Two seater coupe up to 20k

[FLGirl]

UPDATED - see final post!

I'm a bit stumped with my next choice of car, generally get some great ideas from you lot so any input appreciated!

My ideal car
2 seats
Coupe
RWD
Powerful
£20k budget with some flex

I don't need much practicality and have generally owned cars that meet the above criteria. MPG not really an issue and I'm now open to an auto as well as manual.
The only consideration is it will be my only car and live outside, which sadly for me rules out more hardcore options such as stuff from Lotus. Given the pandemic I obviously do very little commuting and the roads around me are crappy town roads until I get out to the nice stuff, so super low with extra stiff suspension is not really for me.

Previously owned includes:
Porsche 996 (technically 4 seats but close enough!)
Z4 3.0 roadster
Z4 E86 coupe
370z coupe (current car)

Bored of the 370z as it's heavy at lower speeds and expensive to run. It only really comes alive on nice roads and at higher speeds.

I did have in mind the V6S Jag F-type (over budget but lovely), but I have a suspicion these will be high maintenance.

Ruled out:
Cayman - getting older now, I like some tech/gadgets and good old famous bore score issues
Z4 35is - are the engine woe stories warranted?
Audi TT of any flavour - just not for me

My previous cars have leaned more to the GT side, and I'm happy with that for a DD. I like lots of torque and decent performance.

I'm actually viewing a BMW M240i at the end of this week, despite not being a 2 seater I think it looks pretty good, has the right performance while being very useable day to day. So I am open to things that may be outside my criteria, but having only owned 2 seaters for the last 10 years or so it's hard to move way from and would love to know what the PH hive mind might suggest as an alternative?

Edited by FLGirl on Thursday 1st April 12:46

[leef44]

How about SLK55 AMG. I have an R172 model.

The hard top makes it feel like a coupe. Very insulated and should be happy to sit outside although mine is garaged.

You then get the bonus of an open top sports car as well. Fantastic engine which you won't get bored off both in performance and sound. Also lovely naturally aspirated.

The downsides - only automatic, the box is slow witted and works better in sport mode for manual paddle shifting. Although steering is accurate and sharp, there is no feel, at all.

[fflump]

I would not be too hasty ruling out the Cayman. The 987s in your budget are new enough to be free of bore score issues.

Or even better, 981s are becoming attainable in budget pretty much.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102159...

[lj04]

Don't rule out lotus, I've had 3 in the last 18 years all daily drivers.

[infernouk]

I could have written this post as I’m looking for the same! Though I haven’t owned the 370 and it’s top of my list, the GT86 I had was great but the torque dip kills it and the engines are a little too risky to have out of warranty for me.

Will be following along with interest as I also short listed the M240i but don’t think it’ll feel very special vs the sports cars

[pb8g09]

leef44 said:

How about SLK55 AMG. I have an R172 model.

The hard top makes it feel like a coupe. Very insulated and should be happy to sit outside although mine is garaged.

You then get the bonus of an open top sports car as well. Fantastic engine which you won't get bored off both in performance and sound. Also lovely naturally aspirated.

The downsides - only automatic, the box is slow witted and works better in sport mode for manual paddle shifting. Although steering is accurate and sharp, there is no feel, at all.

I really wish these would depreciate harder because I really really want one!

[david-j8694]

Agreed on the M240i. I think the engine, which is absolutely superb, will dominate the car and in isolation will be very hard to ignore. However, it'll feel very ordinary to some of the proper sports cars mentioned here.

I'm going to be asking the same question in about 9 months time, maybe with a bit more budget, but I'm going to need a good reason not to go Cayman of some description. That example posted above is a lot of car for the money.

[threadlock]

My 2010 XKR has been a wonderful car to own for the last six years, and could easily be a daily driver if the 20mpg wasn't a concern. Low servicing costs, low running costs, comfortable when you want it to be but an absolute hooligan when you don't. And IMHO it's such a beautiful car to look at.

[Jonstar]

Hmm depends on how hard you are going to drive it but from experience I would recommend a Z4M or SLK55, both immense and special cars.

[FLGirl]

infernouk said:

I could have written this post as I’m looking for the same! Though I haven’t owned the 370 and it’s top of my list, the GT86 I had was great but the torque dip kills it and the engines are a little too risky to have out of warranty for me.

Will be following along with interest as I also short listed the M240i but don’t think it’ll feel very special vs the sports cars

I have lots of good to say about the 370, it makes an excellent package but I'm doing a lot more town driving (and I live in Brighton so you can imagine how fun that is!) and it's just not best suited to that. Owned it for 2 years with no complaints and would definitely recommend one.

Thanks all, lots of interesting suggestions. Didn't realise newer Caymans had dropped that much - damn, I'm already browsing for local ones.

The M240i does seem quite hard to beat in many respects given how my intended use has changed, but hard to leave the 2 seat 'sports' car thing behind!

Never been very keen on the SLK55 though I appreciate it's a lot of car. A Lotus of any kind just won't work for me, ditto Z4M and already had it's baby brother so keen for something new feeling to me and newer in age.

[infernouk]

FLGirl said:

I have lots of good to say about the 370, it makes an excellent package but I'm doing a lot more town driving (and I live in Brighton so you can imagine how fun that is!) and it's just not best suited to that. Owned it for 2 years with no complaints and would definitely recommend one.

Thanks all, lots of interesting suggestions. Didn't realise newer Caymans had dropped that much - damn, I'm already browsing for local ones.

The M240i does seem quite hard to beat in many respects given how my intended use has changed, but hard to leave the 2 seat 'sports' car thing behind!

Never been very keen on the SLK55 though I appreciate it's a lot of car. A Lotus of any kind just won't work for me, ditto Z4M and already had it's baby brother so keen for something new feeling to me and newer in age.

good to hear the 370 isnt all bad as i love the looks but im coming from a GT86 so the weight was a concern, its up against a z4 28i or a M135i myself, but ive been concerned about its running costs and the government banning it!

Id be going cayman if i could comfortably afford over 20k but thats probably for my next purchase, interested to hear how this works out for you

[Sterillium]

threadlock said:

My 2010 XKR has been a wonderful car to own for the last six years, and could easily be a daily driver if the 20mpg wasn't a concern. Low servicing costs, low running costs, comfortable when you want it to be but an absolute hooligan when you don't. And IMHO it's such a beautiful car to look at.

Another vote for the XKR here... I bought one a few weeks ago and it's my daily driver. I absolutely love it.

Comfortable and a pleasant place to be for bumbling about, but then instant snarling monster at the prod of a pedal.

[Om]

infernouk said:

good to hear the 370 isnt all bad as i love the looks but im coming from a GT86 so the weight was a concern, its up against a z4 28i or a M135i myself, but ive been concerned about its running costs and the government banning it!

Id be going cayman if i could comfortably afford over 20k but thats probably for my next purchase, interested to hear how this works out for you

Slightly off-topic but the 370z gets a bit of a bad rep for its weight. Whilst it is no lightweight (and was probably more notable on its release in 2009) it is not overweight. Though a Cayman is lighter. I did think/look long and hard at Caymans but for the money the 370z was far better value and gave more peace of mind.

Its kerb weight is (looking at stated weights) about 1495 kg, whereas the Z4 28i looks to be about 1470/1480kg and the M135i (F20/21) around 1500kg with the newer F40 M135 coming in around 1600kg.

In terms of running costs the only 'biggy' is tax - £565 (or £140 for post 2017). Fuel consumption for me (with the 7speed semi-auto) averages around 30mpg and about 33mpg on a motorway run. Significantly less when pressing on (though other people do suggest their average consumption is worse than mine. Servicing even at Nissan is £250 for an oil and filter service and in terms of reliability they are pretty bulletproof so not too likely to throw up big bills. If they do, parts are cheap (for the type of car) and plentiful.

I feel like an advert for the 370z but I do love mine!

[Piersman2]

Sterillium said:

threadlock said:

My 2010 XKR has been a wonderful car to own for the last six years, and could easily be a daily driver if the 20mpg wasn't a concern. Low servicing costs, low running costs, comfortable when you want it to be but an absolute hooligan when you don't. And IMHO it's such a beautiful car to look at.

Another vote for the XKR here... I bought one a few weeks ago and it's my daily driver. I absolutely love it.

Comfortable and a pleasant place to be for bumbling about, but then instant snarling monster at the prod of a pedal.

+1 2010 XKR convertible, had it over 3 years now, just passed 100k miles. These are fabulous cars, especially with the top down, active exhaust selected, and then just stomping on that pedal at every opportunity! Bliss!

[ZX10R NIN]

infernouk said:

good to hear the 370 isnt all bad as i love the looks but im coming from a GT86 so the weight was a concern, its up against a z4 28i or a M135i myself, but ive been concerned about its running costs and the government banning it!

Id be going cayman if i could comfortably afford over 20k but thats probably for my next purchase, interested to hear how this works out for you

Banning it for what reason? A M135/Z35i would all get banned at the same time at which point you might as well buy an EV now.

[ZX10R NIN]

I would have said a 370Z Nismo but seeing as you have a 370Z, going in a different direction makes sense the Z35i will give you no more issues than the 240i.

Z35is

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011035...

XKR underrated but have a nice ability to feel special at low speed.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101017...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009153...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101228...

I would've suggested the SLK55 but you said you weren't a fan so maybe the SL works for you:

[fflump]

The XKR is a good choice as a 2+2 GT, but does have a touch of the golf club image, and a very different proposition to a 2 seater sports car which I presumed the OP wanted.

If you take a brave pill the Granturismo is an alternative as a 2+2 GT.

[Mr Tidy]

You mention you have had a BMW E86 (Z4 Coupe) but your budget could get you the M version.

I swapped my 3.0Si Coupe for an MC just over a year ago and love it - it feels like a totally different car! Although maintenance costs aren't cheap with the M tax factored in.

The E89 35is is more of a GT than a sports car and they do seem to have some engine issues, as well as adaptive suspension issues which aren't a cheap fix.

How about a TVR?

Anyway it would be interesting to know what you do get!

[leef44]

Mr Tidy said:

You mention you have had a BMW E86 (Z4 Coupe) but your budget could get you the M version.

I swapped my 3.0Si Coupe for an MC just over a year ago and love it - it feels like a totally different car! Although maintenance costs aren't cheap with the M tax factored in.

The E89 35is is more of a GT than a sports car and they do seem to have some engine issues, as well as adaptive suspension issues which aren't a cheap fix.

How about a TVR?

Anyway it would be interesting to know what you do get!

As exciting as a TVR is, I wouldn't want one left to store outside unless it was driven daily.

[FLGirl]

ZX10R NIN said:

I would have said a 370Z Nismo but seeing as you have a 370Z, going in a different direction makes sense the Z35i will give you no more issues than the 240i.

Z35is

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011035...

(Snipped)

Thanks ZX. I am re-tempted by the 35is as it's basically the only car that truly fits the bill in many ways. From some further research a BMW warranty on that or the 240 looks fairly essential.

Mr Tidy said:

You mention you have had a BMW E86 (Z4 Coupe) but your budget could get you the M version.

I swapped my 3.0Si Coupe for an MC just over a year ago and love it - it feels like a totally different car! Although maintenance costs aren't cheap with the M tax factored in.

The E89 35is is more of a GT than a sports car and they do seem to have some engine issues, as well as adaptive suspension issues which aren't a cheap fix.

How about a TVR?

Anyway it would be interesting to know what you do get!

I remember well your Z4C journey! My Z4C, despite some of it's flaws, was the favourite of all my cars so far. I kept it for 4 years and well over 100k miles which is unheard for me as I usually get bored within 2 years.

A TVR is a definite no, beautiful though they are! Same for the Z4M. I am very "over" higher maintenance more highly strung cars. I mostly do a lot of town driving and as above the town is less than ideal for low slung out and out sports cars.
Something that is specialist and means I have to endlessly think about is just a no.
For the next couple of years I just need something fun that I can get in and go without worry (as much as that is possible with any car), and can accept the compromise of a GT.

I just need performance on tap for when I want to have fun but suitable for town pootling too, reasonable reliability, good looking and new enough to have some tech.

Thanks to everyone - the input has been really helpful and it is basically between the Z4 35i or is and a 240i. I'm waiting to hear back on the viewing of the 240 this weekend and am seeing if there is a Z4 near enough to at least test as well.