What £15-17k second (interesting) car.

[roca1976]

I have sold a classic 911 and now looking for an interesting car in the £15-17k bracket (firm) to replace it with, lessons learned are that I need something I won’t be too precious about and needs to be available to use and not tucked up in a garage, also needs to be relatively hassle free hence looking for something newer.

Brief:

Will be kept on driveway and secure car park when driven to work.
Mileage approx 3-4k p.a ( I also have another vehicle to use especially in poor weather, etc)
Daily commute is 15miles round-trip and mix of A/B roads and no traffic jams.
Occasional jaunts to Sunday scramble, cars n coffee, etc but never too far afield
Quickest 0-60 time isn’t super important, I will drive briskly when the conditions are right but that isn’t very often.
Needs to be ‘special’ hence why M135i/S4/5 have been considered but eliminated!
My family are not really interested in cars so can be a 2 seater but no convertible please.
I don’t have any other vices so don’t mind spending on a nice toy.
I only tend to keep cars 1-2yrs and will be on to the next fad..

Shortlist so far:

2010 Audi TT RS – prefer the idea of a S-tronic but tempted by a nice looking Suzuka grey manual. I have driven one and doesn’t feel that special however the engine note is very nice and it would probably be easy to own

2010 E63 – The itch needs to be scratched! VED and mpg is horrendous but is cheaper to buy than either of the other 2 so leaves money for petrol!

2010 Cayman Gen 2 2.9 – I have owned a fair few Porsches and enjoy them however I wouldn’t mind trying something different and can always come back to one in the future. Comparatively expensive compared to the other 2.

I have a few autotrader ads saved and looking at when they were listed nothing is shifting (unsurprisingly!) so I plan to make a cheeky offer to try and keep it closer to £15k.

Welcome suggestions of other cars I may have overlooked or owners who can give real world advice

And before anyone tries to offer me financial advice I have a fixed rate mortgage with a LTV less than 15%. I also intend to eat beans and burn firewood in my log burner this winter 😊

[NAAHD]

The TTRS is nice but I doubt it would feel as special as a rwd Porsche. For that money I’d personally be looking at Caymans, Elise/vx220 or a Westfield. Depends how much you reckon you’ll be driving it in the rain

[roca1976]

I am very sad and love my VW T4 transporter! I generally jump in it most of the time so unlikely to drive the new car in bad weather. I don't want it filling with rain water either!

[GreatGranny]

How about another classic Porsche?

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1437125

E36 M3 Evo

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1488408

CLK AMG and lots left over for the bills!

https://www.carandclassic.com/make-an-offer/2003-m...

[irfan1712]

E60 M5 - Assuming you have tolerance for potential bills. High milage E39 M5 might fit the bill at the higher end of your budget.

CLS 55 or 63 will also be attainable.


I test drove my first E60 M5 last week and although the SMG was awful, the V10 was a masterpiece once i wound it up. I think i was a bit too critical of the car as its the first saucy 'stop gap' car i've looked at since selling my E63s a few weeks prior which is not even comparable really so i walked away.

Still looking though. I shouldnt but i cant help it!

[roca1976]

I am in a similar predicament, I don't need another car yet (especially if it is a rough winter) however the more I look the more I convince myself I need another toy!

[fflump]

Maserati Gransport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208108...

Jaguar XKR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207077...

Aston Martin DB7
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207318...

TVR Chimaera
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208108...

Bentley Conti GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208309...

[What The Deuces]

I'd want an S1 Elise

[mattman]

Does it have to be that new? Thinking something like a 205GTI could be awesome on a decent B road and much fun

If you want something more modern, the Cayman is a good all round package

[coldel]

Elise or VX220 - yes its a targa, but it is one of the most connected exciting drives you will ever have - that commute down the A/B roads will be epic.

What about an SLK 55? Yes another convertible but its hard top so pretty solid in its build makes a great sound and a V8 would suit your annual mileage vs costs.

The Cayman is an obvious shout, although how 'special' it will feel is a bit up in the air, its so accomplished it might not feel special in certain ways!

Easily afford a 370z if you want a bit of muscle car style driving.

Toyota GT86 if you arent worried about outright pace but want something to chuck about.

What about an E46 M3, absolute classic M car.

[roca1976]

Thanks some great ideas, I would feel bad leaving an older modern classic outside! E46 not the most rust proof car made and my neighbours one rotted before my eyes.

The slk55 is tempting but I don't really like the way it looks especially compared to the E63 brute.

[ninjag]

Supercharged Jaguar XFR 5.0 V8

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207228...

[Brett748]

C/E63 or a supercharged V8 Jag.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say either a C63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207278...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204144...

E63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208319...

But I am bias.

[Canon_Fodder]

Mini GP2

[FourGears]

Monaro or VXR8?

[roca1976]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say either a C63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207278...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204144...

E63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208319...

But I am bias.

That white one is really local and it has a recent clutch pack. Not keen on decals or moody rear lights but easily changed back. The MCT box sounds like it is the entry price alone! Plucking up the courage to go and see it which will inevitably mean I buy it five seconds after a cold start...

[ZX10R NIN]

roca1976 said:

That white one is really local and it has a recent clutch pack. Not keen on decals or moody rear lights but easily changed back. The MCT box sounds like it is the entry price alone! Plucking up the courage to go and see it which will inevitably mean I buy it five seconds after a cold start...

As you say the decals are easily removed same with the rear lights, it would make a great occasional car.

There's another alternative & that's the VXR8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207177...

[roca1976]

I think I prefer the merc over the vauxhall tbh.

I was/am bit of a STI WRX fanboi and even though they can be problematic they are high on theatre.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022090594...

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd take the E63 over both too