Weekend toy for 10k

[cboi23]

Ok so Im looking to change my current daily driver (a Fiesta ST) and get a moped for work seeing as its only a few miles away and get a better car for weekend use.

The budget is 10k and im a bit undecided on what to get. Im currently thinking of a Lotus Elise S1 but seeing as I wouldnt mind something a bit newer im not sure. The other car I was thinking of was a Impreza STi hawkeye but I think as good as it is a 2 seater convertible would feel more of a weekend/summer toy.

What are peoples thoughts, Im not on a super wage (30k) so it cant too exotic but just a nice decent fun to drive toy.

PS I dont want a mx-5

[insanojackson]

vx220 10k will buy you a belter, a good one will be a good bit less, most mechanical bits are standard vauxhall so not to expensive, decent mpg, even reasonable insurance from specialists.

[AlVal]

cboi23 said:

Ok so Im looking to change my current daily driver (a Fiesta ST) and get a moped for work seeing as its only a few miles away and get a better car for weekend use.

The budget is 10k and im a bit undecided on what to get. Im currently thinking of a Lotus Elise S1 but seeing as I wouldnt mind something a bit newer im not sure. The other car I was thinking of was a Impreza STi hawkeye but I think as good as it is a 2 seater convertible would feel more of a weekend/summer toy.

What are peoples thoughts, Im not on a super wage (30k) so it cant too exotic but just a nice decent fun to drive toy.

PS I dont want a mx-5

2000 / early 2001 camaro? (to avoid the heavier post-2001 registration taxes)

not for everyone, just a suggestion out of the box! I would, partly because I think this kind of stuff can be picked up very cheaply in a tough market.

alternatively honda s2000 if you can find one at the right price, because if you're operating on a budget, other options would be more likely to potentially have nastier bills. plus, out of a major survey of people's satisfaction in their cars, across all car types, Im pretty sure I remember the honda s2000 being the one that owners were most happiest with after having owned some time.

[Gizmo!]

Do you want a toy, or do you want something new that will impress people?

I'd suggest you look at a Porsche Boxster S. £8-9k. No offence, but going straight from a Fiesta to an Elise may not end well.

[ZOLLAR]

cboi23 said:

Ok so Im looking to change my current daily driver (a Fiesta ST) and get a moped for work seeing as its only a few miles away and get a better car for weekend use.

The budget is 10k and im a bit undecided on what to get. Im currently thinking of a Lotus Elise S1 but seeing as I wouldnt mind something a bit newer im not sure. The other car I was thinking of was a Impreza STi hawkeye but I think as good as it is a 2 seater convertible would feel more of a weekend/summer toy.

What are peoples thoughts, Im not on a super wage (30k) so it cant too exotic but just a nice decent fun to drive toy.

PS I dont want a mx-5

This looks fun

[cboi23]

Had never thought of a Z4 and so know pretty much nothing about them , so about to go do some research. Peoples views?

As for going from a Fiesta to an Elise, no offence taken I know what you mean and this is half the point of getting a weekend toy is to learn how to drive a car like that, wether it be a RWD 2 door or 4WD 4 door. I want to go and get some lessons on how to get the best out of the car safely. Sorry probably should have put that in the o/p

Edited by cboi23 on Monday 9th May 09:13

[cramman]

VX220 - Mine is up for sale very soon and will give you a fair bit change from 10K and is excellent.

[cboi23]

Yes it will be outside . Still not sure though dont think a Z3/4 is for me.

[superman84]

You could get a tidy Evo 8 for £10k, one of the quickest A-B cars in your budget and will outhandle a STI all day long. Easily tuneable to 400/400 too.

[slipstream 1985]

cboi23 said:

Had never thought of a Z4 and so know pretty much nothing about them , so about to go do some research. Peoples views?

As for going from a Fiesta to an Elise, no offence taken I know what you mean and this is half the point of getting a weekend toy is to learn how to drive a car like that, wether it be a RWD 2 door or 4WD 4 door. I want to go and get some lessons on how to get the best out of the car safely. Sorry probably should have put that in the o/p

Edited by cboi23 on Monday 9th May 09:13

you dont have too i went from a 96 80bhp clio to a 220bhp mr2 and a 167bhp xsara to a 350 bhp noble. you just have to respect the difference in the car and its abilities. for 10k you could get a monarro, an elise, a decent spec TT. its a nice figure to be looking at for a fun car. however if you have a moped as a daily remember this fun car will have to be "usable" in winter time. something to think about.

[marky911]

I'd go for the Elise. They still look good, can sound good and will have that special feel for occasional use.
I can't see it being the widow maker some are implying!? Just respect it until you get a feel for it and go easy in the wet.
Failing that a Boxster S, but the running costs can hurt, especially coming from a Fiesta. Even if the Lotus servicing costs are similar to the Porsche, the Lotus will be better on petrol, so again, I'd say Lotus.
Evos and Subarus do a good job of moving you round quickly but, they're always going to be "just a saloon car" no matter how fast. It's feel you want and I'd much rather have something light and nimble.
Were it to be used everyday then, yeah, Subabishis are all well and good but, special? Erm, no.

[marky911]

.

Edited by marky911 on Monday 9th May 10:47

[c0ldpl4ya]

If it were me id get an s2000 and keep a bit left over for a few mods!
and second option would be a z3

[mackay45]

Mk1 Focus RS

[slipstream 1985]

mackay45 said:

Mk1 Focus RS

thats quite a good call. id be more impressed if one of my mates turned up in one rather than a scooby or evo

[Tyson1980]

I used to have a Z4 mate/ 3.0i.....Terrific car with the roof down. Mine was customized as it was lowered and had a catback put on it.

Good value for money. But hands down a very poor interior build quality...

I thrashed the car everywhere i took it. Never driven any car as hard.... Never broke down on me and was very very reliable...

[George H]

Nissan 350Z

Alfa Spider

TT convertible

My money would go on one of these though:
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2237988.htm

[vixen1700]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2781002.htm

[maffski]

Gizmo! said:

No offence, but going straight from a Fiesta to an Elise may not end well.

I wen't from a Citroen C2 diesel to an Exige and I'm probably not dead (haven't checked today ) just don't drive like a mong. Especially in the wet.

[superman84]

marky911 said:

I'd go for the Elise. They still look good, can sound good and will have that special feel for occasional use.
I can't see it being the widow maker some are implying!? Just respect it until you get a feel for it and go easy in the wet.
Failing that a Boxster S, but the running costs can hurt, especially coming from a Fiesta. Even if the Lotus servicing costs are similar to the Porsche, the Lotus will be better on petrol, so again, I'd say Lotus.
Evos and Subarus do a good job of moving you round quickly but, they're always going to be "just a saloon car" no matter how fast. It's feel you want and I'd much rather have something light and nimble.
Were it to be used everyday then, yeah, Subabishis are all well and good but, special? Erm, no.

The handling, grip and acceleration of an Evo is impressive in relation to pretty much any car and they feel much more nimble that the 1400kg would suggest (which is actually only slighlty more than a Boxster S). The fact that the Evo has a big boot and 5 seats is a bonus. Maybe they're not special compared to exotica... but I'd take one for thrills over a Boxster anyday of the week.