Lasting daily "Sports" car

[MartyB447]

Hi All,

New to forums and came here as few internet searches brought me to a few older posts on a similar subject. However My question is a bit different (at least to the ones I've found anyway).

I'm currently looking for a "sports" car that I can use for my daily commute (which is small <200 miles per week).
For ages Ive had my eye on a Lotus, preferably an exige but my an elise which I wanted as a weekend car - just something to play around in.
Now, due to finances I need to ensure that I can complete my commute in this sport car too so the Lotus is maybe not practicle - any info on this would be great.

And finaly as I want to keep this car for a good while, as new cars arent exactly cheap I want something that doesnt date too badly. To this end I'm thinking of a Porsche Cayman, although maint costs concern me.

So effectively I'm looking for a good looking (subjective) sports car that,
1. Doesnt date too badly
2. Can handle a dialy commute in reasoable comfort
3. Has all the aspects that anyone would want in a "sports" car
4. Wont break a budget of around £17k

Help appreciated.

Thanks all

[MintSprint]

MartyB447 said:

...the Lotus is maybe not practicle - any info on this would be great.

I can't think of a reason that the Lotus would be particularly impractical on such a short commute - I used to do a longer commute in a Caterham, when I was younger.

The Elise is fairly fuel efficient, reliable and cheap to service - where's the problem?

The main downside is that it's not very elegant to get in and out of. I found mine became a bit wearing after more than about 100 miles at a time due to noise levels and seats that became uncomfortable after about an hour in the saddle, but both of my Elises were S1's - the S2's and S3's have both improved seats and better sound insulation.

[Bonefish Blues]

Boxster territory shirley?

[MintSprint]

Bonefish Blues said:

Boxster territory shirley?

Though running costs would be higher than the Lotus (both fuel and servicing). Depends how much comfort you want, and how dull your commute is?

[Dog Star]

SLK - it fits the description of a "sports" car (in quotes).
Pretty bombproof.

[Tannedbaldhead]

Honda S2000. U'd struggle to find a £17k example. They're all much cheaper.

[Deerfoot]

Dog Star said:

SLK - it fits the description of a "sports" car (in quotes).
Pretty bombproof.

£17,000 will get you a great SLK350, they`re underrated in my opinion.

[MartyB447]

Having a quick look and the follwoing seems to possibly suit,

1. Nissan 370Z or the 350Z
2. Subaru BRZ (stretching the budget slightly)
3. BMW Z4

Regarding the boxter - would this hold its value same as the Cayman? they seem to be dropping quickly. Also are the main costs huge?
May revist the lotus then..

[marting]

Z4 - probably get a 35i for that money.

[kambites]

I've run my Elise as a daily driver and commuter for the last eight years or so and it's been great for it.

[Al U]

£17K will get you a top example of a Z4M coupe. I have just had the same dilemma as you and got an S2000 today funnily enough which was more of a head over heart choice. If I had £17k that I could spend with a clean conscience I'd get a Z4M all day long. It can be hard to find one in the right colour combo if you are fussy like me which is - not red or silver paint, must have black leather, with around 40-50k miles. The only real alternative to a Z4M is a cayman S which I also really like but Z4M's are much rarer and will hold their value better IMO.

Edited by Al U on Sunday 16th November 16:22

[RobM77]

kambites said:

I've run my Elise as a daily driver and commuter for the last eight years or so and it's been great for it.

Mine too was my daily driver for 3 years, and I only got another car because I needed to carry big stuff around and the percentage of my miles spent on the motorway rocketed up. My vote would be for an Elise, and if it's too raw for the OP, then a Boxster.

[Sway]

My default answer, the GTM Libra:



Comfier and more practical than an Elise/Exige.

More power (at least in mine!) and less weight.

No newer models coming out, dating yours.

No corrosion/rust issues.

Built in roll cage.

Less than half your budget for a mint one.

Ridiculously easy to work on, using cheap components.

Love mine. Only problem is finding one for sale!