My first proper 'What car?' thread: Up to £20k to spend

[GroundEffect]

I'm having a fairly sedate Saturday afternoon so feel like a bit of dreaming: I'll be in the market for a new car in the next few months (hopefully before Xmas) and I can justify (i.e. I can 'afford' more on a car but at my tender age is getting a bit silly) up to £20k. I currently drive a Clio 172 Cup and have moved in to my first full-time engineering job and earn a good wage so it's time to step things up a bit.

Currently I have my eye pretty solidly on the Z4M Coupe as it's both a gorgeous looking car AND drives like a nutter. I was just wondering if you guys could think of anything that's even better for the money? Something I've forgotten about or overlooked?

The requirements:

-Number of seats irrelevant but some sorta useable rear seats might be useful to ferry mates about when necessary
-MPG is utterly irrelevant as I only do 6 miles a day commute (and if I wasn't so lazy I'd cycle it...)
-Running costs should be not out of this world; comparable to the Z4M would be a good shout
-I like interesting cars that few people know about...I just love talking about cars so for people to ask questions would be good (NOT an attention we, honest)
-I'd like something that's fairly comfortable as I need to be able to drive from London to Edinburgh infrequently to visit home
-Lotus Elise/Exige pretty much off the table as they are too hilarious to get in and out of

Let's see what you guys can think of

[duckson]

Z4M Coupe is a good shout, i've had a Z4M Roadster and they are great cars.

Another idea:- http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3139224.htm

[jomcvelia]

RS4's are falling to around £20k

[Sline]

TVR Tuscan without a doubt. Drive the Z4 first then the Tiv and the BMW will soon feel very dull.

[melvster]

Lotus Exige??

[Wallachie]

I wouldn't fancy a leggy £20k RS4, consumables on them are very expensive. Tyres, brakes, service and a years warranty and all of a sudden it's a £25k+ car.

Z4MC is a great all rounder, I loved mine, but I'd also be looking at an early Cayman S which can be had for circa £20k these days.

[rumbletum]

993

[996 sps]

I think the Z4M sounds a good option, I'd have one, not that counts for a lot.

Wouldn't touch a Boxster but Z4M I would. Mint E46 M3 for that money as well.

[GroundEffect]

Oh, that VXR8 is an idea but it's a saloon...not sure about that. The Z4M Coupe is an awesome car and the TVR is an epic car but it'd likely kill me...or bankrupt me running it.

[EarlOfHazard]

Honda NSX
BMW M5 v10

[RickRolled]

370Z are almost in you budget, or tvr T350

[GroundEffect]

Oh lawd...an NSX? Didn't even consider it, but they are 19 years old now...that's not much younger than me!

[Willy Nilly]

GroundEffect said:

but at my tender age

Something I've forgotten about or overlooked?

Keep the one you have and put £20k in a pension. Not very PH, but you'll thank me when you retire

[sparks_E39]

E39 M5
3.2 DB7 (with the Aston 400bhp upgrade)
XKR
Focus RS

[wackojacko]

Exige 190 would be a really good plan, far better to drive than any TVR and more engaging to drive than a Z4M a they arn't that bad to get in and out of.


Monaro
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3123780.htm

VXR8
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3214451.htm

Clio V6
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3013222.htm

Noble M12
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3051461.htm

E60 M5
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3169151.htm

Alpina 3.4 Roadster ? bit more of a cruiser but still as fun as the Z4M
5K to spare ! http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3088843.htm

E63 M6
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2815407.htm

Ultimate choice !
Aston DB7
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2845413.htm

Maserati Quattroporte
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3049609.htm

Late E55 AMG for around 15K ?

[sparks_E39]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2845413.htm

Stunning

[Jw Vw]

This and have £7K change.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3186224.htm

Or this.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3132603.htm

[harryowl]

TVR T350 or Tamora

[dtmpower]

Willy Nilly said:

Keep the one you have and put £20k in a pension. Not very PH, but you'll thank me when you retire

Does the OP imply that he has the cash up front to buy the car ?

[shirt]

if it were me, i'd be looking at a pre-73 911 or an original lotus elan.

my thinking being that it's 6miles a day. if it's raining, snowing etc. then you can leave the car [garages or covered] and bus/cycle. [stalker mode] you're young so classic insurance will be nice on the wallet, and neither will depreciate which is nice to know when you're contracting with limited job security[/stalker mode].

in fact, get this 911 and either pocket the change or use it to buy new seats and change a few other details. if it were LHD i'd be making enquiries myself.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C227844