Fun car for weekend drives, drives into europe, £8k budget

[MadnessYourDadness]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 18 July 2019 at 12:49

[Xcore]

Boxster s

[stevekoz]

I guess fun is subjective, but, by sounds of your brief, it sounds like you are after a weekend 'drivers' car that has an all round appeal. Can swallow miles and can also drive nicely but can be a bit of a weapon when required.

For £8k there are a number of cars i think would suit the GT element as well as the weekend fun element.

First on the list would be the e46 M3. There are a number of sub £8k M3's out there and whilst a lot will snub the price as being the 'dog' end, id' tend to disagree.

This one for example -

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

It may have ticked over 100K but the advert advises 2 keys, fsh, plus its the manual. No SMG pump failure to worry about. Id say for the money you'd be hard pressed to have a better weekend car than can do the cross continent GT thing in relatively comfort.

Maintencance wise, parts i don't think are too bad - i swapped out a number of M3 parts onto my 330ci and 130i and none broke the bank. Make sure to check the boot and subframe over for weak spots showing cracks and for a noisy vanos etc. But if its been well maintained. You'd have an appreciating classic regardless of its age/miles.

Second choice for me would be -

BMW 650i -

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

This is a good GT car. Swift enough for you to have fun, reasonably good steer when pushing on, though its nose heavy, it handles well from the ones i've test driven. The v8 is glorious. The noise is fantastic and will definitely give that smile factor for such a large car.


Third Choice -

If German uber cars aren't your thing, try a Vauxhall v8 brute

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

Not as nice inside or as comfortable as the BMW's but dam fine cars and they do the fast and fun part in bucket loads. Very loud, quite brash and will certainly draw attention yet, big enough for all your gear on a weekend through the alps and that engine makes glorious noises through tunnels and mountain passes.

Fourth choice -

mercedes clk 55 - does 98% of what an m3 does, whereas the M3 is on it all the time, the clk is a bit more reserved and refined for more of a daily drive, but still. No slouch. Quick. Comfortable. Makes a great noise. Bar electrical gremlins here and there (2nd hand parts are your friend). They are fairly reliable. The one below is a bit leggy but i've seen a few under the £8k mark with circa 90K so if you hold out you can find one in your budget.

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


Fifth choice -

Nissan 350z - great noise. Not as refined and you have the standard jap spec interior. But it handles and goes very well and is sublime with a few choice mods. In terms of cornering, this thing is great, especially if you like it a bit tail happy. You'd likely have change too for some of those choice mods you were talking about to elevate it that bit more handling and performance wise. Though, still no slouch.

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

If coupes and GT cruisers aren't really your cup of tea. Then you are probably in hot hatch territory. As they simply do most jobs very well these days. None i think more so than the -

Renaultsport Megane RS250 (Cup)

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

Great handling. Quick. Enough space for your weekend in the Alps along with cheaper motoring compared to your v8/v6 bruisers. Very poised good handling car. Reliability isn't really an issue these days despite the whole "french car" thing. I'd certainly consider one for a weekend car, a cross country car or even an everyday daily. Ticks a lot of boxes. Plus the modification market is saturated with parts and specialists to get even more from them.

Few ideas to ponder.

[ZX10R NIN]

I agree with most of Steve's choices except the 55 prices for good ones are now nearer 10k so I'd actually go for the 500 Sport you'll land a very clean one under budget:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Mercedes-Benz-CLK-...

I'd also take a look at the S2000

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

The RS250 is a great shout you can tour Europe & then take in some of their best (Spa Zandvoort the ring etc) tracks.

[MadnessYourDadness]

Thanks a lot guys, some really interesting cars to think about in here that I hadn't thought of, will need to sit and figure out what I really want. I do like the german cars, e46 M3 has always been a car I've absolutely loved the look of.