2+2 To Replace RX7 - Anything Better Than An E46 M3 ?

[redgriff500]

I'm considering replacing my RX7 as I'm going to get myself into trouble as it only comes alive at the top end.

So what I want it something with GRUNT (NOT turbos)

I've thought about Monaro / M5 but really they are too big.

I thought a 2+2 350z would be ideal but the 350GT is holding a £2k+ premium at around £7500 so it seems silly not to add another £1000 and get an M3.

But really I wanted something a little more unusual like my RX7.

Any suggestions ?

A V8 RX7 is actually the answer which I will get around to building but I'm too busy to start at the minute.

Budget £8500 really but happy to spend less, MUST be manual.

Cars I'd like are:
MANUAL - XKR
SMALLER - M5 / Monaro
V8 - 968 / RX7
Cheaper to run - 4200GT

It's for a daily driver so Cerbera is out too.

Edited by redgriff500 on Sunday 18th December 13:06

[redgriff500]

Take it that's a no then

[Blues]

I ran one for a couple of years, and found it to be a very capable car. SMG II gearbox was a huge improvement on its predecessor, plenty of grunt, comfortable, and looked gorgeous in Carbon Black... But it had to go.

I know it sounds daft, but it was TOO capable. I realised that i was letting the car get me round corners, rather than really having to drive it. That's when & why I bought the Chim

[Kong]

If the problem with the RX7 is that the fun starts high in the rev range then i'd say you will have the same problem with the M3, they are relatively 'peaky'.

You could just about get a 654ci for that sort of money but manuals are rare.

If it wasn't for the 2+2 then an Audi S4 4.2 V8 should be grunty enough.

[GroundEffect]

You wont do much better.

If I was in the market for one, a low mileage manual CS would be my car of choice.

[jbi]

Camaro?

[redgriff500]

Kong said:

If the problem with the RX7 is that the fun starts high in the rev range then i'd say you will have the same problem with the M3, they are relatively 'peaky'.

You could just about get a 654ci for that sort of money but manuals are rare.

If it wasn't for the 2+2 then an Audi S4 4.2 V8 should be grunty enough.

I did wonder about that, I haven't driven one yet.

I considered the 645 but thought then I may as well get the older M5 - its about the same size and presumably more focused.

The S4 - they look a bit dull - and ALL the reviews say they are dull to drive.

[Fox-]

I'd imagine that £8500 buys a bit of a howler of an M3 with 7 less than careful owners.

[redgriff500]

Fox- said:

I'd imagine that £8500 buys a bit of a howler of an M3 with 7 less than careful owners.

You'd be VERY wrong.

Take a look it gets a FSH one with less than 80k.

[Fox-]

redgriff500 said:

You'd be VERY wrong.

Take a look it gets a FSH one with less than 80k.

Is this based on having a look at them or just seeing shiny pictures on Autotrader? They hide a multitude of evils..

Not entirely sure I see the point in cheap M3's. Who wants an £8k car that costs £800 for an Inspection 2 service?

Doubtless people will be along soon to say its not really £800 as Bobs Garage up the road can do it for 300 quid by not bothering with the valve clearances, which nicely sums up my point about cheap M3's

I predict more and more of these spiralling down hill now they appear to be available for the cost of a used Fiesta Zetec.

Edited by Fox- on Sunday 18th December 17:53

[redgriff500]

Fox- said:

redgriff500 said:

You'd be VERY wrong.

Take a look it gets a FSH one with less than 80k.

Is this based on having a look at them or just seeing shiny pictures on Autotrader? They hide a multitude of evils..

Not entirely sure I see the point in cheap M3's. Who wants an £8k car that costs £800 for an Inspection 2 service?

Doubtless people will be along soon to say its not really £800 as Bobs Garage up the road can do it for 300 quid by not bothering with the valve clearances, which nicely sums up my point about cheap M3's

I see more and more of these spiralling down hill now they appear to be available for the cost of a used Fiesta Zetec.

Most jobs I can do myself and I know a local BMW specialist - who I have far more faith in than any main dealer.

Always been the way, more buyers for cars that are cheap to run which is precisely why M3 / M5's are so cheap.

I'll be lucky to get £4500 for my 350bhp RX7 which I bought after the previous owner spent £11k in 18mths on it - but when you look at its MPG it's easy to see why.

[Astra Dan]

Valve clearances? Really?

[Fox-]

Astra Dan said:

Valve clearances? Really?

Yea, at each Inspection service. It's why the M3 is disproportionately expensive to service. An M5 for example is noticeably cheaper for scheduled servicing.

[CaptainSensib1e]

Alfalfa Romeo Brera V6? Not an out and out sports car but ticks most of your boxes

[kambites]

You're quite close to 996 money there, aren't you? Or failing that, what about a 928?

The E46M3 is by no means a slow car at low-revs but it's still an engine that gives its best when you stretch it.

Edited by kambites on Sunday 18th December 19:46

[benzito]

OP I think the options are limited, as I understand the criteria are: 8k budget, sports car, N/A engine, low-down torque

Obviously a larger displacement engine would sort the torque issue, audi s4 has been mentioned already, otherwise a 911 is out of reach (8k will barely get you one and it won't be a good one!)

others include merc clk500 (also a bit dull but lots of torque), VW r32, audi a3 3.2 quattro, not much else out there that fits the bill really!

[kambites]

Corrado VR6 maybe? Not especially fast out of the box but a supercharger will give you pretty much as much power as the chassis can handle for not a huge amount of money.

Or I suppose there's always the TT.

[Kong]

BMW 850 CSi?

[crazy about cars]

Just curious...why no turbos? Otherwise I would for the the 4.2 S4 as well ... the noise!

[redgriff500]

benzito said:

OP I think the options are limited, as I understand the criteria are: 8k budget, sports car, N/A engine, low-down torque

Obviously a larger displacement engine would sort the torque issue, audi s4 has been mentioned already, otherwise a 911 is out of reach (8k will barely get you one and it won't be a good one!)

others include merc clk500 (also a bit dull but lots of torque), VW r32, audi a3 3.2 quattro, not much else out there that fits the bill really!

Yes.

I'm fairly sure all the large engined Mercs are Auto only.

R32 isn't me.