercharged one, or if you'd prefer to have a factory spec car, then go for the Turbo of you want pace or the NA of you want handling. Prices on these are only going up.

I owned mine for 10.5 years and still miss it, did plenty of track days in it (mine was a 51 plate NA), and all I did was braided brake lines, new discs and Mintex pads.

[coldel]

As Ash said. If you think you have driven a great handling car after driving a Cayman or a Megane, get in a VX220 and it will make them feel like you were driving a Transit van. It is head and shoulders above the other other options from a pure connection to the road/handling experience.

[rallyeS2]

Om said:

I have a 370z and a Cayman 987 2.7.

Of the two the Cayman is definitely more the sports car. It is lighter, and feels more responsive on twisty roads. It is about five years older than the 370z (and probably worth similar) and is definitely more in need of (expensive) tlc - mainly just maintenance items due to age.

In comparison the 370z is more a sports GT. It handles well and is great fun to drive. It rides better and is faster than the Cayman. It is more than capable of being used as an occasional track day car (though I haven’t) and far better for covering long distances in. It feels like a class above the Cayman - a bit more grown up/rounded/dependable.

Tax is cheaper on the Cayman, though if it was an S it would be the same I think. Fuel works out similar overall, the Cayman being more economical in general use and the 370z being better on long runs.

Of the two the 370z is typically Japanese - get in, press the start button and go - without wondering if there will be any problems etc. The Cayman I am still preparing the list of things I need/want to do over the next year (though to be fair that is one of the reasons I got it).

Given the choice to have only one of the two it would be a 370z again. I still love the Cayman though and it is my choice of the two to rev out and throw around on country lanes…

Now there is a man living the dream! 2 two seater coupes!

I don’t mind tinkering and doing basic maintenance like brakes etc but would like to keep it to what’s necessary, unless I were to get an especially cheap cayman and give it to a specialist to sort out.

[rallyeS2]

SWoll said:

Not drive n one myself but was always led to believe they make a better GT (Gen 2) than sportscar as a bit heavy and one dimensional.

For me the answer is a manual 987 Cayman S as suggested earlier in the thread. Considerably more practical and hardy than an Elise (if kept outside), dynamically better than any of the hot hatch/coupe suggestions and a low mileage, top notch example can be found well within budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305026...

That’s a lovely example I hadn’t spotted on my searches. Thank you!

Thanks Ash and coldel, I think I need to try and find a vx220 locally and have a look at one. 👍

Edited by rallyeS2 on Thursday 25th May 20:34

[jm8403]

caterham

[jellywire9]

VX220 all the way! Mines a turbo with stage 1 remap, feels very quick. They are cheap to run and only going up in value!

[ZX10R NIN]

Om said:

I have a 370z and a Cayman 987 2.7.

Of the two the Cayman is definitely more the sports car. It is lighter, and feels more responsive on twisty roads. It is about five years older than the 370z (and probably worth similar) and is definitely more in need of (expensive) tlc - mainly just maintenance items due to age.

In comparison the 370z is more a sports GT. It handles well and is great fun to drive. It rides better and is faster than the Cayman. It is more than capable of being used as an occasional track day car (though I haven’t) and far better for covering long distances in. It feels like a class above the Cayman - a bit more grown up/rounded/dependable.

Tax is cheaper on the Cayman, though if it was an S it would be the same I think. Fuel works out similar overall, the Cayman being more economical in general use and the 370z being better on long runs.

Of the two the 370z is typically Japanese - get in, press the start button and go - without wondering if there will be any problems etc. The Cayman I am still preparing the list of things I need/want to do over the next year (though to be fair that is one of the reasons I got it).

Given the choice to have only one of the two it would be a 370z again. I still love the Cayman though and it is my choice of the two to rev out and throw around on country lanes…

The Nismo bits add an extra edge to the experience especially if you go for the Gen1 you do have to lean on them to start to feel the differences,