What Car? MPG NOT An Issue

[WEHGuy]

Hi folks,

I have a few cars but, my favourite one and most definitely the fastest one is my E46 M3. I have been offered an extremely good price for it so, think I'm going to sell it. Which now leaves me needing another fast fun car. I have had lots of fast-ish good cars but, the M3 is by far the best car I have ever owned. I am a big fan of BMW's but, not a fanboy. I have had a Mercedes W203 C320 but, thought it didn't compare to a BMW for handling. Is that the general consensus on Mercedes? I have a 4th gen Honda Prelude 2.2 Vtec for a track slaag so, don't want another Japanese car. Here is a list that I am considering

BMW E39 M5
Porsche Boxter S
996 911
TVR of some sort? Although I don't know if I'm ready to go to the darkside.
Another M3, although I would prefer to try something new.
Something else?

My budget is £7k - £12k and MPG is not an issue. Any other suggestions or opinions on any of these cars would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[paulrussell]

How about this? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3076100.htm

[WEHGuy]

I have also liked the E30 but, what will it be like to live with a 20+ year old car?

[jon-]

WEHGuy said:

I have also liked the E30 but, what will it be like to live with a 20+ year old car?

Probably less pain than living with a TVR

If you want coool: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-M6-Coupe-M-635-CSi-/...

[tucks]

monaro.
i normally hate it when these get thrown into every "what car" thread on PH, as in reality a big fuel bill v8 with hard to source bodyparts(if needs be) will suit only a fraction of the people who can initially could afford to buy one.
however, from the cars you have listed, it would slot right in.

[WEHGuy]

tucks said:

monaro.
i normally hate it when these get thrown into every "what car" thread on PH, as in reality a big fuel bill v8 with hard to source bodyparts(if needs be) will suit only a fraction of the people who can initially could afford to buy one.
however, from the cars you have listed, it would slot right in.

How well do they handle?

[tucks]

ok for a massive 1600kg car made using the GM parts bin....

make of that what you will.

[WEHGuy]

tucks said:

ok for a massive 1600kg car made using the GM parts bin....

make of that what you will.

I notice that you own one. Can you give me some more info on it?

[vixen1700]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3066254.htm



You know you want to.

[V88Dicky]

Either a well sorted RV8 powered TVR (like that Griff), or a Monaro as already suggested. I can personally vouch for those bad boys


A good choice of Monaros for sale at the moment.



From a £8k 2004 CV8;


http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3021490.htm

to a £19k 2007 VXR500 (I know this car and it's actually way more than 500hp!!);


http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3101063.htm


And plenty in between!

[Dalto123]

It would push the budget I confess, but this is pretty mad:

Think of it, a Westfield with a 5ltr V8, 320bhp and 350lbs of torque all in a car that weighs nothing! Only 6900 miles, builtd recipts over £30,000

http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?...

[GreatGranny]

I would either go for the best Boxster S I could find, pleanty of low mileage 986 ones around for your budget or TVR.

[Robbo101]

Am slightly biased on this as am looking for a 350Z myself, but for that budget you could have your pick of both coupes & roadsters (for my part Im trying to hold back until November for a UK model roadster - hopefully they will have dropped to £7000 or so by then).

Must admit though, if I had that sort of budget, fine car though the Nissan is, if you can afford to run a 996, then thats the one I would go for. Happy hunting.

[WEHGuy]

Dalto123 said:

It would push the budget I confess, but this is pretty mad:

Think of it, a Westfield with a 5ltr V8, 320bhp and 350lbs of torque all in a car that weighs nothing! Only 6900 miles, builtd recipts over £30,000

http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?...

Too hardcore for me

[WEHGuy]

GreatGranny said:

I would either go for the best Boxster S I could find, pleanty of low mileage 986 ones around for your budget or TVR.

What's the best TVR to go for?

[jbi]

Is LHD an issue?

I would be looking at something yank.

[WEHGuy]

jbi said:

Is LHD an issue?

I would be looking at something yank.

No, I'm not interested in a LHD.

[vixen1700]

WEHGuy said:

What's the best TVR to go for?

The one I posted.

You shouldn't lose any money on selling that after a couple of years.

[tucks]

WEHGuy said:

I notice that you own one. Can you give me some more info on it?

the HSV/Monaro forum is the best place to ask, very friendly bunch! basic advice is that Monaro is quite a sweeping statment, the range gos from 330(ish)bhp to 500 and a few in between. CV8(non vxr) like i have, have appaling brakes as standard which is the biggest niggle. prices start from 8 to up to 20k. for your budget i would presonally get a really nice cv8 and upgrade the brakes. for me, the cheaper tax, the bigger boot the lower insurance made it the right choice. also it looks quite alot more subtle than the VXR, which again personally suited me more.

the block and running gear so far has been perfect. i have not had one problem with my car, its lazy low reving engine and the fact it "only" makes 340bhp from 5.7litres means its under no stress at-all.

Even though they are relatively still new, vaux pretty much have zero to do with them. ANY accident damage can be a night mare to fix as body parts are rare in the UK and can be a 6month wait from aus. there is also alot of accident damaged ones out there, which due to there nature of hard to find parts have been fixed on the cheap so be aware.

around town it wont do double figures on MPG, but the long gears will help you see near 30 on a run(at a push, with the wind behind you).

hope that helps a bit.

[Dalto123]

You will get a nice 986 low mile 986 Boxster S within your budget. I would avoid a 996 911 ones that cheap are likely to be a money pit