£7k Fun Car?

[keo]

I am currently thinking a Porsche Boxster S with the added benefit that i will have it for 12 months then my mrs can have it as she wants a two seater convertible.
I don't need practical as i have a Volvo V40 as a daily/ tip car. So i am looking for a fun second car, this makes me think try a Westfeild. Being honest i would rather wait and save up more and get a Caterham though. But that would be for in the future.

Quick criteria

Fun
O-60 less than 7 seconds ideally.
Feedback/ involving to drive (Electric power steering on the S2000 puts me off them)
Not bothered about MPG/ running costs to much.
I would like to use it for track days, 3-4 times a year maybe.
Budget of around £7k ish
Country lane fun, days out to north wales, matlock etc


Sorry for rambling on, any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Defcon5]

VX220?

[rb5er]

e36/e46 M3
Impreza Type-R
Evo VI

Or if its more track use, a Westfield or Tiger

Assuming you are not interested in fwd cars.

[keo]

Your right i dont want another fwd car, i did think about an integra dc2/5 though. I have decided now it has got to be a two seater as well. Something a bit special would be nice. I had a VX220 turbo a while ago, it was great fun. Would like to try something different. Thanks for the suggestions

[Johnny 89]

You've pretty much described a Chimaera. A 400 is in budget. Go for it. You will not be disappointed

[billzeebub]

TVR Chimaera 400
Porsche Boxster 986 2.7
BMW Z4 2.5/3.0
Vauxhall VX220

[keo]

I like the TVR Chimera idea. I never even thought about one.

[Digby]

SC/Turbo MX-5?

[EvoEd]

I bought my E46 M3 last November for 7k, 83K on the clock. Think you'd be hard pushed to find something better all round for that money

[p1tse]

EvoEd said:

I bought my E46 M3 last November for 7k, 83K on the clock. Think you'd be hard pushed to find something better all round for that money

i'm thinking of changing my s4 4.2 v8 cab tip for a m3 smg cab

[HannsG]

Bought my M3 for £8000, 2005 plate with 80k on the clock. Excellent all rounder and a joy to own..

[grumbas]

Westfield would probably be the purest 'fun' to be had for the money but it would be very much a second car.

I think there's a certain amount of snobbery going on Westfield vs Caterham, the Caterham is undoubtedly slightly better finished/engineered but at a price, personally I don't think there's anything wrong with a Westfield if that's where your budget sits.

I currently have a Westfield and E46 M3 and they just don't compare, the M3 is very capable and makes mundane journeys enjoyable but the Westfield for me is the more enjoyable car to take for a spirited drive.

[FD3Si]

7k would get you a lovely FD RX7

[TREMAiNE]

FD3Si said:

7k would get you a lovely FD RX7

Yes.

[BoRED S2upid]

How serious is the track day bit? because you have to bear in mind the possibility of having an off! I know your a driving god and will not be pushing that hard but you could hit someone elses oil and end up in a barrier or damaging an alloy and suspension. Boxter is going to be expensive to fix plus 3/4 track days a year could eat some tyres and brakes, Westfield you can fix yourself and brakes and tyres are cheaper but weekend practicality suffers although you can manage I did for a few years they are so much fun to drive on or off the road.

Bearing the above in mind and the fact that the wife may want to borrow it an MX5 is plenty under budget and is cheap to run and mend if things did go wrong plus practical for the weekend.

[keo]

A Westfield is favourite at the minute. I do fancy a Porsche Boxster S, but i think after the initial "i have got a Porsche" has worn off i might get bored of it. RX7 is nice but no pistons scares me!