10k to spend on indulgent car...

[brightonpad]

Hi all,

I am fortunate enough to have been left some money which looks like it will be realised in the next couple of months and am looking at a budget of about 10k for a car, as my wife kindly puts it, "for me".

Some background...
It will be my daily driver, mostly 20 mile commute. I also do a bit of motorway work to airports as I work abroad a fair bit.
Much as i like 'drivers cars', in truth I rarely get the chance to go on a A road blast
I don't need a big car, but I like them
I hate losing money on cars, so it has to have some intrinsic value and be very strong in secondhand market.
Has to provide proper shove in the back acceleration so probably anything sub 300hp isn't going to cut it.
Not fussed on auto or manual
Not fussed on fuel economy... My current steed (Schnitzer'd E34 540iT) rarely goes above 20mpg
I am easily bored but will probably keep this one for 3 years, so has to be able to put a smile on my face after this time
Needs to sound good!
I can't really afford to risk ruinous ongoing bills... I am prepared to take a calculated risk, but can't have a car that is DEFINITELY going to do 3k a year in servicing/repair

So, not too choosy then! Give you guys something to think about...

Current thoughts are (all with compromise somewhere!):
E39 B10 V8
E39 M5
E46 M3
E46 B3S
minty E34 M5
E90 335I
B5 RS4
UR quattro
B6 S4
996 carerra 2 3.4
Boxter S
E55 K
CLK55
leftfield... R32 GTR

So if anyone has experiences on the above then would love to hear them.... And if I've missed anything then please throw something into the mix!

Cheers, Pad

[LordHaveMurci]

Pork with PSE despite all the the nay sayers who will be along soon.

[roystinho]

Not quite the 300bhp, but a Series 1 Elise 160? What you lose in power you'll save in weight. Pretty sound investment too

Or seeing as though you like Beemers, a Z3MC?

[jdwoodbury]

I think a Boxster S ticks all those boxes, sounds great, will cruise in comfort and can really provide the grins when you want to.

[sparks_E39]

I would choose E39 M5 or B10. The B10 probably won't be as ruinous as the M5

[Willy Nilly]

Aren't those sort of cars for that money getting a bit tired?

Nearly new Fireblade.

[Babu 01]

Willy Nilly said:

Aren't those sort of cars for that money getting a bit tired?

Don't know about anything else on the list but not the case for the e46 M3.

10k will get you a wide choice of nice fresh examples.

[Willy Nilly]

Babu 01 said:

Willy Nilly said:

Aren't those sort of cars for that money getting a bit tired?

Don't know about anything else on the list but not the case for the e46 M3.

10k will get you a wide choice of nice fresh examples.

Holly depreciation, Batman

[E30Addict]

roystinho said:

Or seeing as though you like Beemers, a Z3MC?

Good call!

[Babu 01]

Willy Nilly said:

Holly depreciation, Batman

It surprised me when I was looking late last year.

Was expecting to pay around 15k for an average one but ended up with a 1 previous owner car with a history file and a spec beyond what I was expecting for just over 9k.

Ridiculous amount of car for the money.

[brightonpad]

Thanks for all responses...

I think the Elise is a little hardcore for my airport runs; frequently get back late so dont need a tiring car to drive. Not sure if an S2 might be a good compromise? Would allow the odd track day too....

Have always been a bit derisory of Z3M due to its E30 underpinnings but I am absolutely sure it would run rings around many of the above mentioned... Residuals possibly on rise as well? Only downside is one of my friends has been on about getting one for ages; suspect she would think i was taking the piss if i got one! Interesting call though, its in the mix...

Was just having a look at Boxters... Some nice stuff around 10k. Suspect values about to take another dip with mk3 imminent.

[lear]

Jag XKR 4.0?

[Baz Tench]

The more I read that, the more I thought e46 M3. Absolutely loving mine!

I px'd my 986 Boxster S for it, and whilst that was a great car, I much prefer the M.

[Pvapour]

nice, low miles 840/50c/si

this in particular looks stunning imo, love the Alpina wheels

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Edited by Pvapour on Saturday 17th March 09:40

[Ephraim]

As long as you aren't that bothered about the badge, what about a Monaro. Sound great, go great, comfy and look good (IMO).

Not sure how well they'll keep their value, but then with fuel prices I'm not sure how well any 300bhp+ motor is going to fare in our future.

[blearyeyedboy]

brightonpad said:

Thanks for all responses...

Have always been a bit derisory of Z3M due to its E30 underpinnings but I am absolutely sure it would run rings around many of the above mentioned... Residuals possibly on rise as well? Only downside is one of my friends has been on about getting one for ages; suspect she would think i was taking the piss if i got one! Interesting call though, its in the mix...

Values are definitely going up now.

For something slightly different to the Z3M, Z4C 3.0Si values are just about dipping under 10k now but you certainly won't get an M for that money unless it's borked.

[r1ch]

I'd be looking at the e46 M3 at that price. A car that does everything well in my eyes.

[brightonpad]

Not ready for a Jag yet...

Monaro, mmm, never thought of that... Will have a look in classifieds. Suspect it may challenge my apparent ambivalence to fuel consumption though.

That 840 is nice, goes on the list. Probably about as slow as i would want to go though.. not noticably quicker than my 540.

Lots of shows for M3 though, surprised on lack of opinion about the 996 though!

Cheers

[Yiliterate]

320bhp depreciation-lite motorway mile munching 5ltr V8 with £3k left over in case any of those ruinous bills come along! What more could you ask for?!?!:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3737150.htm

[Andy665]

You would get a minter of a Z3M coupe for your budget and they are probably not going to get any cheaper