Next car advice - £40k to replace a Fiesta ST

[revilo87]

Just managed to somehow bag a double promotion and a decent pay rise as a result, my initial plan was to keep my Fiesta ST Edition till I was 40 and then buy something special, but I’m considering an acceleration to that timeline!

All my life I’ve wanted to buy a Porsche, but the last few cars I’ve owned haven’t been particularly comfortable to drive (RX8 and Fiesta ST) - albeit great fun for different reasons…

I’m not sure a Cayman will be a more comfortable place to be than either of those even though it’d likely be a better drivers car

At the moment I can’t see past a Giulia Quadrifoglio, but I’m not sure it’s going to be vastly more comfortable than what I’ve driven before - I’ve also looked at the S7, TTRS - again largely different

Its probably time I went for something with four doors, although I have no need for back seats and a coupe would be fine

I’d like something relatively new, say 2020 onwards - I do less than 10k miles a year, and electric isn’t currently an option

Any suggestions?

[Deep Thought]

BMW M2.

If it must be 2020 onwards, then thats M2 Competition territory.

A little over £40K should get you a BMW Approved Used car with an extendable warranty and both packs.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304286...

(though i'd be looking for one in Hockenheim Silver, personally).

[ZX10R NIN]

An E53 coupe is a very nice option not as driver focused as an M2/3/Cayman but it will get you a car than can be enjoyed when getting a wriggle on but something that's also a relaxed place to be when your not:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304226...

Or if you're not interested in the hybrid then the E450 in AMG Line Premium Plus spec is a good shout:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305107...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212012...


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303085...

[revilo87]

ZX10R NIN said:

An E53 coupe is a very nice option not as driver focused as an M2/3/Cayman but it will get you a car than can be enjoyed when getting a wriggle on but something that's also a relaxed place to be when your not:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304226...

Or if you're not interested in the hybrid then the E450 in AMG Line Premium Plus spec is a good shout:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305107...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212012...


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303085...

Not something that I'd even considered (honestly, and this is likely embarassing! I find the Merc naming conventions difficult to understand)

They look fantastic, and I think very close to what I'm after - like you say, relaxed is probably a good word to use.

The M2 looks fantastic, and surprised they are in budget - should probably consider a test drive on one too

Still keen if anyone has any other ideas for stuff I might have missed!

[ZX10R NIN]

Here's another you may not have considered but they've depreciated a fair amount so imo are better value than the 4 series at the moment, it's the 840i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305207...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305177...

[Deep Thought]

revilo87 said:

The M2 looks fantastic, and surprised they are in budget - should probably consider a test drive on one too

Still keen if anyone has any other ideas for stuff I might have missed!

I would absolutely do that. I've a 2018 that i bought last December and totally love it!

Very much a drivers car, but has a bit more practicality than the Cayman, and you'll get a much younger M2 for your money.

Whilst the E class and the 8 series are great cars, they're big cruisers moreso than drivers cars.

[Belle427]

If you have always fancied the Porsche then go for it, £40k should get you into something very nice.
Just be well aware of the costs involved in owning one and if its an older model the potential engine issues.
The M2 is a fantastic looking car though and a great all rounder.

[the-norseman]

I loved my 981 Cayman S, do it.

[Jamescrs]

I recently had both a Porsche Boxster and a BMW M240i, The boxster was an older one, 986 model.

I always wanted a Porsche too and when I first bought the Boxster I loved it but it was very much a second car for me and I would use it for 2-3 days at a time and then go back to my BMW again. I would caveat it by saying i'm 6ft4 so whilst I can drive a Boxster in relative comfort I feel much more comfortable in the 2 series. I recently sold my Boxster and currently only have my 2 series as I decided I wasn't getting enough use out of the Porsche and servicing and maintenance wise they are definitely more expensive than a BMW.

If I was in your position OP i'd test drive both a Cayman and an M2 as I think if you don't at least try the Porsche you will wonder but personally i'd definitely go for an M2

[Brett748]

M2, I test drove one and it was brilliant. Just not brilliant enough for me to add £15k on top of my W204 C63 for but I’ll have one at some point.

[Gad-Westy]

Definitely worth trying a Cayman before you rule it out. I used a 981 Cayman S for a few weeks for everything and thought that it was really pretty good on the comfort front. Ride is firm but very well controlled. Good seats. Lots of space for occupants and luggage. Try a base spec one with the smallest wheels, I think you might be surprised.

[mario64]

Try a Cayman - they're more comfortable than you might think.

I took delivery of my GT4 two weeks ago (!) and the biggest surprise so far is how well it rides. With the dampers in comfort mode it's softer than my GT86 and similar to sport mode in the Maserati Gransport it will replace. It's a much more versatile and usable car than I was expecting. The chassis is just magic and so far I'm loving it.

[revilo87]

Definitely going to at least try a Cayman and the M2

I think I’ll also try the likes of the E450 also just to see if it feels any more refined on the inside and day to day driving

I know heart and head will end up at odds in this process!