Most flash for your cash.
Discussion
Okay, what do you think is the best flash/cash ratio of brand new UK cars? Not interested in second hand cars as the topic could get very complicated then, purely new, list price cars.
I havn't got a clue, I've been trying to think about it for a while. A Caterham is timeless and classless, but doesn't cut the mustard with me - It would crinkle the Armarni suit. I'm not bothered about driving dynamics, just pure poseing ability. The Audi TT is an obvious candidate, but now IMO just screams fashion victim, not cool. Really we want something as cool as a Ferrari 550 for 10k, so we want to get as close to that goal as possible.
Any suggestions?
Rob.
I havn't got a clue, I've been trying to think about it for a while. A Caterham is timeless and classless, but doesn't cut the mustard with me - It would crinkle the Armarni suit. I'm not bothered about driving dynamics, just pure poseing ability. The Audi TT is an obvious candidate, but now IMO just screams fashion victim, not cool. Really we want something as cool as a Ferrari 550 for 10k, so we want to get as close to that goal as possible.
Any suggestions?
Rob.
Supra Twin Turbo has a huge amount of street cred and the second hand prices are fairly reasonable, I'm sure if you looked around you could pick one up for 10k. They also go like absolute stink as well, as I have seen first hand. Autocar mentioned in an article that Lotus couldn't fathom out how a Supra could beat an Esprit round a track considering it cost half the price!! 
Mwehehehe. I'm not considering buying a car, but that's the ideal isn't it, picking up a 550 for 10k. What I was wondering was how close to this ideal you can get in showing off terms in a new car, how much flash, can you get, for your cash. 
Rob.
>> Edited by rob_f on Tuesday 11th June 21:12
Rob.
>> Edited by rob_f on Tuesday 11th June 21:12
Mini Cooper S, maybe? Because it's usurping the TT as next fashion victim, yet cheaper and has proper driving credentials.
The StreetKa will be pretty good flash for little money too.
But my top choice would be the Elise S2 - non-car people think it's a £50k car, enthusiasts love it, and it is far better styled, and rarer, than the TT.
The StreetKa will be pretty good flash for little money too.
But my top choice would be the Elise S2 - non-car people think it's a £50k car, enthusiasts love it, and it is far better styled, and rarer, than the TT.
). MkIV Supra is an excellent car and the bang-for-buck is unrivalled. Have a look at The Japanese Import Centre's website. In amongst the horrific weilsided rice-mobiles, there are some great cars. If you're only in it for the pose, then the targa normally aspirated are cheapest, but the way to go IMHO is a hardtop silver twin turbo. After I killed my GT4 Celica, it was a toss up between a Supra and a Chimaera. Chalk and cheese, but equally good and for very similar money.
Still got my Supra Twin Turbo and I can say that it is very, very fast. Even Skylines that have been "tweaked" in one way or another still have trouble keeping up with me let alone trying to overtake. It is fabulous to drive, can handle corners very well and it is extremely reliable. There honestly is very little in it (performance wise) between my Supra and my 355. The only thing that made me buy the Ferrari is that its a convertible and makes all the right sounds. I held off selling the car until I had both side by side, and believe me there is nowt in it, the Supra has bags more torque whereas f**k all happens in the 355 until you hit 4000 revs. Mind you the 355 can hit an indicated 52 odd MPH in 1st gear and can rev to 8500. The Supra can be "grand prix started", but I wouldn't dream of doing that in the 355.
I am now selling the Supra but it will be sorely missed. It gave nearly 5 years of great fun and reliability. I would definitely recommend one, petrol can be expensive but its worth it, and you can always drive without invoking the turbos all the time! Makes a nice whistling sound when the first turbo kicks in.
It looks fantastic, with a real mean looking stance. I still walk past it thinking "wow, what an amazing shape!" and thats with the Ferrari parked next to it! High praise? I think the Supra sincerely deserves it. Quality car that will be missed. If I could afford to keep it I would, but my no claims has been moved to the 355 and due to my age the insurance company have increased my premium skyhigh! I'd be selling mine for about 12K. 10K should get you a TT but it will definitely be Jap spec and maybe with only 280BHP. Some Supras are very nice looking, others look kind of crap. Bonnet vent looks much better IMO and helps lower exhaust temps (i.e. cooler air into turbos!).
Again, I can't recommend them highly enough but get a good one with FSH, preferrably Main Dealer history. Not just anyone can service one of these and performance enhancements not done by one of the professional companies may mean problems later. Please don't go sticking on crazy bodykits to them...please!
I am now selling the Supra but it will be sorely missed. It gave nearly 5 years of great fun and reliability. I would definitely recommend one, petrol can be expensive but its worth it, and you can always drive without invoking the turbos all the time! Makes a nice whistling sound when the first turbo kicks in.
It looks fantastic, with a real mean looking stance. I still walk past it thinking "wow, what an amazing shape!" and thats with the Ferrari parked next to it! High praise? I think the Supra sincerely deserves it. Quality car that will be missed. If I could afford to keep it I would, but my no claims has been moved to the 355 and due to my age the insurance company have increased my premium skyhigh! I'd be selling mine for about 12K. 10K should get you a TT but it will definitely be Jap spec and maybe with only 280BHP. Some Supras are very nice looking, others look kind of crap. Bonnet vent looks much better IMO and helps lower exhaust temps (i.e. cooler air into turbos!).
Again, I can't recommend them highly enough but get a good one with FSH, preferrably Main Dealer history. Not just anyone can service one of these and performance enhancements not done by one of the professional companies may mean problems later. Please don't go sticking on crazy bodykits to them...please!
Oh, by the way, regarding non turbo Supra's, they had a review in one of the motoring magazines regarding grey imports and the comments were something along the lines that the non turbo had mechanically MANY differences to the twin turbo. The setup is actually closer to one of the Lexuses. Even then some of the twin turbos have different suspension. Get ones with the yellow Bilstein shock absorbers. Check the cars have the proper suspension set up and the electric front spoiler. Also check the brakes as some only come with small calipers and small disks.
Its been awhile since I looked into this so may be a bit off, but ...
UK spec is 320bhp as standard. It had a different turbo to the Japanese spec. Also UK car has better brakes, both discs and calipers. UK models were all hard tops, no targas, and had a scoop in the bonnet.
Nonetheless the Jap spec is still awesome.
UK spec is 320bhp as standard. It had a different turbo to the Japanese spec. Also UK car has better brakes, both discs and calipers. UK models were all hard tops, no targas, and had a scoop in the bonnet.
Nonetheless the Jap spec is still awesome.
Mines got around 320 BHP. You are spot on UK spec is 326 BHP, has different turbos, only available in hardtop. Mines a Jap spec, but I went over there to buy it. Its been "touched" on by TRD in Japan, which is the motorsport division of Toyota or something like that, so that had as near as possible without too much mod to "320BHP or thereabouts". Mines been made to as near as possible as UK spec. It has bonnet vent, UK style "Supra" brakes, auto front spoiler, UK spec alloys, and those yellow Bilstein shock absorbers, which are top spec. Also the rear lights have been converted to UK type aswell (not the arrangement just the function).
If you can afford a couple of grand more (which is usually the difference between the cars now) get the UK spec. It is a better car and has more equipment. Only downside is its a little heavier and the headlights are too bulgy. They stand proud of the bonnet way too much IMO!
I did some tests on my car and it came back with 0-60 in between 4.8 seconds and 5.3 and 0-100 was around 12.5 or so seconds if I remember rightly. Its been to an indicated 265K/hour and still had a load of revs left.
If you can afford a couple of grand more (which is usually the difference between the cars now) get the UK spec. It is a better car and has more equipment. Only downside is its a little heavier and the headlights are too bulgy. They stand proud of the bonnet way too much IMO!
I did some tests on my car and it came back with 0-60 in between 4.8 seconds and 5.3 and 0-100 was around 12.5 or so seconds if I remember rightly. Its been to an indicated 265K/hour and still had a load of revs left.
It invites you to lose your license like nothing else I've ever driven. Within about 5 mins of getting in, one hand on the wheel, hooning down a winding A road. Thought I was doing about 50, well over 80. Steering didn't give much feedback, but it turned in sharply and had tons of grip. Loved the wrap around dash.
By the way, ultimate seal of approval comes from Pistonheader McNab. Have a look at previous threads for his thoughts.
By the way, ultimate seal of approval comes from Pistonheader McNab. Have a look at previous threads for his thoughts.
The only downside on a UK Supra is that Toyota stopped importing them to Britain in 1996 I think, so most of the ones for sale are 50k+ in mileage. Plus, out of a couple which I looked at last year and had AA reports on, both had had SERIOUS front impacts. Guess that's a problem with any powerful motor though. Seriously nice car though
I think you're right SJobson, at the moment the MINI has got it. However, next year, or the year after that I'm not so sure.
With regards to the Supra, great drivers car and surely must be one of the all time performance/pound bargains along with the rally specials. However I don't think they have the class to win it.
So I reckon it's the Lotus Elise as SJobson also said, it's got the badge, the looks, and it's cheap to buy (comparitavly) and cheap to run.
Opinions?
Rob.
With regards to the Supra, great drivers car and surely must be one of the all time performance/pound bargains along with the rally specials. However I don't think they have the class to win it.
So I reckon it's the Lotus Elise as SJobson also said, it's got the badge, the looks, and it's cheap to buy (comparitavly) and cheap to run.
Opinions?
Rob.
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