Which 'interesting' next car for £25k-ish
Discussion
Debating whether I should change cars…
Currently have an ’09 E92 M3…. Great car, but wondering whether I should try to experience different cars before life gets too serious (read: sprogs). Ideally I would try get a car that’s farily quick (0-60 in 5-ish or less), and doesn’t weight too much. Also, in a perfect world something that won’t depreciate too much over the next few years
Options that I have been mulling (and this is a fairly diverse spectrum), with a budget of up to £25-30k…
1. Porsche 997 Carrera for (c. £25k buys an ’05 with 40k-ish miles on)- Pros: Fresh looks; Cons: down on performance versus the M3… suppose its not a big difference
2. Porsche 996 Turbo for (25k)- Yet to drive one, but Pros: Performance and the way it looks (from the back), Cons: not sure I am a big fan of those headlights
3. Porsche Cayman S (£20k would buy an ’07 with 30-40k miles)- Pros: Apparently great handling car Cons: 2 seats and straight line performance could be better
4. Mercedes C63 Saloon(£25-30k). Pros- That engine; Cons- the interior (maybe its just the earlier models I have looked at) look really bad (plasticky)
5. Aston Martin V8 Vantage (£26-30k will be one of the early ones with 60k miles)- Pros: Looks, engine sound, will probably hold its value better than the others here; Cons: Read quite a few complaints about the lack of low down torque… does it need to be revved as hard as an M3 to get performance out of it?
Any others I should be thinking about? There is always the wildcards, I end up looking in the classifieds at proper luxo barges like an S600… but that is probably a non-starter at this point in terms of driving dynamics
Currently have an ’09 E92 M3…. Great car, but wondering whether I should try to experience different cars before life gets too serious (read: sprogs). Ideally I would try get a car that’s farily quick (0-60 in 5-ish or less), and doesn’t weight too much. Also, in a perfect world something that won’t depreciate too much over the next few years
Options that I have been mulling (and this is a fairly diverse spectrum), with a budget of up to £25-30k…
1. Porsche 997 Carrera for (c. £25k buys an ’05 with 40k-ish miles on)- Pros: Fresh looks; Cons: down on performance versus the M3… suppose its not a big difference
2. Porsche 996 Turbo for (25k)- Yet to drive one, but Pros: Performance and the way it looks (from the back), Cons: not sure I am a big fan of those headlights
3. Porsche Cayman S (£20k would buy an ’07 with 30-40k miles)- Pros: Apparently great handling car Cons: 2 seats and straight line performance could be better
4. Mercedes C63 Saloon(£25-30k). Pros- That engine; Cons- the interior (maybe its just the earlier models I have looked at) look really bad (plasticky)
5. Aston Martin V8 Vantage (£26-30k will be one of the early ones with 60k miles)- Pros: Looks, engine sound, will probably hold its value better than the others here; Cons: Read quite a few complaints about the lack of low down torque… does it need to be revved as hard as an M3 to get performance out of it?
Any others I should be thinking about? There is always the wildcards, I end up looking in the classifieds at proper luxo barges like an S600… but that is probably a non-starter at this point in terms of driving dynamics
I have just gone Exige S to E92 M3 because of sprogs.
I would happily hand them back to get my old car back.
You haven't said what you use the car for but many people (me included) survived with the Lotus as a daily driver.
I cannot recommend the car enough. Zero depreciation. Faster than almost anything within legal speeds.
Handling - it's a go cart - what do you think the handling is like!!
It begs for trackdays.
Just make sure you get a proper pipe otherwise the sowing machine noise will upset you after a V8.
I would happily hand them back to get my old car back.

You haven't said what you use the car for but many people (me included) survived with the Lotus as a daily driver.
I cannot recommend the car enough. Zero depreciation. Faster than almost anything within legal speeds.
Handling - it's a go cart - what do you think the handling is like!!
It begs for trackdays.
Just make sure you get a proper pipe otherwise the sowing machine noise will upset you after a V8.
walm said:
I have just gone Exige S to E92 M3 because of sprogs.
I would happily hand them back to get my old car back.
You haven't said what you use the car for but many people (me included) survived with the Lotus as a daily driver.
I cannot recommend the car enough. Zero depreciation. Faster than almost anything within legal speeds.
Handling - it's a go cart - what do you think the handling is like!!
It begs for trackdays.
Just make sure you get a proper pipe otherwise the sowing machine noise will upset you after a V8.
I would happily hand them back to get my old car back.

You haven't said what you use the car for but many people (me included) survived with the Lotus as a daily driver.
I cannot recommend the car enough. Zero depreciation. Faster than almost anything within legal speeds.
Handling - it's a go cart - what do you think the handling is like!!
It begs for trackdays.
Just make sure you get a proper pipe otherwise the sowing machine noise will upset you after a V8.
Ah yes, i forgot to mention, this is pretty much only a weekend car (i commute on the train), and not that fussed about having 4 seats (although the missus might have something to say about buying a 2 seater as its quite clearly anti-sprog)

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/n...
Incredibly fast, light, certainly interesting, surprisingly usable and fantastic to look at IMO. Would be quite surprised it if didn't go up in value over a couple of years.
ManOpener said:

Incredibly fast, light, certainly interesting, surprisingly usable and fantastic to look at IMO. Would be quite surprised it if didn't go up in value over a couple of years.
996 Turbo would be my choice. Comfy, fast and your not going to lose money on it.
kambites said:
Sexual Chocolate said:
They are very high maintenance cars by all accounts.
996 Turbo would be my choice. Comfy, fast and your not going to lose money on it.
Would a Noble really cost more to run than a 996 turbo? 996 Turbo would be my choice. Comfy, fast and your not going to lose money on it.
Sexual Chocolate said:
kambites said:
Sexual Chocolate said:
They are very high maintenance cars by all accounts.
996 Turbo would be my choice. Comfy, fast and your not going to lose money on it.
Would a Noble really cost more to run than a 996 turbo? 996 Turbo would be my choice. Comfy, fast and your not going to lose money on it.
Mind you when I worked in Cirencester there was a red GTO that was always in the garage behind my work.
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