What weekend car? £20k

[Ori1234]

Hi all -

I'm after a little advice on the next car. I want it to be as fun as possible on the road, to have a very special engine, and (preferably) to be a manual. I am not particularly bothered about fuel consumption (as long as it's not in the single digits...) and don't really care about practicality (although it does need to have a roof - no Caterhams etc). I'd really like it to have a V8 and would like it to be modern-ish (2006+)

My budget is c.£20k, but would rather it dips a little under that. My current shortlist is:

E92 M3 - this seems to tick all the boxes, but not sure if it'll feel 'special' enough or just a fast 3 series

W204 C63. Great engine, but the coupe version is still a little pricey and not so keen on the looks. No manual either

XKR (probably a 4.2 in the budget). Great engine and looks, but not a manual and probably a little too far along the GT end of the spectrum.

Any other ideas very much appreciated!

[Belle427]

The XKR is a lovely looking car, id probably at least take a test drive.
SL55 Amg may be worth a look but a little dated maybe and auto too.
Nissan 370z might be a possible contender for under £15k, keep some money back for a nice sports exhaust and induction package.

[SWoll]

Sounds like it's the E92 M3 based on manual, V8, modern.

If you go auto you could go XFR rather than XKR? This one is lovely and you get the 5.0 V8 which is much nicer than the 4.2 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by SWoll on Monday 4th February 09:12

[Terzo123]

I don't think a C63, M3 or an XFR would be special enough for a weekend fun car given what you have stated. All three are great cars but they were designed to be practicle, easy to use every day cars. Saying that a Monaro VXR is similar, but it's extremely rare compared to the other V8s mentioned which would help it fit into the weekend only use mould. Something like this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...


Just for impracticable weekend use something two seater would be better in my mind.

Boxter, Caymen, Elise, Z4M or if it had to be a V8 something like an SLK 55 AGM.

Edited by Terzo123 on Monday 4th February 16:50

[Tabs]

Lexus ISF. Very rare. Had mine 9 months and haven't seen another yet. Superb engine, 20 mpg around town, up to 31 cruising at legal limit.
Clever 8 speed auto.
Won't go wrong, but if it does, cast iron warranty from Lexus. If it has full Lexus history, you can purchase the warranty if you buy privately, subject to inspection.

[ZX10R NIN]

With your budget you can get a 5.0 XKR don't let an auto put you off they really suit this car, from your list it seems you want a V8 in which case I'd recommend the C63 over the M3 (my brother has the M3 while I have a 63) when really pushing on the M3 is the better car but for the other 330 days of the year the 63 is the better car.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Nismo 370Z the suspension changes along with the quicker rack along with the more lightly baffled exhaust system add up to a car that's more than a sum of the parts, the Gen1's are a bit more raw than the 2's.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Manual M3's are pretty rare

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you can live with an automated manual then the M6 is worth a look but do your homework.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

RS5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

5.0 XKR more GT but no less special for it

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or if you don't mind something a bit older what about a V12 DB7:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Clio V6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 4th February 20:59

[aka_kerrly]

Belle427 said:

Nissan 370z might be a possible contender for under £15k, keep some money back for a nice sports exhaust and induction package.

370Z NISMO edition for something a bit rarer , still lacks a little in the performance department compared to the V8 options.

What about a Monaro , spend £10-13k an then wack a supercharger on it? or keep an eye out for a converted one..

[Dutchy00]

Well, if you want an affordable V8, a Corvette is hard to beat.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

You said you didn't want Caterham-like cars because they are open topped, but a Lotus Elise or an Opel Speedster handle almost as well and have a roof. Mind you, these cars
don't look like much in paper, but
you need to experience them
before you can understand.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

You might also Look into a Honda S2000. A NA 2L engine revving to 9000rpm is hard to resist.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Have you tought about a TVR Chimeara or maybe a Tuscan?
Chimeara (4.0L V8): https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Tuscan (also 4.0L V8):
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

I personality also have a bit of a wrak spot for the Nissan 370Z:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

A cheap Porsche 911 might fit your budget and has a 6 boxer, which I think is a special engine. But be careful, maintenance is costly and hard to perform yourself.
This one ist fairly low mileage:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

I hope this helped a little.

[Ori1234]

Just to update this... I upped the budget slightly and bought a 2012 XKR :-). Many thanks for the advice

[ZX10R NIN]

Nice choice OP, good colour too.