£50k used Car (fast fun exciting etc)

[Z4MCSL]

Morning Y'all

(Scroll down to the bottom if you are not interested in the background to the question and just want the question)

So I have been toying around with chopping in my car for an E90 M3 or a Monaro or a 4.2 RS4 or something similar for a long time now but for some reason I just cant get excited enough about this to do it.

I also spend unhealthy amounts of time sifting through Ebay, Pistonheads, Gumtree, etc looking at anything and everything interesting from £700 bangers that could make fun track toys, to £15k M3s or £20k 997s that could make an exciting daily.

This has now become an addiction that is both destroying my time, distracting my attention and probably slowly degrading my eyesight as I lie in bed looking at my phone!


I have therefore decided to try to chose something more exciting, and more expensive so that I have to save up for it and can basically put it off! The idea would be to determine the top 3 or 4 options, use them for motivation at work etc but also as a way to quit the incessant scrolling and to just focus on other things for the next few months or year.


So the question is what are the best options for £50k taking into consideration the below criteria:


1. I am not a fan of depreciation and am very happy to buy a decade old car so I want something that should hold some decent value
2. It HAS to be a manual
3. The engine needs to be exciting, it needs to be an experience to drive the car.
4. It needs to be generally reliable OR the main issues need to be well known. For example I don't mind putting 2k aside for a known gearbox issue but what I dont want is a level of reliability that is so unpredictable that it takes away from the enjoyment of driving
5. PROBABLY leaning towards NA or Supercharged as I am not sure I am a fan of turbos ( I used to drive turbo'd volvos, T4. T5 which I enjoyed but since going NA I am not sure I would want to change back. I drive my other halfs TTS and it just doesnt excite me even though its clearly a quick and capable car.
6. Ok so I am a bit shallow so to some extent it does need to look the part. I still prefer a car that petrolheads appreciate over a car that appeals to badge worshippers (I love my Clio 182 for example but most of my friends just don't "get it") but if I am spending £50k I want it to be a bit more widely considered "Special"
7. Servicing availability - I would hope this is not an issue as I live in London but I do want something that I can get serviced easily at an Indy most likely. I don't want to feel like I should be travelling 2 hours to get to the right garage to do a good job.
8. 4 seats would be a real bonus but a 2 seater is fine
9. NOT a convertible - I have never had one but I am just not sure I can see the appeal.
10. Running costs - I dont intend on doing huge miles and MPG doesnt bother me too much but if it is going to cost £4k to get new discs that is gonna piss me off.


I am sure I will think of other criteria but that is it for now.

Any recommendations and experience of owning cars that fit the above is MASSIVELY appreciated.

Thanks

[romeodelta]

This thread has R8 V10 written all over it.

You sound exactly like me by the way. It’s a disease.

[drgoatboy]

Lotus Evora. get a really nice one for £50k, in fact you would get a really nice one for £35k.
More reliable than you would think (as in very reliable), super rare so gets looks everywhere you go, ride and handling sublime.
It ticks every box on your list in my opinion (but I would say that having one and all)

[steviejasp]

Have a go in the Best Cerbera you can find and keep the other £20k in the bank

[DUBS73P]

Might not fit everything you're looking for but the Z4M Coupe is worth a look. Should be pretty much depreciation proof at this point so will just be servicing/repairs

Not sure the E90/E92 M3 would live up to the fun and exciting after a while, it didn't last long for me anyway.

[smithyithy]

997.2 C2/4S + change.

Does it have to be one car OP, or could you manage a pair?

I think with those requirements, you could smash the whole list between 2 cars rather than trying to hit them all with one..

But I'd still go 997.2 if it's only 1 car.

[flatso]

Basically describes my brief, only difference would be that I require 4 seats (2 small kids, 8 & 6).

[Pulse00]

4c? Atom?

[blueg33]

drgoatboy said:

Lotus Evora. get a really nice one for £50k, in fact you would get a really nice one for £35k.
More reliable than you would think (as in very reliable), super rare so gets looks everywhere you go, ride and handling sublime.
It ticks every box on your list in my opinion (but I would say that having one and all)

This is the answer. Either a late Evora S Sports Racer (that will be around £40k) or a 400 at around £55k. You would need to try both, the earlier car has better IMO seats, the later car is a tad quicker and sounds better (unless you have a different exhaust)

I have a 2014 Sports Racer S, costs are pretty reasonable, there are a couple of niggles but only tiny things like one a pillar external trim has warped by a couple of mm (I am fussy)

For the poster just above this - it will fit 6 and 8 year olds in the back too

Gratuitous pics

[Actus Reus]

Exige V6 or an Evora is your answer, I think.

[pattyg]

Simple

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

PS - not my postcode used

[cerb4.5lee]

I really like the R8 and Exige/Evora suggestions.

The Cerbera is fun/fast/exciting and i really like that suggestion too...although I'm not sure that it fits the OP's dependability remit.

A great position to be in and £50k gives you a world of options for sure.

[Thales]

Turbocharged but 997 Turbo.

[ZX10R NIN]

Here are my picks:

Corvette C6 Z06 these are a proper drivers car with a nigh on bulletproof drivetrain.

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

Evora 400

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

R8 4.2/5.2 I like the V10 but as an overall drive I think the V8 is the sweeter steer.

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

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

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

[2wheelsjimmy]

Z4MCSL said:

This has now become an addiction that is both destroying my time, distracting my attention and probably slowly degrading my eyesight as I lie in bed looking at my phone!

O.T. but it sounds like we have similar issue, and for me it can revlove around anything, whatever I have suddenly got interested in.
It's tough.

Good idea!

[ooid]

Flat 6 - If you do like classic, and something rare

Porsche 993 C2 or S Manual

https://www.ashgood.co.uk/vehicle-details/Used-Por...

V8 - Something completely modern, reliable and rare;

Lexus 500 C

https://usedcars.lexus.co.uk/en/used-lexus/Lexus/L...

v10 - Loud, Italian beast!

Lambo Gallardo

https://www.essexprestigeautos.co.uk/used-lamborgh...

[AshVX220]

I would have said an Evora, but seeing the link to that NSX above has made me drool!

Plus I love the Gallardo above too, though out of budget by almost 20%.

[integraf40]

pattyg said:

Simple

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

PS - not my postcode used

Unbelievable shout

[Composite Guru]

Evora or Exige V6 is what you need.

[Dave Hedgehog]

integraf40 said:

pattyg said:

Simple

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

PS - not my postcode used

Unbelievable shout

that seams a lot for a first year car with 100k on the clock thats been detailed

i would want a 97 3.2 6 speed manual