Audi TT, MB SL500, Land Rover Series 3 - what next?

Original Poster

133 posts

66 months

Tuesday 16th October 2018

Over the past few years I've collated a few cars and am now pondering my next purchase. Was wondering on what other like minded PH would recommend. My current group consists of an Audi TT mk1 1.8T (190PS) that's used by my wife mostly. We have a MB SL500 as the weekend GT/convertible with a wonderful V8 and a 1973 Land Rover series 3 for roaming the local fields/tracks and taking dogs walking. I have a company car as my everyday car so was wanting another car to give me the "performance" edge that neither the TT or SL (too GT rather than out and out performance car) do. I will likely only use as a weekend toy and I'd like it to compliment the other cars (e.g. not too similar). I want the car to be close to the bottom of the cost curve, with re-sale value being stable (or better). My budget is between £10k-£15k and am thinking of the following three;
1. Lotus Elise Mk1 - Low mileage just about in budget and the low weight, low complexity sits at the polar opposite of the extreme weight/complexity of the SL500. Problem is more finding a good one within budget and is it too extreme!! But re-sale value will be strong, with potential growth long term.
2. E46 M3 - Never owned an "M" BMW, think it would offer great performance, but is it just A N OTHER BMW (wife's comment) ???? Re-sale value again looks to be strong long term
3. Porsche Cayman S (987.1) Love the look, reviews seems very good, handling great and mid-engine! What's not to like? Values probably still dropping slightly (which is okay) but will I long for the "it's not a 911" though?
Appreciate any views on the 3 above or on any others that I may have skipped over ....... cheers

smn159

12,666 posts

217 months

Tuesday 16th October 2018

MX-5?

Porsche 996 should be in budget, but I think I'd go for the Cayman

Original Poster

133 posts

66 months

Tuesday 16th October 2018

I originally thought of the 996, but within my budget (bottom of the pile) the risk of getting "a wrong one" could lead to financial ruin!!!!

Original Poster

133 posts

66 months

Monday 29th October 2018

Any other suggestions? M5/6, XKR, Masarati 3200???

col1983

60 posts

119 months

Monday 29th October 2018

If you like the E46 M3 but want a sports car, I’d go Z4M. For your budget, you’d find a reasonable example with a decent history and probably 70-80k. It would be the roadster rather than the coupe, but as the Z4 was designed as a roadster, there are no major rigidity issues, plus that S54 motor can’t fail to put a smile on your face! Plenty of CSL bits on the Z4M too.

I have one - most fun car I’ve ever owned. Few maintenance items that can cost a lot - rod bearings for one, but still worth it in my view. Enjoy the search!

olliete

403 posts

111 months

Tuesday 30th October 2018

I have an x100 XKR - nice car but definitely a GT; I would steer clear if you want a sports car

I loved my lotus elise, but it was a very raw experience, depends if you want any comfort. if you fancy some comfort Z4M is a good shout, as is an SLK55.

Caterham?

Croutons

9,877 posts

166 months

Tuesday 30th October 2018

You should ask the mods to move this to car buying.

S2000 as a wild card btw. Same rawness as the lotus but less fragile. Probably.

Or a TVR. Depends what you want. Something that's an event/ you look back at and smile knowing it's yours, or an M3.

Tommie38

758 posts

194 months

Tuesday 30th October 2018

Z4M is a good shout. Also, I think you would be able to stretch to a 987.2 Boxster for your budget., particularly during winter. Would be a great way of avoiding any niggling worries for IMS or bore scoring.

mike9009

7,013 posts

243 months

Tuesday 30th October 2018

VX220 NA?

Original Poster

133 posts

66 months

Tuesday 13th November 2018

Thanks Gents, some really interesting stuff in there. I think the Z4M is now definitely a possible, especially as I don't need 4 seats. Not sure about the TVR or S2000. Although I did see a nice E60 M5 last night, but that's polar opposite of what I thought I wanted.

Will keep researching and probably look in the New Year hoping that some good deal can be done. M3, Z4M, 987.1 Cayman S and Elise still head the list, but anything may happen .......... further suggestions still welcome.

sinbaddio

2,375 posts

176 months

Tuesday 13th November 2018

SLK55 or a Nissan 370Z?

Luke.

10,996 posts

250 months