Best Weekend/Second Car for £50k
Discussion
Hey everybody,
Just wanted to see if anybody has any suggestions for a second car/weekend car within a £50k budget. I currently drive a MY15 335d M Sport saloon as a daily which I want to keep because it is economical and nippy. However, I do want something a bit faster and fun to drive. I don't want to part ex my 335d for anything as I work in a rough area and this car is about the limit. Upgrading to anything more special would have me worrying about it. Plus, being a commuter car, it will get scratched, dented, knocked whilst in the public car park.
I originally had my heart set on a C63 (MY16 and above) Coupe which I was looking to body kit, wrap, tune etc. However, recently I have been looking into a Nissan GT-R which is appealing to the sporty boy racer side to myself. Let me be honest about what I am looking for in my weekend/second car. I want something sporty and faster than my 335d but also luxurious. I initially thought the C63 would fit all these criteria but a friend told me I am duplicating cars and that the C63 is too similar to the 335d. The nissan GT-R would be a great step up but it's the plastic interior and lack of branding that makes me re-consider. (I would like to point out, I am a brand conscious person which is why I'm not sure if the nissan interior would do it for me).
Does anyone have any suggestions of some cars that would make great second cars or weekend cars within £50K? This is the max I want to spend right now and I am not looking to finance or lease (even though I could afford it, to me it doesn't make good business sense).
Just wanted to see if anybody has any suggestions for a second car/weekend car within a £50k budget. I currently drive a MY15 335d M Sport saloon as a daily which I want to keep because it is economical and nippy. However, I do want something a bit faster and fun to drive. I don't want to part ex my 335d for anything as I work in a rough area and this car is about the limit. Upgrading to anything more special would have me worrying about it. Plus, being a commuter car, it will get scratched, dented, knocked whilst in the public car park.
I originally had my heart set on a C63 (MY16 and above) Coupe which I was looking to body kit, wrap, tune etc. However, recently I have been looking into a Nissan GT-R which is appealing to the sporty boy racer side to myself. Let me be honest about what I am looking for in my weekend/second car. I want something sporty and faster than my 335d but also luxurious. I initially thought the C63 would fit all these criteria but a friend told me I am duplicating cars and that the C63 is too similar to the 335d. The nissan GT-R would be a great step up but it's the plastic interior and lack of branding that makes me re-consider. (I would like to point out, I am a brand conscious person which is why I'm not sure if the nissan interior would do it for me).
Does anyone have any suggestions of some cars that would make great second cars or weekend cars within £50K? This is the max I want to spend right now and I am not looking to finance or lease (even though I could afford it, to me it doesn't make good business sense).
Edited by Mdotlife on Wednesday 22 August 19:28
Edited by Mdotlife on Wednesday 22 August 19:31
F Type. I have one as a weekend car/nice weather daily. For that budget you could get a young V6 S, or a slightly older V8 approved used from Jaguar with a 2 year warranty, so worry free motoring. I spent marginally under your budget on my V6 S last september and have no regrets.
I've had this discussion with mates with similar cars...we've all agreed that you can't really get a better looking/faster/more liveable car <3 years old for under £50k, as the equivalent Astons and similar are all much older in this price range and don't come with 2 year warranties!
I've had absolutely no problems with mine so far, put 6k hard miles on it doing all manner of stuff and it hasn't missed a beat - far more than can be said for my previous 07MY V8 Vantage.

I've had this discussion with mates with similar cars...we've all agreed that you can't really get a better looking/faster/more liveable car <3 years old for under £50k, as the equivalent Astons and similar are all much older in this price range and don't come with 2 year warranties!
I've had absolutely no problems with mine so far, put 6k hard miles on it doing all manner of stuff and it hasn't missed a beat - far more than can be said for my previous 07MY V8 Vantage.
Shrimpvende said:
F Type. I have one as a weekend car/nice weather daily. For that budget you could get a young V6 S, or a slightly older V8 approved used from Jaguar with a 2 year warranty, so worry free motoring. I spent marginally under your budget on my V6 S last september and have no regrets.
I've had this discussion with mates with similar cars...we've all agreed that you can't really get a better looking/faster/more liveable car <3 years old for under £50k, as the equivalent Astons and similar are all much older in this price range and don't come with 2 year warranties!
I've had absolutely no problems with mine so far, put 6k hard miles on it doing all manner of stuff and it hasn't missed a beat - far more than can be said for my previous 07MY V8 Vantage.

Thanks for the reply shrimpvende. I’ll look into the F-type. Not a car I would have originally seen myself in but I’m open to all suggestions right now. I know it’s subjective, but what’s your opinion on the new C63s coupe or Nissan GT-R?I've had this discussion with mates with similar cars...we've all agreed that you can't really get a better looking/faster/more liveable car <3 years old for under £50k, as the equivalent Astons and similar are all much older in this price range and don't come with 2 year warranties!
I've had absolutely no problems with mine so far, put 6k hard miles on it doing all manner of stuff and it hasn't missed a beat - far more than can be said for my previous 07MY V8 Vantage.
Shrimpvende said:
F Type. I have one as a weekend car/nice weather daily. For that budget you could get a young V6 S, or a slightly older V8 approved used from Jaguar with a 2 year warranty, so worry free motoring. I spent marginally under your budget on my V6 S last september and have no regrets.
I've had this discussion with mates with similar cars...we've all agreed that you can't really get a better looking/faster/more liveable car <3 years old for under £50k, as the equivalent Astons and similar are all much older in this price range and don't come with 2 year warranties!
I've had absolutely no problems with mine so far, put 6k hard miles on it doing all manner of stuff and it hasn't missed a beat - far more than can be said for my previous 07MY V8 Vantage.

By the way, that’s a sweet looking F-Type !I've had this discussion with mates with similar cars...we've all agreed that you can't really get a better looking/faster/more liveable car <3 years old for under £50k, as the equivalent Astons and similar are all much older in this price range and don't come with 2 year warranties!
I've had absolutely no problems with mine so far, put 6k hard miles on it doing all manner of stuff and it hasn't missed a beat - far more than can be said for my previous 07MY V8 Vantage.
I'd agree with your friend that the C63 makes no sense if you're keeping the BMW. While not that similar in terms of engine, they are in their functionality and general approach to motoring.
For me, a weekend car should be an event. Loud, raw, exciting, fast, sporty, great handling, show stopping, head turning etc..
With your budget could you stretch to a Ferrari 360 or a Gallardo? Plenty of 911 options in that budget along with a sporty Cayman?
R8 is a good shout from the poster above.
Also a Maserati GranTurismo is well in budget... looks the part, sounds immense etc...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
That's where i'd be looking, not another fast saloon car if I'm honest.
For me, a weekend car should be an event. Loud, raw, exciting, fast, sporty, great handling, show stopping, head turning etc..
With your budget could you stretch to a Ferrari 360 or a Gallardo? Plenty of 911 options in that budget along with a sporty Cayman?
R8 is a good shout from the poster above.
Also a Maserati GranTurismo is well in budget... looks the part, sounds immense etc...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
That's where i'd be looking, not another fast saloon car if I'm honest.
Get the GT-R the interior is more than good enough (if it's an R34 they may have a point) get one that's been fettled by Litchfield & you'll be smiling every time you drive also ignore anyone who says these aren't a drivers car that's utter rubbish.
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...
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...
ReaperCushions said:
For me, a weekend car should be an event. Loud, raw, exciting, fast, sporty, great handling, show stopping, head turning etc..
I'd also agree with this. In the last 6 - 8 months i've been pondering a variety of turbo'd V8s and found a lot of them feel quite 'diesel-y' in their power delivery because of the torque-rich nature, especially with when fitted with an auto-box. Buying one might just bring into sharp focus all the things that your 335d does better (as a drive in 5.5 V8 E63 surprisingly did with my 530d).I don't know what compromises you need to make to practicality, but whilst going through a similar dilemma myself, I keep looking at nearly-new V6 Exige S'. They are also very very resistant to depreciation.
My main hesitation is factoring in the specialist / expensive nature of the servicing.
V10 R8s have dropped to £50k now, I'm tempted myself actually...
There's a 360 for sale for under £50k too, albeit quite high mileage but on the plus side, you wouldn't be afraid to drive it!
New C63 will be far too similar to what you have currently and will also depreciate like a brick. GTRs aren't my thing at all...
There's a 360 for sale for under £50k too, albeit quite high mileage but on the plus side, you wouldn't be afraid to drive it!
New C63 will be far too similar to what you have currently and will also depreciate like a brick. GTRs aren't my thing at all...
KPB1973 said:
ReaperCushions said:
For me, a weekend car should be an event. Loud, raw, exciting, fast, sporty, great handling, show stopping, head turning etc..
I'd also agree with this. In the last 6 - 8 months i've been pondering a variety of turbo'd V8s and found a lot of them feel quite 'diesel-y' in their power delivery because of the torque-rich nature, especially with when fitted with an auto-box. Buying one might just bring into sharp focus all the things that your 335d does better (as a drive in 5.5 V8 E63 surprisingly did with my 530d).I don't know what compromises you need to make to practicality, but whilst going through a similar dilemma myself, I keep looking at nearly-new V6 Exige S'. They are also very very resistant to depreciation.
My main hesitation is factoring in the specialist / expensive nature of the servicing.
I have an Elise 220 Cup for the weekend as I don't want a luxurious drive, I want an exhilarating one!!
I have a Volvo V40 for my luxury driving.

Thanks for the replies everybody. I'll have to do a bit of soul searching and book a few test drives. I think my heart would like a C63 but my brain is telling me it's a bad idea. Also, as already mentioned, C63's depreciate like cr*p. Only reason I'm considering it is because I can imagine an Armytrix or IPe exhaust system sounding juicy with that V8. The new shape Nissan GT-R looks a lot better than the previous generation so maybe I'll give that a look and also the F Type.
I appreciate the suggestions, but the Lotus cars really aren't my thing and even though the Audi R8 is nice, it'll be too old for my liking.
I appreciate the suggestions, but the Lotus cars really aren't my thing and even though the Audi R8 is nice, it'll be too old for my liking.
I'd agree with the F-type for that budget, 550bhp, rear wheel drive, amazing sound, performance and of course looks! Perfect weekend car and a nice luxurious cabin too, what more could you want?!
Personally I would class a c63 and gtr as more of a daily drive than a special weekend event type of car, plus as others have mentioned, a little too similar type of car to your Bmw.
Personally I would class a c63 and gtr as more of a daily drive than a special weekend event type of car, plus as others have mentioned, a little too similar type of car to your Bmw.
A lot of you guys are recommending the F Type. I'm not sure why but the more I try to like the look of it, the more I seem to dislike it haha. What model F Type should I look at? Surely the V6 version would be too similar to the 3 series. I might go down to the local Jag dealer and have a look around ...
Also, what does the F Type do that the C63 doesn't ?
Also, what does the F Type do that the C63 doesn't ?
Edited by Mdotlife on Saturday 25th August 18:45
ReaperCushions said:
For me, a weekend car should be an event. Loud, raw, exciting, fast, sporty, great handling, show stopping, head turning etc..
That would be a C63 then 
Plenty of lairy TVR's around , ie Tuscan, Tamora, Griffith, Cerbera, all fit the bill as a sporty weekend car, and pretty much depreciation proof now, and can be had for less than £50k.
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