Faster/more fun & cheaper than my 996?

[FastLaneGirl]

I've been toying with the idea of replacing my 996 for a while now. Much as I love it, I find it a little 'sterile', and therefore I'm finding it increasingly hard to justify its running costs.

Despite that, it's a very capable car and I have got a huge amount of pleasure from it, so it's also a hard act to follow. Essentially, I want to 'downgrade' to something that will give me as much fun, but is cheaper to buy and run so I don't have to really think about the costs.

What I specifically like about the 996 is simply its power and the available torque right through the range, plus its handling abilities. Hence the ideal of something that would deliver similar thrills. I'm sure there is lots out there, but I'm stumped as I've really loved the 996 and the idea of getting rid is hard despite the flaws.

I'd use it as a daily driver, but I don't need a big boot or 4 seats. I'd consider the idea of a banger + fun, but would still have to fit within the budget.

Over to you...

My rough criteria would be:

• RWD/AWD
• Coupe (not keen on convertibles)
• 20mpg or over (discounted the RX8 for this reason)
• Torquey/fast comparable to the 996
• Up to £4k

I did actually buy the 996 on the basis of my last "what car" thread (well, a Boxster came out top but then I had to have a 911!) so the advice is appreciated and listened to

So far the only thing I can think of is the Mk2 MR2 turbo!

[PaulB81]

Impreza WRX maybe? or 200sx?

Dont think you can get much fun and german for 4k, maybe some sort of 325i?

[Sam1990]

How about a Nissan 200SX, perhaps not quite to coupe you had in mind... Hard to argue with 364bhp though:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2840733.htm

Beaten to it!

[Gizmo!]

Sounds like a recipe for more Pork: a 944 Turbo or S2, for instance?

Or perhaps a Nissan 300ZX?

[kambites]

RX7? You might manage to get 20mpg out of one if you're careful.

[hornetrider]

That is tough. MR2 is a good shout... how about buying a hardtop for this?

[mikey P 500]

Why not get a Boxster now then. Start about £4k for an early one, could always get a hardtop for it, the interior will all feel very familiar, but with cheaper costs.

[busta]

£4k budget makes things tricky! I'd have said VX220 Turbo otherwise, but in your budget I can't think of anything other than going the Impreza route which is wrong for all sorts of reasons.

[E30M3SE]

The Crack Fox said:

Tough criteria !

How does an E36 M3 grab you ?

That is direction my money would be going.

[NLB]

The Crack Fox said:

Tough criteria !

How does an E36 M3 grab you ?

They start, on Autotrader right now, at £2,700... There must be some good ones among the dogs.

[Luke.]

mikey P 500 said:

Why not get a Boxster now then. Start about £4k for an early one, could always get a hardtop for it, the interior will all feel very familiar, but with cheaper costs.

Costs aren't much cheaper in reality.

[TheStig44]

These ones fill the criteria nicely:

E36 328 Sport
E36 M3
E46 330 Sport

RWD, 20mpg +, Can be had for £4k and under...

Though I am biased, im a bit of a BMW bum boy

[kambites]

mikey P 500 said:

Why not get a Boxster now then. Start about £4k for an early one, could always get a hardtop for it, the interior will all feel very familiar, but with cheaper costs.

Can you really get a decent Boxster for 4k these days?

[E30M3SE]

Bit of haggling.....

[zaphod42]

How about:

S3
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2828687.htm

350Z and a budget stretch
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2280427.htm

[FastLaneGirl]

Thanks for the input so far.

It is a bit of a tough one as in a way the 996 does its job perfectly! I'd just like a good as job done cheaper which is a bit like the holy grail

E36 M3 would be high on the list, but I don't think I'll find running costs significantly cheaper. Same obviously for a Boxster.

Stuff like the RX7/944 is lovely, but still too 'specialised' needing lots of attention and what I'm trying to avoid is anything with the potential to be ruinous!

The 350Z is actually very appealing, but I don't know if you get only get dogs in that price bracket?

I have often thought of Imprezas, and Celica GT4s, but like many the 'chav' thing does put me off (stupid, I know!).

>sigh<

I know I'm setting myself an near impossible task, but I'm determined to do it!! Thanks again and any further suggestions most welcome.

[busta]

doogz said:

busta said:

£4k budget makes things tricky! I'd have said VX220 Turbo otherwise, but in your budget I can't think of anything other than going the Impreza route which is wrong for all sorts of reasons.

Dunno, could probably find a 2 door Impreza in budget, meets the coupe requirement, is 4WD, as per requirement, and as her 911 was, should average 20mpg, and be pretty quick too, i believe Type R's had aluminium panels, as my 4 door did, meaning they're pretty light, and a lot more chuckable than my current WRX.

Yes it fits the bill ok, I meant it is wrong for other reasons but I'm probably just being a bit narrow-minded.

[ensignia]

20 mpg is achievable in an RX-8, and it fits the other criteria too.

[busta]

ensignia said:

20 mpg is achievable in an RX-8, and it fits the other criteria too.

That's what I thought. It definitely wouldn't be much worse than an impreza, a modified 200sx and perhaps even the MX5 Turbo (they hardly get over 30mpg without a turbo).

[Harji]

RX-8. One year of ownership coming up, no bills, no probs with the car and still puts a smile on my face. Driving it very hard all the time (every journey I rev it to 9000rpm a few times, because unlike breaking other cars it's actually good for the RX-8!) my mpg is between 17 & 20.


I would go for the PZ or R3 models, suspension work was done on these models to make them handle even better.