40k on a car. What to buy ?

[Bingobobster]

As maybe a last chance of 5 yrs of fun on the road, and without looking like a sad bd, I am going to spend savings on my upcoming 50th to get myself some new wheels. I have about 35-40k , I like the look of a used Mustamg GT Bullitt and a few others.

Any recommendations what you would buy, and why ?

Thanks in advance

[The spinner of plates]

I’d go for a Porsche Cayman S 3.4 manual.

[Neil1323bolts]

Lotus Elise for me . 40k should see you into a very nice example

[samoht]

Tricky to answer without a bit more detail of what sort of thing you find 'fun', and your needs.

1) How 'extreme' do you want? Something like a Caterham or an Elise/VX220 will be very raw and intense fun for a short blast, but perhaps less enjoyable on a longer or colder journey.
2) Do you have a preference of front, mid or rear engine?
3) Do you need any practicality - rear seats for children/adults, luggage?

With the Stang I understand there's a 'handling pack' with adaptive dampers that makes a big difference to the handling.
Other cars of a similar genre would be the E90 M3, W204 or W205 C63, and Audi RS5, all with V8s and in that sort of price range.


Also, the Car Buying forum is generally the home for these sort of threads.

[rickygolf83]

With that sort of cash the possibilities are endless

[swisstoni]

Something with a full tank.

[T1547]

The spinner of plates said:

I’d go for a Porsche Cayman S 3.4 manual.

This (and I did).

My other contenders @ 40k would be Lotus shaped, or maybe a classic something.

All the above very different from a Mustang though so might not be your thing.

[MarJay]

I had this problem. I bought a 997.2 Carrera 4S.

[MattsCar]

If you can scrape an extra £5k a Porsche Boxster 918 Spyder is essentially depreciation proof, a great drive and a very special car by all accounts.

[200Plus Club]

R8 with exhaust kit.

[samoht]

MattsCar said:

If you can scrape an extra £5k a Porsche Boxster 918 Spyder is essentially depreciation proof, a great drive and a very special car by all accounts.

918 Spyder is from £1m
981 Spyder is from £65k

[Scabutz]

swisstoni said:

Something with a full tank.

Steady on, his budget is only 40k

[Rob 131 Sport]

A Sports Saloon or Coupe up to 12 months old with a 3 Litre Diesel Engine from Audi, BMW or Jaguar. Go for the S Line, M Sport or ‘S’ Trim Level and it will still look great in 10 years time.

[Bingobobster]

Rob 131 Sport said:

A Sports Saloon or Coupe up to 12 months old with a 3 Litre Diesel Engine from Audi, BMW or Jaguar. Go for the S Line, M Sport or ‘S’ Trim Level and it will still look great in 10 years time.

Thanks all. I've had a look at all suggestions, and although the Mustang would be for my heart only, if I were to think more practically, and the family, the M Sport 5 Series seems to also be an option. Any reason why I shouldn't opt for the petrol version ?

[classicfred]

Not sure what type of car you're after so a few wild suggestions

Bit over budget but always fancied one of these - different from the crowd ;
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12098703

Again a bit expensive but.........
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107145...

Escort ?
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11777577

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12272150

Clio V6
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12150326

Aston
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11407218

Z-Cars Mini
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185051767798?_trkparms=...

Noble
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1382400

Lotus Cortina
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1356047

Exige
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12319400

Evora
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12293589

648BHP BMW
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1387047

Ferrari
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1370400

RAM Cobra
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1257355

Lotus Elan JPS
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1282104

A car I've never heard of !
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1311259

Dodge Challenger
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1351017

E-Type !
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1319062

911 cabrio
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1386898

VXR 8
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12124565

Ginetta
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12154538

Supra
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11925546

Ferrari
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11043800

Or you could always spend it on a tax disc !!

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/27000/lot/68/

Edited by classicfred on Friday 1st October 03:36

[Rob 131 Sport]

Bingobobster said:

Rob 131 Sport said:

A Sports Saloon or Coupe up to 12 months old with a 3 Litre Diesel Engine from Audi, BMW or Jaguar. Go for the S Line, M Sport or ‘S’ Trim Level and it will still look great in 10 years time.

Thanks all. I've had a look at all suggestions, and although the Mustang would be for my heart only, if I were to think more practically, and the family, the M Sport 5 Series seems to also be an option. Any reason why I shouldn't opt for the petrol version ?

I would test drive both the Petrol and Diesel and see which you prefer. I had an ex-demo 2006 520d that was replaced by a new Company 525i in 2008. Whilst the 525i had more luxury options and was notably faster I preferred (on the motorway) the more relaxed drive of the diesel.

[The spinner of plates]

Bingobobster said:

Rob 131 Sport said:

A Sports Saloon or Coupe up to 12 months old with a 3 Litre Diesel Engine from Audi, BMW or Jaguar. Go for the S Line, M Sport or ‘S’ Trim Level and it will still look great in 10 years time.

Thanks all. I've had a look at all suggestions, and although the Mustang would be for my heart only, if I were to think more practically, and the family, the M Sport 5 Series seems to also be an option. Any reason why I shouldn't opt for the petrol version ?

Ah ok, if this is the sort of thing you’re looking for then get some test drives booked in and see what you prefer.

[rsbmw]

Spending your savings on a diesel repmobile doesn't seem like a great way to achieve "a bit of fun on the road for 5 years", it will bore you to death within minutes.

[doogle83]

Bingobobster said:

Thanks all. I've had a look at all suggestions, and although the Mustang would be for my heart only, if I were to think more practically, and the family, the M Sport 5 Series seems to also be an option. Any reason why I shouldn't opt for the petrol version ?

If you're looking at Saloons then I'd be trying to stretch to to an Alfa:

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12170893

[Dolf Stoppard]

Everything the OP said in the first post seemed to suggest something (anything) other than a diesel five series and yet that seems to be an option! OP I think you might need to clarify what you're after. Doors, seats, practicality, how many miles it will do etc

The recommendations you get will hopefully then be as appropriate as possible.