Thoughts on best supercar to get?
Discussion
Hello everyone on PH,
I am seeking some advice based on people's experience of actually owning/driving a range of 'supercars'. My car history is checkered, my best car was a BMW CSL that was very nice sounding but in reality not that 'fast' by todays standard and a bit dull in my experience.
My plan is to buy a really nice car, as a reward for working hard for a long time. I am looking for a drivers experience, am not worried about outright acceleration on a track or kudos/ admiration (hence no Lambos or Ferrari's on the list!).
Current ideas are 2013 Audi R8 V10 (not the plus, and much prefer to the 'new' shape), Maclaran 12C (don't want to invest in anything newer and prefer the 'original' moniker etc.), and Aston V12 Vantage- either the 510ps or newer 565hp whichever could get a better deal on. Was originally keen on a Porsche and had idea of getting a classic and having it restored to a high standard; not keen on a turbo and the C2S 991 is of due to poor steering (so I'm told), and feel the 977 is too bland nowadays? Was also looking at BMW M3 V8, not the turbo, as seems a lot of car for the money and can mod it to make the most out of it and seems a fun car to drive. Was even considering a Bently Mulsanne as from £250K price tag can get now for £80K which seems ridiculous depreciation!
Current perfect car is the Aston. Was originally keen on a DBS but maybe too big and GT for my tastes. Love the sound and concept of a V12 in a Vantage body! Has to be manual gearbox, although would love a double clutch on a car. Just concerned new one on the way which might push prices down? and it is pretty old hat compared with modern supercars at that price point.
I'd really appreciate any comments on people who have owned these and other suggestions. Or go for something can use on a track like the new Atom and enjoy track days?
Ideal budget £70K to ideally no more than £120K but could stretch to £180K but wouldn't want to.
Thanks for your input!
James
I am seeking some advice based on people's experience of actually owning/driving a range of 'supercars'. My car history is checkered, my best car was a BMW CSL that was very nice sounding but in reality not that 'fast' by todays standard and a bit dull in my experience.
My plan is to buy a really nice car, as a reward for working hard for a long time. I am looking for a drivers experience, am not worried about outright acceleration on a track or kudos/ admiration (hence no Lambos or Ferrari's on the list!).
Current ideas are 2013 Audi R8 V10 (not the plus, and much prefer to the 'new' shape), Maclaran 12C (don't want to invest in anything newer and prefer the 'original' moniker etc.), and Aston V12 Vantage- either the 510ps or newer 565hp whichever could get a better deal on. Was originally keen on a Porsche and had idea of getting a classic and having it restored to a high standard; not keen on a turbo and the C2S 991 is of due to poor steering (so I'm told), and feel the 977 is too bland nowadays? Was also looking at BMW M3 V8, not the turbo, as seems a lot of car for the money and can mod it to make the most out of it and seems a fun car to drive. Was even considering a Bently Mulsanne as from £250K price tag can get now for £80K which seems ridiculous depreciation!
Current perfect car is the Aston. Was originally keen on a DBS but maybe too big and GT for my tastes. Love the sound and concept of a V12 in a Vantage body! Has to be manual gearbox, although would love a double clutch on a car. Just concerned new one on the way which might push prices down? and it is pretty old hat compared with modern supercars at that price point.
I'd really appreciate any comments on people who have owned these and other suggestions. Or go for something can use on a track like the new Atom and enjoy track days?
Ideal budget £70K to ideally no more than £120K but could stretch to £180K but wouldn't want to.
Thanks for your input!
James
Edited by James-18yd2 on Wednesday 11th July 11:47
I had a V10 R8 and it was a great all rounder I found and only don’t have it now as it had a hidden history that HPI / Audi weren’t aware of when it was sold to me.
I wouldn’t class it as a “supercar” though but as a useable everyday sports car it works well. Plus it’s not much more expensive to run than a TTRS.
I’ve been considering a AM Vantage myself lately but am sorely tempted to go down the fun route rather than luxury and go for an Arial Nomad
Have you considered a BMW I8 at all, these are nice - again not a supercar but know a couple of people with them who love them
I wouldn’t class it as a “supercar” though but as a useable everyday sports car it works well. Plus it’s not much more expensive to run than a TTRS.
I’ve been considering a AM Vantage myself lately but am sorely tempted to go down the fun route rather than luxury and go for an Arial Nomad
Have you considered a BMW I8 at all, these are nice - again not a supercar but know a couple of people with them who love them
I know it is on the upper end of the budget but personally I would go for this.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
James-18yd2 said:
I am looking for a drivers experience, am not worried about outright acceleration on a track or kudos/ admiration (hence no Lambos or Ferrari's on the list!).
What an odd statement. You really think that Ferrari's and Lambo's are nothing more than a flash brand?The best thing about my 360 - and the main reason I still own it - is because of what a fabulous drive it is.
I've read a bit about 12Cs recently because I wouldn't mind one (gorgeous looking cars) - but the statement I found in a few car reviews (for what they're worth) - was that although the 12C was great in many ways, and revolutionary in many - the 458 was a better drivers car.
Each to their own, and if you really don't like Ferrari or Lambo for whatever reason then it's up to you. But to dismiss them simply because they're popular cars seems a little odd.
Aside from the fact I wouldn't call anything bar the McLaren a "supercar" it is an interesting list.
The key is what do you want from the car? If you want something practical for everyday then the R8. If you want something for weekends away then the Aston. If you want something that looks the business but isn't practical for everyday then the McLaren.
I have looked at a number of cars for a replacement for the Ultima, however, I keep running into the problem that most things on the list are going to cost me an arm and a leg to run and insure, will lose a heap in depreciation and other than looking cool and making other people go wow, aren't going to be as much "fun" to drive.
For me, I think the state of the roads, the proliferation of speed cameras, the councils penchant for lowering speed limits and increasing the number of speed reduction measures, mean that something like a Caterham or Atom are probably going to be more enjoyable every day. I also find that the manufacturers keep making cars bigger and heavier with more "drivers aids" that are just another layer between you and the road, yes they may make the car easier to drive faster, but they stop the car feeling as much fun when driving slower. On today's roads you will very rarely be able to reach the sort of speeds where an R8 may feel fun, but be forced to drive at speeds where it feels like any other Audi.
The Atom or Caterham will feel fast and fun at pretty much any speed, but won't get anywhere near the top speed of the other cars on the list.
The key is what do you want from the car? If you want something practical for everyday then the R8. If you want something for weekends away then the Aston. If you want something that looks the business but isn't practical for everyday then the McLaren.
I have looked at a number of cars for a replacement for the Ultima, however, I keep running into the problem that most things on the list are going to cost me an arm and a leg to run and insure, will lose a heap in depreciation and other than looking cool and making other people go wow, aren't going to be as much "fun" to drive.
For me, I think the state of the roads, the proliferation of speed cameras, the councils penchant for lowering speed limits and increasing the number of speed reduction measures, mean that something like a Caterham or Atom are probably going to be more enjoyable every day. I also find that the manufacturers keep making cars bigger and heavier with more "drivers aids" that are just another layer between you and the road, yes they may make the car easier to drive faster, but they stop the car feeling as much fun when driving slower. On today's roads you will very rarely be able to reach the sort of speeds where an R8 may feel fun, but be forced to drive at speeds where it feels like any other Audi.
The Atom or Caterham will feel fast and fun at pretty much any speed, but won't get anywhere near the top speed of the other cars on the list.
CaptainSensib1e said:
How much will you drive it? If it's a special occasion car I'd go for something like the McLaren, but for regular use the R8. Not that I've driven either!
Thank you all. I guess it would not be a daily driver but something I'd like to enjoy driving more often than just at weekends. Is why I briefly strayed into Mulsanne territory!Don't want driver aids or to be driving a 'badge', with all the assumptions from other people that come with it?
Sounds like you want a Noble.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Or if you're not selling your kidneys, children and grandmother...:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Sounds like you want a Noble.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Or if you're not selling your kidneys, children and grandmother...:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
alorotom said:
I had a V10 R8 and it was a great all rounder I found and only don’t have it now as it had a hidden history that HPI / Audi weren’t aware of when it was sold to me.
I wouldn’t class it as a “supercar” though but as a useable everyday sports car it works well. Plus it’s not much more expensive to run than a TTRS.
I’ve been considering a AM Vantage myself lately but am sorely tempted to go down the fun route rather than luxury and go for an Arial Nomad
Have you considered a BMW I8 at all, these are nice - again not a supercar but know a couple of people with them who love them
Yes- is certainly a factor isn't it, to not break the bank every time the service is due! Nomad is a great idea- would you intend to do track days- a friend of mine did rallying for a while and loved it- and maybe bang for buck a Nomad or 2L rally car with associated costs wouldn't be a bad idea! Is a V10 R8 not classed as a supercar nowadays? I am not requiring a 'supercar' label as such, just a keeper that you can enjoy for years to come and more than a 'current' fad which needs upgrading when the new model comes out! Have thought about the I8 but aren't they bought as a good tax break?I wouldn’t class it as a “supercar” though but as a useable everyday sports car it works well. Plus it’s not much more expensive to run than a TTRS.
I’ve been considering a AM Vantage myself lately but am sorely tempted to go down the fun route rather than luxury and go for an Arial Nomad
Have you considered a BMW I8 at all, these are nice - again not a supercar but know a couple of people with them who love them
RSTurboPaul said:
Don't want driver aids or to be driving a 'badge', with all the assumptions from other people that come with it?
Sounds like you want a Noble.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Or if you're not selling your kidneys, children and grandmother...:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I had contemplated a Noble, I thought the M600 was out of my price range and the M12 a bit too racer for a road car? I'd love a M600 as an idea but maybe for the money there are more sorted cars? Technically speaking I mean?Sounds like you want a Noble.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Or if you're not selling your kidneys, children and grandmother...:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Mo28 said:
How about a Lotus Exige or Evora?
Yes, I did think of a Lotus- my father had a Esprit Turbo in the day when they came out and it was a pretty spectacular car at the time! I would need to take one one a test drive- I was waiting for the new esprit to be released but maybe it will end up something akin to the new Honda NSX? A technical marvel but maybe not one you'd actually part with your cash for?James-18yd2 said:
I had contemplated a Noble, I thought the M600 was out of my price range and the M12 a bit too racer for a road car? I'd love a M600 as an idea but maybe for the money there are more sorted cars? Technically speaking I mean?
Have you read the recent article on the front page of PH?https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-carpool/no...
Ok, it's a sales article for the car I linked to, lol, but the chap does make the car come across as genuinely exciting and enjoyable.
If you have that sort of wedge potentially available, I think you really should arrange to drive one. They are all about driver involvement in a simple, mechanically sorted chassis, AIUI - one of the crazy-fast new Ferraris undoubtedly is a 'sorted' car in the handling department, but how much of that is electronic wizardry and how much of that is driver skill? In the Noble, what the car does is entirely down to you.
The F40 stands as one of the great drivers' cars and that has basically zero driver aids (does it even have power steering? lol) - an M600 following this exact approach could also be superb, so I think you should check it out.
If nothing else, it would then give you a benchmark against the other cars that you should test drive before buying!
New M500 coming soon...
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-noble/noble-m5...
No Manual 'box, though, booooo.
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-noble/noble-m5...
No Manual 'box, though, booooo.
RSTurboPaul said:
New M500 coming soon...
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-noble/noble-m5...
No Manual 'box, though, booooo.
Thank you- that's a really nice looking car- certainly well within possibilities- am really going with MCL at the moment- but wondering if a 540c is a better bet to a 12C for the relatively small uplift in cost.https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-noble/noble-m5...
No Manual 'box, though, booooo.
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