£70k budget weekend car

[MrChips]

Ex 4.3 Tuscan owner here, looking for something fun for the weekend and occasional trips. Up to £70k to spend, but happy to consider things much lower down the £ scale.
Must be a convertible, and have some resemblance of comfort, so no caterhams etc. I'm also not looking for things that will need much tinkering, i.e. the opposite of the Tuscan

Obviously with test drives not possible at the moment, i'm just doing as much research as possible. I've currently narrowed it down to a Lotus Exige 380, or Boxster Spyder.

Lotus should be more of an event, but the targa roof has to be left at home, residuals look ok. The Porsche may feel a little boring, especially the interior, and would need an exhaust to get even halfway towards my old Tuscans sound.

Any other suggestions on what should be added to the shortlist?

[ollyh1988]

Tuscan owner here and have also considered those cars as well before.
Of those two, the Boxster Spyder would get my vote. The interior does actually feel like a special place to be (not as mad as a Tuscan) thanks to the bucket seats. I really like the classic-style black and red interior. They sound better than you think. I had a Boxster S with the sports exhaust and the sound sold me the car.
For that budget, to get something as special as the Tuscan, what about an Aston V12 Vantage or a Ferrari 360? They would be my choice if I wasn’t using the car as a daily.
Enjoy the search - lots of great cars for that price.

[Scootersp]

Audi R8 V10?

[PrinceRupert]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012026...

[Royal Jelly]

Not sure what model Spyder you’re considering, but if it’s a 981, the noise is absolutely sublime - as it is on all 981s. The newer 718 models, due to gas particulate filters, don’t sound as good.

As for interior - the 981 and 718 aren’t the most ‘funky’ of designs, but by most metrics, they’re much nicer places to sit than an Exige.

I considered an exige - tested a couple and loved them. What put me off was purely that I needed more versatility and everyday usability, despite it not being a daily. If that isn’t a factor, then it would have been a contender. I’d be going for the spyder for sure, but they are two very different propositions - so you’d so well to wait and ensure you can test them.

[galtezza]

Very very TVR like to drive, best open top ive had (lots) that’ll do track days and touring with ease, still loving it after many miles doing both.

[blueovercream]

What about a V8 Ferrari? Quite a few 355s and 360s in budget.

[L3090]

Another shout for an R8 Spyder, great value for money.

[67Dino]

Depends what you do with it on the weekend:

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot - Lotus Exige

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot and generally being glad to be alive - Ferrari F355

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot and actually being reasonably comfortable -Aston V12V

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot and not worrying something might go wrong - Porsche 981

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot and not giving a stuff if something goes wrong - Porsche 911SC.

(Note: other options for what to do with a weekend car may exist)

Edited by 67Dino on Tuesday 12th January 07:42

[p4cks]

MrChips said:

.... I've currently narrowed it down to a Lotus Exige 380.

Yes, yes, yes. Although if you find it a little challenging to get in and out but still want similar handling and performance then maybe look at an Evora?

[Royal Jelly]

67Dino said:

Depends what you do with it on the weekend:

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot - Lotus Exige

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot and generally being glad to be alive - Ferrari F355

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot and actually being reasonably comfortable -Aston V12V

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot and not worrying something might go wrong - Porsche 981

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot and not giving a stuff if something goes wrong - Porsche 911SC.

(Note: other options for what to do with a weekend car may exist)

Edited by 67Dino on Tuesday 12th January 07:42

This is splendid problem-solving.

[kiethton]

Was a lovely blue 997 GT3 in the classifieds a few days ago for about £70k - seems to have sold now but there are a few white ones around at budget

On the Lotus - I've got a S2 exige - I have a fabric roof which allows me to take the roof pannel off and fit the fabric one to get by in the event it rains.

[m3jappa]

galtezza said:

Very very TVR like to drive, best open top ive had (lots) that’ll do track days and touring with ease, still loving it after many miles doing both.

exactly what i was going to suggest. and as a tuscan owner myself, the plan this year is/was to sell the tvr and get into one of these. Im not sure that will happen now but its at the top of my list.

for that money you aren't a million miles away from a gtc roadster.

[67Dino]

Royal Jelly said:

67Dino said:

Depends what you do with it on the weekend:

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot - Lotus Exige

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot and generally being glad to be alive - Ferrari F355

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot and actually being reasonably comfortable -Aston V12V

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot and not worrying something might go wrong - Porsche 981

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot and not giving a stuff if something goes wrong - Porsche 911SC.

(Note: other options for what to do with a weekend car may exist)

Edited by 67Dino on Tuesday 12th January 07:42

This is splendid problem-solving.

Thank you. It remains a mystery to me that advertising executives have been so slow to realise this is how most of us choose our cars.

[galtezza]

m3jappa said:

galtezza said:

Very very TVR like to drive, best open top ive had (lots) that’ll do track days and touring with ease, still loving it after many miles doing both.

exactly what i was going to suggest. and as a tuscan owner myself, the plan this year is/was to sell the tvr and get into one of these. Im not sure that will happen now but its at the top of my list.

for that money you aren't a million miles away from a gtc roadster.

I think if you bought one now you might well get one for just over budget, ours was 86k March last year, if youve been reluctant to move from the TVR then its a great move as it keeps lots of the character, though im speaking from a 2 x chims and a grif perspective, never gelled with the tuscan so maybe the similarities wont be there..

Absolutely loving it though, GTC (roadster or coupe) runs on the stiffer GTR springs btw as its more track focussed (wider track, fatter tires, LSD, same engine as GTR) GT & S are a softer set up, just in case you didnt know.

[kiethton]

galtezza said:

m3jappa said:

galtezza said:

Very very TVR like to drive, best open top ive had (lots) that’ll do track days and touring with ease, still loving it after many miles doing both.

exactly what i was going to suggest. and as a tuscan owner myself, the plan this year is/was to sell the tvr and get into one of these. Im not sure that will happen now but its at the top of my list.

for that money you aren't a million miles away from a gtc roadster.

I think if you bought one now you might well get one for just over budget, ours was 86k March last year, if youve been reluctant to move from the TVR then its a great move as it keeps lots of the character, though im speaking from a 2 x chims and a grif perspective, never gelled with the tuscan so maybe the similarities wont be there..

Absolutely loving it though, GTC (roadster or coupe) runs on the stiffer GTR springs btw as its more track focussed (wider track, fatter tires, LSD, same engine as GTR) GT & S are a softer set up, just in case you didnt know.

Never driven one but when enjoying the roads of a weekend, how do you find the width?

The merc AMG is a very wide car, making progress down some tight B-roads may be a little difficult no?

[Royal Jelly]

67Dino said:

Royal Jelly said:

67Dino said:

Depends what you do with it on the weekend:

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot - Lotus Exige

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot and generally being glad to be alive - Ferrari F355

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot and actually being reasonably comfortable -Aston V12V

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot and not worrying something might go wrong - Porsche 981

- Hoon around country lanes grinning like an idiot and not giving a stuff if something goes wrong - Porsche 911SC.

(Note: other options for what to do with a weekend car may exist)

Edited by 67Dino on Tuesday 12th January 07:42

This is splendid problem-solving.

Thank you. It remains a mystery to me that advertising executives have been so slow to realise this is how most of us choose our cars.

it should be so simple - car buying by delicately-worded questionnaire:

What idiot do you identify as on the weekend?

[NDA]

I bought this new a little while back - 4.8 BMW V8 under the bonnet and the perfect weekend car. I use it a lot in the summer and have done the south of France in it too.

Not everyone's cup of tea I guess, but I get far more use out of it than I ever did with other stuff I've owned.

[galtezza]

kiethton said:

galtezza said:

m3jappa said:

galtezza said:

Very very TVR like to drive, best open top ive had (lots) that’ll do track days and touring with ease, still loving it after many miles doing both.

exactly what i was going to suggest. and as a tuscan owner myself, the plan this year is/was to sell the tvr and get into one of these. Im not sure that will happen now but its at the top of my list.

for that money you aren't a million miles away from a gtc roadster.

I think if you bought one now you might well get one for just over budget, ours was 86k March last year, if youve been reluctant to move from the TVR then its a great move as it keeps lots of the character, though im speaking from a 2 x chims and a grif perspective, never gelled with the tuscan so maybe the similarities wont be there..

Absolutely loving it though, GTC (roadster or coupe) runs on the stiffer GTR springs btw as its more track focussed (wider track, fatter tires, LSD, same engine as GTR) GT & S are a softer set up, just in case you didnt know.

Never driven one but when enjoying the roads of a weekend, how do you find the width?

The merc AMG is a very wide car, making progress down some tight B-roads may be a little difficult no?

Not been a problem, i’ve negotiated some very small medieval villages without issue, b roads are very easy but i dont live in devon or similar country side where they bank the sides so maybe itd be an issue there.. i think the fact that you sit pretty much right next to the rear wheels makes it much easier as you’re very aware of where the wheels are.

Its the long vanishing point bonnet that was hardest to get used to, I always reverse into spaces now as the front lip is incredibly low and theres no front camera, couple that with judging / guessing where the front is anyway and its best reversed, maybe a front camera was an option.

If i were using it on built bank b roads in the uk where 2 way traffic is difficult anyway & if on poorer road surfaces then i might look at the narrower GT/S but the C looks sooo much better from the rear with the extra gills & those 325 tires squeezed in there, i think i’d re-consider my choice of roads instead

[GreatGranny]

NDA said:

I bought this new a little while back - 4.8 BMW V8 under the bonnet and the perfect weekend car. I use it a lot in the summer and have done the south of France in it too.

Not everyone's cup of tea I guess, but I get far more use out of it than I ever did with other stuff I've owned.

That is bloody lovely!

Colour really suits it.