Realistic Fantasy What Car?

[BuzzLightyear]

In a few months time, I should be in a position to be able to buy a "fun" road car.

Must haves:
NOT mainstream
Performance (0-60 in 5 or less)
Open top
Tuneful sound
UK car (and RHD)
suitable for occasional but frequent use - not too fragile!
And, of course, fun to drive

Preferences:
V8
2+2 if poss
Manual trans.

Budget c£30k

I have considered / am considering
Ferrari 355 - probably over budget and running costs potentially ruinous?
TVR Tuscan - may not be good for the occasional use thing?
Marcos Mantis - ditto
Morgan Aero 8 - budget?
Lotus 2eleven - poss too hardcore?
Skyline GTR34 - not open top

What else should I be considering?.

Edited by BuzzLightyear on Saturday 25th August 11:58

[Raize]

Aston Martin of some sort? Unfortunately slightly overbudget for the V8 Vantage convertible.

And there's always 911's.

Jaguar XKR might be an idea too.

Edited by Raize on Saturday 25th August 11:49

[edo]

Tuscan is a 6.

Chimaera or Griff?

[edo]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4033401.htm

[JayTee94]

Maybe an M6 V10 with an Eisemann exhaust?!

[BuzzLightyear]

Had considered a DB7 vantage Volante - a good possibility. Later Astons like the V8 I love too although , at least at the moment, the Convertibles are a bit over my budget.

Had also thought of the earlier TVRs and I have always loved the Griff but I think TVRs are not best suited to the occasional use thing. However, a good one would be well within budget so would leave a decent reserve for improvements / maintenance.



Any more suggestions?

[vixen1700]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3936508.htm

[BuzzLightyear]

JayTee94 said:

Maybe an M6 V10 with an Eisemann exhaust?!

Nice one! The E90 M3 had passed through my mind but looking for something a bit more rare. M6 convertible could fit the bill although manual transmission Is one preference I left off of my original list.

[mattberkshire]

RS4 convertible

[BuzzLightyear]

Thats a lovely car, Vixen but perhaps a little "brash"? for my taste.

When I was looking at the 2elevens, I greatly preferred the more sober- looking, single colour cars to the more colourful launch edition ones ( perhaps I'm getting old )!

[vixen1700]

BuzzLightyear said:

Thats a lovely car, Vixen but perhaps a little "brash"? for my taste.

When I was looking at the 2elevens, I greatly preferred the more sober- looking, single colour cars to the more colourful launch edition ones ( perhaps I'm getting old )!

Know what you mean, I'll try and find a more sobering 289 model.

[BuzzLightyear]

Matt, I like the RS4s a lot but looking more left-field / rare.

I appreciate the RS4 version is rare-ish, but you know what I mean?



ETA Raize Thanks for your other suggestions - I keep trying to make myself like Porsches but, at the risk of getting flamed, they just don't do it for me. As for the Jag, a little commonplace and wafty for what I'm after atm.

Edited by BuzzLightyear on Saturday 25th August 12:24

[vixen1700]

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C324099

Sure this would give a nice sense of occassion, and is a lot less brash.

But you may need to have a beard and a WI jam making, head-scarf wearing wife though.

[ukpete]

Morgan Roadster?

[BuzzLightyear]

^^^^
nice but would prefer an early Aero 8 if going for Morgan. In fact this is one of my favourite possibilities ATM...

[marcosgt]

I'm a Marcos owner, but I'd take a Griffith over a Mantis personally.

I think the Griffith is one of the top 5 loveliest cars of all time, I love that every line is a curve.

I've never driven a Griffith though, the Mantis is a great and surprisingly easy car to drive.

M.

[Wills2]

Not a manual but this XKR ticks the rest of the boxes.


http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4142403.htm

[anonymous-user]

[sparks_E39]

DB7 Vantage... or a GT if you can stretch to it. For the money I can't think of what I'd rather have.

[BuzzLightyear]

Marcosgt - thats interesting. I've been a fan of Marcos since I first saw the Mantula introduced. Nearly bought one once but turned out the independent dealer was dishonest. Have you driven a late model? (I assume from your profile that yours is an older one).

Matt - the Maserati is gorgeous but iirc the 4200 was mildly disappointing and the 4.7 was much the better car, but unfortunately out of budget, I think.

Sparks - good shout. Astons are special cars and beautiful designs and of course the V8 or V12 and sound
A definite short-lister!