Weekend Car

[CarlHoward]

I have a 2018 BMW 335DT as my day to day car which while a little plain looks wise is more than fast enough as a regular road car. I have an itch though to scratch around something for sunny Sunday blasts in The Dales and occasional track days.

Some options I've been toying with include....

1. Caterham R400
2. Datsun 240Z with a V8 engine
3. Cobra replica
4. C5 Corvette to tune up
5. 997 C4S PDK
6. Early R8 V10 cabriolet

Ideally want a car that properly shifts, ideally sub 4s to 60 and is fun to drive

Thoughts greatly appreciated

Carl

[kambites]

Personally I wouldn't focus on numbers for a weekend car but rather on the more... intangible elements of what makes a car fun. In my experience many of the cars which create the greatest sense of occasion to drive aren't actually hugely quick.

Ultimately it's deeply personal. Think about what you really want from a weekend car - where and how you'd drive it; what you'd enjoy about those trips; etc. 0-60 in <4 seconds is all very well, but that realistically means you can never use WOT for more than about 5 seconds on the road before you have to slow down again.

Edited by kambites on Thursday 7th May 18:33

[CarlHoward]

It's a valid point, issue I have is I have motorbikes which all are super fast so between them and the BMW I'm concerned I may find a relatively slow car unsatisfying.

That said totally get what you mean. Hence the 240Z. Also admire C3 Corvette Convertible with side pipe or a Mach 1 Mustang

[ZX10R NIN]

From your list it would be a Corvette but a C6 (it's a big improvement over the C5 & it feels special too) as above it'll be the little things that'll make your weekend car feel special to you:

C6

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

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Corvette-C6-6-0L-LS2-Au...

There's also this C7 which will need an inspection but if the checks come back A okay then you'll have bagged yourself a bargain as well as a great weekend toy & it's a rare manual too.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHEVROLET-CORVETTE-C7-6...

[CarlHoward]

A lot of car for the money. My dad had an early 80's transam. It was slow (about 200hp) although sounded great and always turned heads

[Ryan_T]

I can vouch for number two!





350bhp/tonne, amazing reactions everywhere.

Zero tax, MOT, ULEZ exempt etc etc.

Edit: I will add, it’s definitely doesn’t fit in with most of your list. It’s a highly modified 50 year old car that you can’t just go to eurocarparts or a dealer to sort. But for me that’s part of the appeal.

Edited by Ryan_T on Thursday 7th May 19:59

Edited by Ryan_T on Thursday 7th May 20:01

Edited by Ryan_T on Thursday 7th May 20:01

[CarlHoward]

V8?

Very cool &#128077;

[ZX10R NIN]

CarlHoward said:

A lot of car for the money. My dad had an early 80's transam. It was slow (about 200hp) although sounded great and always turned heads

The good thing with these is that they handle & are properly quick.

[CarlHoward]

Thanks for the advice

[ChevronB19]

For weekend use and occasional track days, I wouldn’t bother with a high power Caterham, honestly any Caterham will be fun.

[tberg]

My weekend fun canyon car may not be as quick as my daily driver, but it's a hell of a lot of fun and the ride feels thrillingly fast when your only inches off the ground. It's my modified and restored 1972 De Tomaso Pantera, pumped up to over 500hp. (And by the way, my daily driver is a 600hp Jaguar XKR, a great GT car that can hold its own while still being comfortable for an old fogey like me).

Edited by tberg on Friday 8th May 01:41

[SWoll]

Your choices and budget are all over the place OP but based on your requirements how about a Lotus Exige V6S?

0-60 in 4seconds, rare, exotic, unlikely to depreciate, brilliant on B-Roads or track, plenty of tuning potential and £10k cheaper than entry level R8 V10 convertibles.




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

Edited by SWoll on Friday 8th May 07:45

[Simon-Cook]

SWoll said:

Your choices and budget are all over the place OP but based on your requirements how about a Lotus Exige V6S?

0-60 in 4seconds, rare, exotic, unlikely to depreciate, brilliant on B-Roads or track, plenty of tuning potential and £10k cheaper than entry level R8 V10 convertibles.




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

Edited by SWoll on Friday 8th May 07:45

Exige would be my pick too. Bulletproof engine, supercar performance, arguably the best handling car made and 30 to the gallon economy. - whats not to like! The Mk2's are still kicking about at fair prices too, the one car I wish I still had!

[blueovercream]

Another vote for the Exige. You could also consider the slightly cheaper S2 version which is plenty quick although a bit less refined than the V6.

There aren't many (if any?) cars on your list that will do 0-60 in < 4 seconds, but as has already been mentioned, I'd strongly suggest you move away from this as a requirement.

[V8fan]

Ryan_T said:

I can vouch for number two!



350bhp/tonne, amazing reactions everywhere.

Zero tax, MOT, ULEZ exempt etc etc.

Edit: I will add, it’s definitely doesn’t fit in with most of your list. It’s a highly modified 50 year old car that you can’t just go to eurocarparts or a dealer to sort. But for me that’s part of the appeal.

How did you manage to maintain the 'no MoT' requirement for the historic 40+ year old car with that V8 engine fitted? I thought they had to be 'substantially' standard.

I know that if the modifications are over 30 years old, that's OK but............

My V8 weekend car is a Monaro VXR. If it was old enough to be £0 VED, it would go towards the fuel costs.

Edited by V8fan on Friday 8th May 09:13

[DoubleD]

ChevronB19 said:

For weekend use and occasional track days, I wouldn’t bother with a high power Caterham, honestly any Caterham will be fun.

Yep, a Caterham is the obvious choice for you. Remove the windscreen for extra crazyness.

[CarlHoward]

ChevronB19 said:

For weekend use and occasional track days, I wouldn’t bother with a high power Caterham, honestly any Caterham will be fun.

you are almost certainly right, I have motorbikes though so fear anything lower powered would feel uninspiring

[CarlHoward]

Ryan_T said:

I can vouch for number two!





350bhp/tonne, amazing reactions everywhere.

Zero tax, MOT, ULEZ exempt etc etc.

Edit: I will add, it’s definitely doesn’t fit in with most of your list. It’s a highly modified 50 year old car that you can’t just go to eurocarparts or a dealer to sort. But for me that’s part of the appeal.

Edited by Ryan_T on Thursday 7th May 19:59

Edited by Ryan_T on Thursday 7th May 20:01

Edited by Ryan_T on Thursday 7th May 20:01

I love this although am always unsure about black wheels, otherwise this would be bang on the brief. Did you fit the V8?

[CarlHoward]

tberg said:

My weekend fun canyon car may not be as quick as my daily driver, but it's a hell of a lot of fun and the ride feels thrillingly fast when your only inches off the ground. It's my modified and restored 1972 De Tomaso Pantera, pumped up to over 500hp. (And by the way, my daily driver is a 600hp Jaguar XKR, a great GT car that can hold its own while still being comfortable for an old fogey like me).

Edited by tberg on Friday 8th May 01:41

very jealous, loved these since being a boy. That one was made the year I was borne and looks spectacular

[CarlHoward]

SWoll said:

Your choices and budget are all over the place OP but based on your requirements how about a Lotus Exige V6S?

0-60 in 4seconds, rare, exotic, unlikely to depreciate, brilliant on B-Roads or track, plenty of tuning potential and £10k cheaper than entry level R8 V10 convertibles.




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

Edited by SWoll on Friday 8th May 07:45

good shout, added to my list