£40k weekend toy
Discussion
Ben
What have you got now?
What’s the purpose behind the car - trackdays? A few drives at the weekend? A few commutes?
Have you got a garage?
Have you got kids?
My experience... Lotus S1, S2 Exige, 997.1 and an F30 328i in the ‘stable’ at the moment.
Lotus are great fun. Absolutely amazing and gets you into that trackday place where you can really learn about driving... think every petrolhead should have a Lotus in their life at some point! Both S1 and S2
different but for your budget you’d get something very special (Exige V6?) or have change if you go for an older model. Don’t diss the lower power - you can use it all and keep your licence on the road!
Porsche - lovely. Just something special, you always look back on when you walk away from it. Good learning to drive it with the weight at the back. Sounds phenomenal.
Beemer. I’ve been really impressed with this and the ones you mentioned even more so (though not owned them). Easy to live with, massively capable machines. Lacks a bit of character though and I do worry about my licence with it!
If you haven’t had one, I’d go with an S2 Exige for that money and spend the rest on some trackdays and driving training. You’ll love it.
What have you got now?
What’s the purpose behind the car - trackdays? A few drives at the weekend? A few commutes?
Have you got a garage?
Have you got kids?
My experience... Lotus S1, S2 Exige, 997.1 and an F30 328i in the ‘stable’ at the moment.
Lotus are great fun. Absolutely amazing and gets you into that trackday place where you can really learn about driving... think every petrolhead should have a Lotus in their life at some point! Both S1 and S2
different but for your budget you’d get something very special (Exige V6?) or have change if you go for an older model. Don’t diss the lower power - you can use it all and keep your licence on the road!
Porsche - lovely. Just something special, you always look back on when you walk away from it. Good learning to drive it with the weight at the back. Sounds phenomenal.
Beemer. I’ve been really impressed with this and the ones you mentioned even more so (though not owned them). Easy to live with, massively capable machines. Lacks a bit of character though and I do worry about my licence with it!
If you haven’t had one, I’d go with an S2 Exige for that money and spend the rest on some trackdays and driving training. You’ll love it.
At present I have a 2015 320d MSport Touring for my daily - hard to fault this car....does everything I need and full of toys. For an estate it looks the part with the optional Msport plus pack with the 19s, privacy glass and bigger msport brakes. It’s just too good for what I need it for so looking to downgrade the daily to a £5-6k.motor.
In the garage at the moment is a 996 C4S widebody manual. Again love this car, but I would like to go newer really.
The C4S is worth Circa £25k, and the 3series £16k ish.....my thoughts are move both on and by a newer more usable weekend toy for the odd Euro trip and general fun factor and a cheaper daily all for not much more than the current combined value of the two current cars. I love the Porsche as it has a special feel and wouldn’t rule out another, but I’m also curious about other options. I test drove a M2 Friday at Dick Lovett in Bristol which I loved....super quick although I wasn’t keen on th DCT. I’ve always been a big BMW fan....I’ve had 6 various BMW’s the first being a 330 CI Sport that I bought from Robert Sterns back in 2003.
In the garage at the moment is a 996 C4S widebody manual. Again love this car, but I would like to go newer really.
The C4S is worth Circa £25k, and the 3series £16k ish.....my thoughts are move both on and by a newer more usable weekend toy for the odd Euro trip and general fun factor and a cheaper daily all for not much more than the current combined value of the two current cars. I love the Porsche as it has a special feel and wouldn’t rule out another, but I’m also curious about other options. I test drove a M2 Friday at Dick Lovett in Bristol which I loved....super quick although I wasn’t keen on th DCT. I’ve always been a big BMW fan....I’ve had 6 various BMW’s the first being a 330 CI Sport that I bought from Robert Sterns back in 2003.
F Type? Might not seem special enough at first...BUT...
I swapped my V8V for one and it's definitely the better car. Around £40k gets you a far newer car than a similarly priced vantage, maybe even an approved V6S with 2 years Jag warranty. Adaptive damping, switchable driving modes, fantastic auto box, amazing looks and exhaust noise...
Also fine for commuting and doing more normal stuff with, and not too ruinous to run.
I swapped my V8V for one and it's definitely the better car. Around £40k gets you a far newer car than a similarly priced vantage, maybe even an approved V6S with 2 years Jag warranty. Adaptive damping, switchable driving modes, fantastic auto box, amazing looks and exhaust noise...
Also fine for commuting and doing more normal stuff with, and not too ruinous to run.
BEN139 said:
Hi all,
I would appreciate your opinions.....I am looking to buy a weekend toy for max £40-45k.
My ideas so far are:
07-09 R8 V8
GTR recaro Edition
E46 M3 CSL
1m
M2
AMV8
997.2 S
What’s your thoughts??????
I was in a similar spot last yr . Drove a few GTR upto 600bhp, very nice quick cars but a bit soul less . Very regular servicing also. I would appreciate your opinions.....I am looking to buy a weekend toy for max £40-45k.
My ideas so far are:
07-09 R8 V8
GTR recaro Edition
E46 M3 CSL
1m
M2
AMV8
997.2 S
What’s your thoughts??????
Had just come out of a 911, so been there done that. Like astons but in that price range not necessarily very lively more Grand tourer.
Couldn't seem to find a CSL anywhere local so ended up with an R8 v8. Idea being to keep it a year. I think I'll end up having it 2 at least. Just get one with a proper exhaust already fitted. If you like tinkering you pretty much can't do much with them other than a zaust they aren't very diy. Get the highest spec one you can find too, loads about are poverty spec. I love mine. The big service was 748 quid for 2 yrs inc brake fluid flush.
I did see an m2 close up last week and it looks fab but not driven one yet, altho I think an R8 beats it on looks.
Evora S - Fantastic cars, less raw than the Elise / Exige but more usable day to day. Cheap running costs and little depreciation.
Noble M12 - Great looking things, tons of drama. Running costs will be fairly high but you should make money when you come sell it.
Esprit V8 - These have been appreciating rapidly. Just stunning and properly bonkers.
Not driven any of them, just listing out my dream cars for the budget
Noble M12 - Great looking things, tons of drama. Running costs will be fairly high but you should make money when you come sell it.
Esprit V8 - These have been appreciating rapidly. Just stunning and properly bonkers.
Not driven any of them, just listing out my dream cars for the budget
It really depends on what you want the car to do at the weekends.
Most of your list look like daily drivers to me, ie a bit too nice, a bit too normal to drive. My weekend cars over the last 10 years have been:
Ginetta G33 Surprisingly fast, surprisingly horrible when its raining hard, rare, good handling, holds value
TVR Tuscan Fast, scary, looked great, expensive to run, the bits that go wrong are a PITA to fix eg heater ecu, dash.
Alpine GTA Turbo Faster than you might think, rare, comfy, good handling, weird early 1980's electronics that are hard to fix
Each of the above has foilbles that make them bloody annoying to use daily, so I went for a compromise on the daily and got an Evora, a weekend car has to look at the compromises and say "nah, stupid is best"
Most of your list look like daily drivers to me, ie a bit too nice, a bit too normal to drive. My weekend cars over the last 10 years have been:
Ginetta G33 Surprisingly fast, surprisingly horrible when its raining hard, rare, good handling, holds value
TVR Tuscan Fast, scary, looked great, expensive to run, the bits that go wrong are a PITA to fix eg heater ecu, dash.
Alpine GTA Turbo Faster than you might think, rare, comfy, good handling, weird early 1980's electronics that are hard to fix
Each of the above has foilbles that make them bloody annoying to use daily, so I went for a compromise on the daily and got an Evora, a weekend car has to look at the compromises and say "nah, stupid is best"
I'd be looking at the Lotus Evora:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or a Noble
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
V6 F Type
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
VX8 GT-S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Honda NSX
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or you could save some pennies get a Mustang & use some of the money saved on some upgrades.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or a Noble
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
V6 F Type
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
VX8 GT-S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Honda NSX
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or you could save some pennies get a Mustang & use some of the money saved on some upgrades.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Shrimpvende said:
F Type? Might not seem special enough at first...BUT...
I swapped my V8V for one and it's definitely the better car. Around £40k gets you a far newer car than a similarly priced vantage, maybe even an approved V6S with 2 years Jag warranty. Adaptive damping, switchable driving modes, fantastic auto box, amazing looks and exhaust noise...
Also fine for commuting and doing more normal stuff with, and not too ruinous to run.
I would second this suggestion having done exactly the same myself.I swapped my V8V for one and it's definitely the better car. Around £40k gets you a far newer car than a similarly priced vantage, maybe even an approved V6S with 2 years Jag warranty. Adaptive damping, switchable driving modes, fantastic auto box, amazing looks and exhaust noise...
Also fine for commuting and doing more normal stuff with, and not too ruinous to run.
I found the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster to be a very underwhelming car in everything but it's looks. To be they didn't keep mine for longer than six months but on the plus side me a healthy profit.
I was going to go with the F-type V6S - but then tried the V8S and decided to put in what turned out to be not an awful lot more for one hell of a lot more car.
The F-type feels to me so much better than the vantage in every way except for badge snob value. The V8 F-type has plenty of power makes the most fantastic noise, looks amazing and yet has relatively modern technology (in comparison to the Aston Martin) and is so much nicer to drive both when cruising and when pushing on.
blueg33 said:
It really depends on what you want the car to do at the weekends.
Most of your list look like daily drivers to me, ie a bit too nice, a bit too normal to drive. My weekend cars over the last 10 years have been:
Ginetta G33 Surprisingly fast, surprisingly horrible when its raining hard, rare, good handling, holds value
TVR Tuscan Fast, scary, looked great, expensive to run, the bits that go wrong are a PITA to fix eg heater ecu, dash.
Alpine GTA Turbo Faster than you might think, rare, comfy, good handling, weird early 1980's electronics that are hard to fix
Each of the above has foilbles that make them bloody annoying to use daily, so I went for a compromise on the daily and got an Evora, a weekend car has to look at the compromises and say "nah, stupid is best"
If I’m truthfully honest whilst I love the 996, and every time I open the garage it makes me think ‘that’s stunning’ and when out driving it has loads of presence and people of all ages look....It is definitely made the transition from ugly 911 to a bit of a cult classic. The only issue is they are getting on a bit now and no matter how good of one you buy they need plenty of money continuously thrown at them to keep in good shape. They are quite delicate by modern standards and although not ‘old’ as such, you wouldn’t want to do a big euro trip in it! I went down to Italy via black mountains, Switzerland, Dolomites, Austrian Alps and back through Germany in September but took the BM and the Porsche stayed at home in the garage which is sort of defeats the point of having that type of car.Most of your list look like daily drivers to me, ie a bit too nice, a bit too normal to drive. My weekend cars over the last 10 years have been:
Ginetta G33 Surprisingly fast, surprisingly horrible when its raining hard, rare, good handling, holds value
TVR Tuscan Fast, scary, looked great, expensive to run, the bits that go wrong are a PITA to fix eg heater ecu, dash.
Alpine GTA Turbo Faster than you might think, rare, comfy, good handling, weird early 1980's electronics that are hard to fix
Each of the above has foilbles that make them bloody annoying to use daily, so I went for a compromise on the daily and got an Evora, a weekend car has to look at the compromises and say "nah, stupid is best"
It needs to put a smile on my face, which doesn’t always mean rocket fast but quick enough and have a little something special. I also have a little one due in Feb so rear seats would be a bonus.
I’m not overly wealthy, I’m in my late 30s made some sacrifices over the years and work long hours. Some say don’t worry about depreciation or if it goes wrong, just buy the car you want and enjoy it....I see what their saying but my money hasn’t come easy so depreciation and running costs are obviously a big consideration.
The biggest contender for me currently is the 1M. Decent size interior with room in the back for a little one, new enough to have things like ISO fix, limited production so quite rare, quick, a future classic steadily appreciating, a good amount of creature comforts, reasonably cheap to run inc servicing, cheaper tax band, and can be a weapon on track yet comfy enough for Autobahn miles....
I love the suggestion of the Noble, and had considered these but a bit of a track car really....I t would end up getting little use which is why I’m swaying from the 996.
Some possibles........
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
http://www.dicklovett.co.uk/bmw/used-cars/7903672-...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
http://www.dicklovett.co.uk/bmw/used-cars/7903672-...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
clarki said:
I like a convertible, so went for an slk55.
But, if that wasn't a requirement, a C63 Edition 507 would be sitting in its place.
Sorry Clarki, but I’ve never really been a big merc fan, but understand the appeal. One of my mates had a C63 Coupe for his last car and it felt silly quick with one hell of a soundtrack!👌🏻....I’m always swayed towards BMW over the Mercedes equivalent.But, if that wasn't a requirement, a C63 Edition 507 would be sitting in its place.
For example I would always go M5 over E63, X5 over ML, 1series over A class.....I just prefer the build and styling.
Shrimpvende said:
F Type? Might not seem special enough at first...BUT...
I swapped my V8V for one and it's definitely the better car. Around £40k gets you a far newer car than a similarly priced vantage, maybe even an approved V6S with 2 years Jag warranty. Adaptive damping, switchable driving modes, fantastic auto box, amazing looks and exhaust noise...
Also fine for commuting and doing more normal stuff with, and not too ruinous to run.
agree but it needs to be the V8..however not sure they are in OP's budget?I swapped my V8V for one and it's definitely the better car. Around £40k gets you a far newer car than a similarly priced vantage, maybe even an approved V6S with 2 years Jag warranty. Adaptive damping, switchable driving modes, fantastic auto box, amazing looks and exhaust noise...
Also fine for commuting and doing more normal stuff with, and not too ruinous to run.
driving the V6 and V8 back to back around Thruxton - the V6 in my opinion was the nicer engine for that car. I LOVE V8s, and have had M3V8 , GriffV8, Chim V8 etc
I thought the V6 revved so much more cleanly and dare I say it, for me sounded better.
I was determined to think the V6 was the worse choice, and the engine proved me wrong.
I thought the V6 revved so much more cleanly and dare I say it, for me sounded better.
I was determined to think the V6 was the worse choice, and the engine proved me wrong.
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