What car, that I wouldn't drive much.

[Integroo]

I don't have a car, as since I moved to London I don't need one. That doesn't mean I don't want a car, and my new flat has an underground secure car park which makes it tempting. I also realised I can get fixed price insurance through my professional body, which lowers the cost a bit.

So, if I managed to persuade my girlfriend that buying a car was a good idea, what to buy. In my head, the ideal car would be an interesting large engine two seater coupe. Things like mpg etc are completely irrelevant. I would rather something that didn't depreciate to offset any running costs. I don't mind reasonable running costs, but I don't want to run the risk of the engine exploding and leaving me with a 10k bill.

I'll be in the ULEZ zone from Oct 2021 but given I would drive it once a week at most then meh. I would use it to get out of the city every other weekend and probably a week away to the countryside every now and again. If it doesn't get used then I'd like to move it on without losing too much. Budget is flexible but tbh cheaper is better - 5 to 10k is probably the sweet spot, but could stretch.

Boxster 986?
Monaro?
VX220?
Any leftfield suggestions - was looking longingly at BMW 840Cis yesterday ...

[RSTurboPaul]

Caterhams appear to be completely depreciation-proof, and even the smaller engine versions (which would be £10k upwards, IIRC) would still be enjoyable to drive. Driving round London in a small, very open car is also a fun experience, in that you feel much more part of the scenery (without having to resort to partaking in that thing called cycling ).

[Monkeylegend]

RSTurboPaul said:

Caterhams appear to be completely depreciation-proof, and even the smaller engine versions (which would be £10k upwards, IIRC) would still be enjoyable to drive. Driving round London in a small, very open car is also a fun experience, in that you feel much more part of the scenery (without having to resort to partaking in that thing called cycling ).

Breathing all the noxious exhaust fumes

Only joking.

The SL Mercs are good value at the moment, get a good pre 2005 350 to avoid the balancer shaft issues well within your budget.

[designforlife]

If i had underground secure parking and wanted a purely fair weather weekend car, it would be a caterham/westfield/similar no question.

If it had to be a hair more practical, then a Vx220 or elise.

[anonymous-user]

I love the 8-Series but an old, heavily electronic-packed car not getting much use wouldn't be on the list.

I was thinking Elise or VX220 - if you can get an Elise in budget. Or even an Elan M100?

[james_gt3rs]

350Z, Boxster 987, E46 M3?

[Integroo]

Caterham is a great idea, other than for doing a week staycation. For example we are doing a week in Cornwall in July. Surely it is too impractical for that? For reference, we did ten days camping in a Fiat 124 Spider so can pack economically, but I just don't think a Caterham would be close to being possible.

I did want an S2000 before and now I have a bit more cash it is tempting.

[designforlife]

Integroo said:

Caterham is a great idea, other than for doing a week staycation. For example we are doing a week in Cornwall in July. Surely it is too impractical for that? For reference, we did ten days camping in a Fiat 124 Spider so can pack economically, but I just don't think a Caterham would be close to being possible.

I did want an S2000 before and now I have a bit more cash it is tempting.

Anything is possible I guess, depends how committed/willing to compromise you are.

Can't go too far wrong with an S2000, and if you wanted one anyway, why not scratch that itch?

[Frimley111R]

Can't you get some of those Fiat Spyders on very small amounts per month? That might be better. Practical, fun and reliable

[Integroo]

Frimley111R said:

Can't you get some of those Fiat Spyders on very small amounts per month? That might be better. Practical, fun and reliable

I had one Moved it on when I moved down here.

Don't need reliable and don't want to be tied into a pcp or lease as if I bought and never used I would look to move it on.

[essIII]

Integroo said:

Caterham is a great idea, other than for doing a week staycation. For example we are doing a week in Cornwall in July. Surely it is too impractical for that? For reference, we did ten days camping in a Fiat 124 Spider so can pack economically, but I just don't think a Caterham would be close to being possible.

I did want an S2000 before and now I have a bit more cash it is tempting.

I was surprised at the practicality of my Caterham to be honest - did a few 300 mile days in it. Had an SV so slightly more spacious, the boot was substantial and with the windscreen and doors in place it's not too harsh an environment even at motorway speeds. By no means will it be as comfortable as a Boxster, but the trade off is that when you get the opportunity to drive some nice roads\tracks there's very little with 4 wheels that will be as enjoyable. Plus mine didn't depreciate £1 in the 18 months I owned it.

[Integroo]

essIII said:

I was surprised at the practicality of my Caterham to be honest - did a few 300 mile days in it. Had an SV so slightly more spacious, the boot was substantial and with the windscreen and doors in place it's not too harsh an environment even at motorway speeds. By no means will it be as comfortable as a Boxster, but the trade off is that when you get the opportunity to drive some nice roads\tracks there's very little with 4 wheels that will be as enjoyable. Plus mine didn't depreciate £1 in the 18 months I owned it.

How much did it cost you to run in terms of maintenance and servicing? I don't know much about Caterhams - simple machines with not much to go wrong?

[essIII]

Integroo said:

How much did it cost you to run in terms of maintenance and servicing? I don't know much about Caterhams - simple machines with not much to go wrong?

I'm far from an expert too, but it was pretty cheap to run really. Small tyres, small brakes, lightweight car so it doesn't use a lot of either. From memory it had a free service as I'd bought an approved used one. Caterham specialist insurer was cheap and included track days. Mine had a K series engine, I'd suggest that the newer Ford Duratec engined ones are more bomb proof. It's never going to be a refined cross-continent cruiser, and can get a bit claustrophobic in the rain with the roof up, but I certainly wouldn't write them off as impossibly impractical - maybe go and have a look at some (Caterham South have good stock are pretty decent with test drives etc.).

[irocfan]

SLK350 (high-mileage SLK55)?
Crossfire SRT6?

[RSTurboPaul]

designforlife said:

Integroo said:

Caterham is a great idea, other than for doing a week staycation. For example we are doing a week in Cornwall in July. Surely it is too impractical for that? For reference, we did ten days camping in a Fiat 124 Spider so can pack economically, but I just don't think a Caterham would be close to being possible.

I did want an S2000 before and now I have a bit more cash it is tempting.

Anything is possible I guess, depends how committed/willing to compromise you are.

Need to pack light? Stay at a Naturist resort

Bonus being less to wash when you get home


Only thing I would suggest with a Caterham or similar convertible (even an MX5) is that motorway speeds really need earplugs for anything more than about 20 minutes if you value your hearing.

The wind and noise of your own vehicle isn't the issue, it's the tyre roar from over-wheeled, over-tyred other stuff that is the dominant issue.


You could get headsets and an intercom system, though - I imagine you can listen to some music on those as well.

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Monday 10th June 15:19

[ninjag]

XK has a decent boot and ULEZ compliant

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

XK8 as well

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

[ZX10R NIN]

Depending on how far you stretch the budget I'd say an SLK55 ticks a lot of boxes & they're sensible maintenance wise.

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

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

Closer to your budget:

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

Honda S2000

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

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

370 GT

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

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

[Integroo]

ZX10R NIN said:

Depending on how far you stretch the budget I'd say an SLK55 ticks a lot of boxes & they're sensible maintenance wise.

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

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

Closer to your budget:

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

Honda S2000

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

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

370 GT

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

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

Helpful as always, thanks. I like the look of the SLK55 in particular.

Now to man maths a purchase or to hold off until after i have bought a flat...

[ZX10R NIN]

Integroo said:

Helpful as always, thanks. I like the look of the SLK55 in particular.

Now to man maths a purchase or to hold off until after i have bought a flat...

The 55's are a very good option they work well & have a great engine if there's anything you'd like to know in regards to the 55's running costs feel free to ask.

[Trevor555]

Integroo said:

Caterham is a great idea, other than for doing a week staycation. For example we are doing a week in Cornwall in July. Surely it is too impractical for that? For reference, we did ten days camping in a Fiat 124 Spider so can pack economically, but I just don't think a Caterham would be close to being possible.

I did want an S2000 before and now I have a bit more cash it is tempting.

What did you think of the Spider?

The Abarth version has a bit more character to it.

And now they're no longer coming to the UK depreciation shouldn't be hideous.