Up to £30k on an interesting 2+2
Discussion
Hi all,
I am looking for a used 2+2 (or 4 seater) for occasional B road commutes, weekend day trips, that kind of thing. I have a runaround and family SUV on the drive so need NO practicality beyond having some rear seats for tiny kids, and I don’t need to go fast or take it on the track as I have a dedicated track car I use with some friends for racing. It is replacing a Westfield so I am fairly used to zero practicality!
Criteria
• Must fit two children in car seats in the back (assume it’ll go by the time they are five so leg space can be minimal. They would be in forward facing car seats).
• Must be INTERESTING. This is for going to nerdy car breakfast clubs, drives to C&M, motoring events, a trip with car mates to a country pub etc. A car that has a good owners community and will strike up a conversation etc is what I’m after.
• Must be a ‘sporty’ car; does not need to go fast but I’m not after a 4x4 or a luxury barge (no Continental GTs).
• £30k budget. Tiny amount of stretch. Max £3k a year estimated cost (including depreciation and servicing, though I know this isn’t completely predictable). MPG not critical, it isn’t doing huge miles.
• Ideally something I could work on myself. I am very much in to my home mechanics and have a well equipped garage. To preserve value I would generally retain a service history at a specialist but do ‘out of phase’ stuff e.g. brakes and wear and tear items etc myself.
Options/non options so far
Lotus Evora. I would LOVE one… but my budget limits me; I’d likely be looking at an early NA car with a fair few miles on it. As such I am nervous about looking at the bottom of the pile and future resale; the Emira will surely nudge Evora prices down a touch.
Aston Martin DB9. Looks great. Sounds great. Servicing not bonkers from what I can find? I know I said practicality not important, but this has the benefit of being a very usable car, but possibly too posy.
TVR Cerbera. Certainly an interesting car, and a lot of performance for the money. Concerns are that every advert seems to boast ‘the previous owner has receipts for £8k over the past two years’ which means either there’s some perfectly sorted cars for sale at the moment… or they frequently incur astronomical bills. I assume the latter. Also I have never been mad on the looks… and is it a sensible thing to put the wife and kids in? It’s arguably the thing that is most likely to put us all through a hedgerow backwards, and not exactly gentle on the ears.
911. Both 996 and 997 in scope. Would need to be an S (much prefer the looks) but a 2 or 4 both fine. Might be coincidence but I seem to be surrounded by them here; they are everywhere! They seem nice but is it interesting enough…
Maserati GranTurismo. I think it’s a beautiful car. Sounds great. Buuuuut quite big and wallowy and I’d be concerned it’s going to give me a boot in the flute with a monumental bill at some point.
Something cheaper. Arguably my sights are set too high and I should be spending less money as I’m in the tricky position where the cars I am looking at could rack bills bigger than my pockets.
Toyota GT86/BRZ is OUT. I have had one, I loved it, it fits the bill pretty well, but I just want to try something else.
Any BMW/Mercedes/Audi is OUT. Not interesting enough for me, even an M car. Too many about and I don’t need the practicality. I don’t doubt that they are nice cars though.
American V8s are OUT. No Mustangs, Camaros etc. Not my thing.
I would consider classics etc too, but nothing has grabbed me yet.
The next stage, clearly, is to go and drive some of my options, but I have limited time to drive around the country doing so and so a degree of down selection at this point would be useful.
Have I missed anything? Should I rule any of these out, or add anything more?
I am looking for a used 2+2 (or 4 seater) for occasional B road commutes, weekend day trips, that kind of thing. I have a runaround and family SUV on the drive so need NO practicality beyond having some rear seats for tiny kids, and I don’t need to go fast or take it on the track as I have a dedicated track car I use with some friends for racing. It is replacing a Westfield so I am fairly used to zero practicality!
Criteria
• Must fit two children in car seats in the back (assume it’ll go by the time they are five so leg space can be minimal. They would be in forward facing car seats).
• Must be INTERESTING. This is for going to nerdy car breakfast clubs, drives to C&M, motoring events, a trip with car mates to a country pub etc. A car that has a good owners community and will strike up a conversation etc is what I’m after.
• Must be a ‘sporty’ car; does not need to go fast but I’m not after a 4x4 or a luxury barge (no Continental GTs).
• £30k budget. Tiny amount of stretch. Max £3k a year estimated cost (including depreciation and servicing, though I know this isn’t completely predictable). MPG not critical, it isn’t doing huge miles.
• Ideally something I could work on myself. I am very much in to my home mechanics and have a well equipped garage. To preserve value I would generally retain a service history at a specialist but do ‘out of phase’ stuff e.g. brakes and wear and tear items etc myself.
Options/non options so far
Lotus Evora. I would LOVE one… but my budget limits me; I’d likely be looking at an early NA car with a fair few miles on it. As such I am nervous about looking at the bottom of the pile and future resale; the Emira will surely nudge Evora prices down a touch.
Aston Martin DB9. Looks great. Sounds great. Servicing not bonkers from what I can find? I know I said practicality not important, but this has the benefit of being a very usable car, but possibly too posy.
TVR Cerbera. Certainly an interesting car, and a lot of performance for the money. Concerns are that every advert seems to boast ‘the previous owner has receipts for £8k over the past two years’ which means either there’s some perfectly sorted cars for sale at the moment… or they frequently incur astronomical bills. I assume the latter. Also I have never been mad on the looks… and is it a sensible thing to put the wife and kids in? It’s arguably the thing that is most likely to put us all through a hedgerow backwards, and not exactly gentle on the ears.
911. Both 996 and 997 in scope. Would need to be an S (much prefer the looks) but a 2 or 4 both fine. Might be coincidence but I seem to be surrounded by them here; they are everywhere! They seem nice but is it interesting enough…
Maserati GranTurismo. I think it’s a beautiful car. Sounds great. Buuuuut quite big and wallowy and I’d be concerned it’s going to give me a boot in the flute with a monumental bill at some point.
Something cheaper. Arguably my sights are set too high and I should be spending less money as I’m in the tricky position where the cars I am looking at could rack bills bigger than my pockets.
Toyota GT86/BRZ is OUT. I have had one, I loved it, it fits the bill pretty well, but I just want to try something else.
Any BMW/Mercedes/Audi is OUT. Not interesting enough for me, even an M car. Too many about and I don’t need the practicality. I don’t doubt that they are nice cars though.
American V8s are OUT. No Mustangs, Camaros etc. Not my thing.
I would consider classics etc too, but nothing has grabbed me yet.
The next stage, clearly, is to go and drive some of my options, but I have limited time to drive around the country doing so and so a degree of down selection at this point would be useful.
Have I missed anything? Should I rule any of these out, or add anything more?
Masser!
I had a 996 TT then the GT 4.7.
996 - so so fast, capable, but less of an event. Less space.
GT - quick enough, the sound! My god, it’s biblical and you can turn it off. Loads more space. Handles fine but more wooden, needs good tyres MPS4s. Reliable (but check engine numbers as a certain range have a potential £3k issue). Consumables are VERY expensive so check brakes and suspension.
I am looking for a new 2+2 (Mazzer sold a while back), but it’s making me think of revisiting them given the value they offer.
I had a 996 TT then the GT 4.7.
996 - so so fast, capable, but less of an event. Less space.
GT - quick enough, the sound! My god, it’s biblical and you can turn it off. Loads more space. Handles fine but more wooden, needs good tyres MPS4s. Reliable (but check engine numbers as a certain range have a potential £3k issue). Consumables are VERY expensive so check brakes and suspension.
I am looking for a new 2+2 (Mazzer sold a while back), but it’s making me think of revisiting them given the value they offer.
The Granturismo is a really nice looking car and a special place to be. But the running costs... Plus it would be nice if it was a little lighter. It would probably be a more enjoyable drive. But the engine though...Biblical is probably the right word. AMG and BMW M have nothing like it. Neither does the four rings badged VWs.
Mr E said:
I have the same criteria (although an older and bigger child) and I can’t see past an evora or a 997.
Stories of engine scoring et al on 997’s concern me a little.
Looks like I'm not the only one in this boat. I flick between the 997 and an Evora, but then the 997.1 has engine worries and the 997.2 is a bit more than £30k, but then the Evora looks way better as a 400 IMO so I'd want that version, but that's also more than £30k...rinse and repeat!Stories of engine scoring et al on 997’s concern me a little.
DBCooper said:
Hi all,
I am looking for a used 2+2 (or 4 seater) for occasional B road commutes, weekend day trips, that kind of thing. I have a runaround and family SUV on the drive so need NO practicality beyond having some rear seats for tiny kids, and I don’t need to go fast or take it on the track as I have a dedicated track car I use with some friends for racing. It is replacing a Westfield so I am fairly used to zero practicality!
Criteria
• Must fit two children in car seats in the back (assume it’ll go by the time they are five so leg space can be minimal. They would be in forward facing car seats).
• Must be INTERESTING. This is for going to nerdy car breakfast clubs, drives to C&M, motoring events, a trip with car mates to a country pub etc. A car that has a good owners community and will strike up a conversation etc is what I’m after.
• Must be a ‘sporty’ car; does not need to go fast but I’m not after a 4x4 or a luxury barge (no Continental GTs).
• £30k budget. Tiny amount of stretch. Max £3k a year estimated cost (including depreciation and servicing, though I know this isn’t completely predictable). MPG not critical, it isn’t doing huge miles.
• Ideally something I could work on myself. I am very much in to my home mechanics and have a well equipped garage. To preserve value I would generally retain a service history at a specialist but do ‘out of phase’ stuff e.g. brakes and wear and tear items etc myself.
Options/non options so far
Lotus Evora. I would LOVE one… but my budget limits me; I’d likely be looking at an early NA car with a fair few miles on it. As such I am nervous about looking at the bottom of the pile and future resale; the Emira will surely nudge Evora prices down a touch.
Aston Martin DB9. Looks great. Sounds great. Servicing not bonkers from what I can find? I know I said practicality not important, but this has the benefit of being a very usable car, but possibly too posy.
TVR Cerbera. Certainly an interesting car, and a lot of performance for the money. Concerns are that every advert seems to boast ‘the previous owner has receipts for £8k over the past two years’ which means either there’s some perfectly sorted cars for sale at the moment… or they frequently incur astronomical bills. I assume the latter. Also I have never been mad on the looks… and is it a sensible thing to put the wife and kids in? It’s arguably the thing that is most likely to put us all through a hedgerow backwards, and not exactly gentle on the ears.
911. Both 996 and 997 in scope. Would need to be an S (much prefer the looks) but a 2 or 4 both fine. Might be coincidence but I seem to be surrounded by them here; they are everywhere! They seem nice but is it interesting enough…
Maserati GranTurismo. I think it’s a beautiful car. Sounds great. Buuuuut quite big and wallowy and I’d be concerned it’s going to give me a boot in the flute with a monumental bill at some point.
Something cheaper. Arguably my sights are set too high and I should be spending less money as I’m in the tricky position where the cars I am looking at could rack bills bigger than my pockets.
Toyota GT86/BRZ is OUT. I have had one, I loved it, it fits the bill pretty well, but I just want to try something else.
Any BMW/Mercedes/Audi is OUT. Not interesting enough for me, even an M car. Too many about and I don’t need the practicality. I don’t doubt that they are nice cars though.
American V8s are OUT. No Mustangs, Camaros etc. Not my thing.
I would consider classics etc too, but nothing has grabbed me yet.
The next stage, clearly, is to go and drive some of my options, but I have limited time to drive around the country doing so and so a degree of down selection at this point would be useful.
Have I missed anything? Should I rule any of these out, or add anything more?
Firstly the DB9 is the most impractical 2+2 with no actual space in the rear, it makes a nice noise but the Maserati GranTurismo is a much better option that's just as good a GT & just as special a car. I am looking for a used 2+2 (or 4 seater) for occasional B road commutes, weekend day trips, that kind of thing. I have a runaround and family SUV on the drive so need NO practicality beyond having some rear seats for tiny kids, and I don’t need to go fast or take it on the track as I have a dedicated track car I use with some friends for racing. It is replacing a Westfield so I am fairly used to zero practicality!
Criteria
• Must fit two children in car seats in the back (assume it’ll go by the time they are five so leg space can be minimal. They would be in forward facing car seats).
• Must be INTERESTING. This is for going to nerdy car breakfast clubs, drives to C&M, motoring events, a trip with car mates to a country pub etc. A car that has a good owners community and will strike up a conversation etc is what I’m after.
• Must be a ‘sporty’ car; does not need to go fast but I’m not after a 4x4 or a luxury barge (no Continental GTs).
• £30k budget. Tiny amount of stretch. Max £3k a year estimated cost (including depreciation and servicing, though I know this isn’t completely predictable). MPG not critical, it isn’t doing huge miles.
• Ideally something I could work on myself. I am very much in to my home mechanics and have a well equipped garage. To preserve value I would generally retain a service history at a specialist but do ‘out of phase’ stuff e.g. brakes and wear and tear items etc myself.
Options/non options so far
Lotus Evora. I would LOVE one… but my budget limits me; I’d likely be looking at an early NA car with a fair few miles on it. As such I am nervous about looking at the bottom of the pile and future resale; the Emira will surely nudge Evora prices down a touch.
Aston Martin DB9. Looks great. Sounds great. Servicing not bonkers from what I can find? I know I said practicality not important, but this has the benefit of being a very usable car, but possibly too posy.
TVR Cerbera. Certainly an interesting car, and a lot of performance for the money. Concerns are that every advert seems to boast ‘the previous owner has receipts for £8k over the past two years’ which means either there’s some perfectly sorted cars for sale at the moment… or they frequently incur astronomical bills. I assume the latter. Also I have never been mad on the looks… and is it a sensible thing to put the wife and kids in? It’s arguably the thing that is most likely to put us all through a hedgerow backwards, and not exactly gentle on the ears.
911. Both 996 and 997 in scope. Would need to be an S (much prefer the looks) but a 2 or 4 both fine. Might be coincidence but I seem to be surrounded by them here; they are everywhere! They seem nice but is it interesting enough…
Maserati GranTurismo. I think it’s a beautiful car. Sounds great. Buuuuut quite big and wallowy and I’d be concerned it’s going to give me a boot in the flute with a monumental bill at some point.
Something cheaper. Arguably my sights are set too high and I should be spending less money as I’m in the tricky position where the cars I am looking at could rack bills bigger than my pockets.
Toyota GT86/BRZ is OUT. I have had one, I loved it, it fits the bill pretty well, but I just want to try something else.
Any BMW/Mercedes/Audi is OUT. Not interesting enough for me, even an M car. Too many about and I don’t need the practicality. I don’t doubt that they are nice cars though.
American V8s are OUT. No Mustangs, Camaros etc. Not my thing.
I would consider classics etc too, but nothing has grabbed me yet.
The next stage, clearly, is to go and drive some of my options, but I have limited time to drive around the country doing so and so a degree of down selection at this point would be useful.
Have I missed anything? Should I rule any of these out, or add anything more?
My Sportline was right up as one of my best purchases & the DB9 isn't a car I miss, as for bills if you think the Maserati can generate a bill then don't buy a DB9, saying that my GT was very decent bill wise.
The Evora would be the first choice but they're very thin on the ground at your price point.
From your list the GT is the pick you'll just need to decide between full auto of MC Shift.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112160...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201171...
Trying to be a bit left-field here. Not big money, not that fast, but definitely interesting. What you save on buying, you can spend on getting them really nice
Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 24v
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110309...
Honda Integra Type R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201221...
Lancia Fulvia 1200 V4 - the nice looking one, not the fugly one Harry Metcalfe has
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104141...
Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 24v
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110309...
Honda Integra Type R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201221...
Lancia Fulvia 1200 V4 - the nice looking one, not the fugly one Harry Metcalfe has
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104141...
ITwannabe said:
Sorry to chime in, how safe a place does everyone think one of these Maser GT’s is for £30k cash?
Good chance it’ll still be worth £25k in 3 years?
They're very good cars, like any expensive car they can produce a bill but they're no worse than an Aston/M6/Porsche etc could be, do your checks & get it inspected.Good chance it’ll still be worth £25k in 3 years?
ZX10R NIN said:
ITwannabe said:
Sorry to chime in, how safe a place does everyone think one of these Maser GT’s is for £30k cash?
Good chance it’ll still be worth £25k in 3 years?
They're very good cars, like any expensive car they can produce a bill but they're no worse than an Aston/M6/Porsche etc could be, do your checks & get it inspected.Good chance it’ll still be worth £25k in 3 years?
fflump said:
ZX is the variator issue a big problem or over stated?
The variator issue is something that affects the 4.2's but Maserati has a register of cars that have had the work carried out, even if it had been done by a specialist.4.7's aren't affected neither are the earlier GranSports.
I was told by two reputable specialists that the variator issue does affect the 4.7 but only a certain engine number range.
On the question of what one would be worth in three years, they have done most of their depreciation so I would think you won’t lose your shirt….but who really knows.
On the question of what one would be worth in three years, they have done most of their depreciation so I would think you won’t lose your shirt….but who really knows.
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