What classic next?

[PomBstard]

I know we had a thread similar to this recently, but I’m a bit stuck as to what to get next. My 928S4 had been written off having been rear-ended. It could possibly be repaired but it would be a long a and costly exercise, more than I got from the insurance company.

My quandary is that I can’t really think of what to get other than another 928, which in itself would be a straightforward thing if it weren’t for the problem of supply. So what else might fill the void?

Needs are fairly simple, and subject to bending to suit some preferences, so might not seem consistent

Manual gearbox - non-negotiable. Just isn’t.
Practical - 2+2 if poss, with decent boot - I could get my
mtb in the back of the 928 - but see below for bending the rules
Coupe rather than saloon or convertible, but, er, as above
Fun - both engine and handling, doesn’t have to be fastest thing on the road, but should definitely be quick and enjoyable to throw around
Some sort of special-ness - but hard to define, and prob a bit wky
To be used in all weathers and all road conditions including heavy urban traffic - not a garage queen, should be capable of near-daily use.
Parts availability should be good - I don’t mind buying from various specialist places via internet but don’t want to have to scour EBay every time something needs replacing.

Budget is equivalent to around GBP40k’ish - could possibly be bent for something appropriate…

On the list so far…
928 S4/GT - 1987-onwards only for me
944T and S2
E34 M5 - would love an E28 but expensive rocking horse poo
E28 M535i - should’ve saved for the M5?
E24 M635CSi - a bit over budget but maybe…
E24 635CSi - might always look at it and wish I’d got the M?
R32 GTR - always look a bit shabby inside, but would be fun - R33/34 way out of budget
AM V8V - a bit new, only 2 seats and hard to find in budget but looking like fun
Lotus Esprit of some sort - also only 2 seats, but look at it!

There’s no want for a 911 of any flavour, or a Mustang. A Corvette only has 2 seats, but so too does a V8V…

I’ve also considered things like Integra Type R and S2000 but can’t quite summon the want…

So, what unicorn have I missed??

[Xcore]

R32 gtr out of that list or the neo-classic e39 m5 maybe a Griffith/cerb being a 2+2

Edited by Xcore on Wednesday 29th December 11:09

Edited by Xcore on Wednesday 29th December 11:10

[Watcher of the skies]

XK8?

[Watcher of the skies]

Ok, manual only. TVR of some sort?

[emperorburger]

Lotus Excel

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1392913

Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1407827

Edited by emperorburger on Wednesday 29th December 11:58

[aeropilot]

TBH, I can't see past another 928 from your list......and requirements... other than finding one as you say

Or the 944T.....

As a fan of homolgation specials, I'd put a UR Quattro and Integrale Evo on the list, but, they both fail on parts availability issues, and the 'grale is not really potential almost daily use nowadays, which is where the Porsche scores.

[DodgyGeezer]

I agree that if you need a 2+2 then a Corvette is definitely out of the picture, however if the 2+2 isn't absolutely necessary there are quite a few people who use their Corvettes to transport their bikes....

or get a snotter whilst scouring the classifieds for a decent 928 (which is likely what I'd do)


BMW 850i/840i

[rossb]

maybe too vanilla - but e92 m3 manual? - S65 engine is a masterpiece - aside from rod bearings/actuators. done well over 100k miles in my manual e90 m3 - if you get one - get the 4.4 diff fitted which gears it down to 170 and it becomes a fun and quick car to drive and probably not a bad place to put your $75k AUD - see there are a few for sale on OZ gumtree. If you thought your 928 engine sounded good - S65 is in a different orbit

[Chunkychucky]

rossb said:

maybe too vanilla - but e92 m3 manual? - S65 engine is a masterpiece - aside from rod bearings/actuators. done well over 100k miles in my manual e90 m3 - if you get one - get the 4.4 diff fitted which gears it down to 170 and it becomes a fun and quick car to drive and probably not a bad place to put your $75k AUD - see there are a few for sale on OZ gumtree. If you thought your 928 engine sounded good - S65 is in a different orbit

$75k? Are they really that more expensive in Aus?

OP - would definitely drive an R32 GTR if you're considering one, drove a friend's standard example and once the novelty had worn off, i'd grow tired of the few party tricks that car has after a short ownership period; that, and it would literally feel like sitting in a bin after owning a later 928. I can still bring my aforementioned friend out in a cold sweat when I mention "Super HICAS" to him

[DanCat]

968?
You could get a club sport for that

[eccles]

Alfa Brera?

[edusa]

I had a 928 S2 my next choice was an E36 325i,then my current car an E46 330ci its about as useful as the 928 is but better on fuel.Maybe an E46 M3 CSL?

[stevemcs]

E46 M3 would fail on both budget and it being an auto.

[edusa]

stevemcs said:

E46 M3 would fail on both budget and it being an auto.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/bmw-m3-e46-6-speed-manual-3.2/1420752867
Hers one half the budget and a manual

[AMGSee55]

Maserati 3200 or one of the 2-door Biturbos?

[AMGSee55]

Or perhaps this Ferrari Mondial QV….?https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1406529

[PomBstard]

Thanks all for the suggestions, some thoughts…

E39 M5 - always seemed like too much car for what I want, and more brutal than the E28/E34. Plus the family jalopy has a 6.2 V8…
TVR - yep, will look at those but supply also a prob over here
Lotus Excel - had considered one before the 928, and haven’t seen one for sale for ages, prefer an Esprit now, though I might not fit, being 6’2”
Corvette - stays on the list, prob need to drive one
XK8 - a bit too ‘golf club’ for me, DB7 the same
968 - yep, on the list
Ur Quattro - have looked for one previously, and worked with someone who was restoring one - he was jealous of the ease with which I could get 928 parts, but one that’s complete would be on the list
M3 - previous to the 928 I was looking at 944S2 and E36M3 and would have been happy with either. Now, I’m not so sure. An E46M3 possibly but there is an awful lot of sh!te being touted for lots of cash. E90 just never appealed, although I get that it should, there’s just something about later BMWs that doesn’t appeal.
840/850 - poss, though manuals are unicorns even compared to 928s
R32 GTR - yep, it’s the interior and the prevalence of loud dump valves that doesn’t appeal
300ZX TT - yep, would look, but same as the GTR, and any Supra TT the interior and Super-Chav appearance might not be what I’m after…

I’m also keeping an eye out for modified stuff too - a 944S2 that’s been treated to forced induction would do v nicely!

[stevemcs]

edusa said:

stevemcs said:

E46 M3 would fail on both budget and it being an auto.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/bmw-m3-e46-6-speed-manual-3.2/1420752867
Hers one half the budget and a manual

In fairness you said CSL

[Tyre Smoke]

Monaro to keep you going?

Bound to be a metric st tonne of them over there.

[aeropilot]

What about shipping one from the UK?

Are there restrictions to doing so?

If not, there's this manual 928GT currently for sale in UK, which is within budget including £1.5k shipping costs...?

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1341274