What car moving on from 2 seat sports cars

[mikey P 500]

Sorry for another what car thread here are the criteria;
So I just sold my boxster (and have previously owned 2 seater sports cars fort the last 10 years including an s2000, mx5s, an Elise and MR2s).
I now find my self requiring 4 seats but don’t want anything too boring.
I would like something as close in feel as a sports car as possible, I will use it for commuting (only about 6k miles a year), a few track days and annual trips to the ring etc.

So far I am favouring an Rx8 (but they do have well documented short comings) what else should I be considering? Looking to spend somewhere between £4k and £7k.

[Crusoe]

M3 has to be on your test drive list

[kambites]

Do you need to put adults in the back seats?

[johnvthe2nd]

2 Caterhams

[mikey P 500]

Don’t need to put adults in back, but will need to fit a baby seat in although will be our second car (main car is a Mercedes c250).
Thought about stretching budget to get an e46 m3 as suggested maybe I will test drive one.
Any other ideas.

[cullen]

In a similar situation myself although with a little more to spend. I have been thinking. M3, 944 Turbo, MkV Golf Gti/Ed 30 with a remap?

[kambites]

What about an old front engined Porsche?

[mikey P 500]

Are the older fronted engines Porsches a good idea for a daily driver are they reliable for all year round use, without too much tinkering etc also safety in event of a crash is now more of a priority and I am guessing this is a down fall of such a old car too.
If I had more time to gather funds then I would without doubt buy a 996 but don’t really want to stretch that much at the moment.
Don’t really want a hatch back, but maybe I will have to reconsider as the choice of 4 seat sports cars/ rear wheel drive coupes is fairly limiting at this budget.

[syko89]

Depending on what you thought of your S2000, i would go for an integra type R DC5.

220bhp standard, 4 seats and a brilliant all round car.

[The Jolly Todger]

mikey P 500 said:

I would like something as close in feel as a sports car as possible

fityhy said:

Land rover ?

Discovery?

[mikey P 500]

Dc5 Integra is good shout, something I had not really considered, I can see it being a good balance between performance and being practical. Quick bit of research suggests there aren’t loads of examples around and therefore some sellers are asking a fair premium for what is still a 10 year old Honda, wouldn’t want to pay more than £7k for one (which is already over double the price of an equivalent age civic type R) this means not much choice, still might try and hunt one down for a test drive.

[Gad-Westy]

Porsche 944/968?

[Zod]

New baby seats in the back of two door cars are a pain in the arse. Borrow a rear-facing seat and try putting it and a baby (you'll have to borrowone of those too until yours comes) in the back.

[LouD86]

How about either a Honda Accord Type R, or even a Euro Accord Type R. Slightly more modern, and retains the fun you would have had from your S2000, albeit FWD

[zabba]

There isn't much out there unfortunately, I'd really like a rear wheel drive 4 seater when I replace my Exige for a similar budget to you, that has sensible running costs (ruling out a E46 M3/RX8 for me) Can you get a 130i for you budget? that might be worth a look, or a Megane R26 or Honda DC5 are great FWD cars and are within budget.

[Twincam16]

Alfa Romeo GT V6 3.2 with Q2 diff fitted.

[snorkel sucker]

Twincam16 said:

Alfa Romeo GT V6 3.2 with Q2 diff fitted.

Or a 147 GTA?

To the person who suggested a 130i.... Almost in budget, or well in budget if you take the p/x price of them!!

[snorkel sucker]

Twincam16 said:

Alfa Romeo GT V6 3.2 with Q2 diff fitted.

Or a 147 GTA?

To the person who suggested a 130i.... Almost in budget, or well in budget if you take the p/x price of them!!

[aka_kerrly]

Monaros are nearly in budget.

More realistically within budget which haven't been mention, I think the DC5 is a good shout!!!

- Alfa GT coupe
- Audi S3
- Alpina B3
- Mk5 Golf GTI
- Leon Cupra R - added rear doors for practicality yet maintains a hatch profile.

[kambites]

I wouldn't say any of them are very sportscar-like. Decent enough cars in their own way, but I don't think the way they drive has much in common with a Boxster, Elise, S2000, etc.