£25k budget - does anything beat a 996 Turbo?

[TTwiggy]

Just mulling over really, with a view to the sort of money I might be able to spend later this year on a 'garage queen' of some sort.

If you want a sports car of some variety, is there anything better, for the money, than a 996 Turbo?

Over to the panel!

[jamieduff1981]

That probably depends a lot on what you want out of your sportscar.

The 996 turbo is undoubtably a great car. It's a very different experience to a 4.5 Cerbera or even a 2WD 911 if it has to be a Porsche.

[Johnny 89]

Cerbera AJP8 - That's what I'd choose

[McWigglebum4th]

That is Caterham R500 money

[PulsatingStar]

Id be looking at S2 Exiges

[macky17]

As a single car/daily driver it's very hard to beat at that money (owned one). However, as a weekend only/2nd car you can do much better. It isn't as much fun as you might expect.

[trickywoo]

If you mean garage queen in the traditional sense i.e. a high days and holidays car then there are lots better than a 996

Noble M12

TVR (various) but a T350 would do for me

NSX

DB9 or DB7

Skyline GTR

[Leins]

Throw a couple more quid at it and get an E46 CSL

[hondansx]

What is special about a 996 Turbo? Pretty crap choice as a weekend car.

I'd get an Integrale Evo!

[Baryonyx]

It'll be a great car for every day use and for long distance touring. It'll be a bit less exciting on track than say, an NSX or whatever, but then you wouldn't get as much use from the NSX day to day.

[Pixelpeep7r]

trickywoo said:

If you mean garage queen in the traditional sense i.e. a high days and holidays car then there are lots better than a 996

Noble M12

TVR (various) but a T350 would do for me

NSX

DB9 or DB7

Skyline GTR

DB9 for £25k ? that'd be a bit of a push wouldn't it?

[TTwiggy]

Good suggestions chaps. I agree that a 996TT probably isn't special enough to be a 'garage queen' but I've always wanted a 911 of some sort and this might be the only chance to get one. And if I did get one, I'd quite like it to be a Turbo.

Interesting call on the Aston Martins, but I'm struggling to find any in budget. TVR certainly worth a look, I agree.

[anonymous-user]

Maserati Gransport?

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/5077...

[mikearwas]

McWigglebum4th said:

That is Caterham R500 money

Typical idiotic PH response.

Yes, the caterham is a fantastic car. But do you think the OP would be looking for a 996 turbo if he was inclined towards a track day toy?

[trickywoo]

Pixelpeep7r said:

DB9 for £25k ? that'd be a bit of a push wouldn't it?

With haggle
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

There are a few dealer cars up for £29k. Should be a deal for cash bruv.

[Crusoe]

Z4 MC or roadster
Boxter spider (not sure if you could find one under budget)
Classic RWD Alfa
Lotus Exige

[TTwiggy]

mikearwas said:

McWigglebum4th said:

That is Caterham R500 money

Typical idiotic PH response.

Yes, the caterham is a fantastic car. But do you think the OP would be looking for a 996 turbo if he was inclined towards a track day toy?

I haven't entirely ruled out a Caterham, but I think I'd actually prefer to build one. Maybe project for when I'm a bit older!

[zed4]

I'm looking for something similar at the moment. It would be my daily driver and my special car when I don't want to use the Caterham or TVR. I'd also want to put it on my hire fleet. Thinking around £20k and was looking at a 997 911 C2S or a Cayman. But also tempted to borrow some money and get a Vantage.

I don't think you get much of a 911 Turbo for £25k now though. They would be at the bottom end of the scale, wouldn't they?

[TTwiggy]

An Exige is tempting. I've had an Elise before so I know what to expect!

[VladD]

Parr have a Cayman turbo in that budget. Much nicer than a 996.