£30k fun car

[luke2397]

Hello all,

I start a new job next month which I'll be driving to instead of the train. I have a E82 125i which I will be using for the commute and have no intention of getting rid of it. My question is I'm after a second car that's fun, fast and has some form of storage. I'm intending on taking it on a euro road trip at some point. So far I've been looking at a 4.3 V8V I've heard about reliability and it doesn't really faze me that much and a V6 F-Type if anyone has any other suggestions it would be great to hear them

[RazerSauber]

If you're after a GT style car then the DB9 falls under 30k, be prepared for potentially expensive bills though!

M240's come in now at this price I think? Might not be special enough, given you're already in a smaller BMW.

A quick Autotrader search reveals the Evora, Lexus ISF (5L V8!), a plethora of Mercedes', Porsce Panamera, TVR Tuscan's and Tamora's, there's a number of options out there depending upon how mad you want to go and how much you want to mitigate large repair bills!

[Herbs]

Evora would get my money these days - fantastic cars to drive. If only they did a convertible version.

[Pulse00]

4C? Who cares about storage!

[luke2397]

RazerSauber said:

If you're after a GT style car then the DB9 falls under 30k, be prepared for potentially expensive bills though!

M240's come in now at this price I think? Might not be special enough, given you're already in a smaller BMW.

A quick Autotrader search reveals the Evora, Lexus ISF (5L V8!), a plethora of Mercedes', Porsce Panamera, TVR Tuscan's and Tamora's, there's a number of options out there depending upon how mad you want to go and how much you want to mitigate large repair bills!

I'm not after a GT car as such leaning more towards sports car but definitely wouldn't rule out a DB9 for the V12 but don't like the auto box at all. Merc AMGs are a bit too chavvy for my liking and the Panamera is just hideous. I like the 981 Cayman and maybe S if it falls into budget but just looks to lack a bit of excitement. My dad is a mechanic and so long as it has good service history then reliability isn't a huge concern but would rather it was drivable more than it isn't. I'm most interested in the vantage though, does it really feel that slow? And is the reliability really as bad as what I've heard?

[luke2397]

Pulse00 said:

4C? Who cares about storage!

Honestly would love a 4C they fall just a bit out of budget at the moment I think

[luke2397]

Herbs said:

Evora would get my money these days - fantastic cars to drive. If only they did a convertible version.

I've heard very good things about them, might need to do some test drives

[Herbs]

luke2397 said:

Herbs said:

Evora would get my money these days - fantastic cars to drive. If only they did a convertible version.

I've heard very good things about them, might need to do some test drives

just be aware you will fall in love

If you can, get a test drive with a Lotus dealer as the cars limits are so much higher than you initially expect and them driving it first allows you to truly appreciate just how good they are when pushing on - we got pulled over by the police the first time around as he was demonstrating to me the grip round a roundabout

[p4cks]

Another vote for the Evora. Mine isn't my daily but if it was I couldn't think of many better cars to rock up to work in for the budget

[luke2397]

Herbs said:

luke2397 said:

Herbs said:

Evora would get my money these days - fantastic cars to drive. If only they did a convertible version.

I've heard very good things about them, might need to do some test drives

just be aware you will fall in love

If you can, get a test drive with a Lotus dealer as the cars limits are so much higher than you initially expect and them driving it first allows you to truly appreciate just how good they are when pushing on - we got pulled over by the police the first time around as he was demonstrating to me the grip round a roundabout

Just had a look and the nearest dealership is less than 5 miles away from me so might be worth having a look. Will they allow a test drive if I'm intending on buying a much cheaper second hand model?

[Herbs]

luke2397 said:

Herbs said:

luke2397 said:

Herbs said:

Evora would get my money these days - fantastic cars to drive. If only they did a convertible version.

I've heard very good things about them, might need to do some test drives

just be aware you will fall in love

If you can, get a test drive with a Lotus dealer as the cars limits are so much higher than you initially expect and them driving it first allows you to truly appreciate just how good they are when pushing on - we got pulled over by the police the first time around as he was demonstrating to me the grip round a roundabout

Just had a look and the nearest dealership is less than 5 miles away from me so might be worth having a look. Will they allow a test drive if I'm intending on buying a much cheaper second hand model?

Mine certainly did - although just tell them your budget is up to £40k and you are umming and aahing whether to go for first gen or facelift and 2+0, 2+2 etc (Evora S is also very dangerous to test drive if you dont have the budget! )

[luke2397]

Herbs said:

luke2397 said:

Herbs said:

luke2397 said:

Herbs said:

Evora would get my money these days - fantastic cars to drive. If only they did a convertible version.

I've heard very good things about them, might need to do some test drives

just be aware you will fall in love

If you can, get a test drive with a Lotus dealer as the cars limits are so much higher than you initially expect and them driving it first allows you to truly appreciate just how good they are when pushing on - we got pulled over by the police the first time around as he was demonstrating to me the grip round a roundabout

Just had a look and the nearest dealership is less than 5 miles away from me so might be worth having a look. Will they allow a test drive if I'm intending on buying a much cheaper second hand model?

Mine certainly did - although just tell them your budget is up to £40k and you are umming and aahing whether to go for first gen or facelift and 2+0, 2+2 etc (Evora S is also very dangerous to test drive if you dont have the budget! )

I might have to look into them a bit more then and go about having a test drive. Might have a look at an exige while I'm at it. They've always interested me

[Herbs]

luke2397 said:

I might have to look into them a bit more then and go about having a test drive. Might have a look at an exige while I'm at it. They've always interested me

Exige V6 is amazing and would be my first pick for a weekend car especially as the roof comes off. Evora is much easier as a day to day car if that is what you are looking for.

[luke2397]

Herbs said:

luke2397 said:

I might have to look into them a bit more then and go about having a test drive. Might have a look at an exige while I'm at it. They've always interested me

Exige V6 is amazing and would be my first pick for a weekend car especially as the roof comes off. Evora is much easier as a day to day car if that is what you are looking for.

It won't be a daily car as I have the BMW for that but I'm not too fussed about the comfort. I'm only 22 so can deal with hard suspension for now but I just need some amount of storage if I'm doing a long road trip. How much is an Exige V6? Sounds like it'll be out of budget

[Herbs]

In that case explore the Exige first and you can always get an Evora at a later date. A V6 Exige starts around £35k so if you can up your budget it will be worthwhile - both of them have glacial depreciation so you will get your money back whenever you move it on.

I'd suggest test drive them both back to back and see which you prefer.

There is plenty of storage room in either - the key is to pack in soft bags.

Edited by Herbs on Tuesday 16th July 15:00

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say an Evora ticks a lot of boxes.

[luke2397]

I'll hunt down a dealer and pester for a test drive. Currently though the vantage seems to offer the most in terms of practicality and theatre

[The Surveyor]

The V8V in 4.3 form will feel very dated compared to the F Type. Dated, and not particularly special after a few months ownership, especially at the £30k price point.

At this price point, the Evora is a cracking buy, and if the 4c is out of reach I'd be looking at a Porsche Cayman.

[luke2397]

The Surveyor said:

The V8V in 4.3 form will feel very dated compared to the F Type. Dated, and not particularly special after a few months ownership, especially at the £30k price point.

At this price point, the Evora is a cracking buy, and if the 4c is out of reach I'd be looking at a Porsche Cayman.

I've heard the V8V feels quite sluggish so I'm thinking of maybe holding off until I can get at least the 4.7

[Herbs]

luke2397 said:

I'll hunt down a dealer and pester for a test drive. Currently though the vantage seems to offer the most in terms of practicality and theatre

I've owned 2 V8V's and if you enjoy driving then the Evora wins, however, an Aston Martin is an Aston Martin and it certainly puts a smile on your face.