Is fast and reliable possible for £20k?
Discussion
LunarOne said:
I have a 981 Boxster S 3.4 and I know what you mean OP - it's a fast and nimble car and handles brilliantly, but it's not fast fast. Took a drive in a friend's Jaguar XJ 5.0 and that felt blisteringly fast. A local dealer let me take a Cayman GTS 4.0 for a spin. That feels MUCH faster than my Boxster S. But then it would, and if I could have had it for even £40k I would have torn his arm off. Which is why I'm looking for something with a V8/V10/V12 motor and plenty of torque to either join my Boxster or potentially replace it. I have a thread about it at https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Interesting to see some similar thoughts. I'll check your thread.Snubs said:
I own an F82 M4 and it is indeed seriously quick. With rwd only, in anything other than warm dry conditions traction is at a premium which can be terrifying / hilarious depending on when it happens and how you view the world.Also worth noting that for a mere £800, Litchfields will give it back to you with 550bhp if you find the standard power underwhelming.
Other cars I thought about that would be in your budget were the Bentley GT, Jaguar XKR, C63 AMG and F10 M5.
The M4 was the cheapest to tax, but with the recent big increases in insurance premiums the first thing I'd say to anyone is get some insurance quotes as it's likely to be very expensive .
That is a great sum up of them I reckon. Other cars I thought about that would be in your budget were the Bentley GT, Jaguar XKR, C63 AMG and F10 M5.
The M4 was the cheapest to tax, but with the recent big increases in insurance premiums the first thing I'd say to anyone is get some insurance quotes as it's likely to be very expensive .
The insurance on mine has finally gone down £90 for a change, whereas for the last 2 years it has gone up £200 though in comparison. I'll never understand how insurance works to be honest.
Robmarriott said:
E63 is something I’d like to test drive. I think probably a facelifted one though. Years ago I had 2 E220d courtesy cars, one pre and one post facelift and the later one was MUCH better inside.
I was in one a couple of years ago. Proper thunderous performance, pulled like a train. Just never really warmed to them looks-wise, I always had a preference for an M5 or RS5 instead, but that's wholly subjective. Couple of other 450bhp+ examples springing mind, though some maybe moving more into the £20-£24k territory for early or clean examples - Macan Turbo, Audi S8, mk1 Audi RS5 V8, Jag XF 5.0 V8,
The SLK55 is quicker and lighter than all those options - low 4 secs 0-60. A naturally aspirated V8 and passive suspension means a whole lot less bork factor than the supersaloons.
For a car with loads of grunt that is compact and can do motorways and Euro trips, they're pretty compelling for the budget. For similar performance in a better driver's car the budget would need to go a long way up, I'd say to an Evora S (£35k+) and then up further to newer Porsches - a tuned 718 Boxster S (4-cyl turbo), GTS 4.0 or a GT4 Cayman.
Or as suggested by Glenn63, a M135i/M140i but it will need modifying.
For a car with loads of grunt that is compact and can do motorways and Euro trips, they're pretty compelling for the budget. For similar performance in a better driver's car the budget would need to go a long way up, I'd say to an Evora S (£35k+) and then up further to newer Porsches - a tuned 718 Boxster S (4-cyl turbo), GTS 4.0 or a GT4 Cayman.
Or as suggested by Glenn63, a M135i/M140i but it will need modifying.
Robmarriott said:
E63 is something I’d like to test drive. I think probably a facelifted one though. Years ago I had 2 E220d courtesy cars, one pre and one post facelift and the later one was MUCH better inside.
The older car's interior I thought had a certain charm, the newer was a bit too angular and I never really got on with it. Owned both NA and TT, the TT was a bit quicker, but less characterful - if that makes sense. Steering heavier on older car as well.Robmarriott said:
My fear is that you’re all correct with the Cayman. It’s does everything I want, I’d just like it to be a bit more powerful (and maybe less grey).
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The problem is the stupidly long gearing.
Either fit the shorter ratio solution to your car or buy an S and do it to that
Preferably with an LSD at the same time
Last time I looked specialists offered it for circa £5k
Personally I struggled to pay for it and bought a supercharged GT86 - 300bhp but with much shorter ratios and an LSD - it might not be much faster than your car - but it's a hell of a lot more exciting and involving and 100mph actually feels fast
I would also have said a small B58 engined car like the F22 M240i. It’s a great car and the engine is really nearly as instantaneous as my i8 in terms of torque (nearly) but you’d find the car too boring or a too much of a handful if you overstepped its only quite good handling capabilities. It hops about too much as standard.
KTMsm said:
The problem is the stupidly long gearing
Either fit the shorter ratio solution to your car or buy an S and do it to that
Preferably with an LSD at the same time
Last time I looked specialists offered it for circa £5k
Personally I struggled to pay for it and bought a supercharged GT86 - 300bhp but with much shorter ratios and an LSD - it might not be much faster than your car - but it's a hell of a lot more exciting and involving and 100mph actually feels fast
I had a GT86 and didn’t fit comfortably, but I was a bit fatter back then. Not sure I’d want to revisit and a (heavily) modified car is not for me anymore, I’ve grown out of that phase.Either fit the shorter ratio solution to your car or buy an S and do it to that
Preferably with an LSD at the same time
Last time I looked specialists offered it for circa £5k
Personally I struggled to pay for it and bought a supercharged GT86 - 300bhp but with much shorter ratios and an LSD - it might not be much faster than your car - but it's a hell of a lot more exciting and involving and 100mph actually feels fast
braddo said:
The SLK55 is quicker and lighter than all those options - low 4 secs 0-60. A naturally aspirated V8 and passive suspension means a whole lot less bork factor than the supersaloons.
For a car with loads of grunt that is compact and can do motorways and Euro trips, they're pretty compelling for the budget. For similar performance in a better driver's car the budget would need to go a long way up, I'd say to an Evora S (£35k+) and then up further to newer Porsches - a tuned 718 Boxster S (4-cyl turbo), GTS 4.0 or a GT4 Cayman.
Or as suggested by Glenn63, a M135i/M140i but it will need modifying.
Ok, maybe I should try an SLK. The thing which puts me off is the gearbox but I might be overthinking it and I'm aware it's the same as the C/E class.For a car with loads of grunt that is compact and can do motorways and Euro trips, they're pretty compelling for the budget. For similar performance in a better driver's car the budget would need to go a long way up, I'd say to an Evora S (£35k+) and then up further to newer Porsches - a tuned 718 Boxster S (4-cyl turbo), GTS 4.0 or a GT4 Cayman.
Or as suggested by Glenn63, a M135i/M140i but it will need modifying.
I'm also bald so a convertible might be a bad option.
popeyewhite said:
Not sure I'd fancy a car with a Syphilis numberplate and the all-caps ad is very offputting. I wonder how many potential sales they have lost because of stuff they think is trivial?Robmarriott said:
Ok, maybe I should try an SLK. The thing which puts me off is the gearbox but I might be overthinking it and I'm aware it's the same as the C/E class.
I'm also bald so a convertible might be a bad option.
I'm working on a new invention which I hope will revolutionise the world. It's a special lightweight covering that you can put on your head. You might imagine that it will fly away at the slightest breeze, but fear not! I've thought of that, and there will be a slightly stiffer, well-fitted section that will fit around the circumference of your head, across your forehead and above your ears.I'm also bald so a convertible might be a bad option.
I haven't come up with a name yet, but I'd like it to rhyme with "cat". My favourite potential name starting with "tw" has already been taken, so now I'm thinking "lat" or "gat" or something very similar...
LunarOne said:
I'm working on a new invention which I hope will revolutionise the world. It's a special lightweight covering that you can put on your head. You might imagine that it will fly away at the slightest breeze, but fear not! I've thought of that, and there will be a slightly stiffer, well-fitted section that will fit around the circumference of your head, across your forehead and above your ears.
I haven't come up with a name yet, but I'd like it to rhyme with "cat". My favourite potential name starting with "tw" has already been taken, so now I'm thinking "lat" or "gat" or something very similar...
You'd think someone would have comes up with something like that before too I haven't come up with a name yet, but I'd like it to rhyme with "cat". My favourite potential name starting with "tw" has already been taken, so now I'm thinking "lat" or "gat" or something very similar...
Just remember to consider UV protection in your invention or you still end up with burnt head.LunarOne said:
popeyewhite said:
Not sure I'd fancy a car with a Syphilis numberplate and the all-caps ad is very offputting. I wonder how many potential sales they have lost because of stuff they think is trivial?scot_aln said:
LunarOne said:
I'm working on a new invention which I hope will revolutionise the world. It's a special lightweight covering that you can put on your head. You might imagine that it will fly away at the slightest breeze, but fear not! I've thought of that, and there will be a slightly stiffer, well-fitted section that will fit around the circumference of your head, across your forehead and above your ears.
I haven't come up with a name yet, but I'd like it to rhyme with "cat". My favourite potential name starting with "tw" has already been taken, so now I'm thinking "lat" or "gat" or something very similar...
You'd think someone would have comes up with something like that before too I haven't come up with a name yet, but I'd like it to rhyme with "cat". My favourite potential name starting with "tw" has already been taken, so now I'm thinking "lat" or "gat" or something very similar...
Just remember to consider UV protection in your invention or you still end up with burnt head.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff