Likely choice of 3 cars, which one and why?

[nightSpirit]

Posted a week or so ago asking what people would spend 40k on, something that needs to be 'convenient' to drive, have a roof and be a blast on the road but also able to soak up miles and track days (3-4 a year) including the 'Ring.

I've sort of got it down to 3 choices, R8 V8, Nissan GTR (Litchield stage 4 likely) and Exige S2 240Cup type car.

What I want to know, from those of you 'in the know' is which car would you go for and why? I'm thinking the GTR would be the most costly to run (but most practical and quickest), followed by the R8 (some practicality and must have an amount of track ability??), then the Exige (least practical but could be the most fun).

All 3 I think are fantastic cars but I'm kind of thinking R8 for just having the chance to own something akin to a super car or Exige as it's likely to put more of a smile on my face...especially as my bank account will also be happy with the ownership proposition.

What do you think?

[NashGT]

GTR most practical and quickest as you've already pointed out, it should also cope with the track use no problem

[kambites]

It's an impossible question, they're just so different.

Just to make things more confusing, how about adding an Evora to the list?

Edited by kambites on Sunday 25th May 19:32

[john banks]

GTR is not ideal for the brief as it is heavy and expensive to track and has similar refinement and comfort to a cheap supermini.

[Patrick Bateman]

No experience but I'd have the R8.

[nightSpirit]

Nobody think the Exige?

I'm concerned about the GTRs weight and the toll it'll take on brakes/rubber but then is a 40k R8 going to be a good one?

Not really thinking about other cars to be honest, had considered Cayman R and others but they're just meh if that makes sense, nothing out of the ordinary?

[nightSpirit]

Yeah...inclined to agree on the R8, but surely a decent car and supposedly reliable and cheapish to maintain?

Never been a fan of the Evora, bit like a bigger Exige!

[mini turbo]

These are supposed to be great fun. Oh and appreciating in price !
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
Or
Another iconic car that is increasing in value
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

[vexed]

Patrick Bateman said:

No experience but I'd have the R8.

Me too.

[MissChief]

nightSpirit said:

able to soak up miles and track days (3-4 a year) including the 'Ring.

Exige S2 240Cup.

What do you think?

No one said Exige because of this bit. Sure they can be used as a daily and commuter for shortish journeys but I'd think you'd be crazy to consider driving to the Ring in one. They're not known for being good long distance cruisers!

[Oilchange]

The drive to the ring wouldn't be the best but on the track it would be sublime

[nightSpirit]

mini turbo said:

These are supposed to be great fun. Oh and appreciating in price !
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
Or
Another iconic car that is increasing in value
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

I do like the new shape boxster but wouldn't it be a 'meh' car? Sort of cool but not that special? Also softop on track...

CSL always liked but I'm afraid of the reliability. Every e46 m3 I see has had massive fixes under warranty and I've a mate with an immaculate m3 that's constantly shagged with gearbox issues.

Is the Exige just not that comfy or is it unreliable/fragile? I've been used to driving stripped out track cars to Germany and more recently an SR3, so anything will be like driving a bently to me!

[aspirated]

I'd have an R8 V8 manual with a Larini Clubsport Valvetronic to drown out the naysayers who say a mid-engined two seater 400+ bhp coupe isn't a supercar

The days in which we can choose a proper gearbox in a supercar are nearly over methinks

[nightSpirit]

I'm with you there, what about running costs though on an R8 and would it really be quicker/more fun than the Exige S (not saying I've decided on the Exige btw!).

[jamoor]

john banks said:

GTR is not ideal for the brief as it is heavy and expensive to track and has similar refinement and comfort to a cheap supermini.

Isn't the whole point of the GTR is that it's heavy and actually has traction?

[john banks]

Whether you believe Mizuno or not, the weight contributes to track expense in terms of replacing brakes and tyres, and you can throw in there gear oil too. Much as I love the car, it is neither fish nor fowl in terms of road or track car as it isn't a comfortable and refined GT, and is heavy for a track car even though it will bludgeon its way through either. It is a poor man's 911 Turbo, but does fall short on GT credentials and is obese.

[PKZ4M]

I had similar requirement list 18 months ago. Looked at quite a few options, and ultimately decided against spending 40k on a car that had cost 60-80k (R8, GTR, 997, AMV8's etc) as running costs might hold too many surprises. I'd had an Exige before which I loved.... In the end I decided to go for an 11 month old 1M Coupe with 2k miles. I absolutely love it.... Pretty quick, and a little bit of a handful in the wet, but has so much character, and seemingly minimal depreciation..... and came with 5 yr service pack.

From your list I think I'd go Exige.... But 1M's are great fun too....

[nightSpirit]

I'm leaning towards an Exige at present, shame 911 Turbos sound like they're expensive to run/own.

Cheers for the frank info on the GTR...one fear is me over-reaching and ending up with something I'm afraid to or can't enjoy. I just want something that I look forward to driving, a lot!

[Tribal Chestnut]

If you can cope with LHD, then a Corvette is the answer to your question.

[FamilyDub]

Pretty sure the R8 would 'only' be a V8 at 40k and it would annoy me it wasn't a V10.

What about a 1M?