New car for the new year!
Discussion
Evening all!
The time has come after 30 months of dull but sensible mondeo it's time to get something a bit more interesting as a weekend toy!
Budget won't allow another TVR (at least not the ones i have my heart set on) which is a shame and to be honest I don't have the time to give one the TLC they deserve.
Anyway, budget is 10k, ( would be very cool to spend 7.5k if possible so i can take the family skiing but nobody is expecting that this year so its not critical) spec needs to be sporty, preferably convertible, and with fairly predictable running costs. Half decent residuals would be nice as the plan is to trade up in 12 months time.
So far an s2000 is topping the list. Any other suggestions? Would a boxster at that price be worth considering? 350z ? If I get a fast barge I will end up driving it every day so those are out ( 30k miles a year for work would make it worthless very quickly and cost a billion in go go juice)
I'm also guessing that December and January are a good time to be buying what is essentially a summer car? Is there any truth in this?
Over to you PH classifieds hounds!
Thanks!
Dave
The time has come after 30 months of dull but sensible mondeo it's time to get something a bit more interesting as a weekend toy!
Budget won't allow another TVR (at least not the ones i have my heart set on) which is a shame and to be honest I don't have the time to give one the TLC they deserve.
Anyway, budget is 10k, ( would be very cool to spend 7.5k if possible so i can take the family skiing but nobody is expecting that this year so its not critical) spec needs to be sporty, preferably convertible, and with fairly predictable running costs. Half decent residuals would be nice as the plan is to trade up in 12 months time.
So far an s2000 is topping the list. Any other suggestions? Would a boxster at that price be worth considering? 350z ? If I get a fast barge I will end up driving it every day so those are out ( 30k miles a year for work would make it worthless very quickly and cost a billion in go go juice)
I'm also guessing that December and January are a good time to be buying what is essentially a summer car? Is there any truth in this?
Over to you PH classifieds hounds!
Thanks!
Dave
V8 Disco said:
Porsche 968?
Hmmm interesting!! Wouldn't I be pushing the budget a bit for something without epic miles? No idea of the running costs either will have to do some digging. Wins out on residuals in a big way though, shouldn't lose a penny on it if I keep it mint and I'll probably only put 3000 on it in 12 months! It's on the list!
The 350Z is indeed the nearest you will get to TVR motoring for the budget, albeit a tad more reliable so without the maintenance costs. As a weekend toy the Nissan is a great car - NVH is horrendous (you won't believe the gear box whine and tyre roar!) but it is a real 'hairy chest' type of car with dial in oversteer at will and guaranteed to put a wide smile on one's face as long as long distance crusing isn't required. Interior materials are a bit cheap but it's well screwed together and makes a wonderful noise.
y2blade said:
MX5 
I should have said in my OP that I've had to discount the MX5 , it's all about the imagine ... 
Not really, they just don't do it for me, ive had an extended loan of a mk2 a while back and it was a cracking car, a bit like the tuscan but with a lot less power, low down, long bonnet etc, I would have a turbo/super charger converted one but I'm not keen on excessive modding as maintenance can become a ball ache. Mucho standard for me these days, done all that modding gubbins in my youth.
Garvin said:
The 350Z is indeed the nearest you will get to TVR motoring for the budget, albeit a tad more reliable so without the maintenance costs. As a weekend toy the Nissan is a great car - NVH is horrendous (you won't believe the gear box whine and tyre roar!) but it is a real 'hairy chest' type of car with dial in oversteer at will and guaranteed to put a wide smile on one's face as long as long distance crusing isn't required. Interior materials are a bit cheap but it's well screwed together and makes a wonderful noise.
Cool, thanks for that, I've never had the chance to drive one but that's pret much bang on what I had imagined, currently occupying number two slot in the list.Must admit these older Porsches have wobbled the apple cart a bit, but I think I'm just going to have to say old car = expensive for now!
davido140 said:
Hmmm interesting!! Wouldn't I be pushing the budget a bit for something without epic miles? No idea of the running costs either will have to do some digging. Wins out on residuals in a big way though, shouldn't lose a penny on it if I keep it mint and I'll probably only put 3000 on it in 12 months!
It's on the list!
I am in similar situation - smaller budget though, so looking at 944s. By all accounts they are pretty solidly built - running costs will be more than Mondeo but as you are keeping mileage down you should be able to limit somewhat. Also (and this is a biggie for me) you can fit kids in the back (unless you go 968 Club Sport which has deleted rear seats)... Think your budget will be ok, mileage is important I guess but my view is that a well maintained car that has been used regularly is a better bet than a 'garage queen' that might not get quite such regular attention.It's on the list!
Just my ha'penny worth - also love the S2000 but very 'marmite' engine wise and no rear seats.....
davido140 said:
V8 Disco said:
Porsche 968?
Hmmm interesting!! Wouldn't I be pushing the budget a bit for something without epic miles? No idea of the running costs either will have to do some digging. Wins out on residuals in a big way though, shouldn't lose a penny on it if I keep it mint and I'll probably only put 3000 on it in 12 months! It's on the list!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
That black cabrio is lovely - but for your budget I prefer this one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3360869.htm
No idea if rear seats in place but otherwise....
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3360869.htm
No idea if rear seats in place but otherwise....
davido140 said:
Garvin said:
The 350Z is indeed the nearest you will get to TVR motoring for the budget, albeit a tad more reliable so without the maintenance costs. As a weekend toy the Nissan is a great car - NVH is horrendous (you won't believe the gear box whine and tyre roar!) but it is a real 'hairy chest' type of car with dial in oversteer at will and guaranteed to put a wide smile on one's face as long as long distance crusing isn't required. Interior materials are a bit cheap but it's well screwed together and makes a wonderful noise.
Cool, thanks for that, I've never had the chance to drive one but that's pret much bang on what I had imagined, currently occupying number two slot in the list.Must admit these older Porsches have wobbled the apple cart a bit, but I think I'm just going to have to say old car = expensive for now!
Garvin said:
The S2000 and 350Z really are totally different in character. The former has great speed and ability but needs to have it's 'sophisticated' neck rung and is very tail happy - you need a lot of talent to really use it at/near the limit. The latter has real traditional 'grunt' through the rev range and is very controllable at/near the limit - much more 'useable' on real world roads. As for 'old' cars, especially Porsches, I think you are, yourself, bang on with them potentially being very expensive!
Going to have to sort a test drive in a 350z then, shameful admission ive not driven the s2000 either but have had plenty of time in the last two civic type r's which are much the same engine as I understand it, the voted kicked in yo, is a bit of a hoot and I quite enjoy it. I've heard about the tail happy reputation of the s2000s can't see them being any worse than the Tuscan though, even with after market shocks and some serious setting up it still loved lift off oversteer and changing down too early often ended up in the area trying to overtake the front! Found the power oversteer fairly manageable though, at least in the dry!!
The rev 2 is supposed to be tweaked a bit and a bit more forgiving isn't it?
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