There is no car I want to buy next.
Discussion
Great posts. Harry Flashman, the Maserati looks lovely. And your FF points are well made. And Rat Rod, I currently have a similar issue, with three lovely two-seaters but family days (wife, 2 year old and lab) mean the Audi estate (all be it a nice compromise in a S4) is the solution.
I’ve looked at a couple 456’s (always loved them and a Ferrari V12 would complete ‘the set’), but I fear their upkeep costs and reliability, especially with the other three not being exactly cheap to maintain. I feel I should have bought the recent Rardley one though...Had a 612 (two in fact!), but too big and I’m done with paddles; just not engaging enough.
First World problems and all that.
I’ve looked at a couple 456’s (always loved them and a Ferrari V12 would complete ‘the set’), but I fear their upkeep costs and reliability, especially with the other three not being exactly cheap to maintain. I feel I should have bought the recent Rardley one though...Had a 612 (two in fact!), but too big and I’m done with paddles; just not engaging enough.
First World problems and all that.
Jumpingjackflash said:
Hi,
I am constantly looking at classifieds and Youtube videos for my next car but there is nothing I want. Or I should say there is nothing that ticks all my boxes. Currently I have a Ferrari 599. There are many things I like about it but I can not get all the power down and feel frustrated. I feel I am using 50% of the cars performance so whats the point. I Also own a Alfa GTV Cup which I can use 100% of the performance but in all honestly the gearbox is not great and it is front wheel drive. However it is beautiful and sounds good.
I used to own a Mclaren 12c (a reliable one) which was very fast and felt special but it was paddle shift, lots of systems keeping you safe and the engine is nothing like the 599 for revs and noise.
I used to have a few Porsches. I had a Boxster & Boxster S. 996 Turbo manual and 996 GT3. None of them felt that special. The turbo was great but I started using it all the time like a Golf. The 996 GT3 was good but still did not feel special at low speeds and at high speed corners was terrifying because it has not traction control or stability control.
I had a couple of Astons which are great and feel special but more a GT car than sports car.
I had a NSX Manual but they are not worth the money now. parts too expensive and hard to source and to be honest a Boxster s Steers better and is faster for a lot less money.
I had an elise which did feel special and steering was the best but fell apart around me.
I am looking for a car a manual car that sounds amazing, low mass, compact for Scottish roads, feels special even when sitting in traffic and will not fall apart around me.
Any suggestions? Why do car enthusiasts not have lots of options of these cars?
If your Elise fell apart around you it sounds like you were either unlucky or had a bad one. I had a Elise for 7 years and had an a V6 Exige for the last 4 and both were very reliable (both used a decent amount inc euro trips/NC 500 etc without any problems). IMO The V6 Exige feels more 'special'/mini-supercar like than the Elise so might be worth giving Lotus another go? I am constantly looking at classifieds and Youtube videos for my next car but there is nothing I want. Or I should say there is nothing that ticks all my boxes. Currently I have a Ferrari 599. There are many things I like about it but I can not get all the power down and feel frustrated. I feel I am using 50% of the cars performance so whats the point. I Also own a Alfa GTV Cup which I can use 100% of the performance but in all honestly the gearbox is not great and it is front wheel drive. However it is beautiful and sounds good.
I used to own a Mclaren 12c (a reliable one) which was very fast and felt special but it was paddle shift, lots of systems keeping you safe and the engine is nothing like the 599 for revs and noise.
I used to have a few Porsches. I had a Boxster & Boxster S. 996 Turbo manual and 996 GT3. None of them felt that special. The turbo was great but I started using it all the time like a Golf. The 996 GT3 was good but still did not feel special at low speeds and at high speed corners was terrifying because it has not traction control or stability control.
I had a couple of Astons which are great and feel special but more a GT car than sports car.
I had a NSX Manual but they are not worth the money now. parts too expensive and hard to source and to be honest a Boxster s Steers better and is faster for a lot less money.
I had an elise which did feel special and steering was the best but fell apart around me.
I am looking for a car a manual car that sounds amazing, low mass, compact for Scottish roads, feels special even when sitting in traffic and will not fall apart around me.
Any suggestions? Why do car enthusiasts not have lots of options of these cars?
Admittedly the Exige has put on a few pounds now (haven't we all!) but in comparison to most modern sports it's still light (and relatively usable compared to Caterham/Atom etc). I've only got a V6 S (more than quick enough though) but depending on budget I imagine a Sport 410/Cup 430 would feel pretty special.
I would agree give Lotus another go. They can be frustrating when they are new but a used 2007 car today you'll never take a spanner to it.
I'm totally biased as I sell them for a living but I also own 3 soon to be 4 personally with a new 250 FE on order. I'm in the same position as the OP I feel that cars have peaked and I've personally automotively perhaps peaked as well. The new 250 was the last chance to have a new sub 1000kg car so I had a deposit down well before the press release came but in terms of swapping any of the current fleet I'm really stuck. I enjoy or have enjoyed changing cars reasonably regularly but going forward I think finding events and occasions to enjoy what I have already will be a new focus.
I would urge you to explore Lotus. After 20 odd years of driving that's the only thing that really hits the spot for me. You don't have to spend a fortune on one either. The base models are just as good as the whizzbang exiges and special editions.
I'm totally biased as I sell them for a living but I also own 3 soon to be 4 personally with a new 250 FE on order. I'm in the same position as the OP I feel that cars have peaked and I've personally automotively perhaps peaked as well. The new 250 was the last chance to have a new sub 1000kg car so I had a deposit down well before the press release came but in terms of swapping any of the current fleet I'm really stuck. I enjoy or have enjoyed changing cars reasonably regularly but going forward I think finding events and occasions to enjoy what I have already will be a new focus.
I would urge you to explore Lotus. After 20 odd years of driving that's the only thing that really hits the spot for me. You don't have to spend a fortune on one either. The base models are just as good as the whizzbang exiges and special editions.
I had a similar dilemma and have a regular 40 mile B road trip on fabulous roads.
Chasing a similar brief, I went Cayman R, 991.2 GTS manual, Alfa 4C, Alpine A110, 991T manual, AMG GTS and last August bought a new Elise 220 sport in one of the limited editions they did last summer, (jps colours).
I love the size of the car, it has enough speed without being silly, and the handling and interaction are amazing so far.
I had heard all the Lots of trouble usually serious lines, but went with my heart.
The cars above were all good fun, but for the purposes in the original post, I feel A Lotus could be the answer.
Just my thoughts.
Chasing a similar brief, I went Cayman R, 991.2 GTS manual, Alfa 4C, Alpine A110, 991T manual, AMG GTS and last August bought a new Elise 220 sport in one of the limited editions they did last summer, (jps colours).
I love the size of the car, it has enough speed without being silly, and the handling and interaction are amazing so far.
I had heard all the Lots of trouble usually serious lines, but went with my heart.
The cars above were all good fun, but for the purposes in the original post, I feel A Lotus could be the answer.
Just my thoughts.
Have you considered a TVR? I'm currently running a 450 Chimaera and it's wonderful.
It's a deeply flawed car, which means it's incredibly characterful.
It sounds brilliant, it's very pretty, it's small, very light at 1050kg and makes 280hp. So it's fast enough to thrill and slow enough that you can occasionally drive it at 10/10ths.
It's an event at every speed and turns heads wherever I go.
For the record, I've never driven a supercar. I frequently dream of such cars but have always been concerned that I would be frustrated by the fact that I could only use 3/10ths on the public road most of the time.
The new Exige does appeal but again, I wonder if it's just too good.
Anyhow, it's great to hear your experiences if supercar ownership.
- Mark
It's a deeply flawed car, which means it's incredibly characterful.
It sounds brilliant, it's very pretty, it's small, very light at 1050kg and makes 280hp. So it's fast enough to thrill and slow enough that you can occasionally drive it at 10/10ths.
It's an event at every speed and turns heads wherever I go.
For the record, I've never driven a supercar. I frequently dream of such cars but have always been concerned that I would be frustrated by the fact that I could only use 3/10ths on the public road most of the time.
The new Exige does appeal but again, I wonder if it's just too good.
Anyhow, it's great to hear your experiences if supercar ownership.
- Mark
detee said:
I had a similar dilemma and have a regular 40 mile B road trip on fabulous roads.
Chasing a similar brief, I went Cayman R, 991.2 GTS manual, Alfa 4C, Alpine A110, 991T manual, AMG GTS and last August bought a new Elise 220 sport in one of the limited editions they did last summer, (jps colours).
I love the size of the car, it has enough speed without being silly, and the handling and interaction are amazing so far.
I had heard all the Lots of trouble usually serious lines, but went with my heart.
The cars above were all good fun, but for the purposes in the original post, I feel A Lotus could be the answer.
Just my thoughts.
Hello guys, best tread since long i found, to make progress in this 1.world problem.Chasing a similar brief, I went Cayman R, 991.2 GTS manual, Alfa 4C, Alpine A110, 991T manual, AMG GTS and last August bought a new Elise 220 sport in one of the limited editions they did last summer, (jps colours).
I love the size of the car, it has enough speed without being silly, and the handling and interaction are amazing so far.
I had heard all the Lots of trouble usually serious lines, but went with my heart.
The cars above were all good fun, but for the purposes in the original post, I feel A Lotus could be the answer.
Just my thoughts.
What car can it be? As many say here, hard to find something new that is really tempting.
Got many interesting thoughts here, like looking for direction where to continue looking.
Alfa, 4C+Montreal, maserati gran cabrio, 328gts, "new" elise, bmw E9, maybe a wiesmann(had a MF3 and loved it)
are options thinking about. Any advice is welcome, even restomods couldbe an idea.
Kids out of the house. Many days with 150miles on super nice roads, where you can go 80-100mph,
as nearly no speed cameras, and hardly traffic. And some days with 70miles of open german highway, where you can go most parts f the day
120-150mph without risking too much.
Love open roof driving, even in winter and a manual is more than welcome.
Trackday once or twice a year, but no high priority.
Since 10 years a lovely SL 280(w113) and since 3 years a M4 CP Cabrio, manual as well.
Even when i love the SL(not been a porsche or mercedes guy at all), its time for a change.
The M4 was a compromise, to have extra seats for the grandkids, the wife being shy of neighbours talking about noise from an aston/ferrari
v8...
But ready to go over it.
Aston martin v8 vantage roadster(old model of course) is pretty high on my wish list right now....
detee said:
I had a similar dilemma and have a regular 40 mile B road trip on fabulous roads.
Chasing a similar brief, I went Cayman R, 991.2 GTS manual, Alfa 4C, Alpine A110, 991T manual, AMG GTS and last August bought a new Elise 220 sport in one of the limited editions they did last summer, (jps colours).
I love the size of the car, it has enough speed without being silly, and the handling and interaction are amazing so far.
I had heard all the Lots of trouble usually serious lines, but went with my heart.
The cars above were all good fun, but for the purposes in the original post, I feel A Lotus could be the answer.
Just my thoughts.
Hello guys, best tread since long i found, to make progress in this 1.world problem.Chasing a similar brief, I went Cayman R, 991.2 GTS manual, Alfa 4C, Alpine A110, 991T manual, AMG GTS and last August bought a new Elise 220 sport in one of the limited editions they did last summer, (jps colours).
I love the size of the car, it has enough speed without being silly, and the handling and interaction are amazing so far.
I had heard all the Lots of trouble usually serious lines, but went with my heart.
The cars above were all good fun, but for the purposes in the original post, I feel A Lotus could be the answer.
Just my thoughts.
What car can it be? As many say here, hard to find something new that is really tempting.
Got many interesting thoughts here, like looking for direction where to continue looking.
Alfa, 4C+Montreal, maserati gran cabrio, 328gts, "new" elise, bmw E9, maybe a wiesmann(had a MF3 and loved it)
are options thinking about. Any advice is welcome, even restomods couldbe an idea.
Kids out of the house. Many days with 150miles on super nice roads, where you can go 80-100mph,
as nearly no speed cameras, and hardly traffic. And some days with 70miles of open german highway, where you can go most parts of the day
120-150mph without risking too much.
Love open roof driving, even in winter and a manual is more than welcome.
Trackday once or twice a year, but no high priority.
Since 10 years a lovely SL 280(w113) and since 3 years a M4 CP Cabrio, manual as well.
Even when i love the SL(not been a porsche or mercedes guy at all), its time for a change.
The M4 was a compromise, to have extra seats for the grandkids, the wife being shy of neighbours talking about noise from an aston/ferrari
v8...
But ready to go over it.
Aston martin v8 vantage roadster(old model of course) is pretty high on my wish list right now....
Similar dilemma a couple of years ago... looked at all the usual suspects .... and ended up with an Ariel Nomad!
Not for everyone - yes it's a 4 cylinder Honda engine - but what a laugh..... great gearbox, comfy (yes really) for long schleps, performance in a different league - perhaps not on paper but the experience! Get 2 set of wheels - off road and road use - only need to be hardy if it rains, but you've other cars I'm sure
Not for everyone - yes it's a 4 cylinder Honda engine - but what a laugh..... great gearbox, comfy (yes really) for long schleps, performance in a different league - perhaps not on paper but the experience! Get 2 set of wheels - off road and road use - only need to be hardy if it rains, but you've other cars I'm sure
Superleg48 said:
I am not the only one then!
1. Round trip around the UK. Norfolk to John O’Groats via West Coast of UK and Scotland, Along North Coast of Scotland, down East Coast of Scotland, through Wales (North and East coast) down to Lands End back to Norfolk...around 2200 miles over 5/6 days or so.
2. Round trip to Auschwitz. Always wanted to visit there.
3. Round trip to Southern Spain, taking in 4/5 days in Estapona
I’d better stop planning soon!
Lightweight.1. Round trip around the UK. Norfolk to John O’Groats via West Coast of UK and Scotland, Along North Coast of Scotland, down East Coast of Scotland, through Wales (North and East coast) down to Lands End back to Norfolk...around 2200 miles over 5/6 days or so.
2. Round trip to Auschwitz. Always wanted to visit there.
3. Round trip to Southern Spain, taking in 4/5 days in Estapona
I’d better stop planning soon!
After my parents 50th wedding Anniversary, they took a brand new Ford Focus with 5 miles on the clock to Norway, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain and Portugal,
4 months staying in either a tent , a guest house, hotel or Airbnb.....
They had the car serviced twice on route.
plasticpig said:
Harry Flashman said:
Absolutely. All of this. Find me a pre 1981 (for London ULEZ purposes) desirable classic engineered to be driveable and rustproof and that isn't a million pounds, and I will buy it.
Assuming you need a 2+2 then I think a Gordon Keeble fits your bill.ETA: I had no idea they were fibreglass...
Edited by Harry Flashman on Saturday 27th February 19:29
I'm a bit late to the party but after having a very similar brief - and test driving a 991 GT3, 981 GT4, Alfa 4c, R8, Mac 12C etc... the answer was an Evora 410.
Simply sublime to drive and I just can't believe more people haven't figured it out. It's the only 'new analogue' car I could find - bar the Exige and Elise which had been ruled out for being a little cramped.
Also Lotus seem to have flat out ignored the quiet exhaust / DFP briefing note - the thing just sounds great and still has an exhaust button.
The second best was the GT4 but you had to be right up it to get any enjoyment - and hitting 84 odd in second up a duel carriageway is no fun at all.
Simply sublime to drive and I just can't believe more people haven't figured it out. It's the only 'new analogue' car I could find - bar the Exige and Elise which had been ruled out for being a little cramped.
Also Lotus seem to have flat out ignored the quiet exhaust / DFP briefing note - the thing just sounds great and still has an exhaust button.
The second best was the GT4 but you had to be right up it to get any enjoyment - and hitting 84 odd in second up a duel carriageway is no fun at all.
I know this an old thread.
But as a left field option why not look at a motorbike?
Noise (ear plugs!!!)
Involvement
Manual (physical sequential)
Even the small displacements are fast (400cc up)
Cheap (even the expensive exotica is far quicker and cheaper than your current options)
N/A engines (h2 excepted)
I’ve not had super cars but lots of m cars, 205s and porsches and I love my cars but a bike is a different level of enjoying “driving” even a slow ride out will have you smiling and alive.
The “occasion” is more about balancing on one leg trying to fit in to leathers that seem to shrink between each ride….
But if you want the actual speed/use/experience then maybe a bike?
But as a left field option why not look at a motorbike?
Noise (ear plugs!!!)
Involvement
Manual (physical sequential)
Even the small displacements are fast (400cc up)
Cheap (even the expensive exotica is far quicker and cheaper than your current options)
N/A engines (h2 excepted)
I’ve not had super cars but lots of m cars, 205s and porsches and I love my cars but a bike is a different level of enjoying “driving” even a slow ride out will have you smiling and alive.
The “occasion” is more about balancing on one leg trying to fit in to leathers that seem to shrink between each ride….
But if you want the actual speed/use/experience then maybe a bike?
Good thread and a universal problem.
In terms of specialness and a bit of noise... I can't see past a 911 or v8 ferrari on the basis I've driven a 599 and was also concerned about how much time it would put the power down. A 993 has a bit of character and is not that fast and not that wide either for Scotland. Not yet driven a cayman gt4 but the 981s sound good and are quick but the hearing is a pest at 85 in 2nd.
In terms of specialness and a bit of noise... I can't see past a 911 or v8 ferrari on the basis I've driven a 599 and was also concerned about how much time it would put the power down. A 993 has a bit of character and is not that fast and not that wide either for Scotland. Not yet driven a cayman gt4 but the 981s sound good and are quick but the hearing is a pest at 85 in 2nd.
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