Help - I need a 'drivers car'!

[FlavaDave]

Yes, it's another what car thread, but you know you love them, right?

Briefly. My Z4 Coupe is for sale. While it's great, it's not what I'd call a 'drivers car'. I'm in a right flap about what to do next.

There's been little interest in the Zed so I'm considering swapping it at the dealers for something else (for less than £300/month so £12 with a bit of deposit) , but what? PLEASE chuck some cars at me. I'm stuck.

I'd love a Cayman but they're too expensive. Pre-facelift Boxster S is affordable but some are leggy, is this a problem? I've looked at 200 CUPs too (had a 172 CUP for 7 years so I know they deliver). The Elise has rocketed lately, and realistically has limited use for 6 months of the year (winter). I don't commute to work but do need to get about in a vague amount of civilisation! Not interested in any BMW 3XX or 1XX, or old 911s.

Ahh, I dunno. Expand, please.

[frosted]

I believe what you want is a Toyota gt86

[kambites]

I take it from the way that's worded that you're only considering brand new cars? What's your maximum budget?

ETA: Ah, £300 a month. Can't help you there because I haven't a clue what that means in practice. Can you get a GT86 for that?

Edited by kambites on Thursday 12th July 12:07

[davepoth]

The standard Toyota deal is £299 a month.

http://www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/generic_...

You'd have enough left over for some sweets.

[Captain Muppet]

FlavaDave said:

The Elise has rocketed lately, and realistically has limited use for 6 months of the year (winter).

I drive mine all year, and commute in it in winter, even in snow.

[FlavaDave]

New or used - not fussed.

£300 / month can get you a circa £12K car used (paying off the full amount over 3/4 years). Not sure what it can get you new on a PCP deal... probably £20K with an £9K trade in value?

Just called Toyota. Waiting for some figures on a new GT86.

[FlavaDave]

davepoth said:

The standard Toyota deal is £299 a month.

http://www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/generic_...

You'd have enough left over for some sweets.

With a 6K deposit. Suppose that's out then.

[kambites]

As clichéd as it is... an MX5?

[FlavaDave]

Captain Muppet said:

I drive mine all year, and commute in it in winter, even in snow.

Really? food for thought... Thing is now, £12K might just get you a 60k miler 52 reg. How do they hold up?

[kambites]

FlavaDave said:

Captain Muppet said:

I drive mine all year, and commute in it in winter, even in snow.

Really? food for thought... Thing is now, £12K might just get you a 60k miler 52 reg. How do they hold up?

Mine is a daily driver all year 'round too; although I probably wouldn't without a garage.

You can get a very good S2 Elise for 12k if you're willing to buy privately (personal loan?). Age and mileage isn't particularly important, condition and maintenance/upgrade history is.

[FlavaDave]

kambites said:

FlavaDave said:

Captain Muppet said:

I drive mine all year, and commute in it in winter, even in snow.

Really? food for thought... Thing is now, £12K might just get you a 60k miler 52 reg. How do they hold up?

Mine is a daily driver all year 'round too; although I probably wouldn't without a garage.

You can get a very good S2 Elise for 12k if you're willing to buy privately (personal loan?). Age and mileage isn't particularly important, condition and maintenance/upgrade history is.

Thanks for the advise. VX220s seems to be quite affordable too.

[thinfourth2]

Why can't you use an elise in the winter?

I used a caterham 7 all year round

[FlavaDave]

I suppose I should have stressed that I don't really want to use an Elise in the winter - don't want to spark a "yes you can use an Elise every day" thread.

[S2Mike]

I dont know if this helps but there is a thread on here about the GT86 under the heading "Jap Chat"
May be worth a look.

[Captain Muppet]

kambites said:

FlavaDave said:

Captain Muppet said:

I drive mine all year, and commute in it in winter, even in snow.

Really? food for thought... Thing is now, £12K might just get you a 60k miler 52 reg. How do they hold up?

Mine is a daily driver all year 'round too; although I probably wouldn't without a garage.

You can get a very good S2 Elise for 12k if you're willing to buy privately (personal loan?). Age and mileage isn't particularly important, condition and maintenance/upgrade history is.

Mine is a 97 S1, and lives outside. It does everything I need a daily drive to do.

If I did a lot of motorway miles I'd want a standard exhaust. And maybe a stereo.

[FlavaDave]

Captain Muppet said:

kambites said:

FlavaDave said:

Captain Muppet said:

I drive mine all year, and commute in it in winter, even in snow.

Really? food for thought... Thing is now, £12K might just get you a 60k miler 52 reg. How do they hold up?

Mine is a daily driver all year 'round too; although I probably wouldn't without a garage.

You can get a very good S2 Elise for 12k if you're willing to buy privately (personal loan?). Age and mileage isn't particularly important, condition and maintenance/upgrade history is.

Mine is a 97 S1, and lives outside. It does everything I need a daily drive to do.

If I did a lot of motorway miles I'd want a standard exhaust. And maybe a stereo.

Thanks for the input, but again. I'm trying to avoid the "elise can be used every day" chat.

Any other suggestions?

[Captain Muppet]

FlavaDave said:

Captain Muppet said:

kambites said:

FlavaDave said:

Captain Muppet said:

I drive mine all year, and commute in it in winter, even in snow.

Really? food for thought... Thing is now, £12K might just get you a 60k miler 52 reg. How do they hold up?

Mine is a daily driver all year 'round too; although I probably wouldn't without a garage.

You can get a very good S2 Elise for 12k if you're willing to buy privately (personal loan?). Age and mileage isn't particularly important, condition and maintenance/upgrade history is.

Mine is a 97 S1, and lives outside. It does everything I need a daily drive to do.

If I did a lot of motorway miles I'd want a standard exhaust. And maybe a stereo.

Thanks for the input, but again. I'm trying to avoid the "elise can be used every day" chat.

Any other suggestions?

Sorry, I type really slowly.

968? 350Z? RX7? Impreza? Evo? Integra?