£6k sporty weekend/second car

[jamesbrady50]

Hi all,
Browsing the classifieds for a semi-sporting/weekend second car.
Budget of around £6k and not looking to finance for more.
Left shoulder injury so ideally automatic which I’m aware goes against common convention.
Z3 or Z4 keep coming up, as do CLK (2nd gen). Current bmw owner so considering something a bit more left field but nothing really jumping out to me
Anyone on here with bright ideas?
Thanks in advance! 😄

[Andy665]

Do early GT86s fall this low?

350Z

GTV

Megane RS250 / 265

[Jordie Barretts sock]

MX5

[E63eeeeee...]

You'll get a decent Mk1 TT for that, or maybe a Mk2 V6? Don't know how good the autos are.

[Mr Tidy]

I won a competition to drive a GT86 up the hill at the launch event at Goodwood and got assigned an Auto - it wasn't exactly exciting, and I'm not sure prices for them have dropped that far.

As a serial BMW owner I'd say Z4, but a Boxster could be an option if you feel brave - or a Chrysler Crossfire for something totally leftfield.

[Belle427]

SLK 350 but maybe a bit juicy to run.

[cerb4.5lee]

Belle427 said:

SLK 350 but maybe a bit juicy to run.

I've always liked the idea of those too. The 350Z/Z4 are good choices I reckon as already mentioned.

[twokcc]

This looks a decent auto-nt many auto's on Z4 forum
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=147730

Got rught engine 6cyl and good spec No connection to seller except member z4 forum, grat place to get advise- join and if you see potential purchase they will give plenty good advise.

Ive just bought a 2009 125i convertible 2 owners 80k miles auto again with 6 cylinder engine. Bit more modern and roomy than E85 Z4
This one looks ok
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408132...

If can find one with nav from 2009 it has later CIC system whick is still decent.
Amazed me hw good it rides it is last variation of that model chassis, but apparently based on the 3 series chassis.Very rigid( and heavy) but feels quality almost bomb proof engine and gearbox and dont rust.

[andy43]

Boxster tiptronic?
You’d get a really nice Chrysler Crossfire convertible for 6k but you’d unfortunately end up with a Chrysler Crossfire so that may be a bad idea.

[fflump]

A bit(!) left field but I swallowed a brave pill and ran one of these for a while. They are pretty analogue beasts to maintain.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408062...

[wilbo83]

fflump said:

A bit(!) left field but I swallowed a brave pill and ran one of these for a while. They are pretty analogue beasts to maintain.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408062...

A guy that lives on my road has one of these, the sound every time it drives past is incredible (pretty sure it has an aftermarket exhaust). Hadn't realised they were so cheap, although assume you'd need a reasonable slush fund for the inevitable problems!

[fflump]

wilbo83 said:

A guy that lives on my road has one of these, the sound every time it drives past is incredible (pretty sure it has an aftermarket exhaust). Hadn't realised they were so cheap, although assume you'd need a reasonable slush fund for the inevitable problems!

Cold start is awesome!
If you get one with good history and a decent PPI that rules out big headaches like subframe rot knackered suspension etc and have a decent indy nearby you can keep a lid on costs. Parts have good availability from Eurospares. Knowing when the clutch was last done is also desirable, or what the wear level % is.

They are cheap because of perceptions of big bills but if you're grown up and rational about it they don't have to be scary.

[JZZ30]

If we are going left field.....

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406060...

[jamesbrady50]

Thanks all for the replies-
The Maserati is some brave pill! Sadly not the time to take such a car on, but what a car for the money...!
Think I’m between Z4/Z3 (have driven both, would be happy I’m sure with either), but interesting to look at Gen2 TT/ 350Z online.
Crossfire I like the look of too… (maybe I’m not alone!) but then it’s a 1st gen SLK underneath..? Hard to look past that!

[cerb4.5lee]

JZZ30 said:

If we are going left field.....

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406060...

I know that I shouldn't really like the SC430, but I always have though.

[ZX10R NIN]

jamesbrady50 said:

Hi all,
Browsing the classifieds for a semi-sporting/weekend second car.
Budget of around £6k and not looking to finance for more.
Left shoulder injury so ideally automatic which I’m aware goes against common convention.
Z3 or Z4 keep coming up, as do CLK (2nd gen). Current bmw owner so considering something a bit more left field but nothing really jumping out to me
Anyone on here with bright ideas?
Thanks in advance! ??

Z4 35i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408042...

30si:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408122...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404299...

[Wheel Turned Out]

cerb4.5lee said:

JZZ30 said:

If we are going left field.....

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406060...

I know that I shouldn't really like the SC430, but I always have though.

This dislike for it has always been a bandwagon I've felt. Granted it wasn't Lexus' finest hour, but they can't be *that* bad.

[andy43]

Wheel Turned Out said:

cerb4.5lee said:

JZZ30 said:

If we are going left field.....

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406060...

I know that I shouldn't really like the SC430, but I always have though.

This dislike for it has always been a bandwagon I've felt. Granted it wasn't Lexus' finest hour, but they can't be *that* bad.

I parked next to one at the local Lexus dealer. If you look carefully you can see the vomit on the tarmac where the SC owner exited his car and accidentally looked back at it

Unbreakable and very wafty though.

[jamesbrady50]

Thanks all for replies
Wanted to want an SC430 and be left field but ended up picking up an 07 SLK today. Research of the 280s/350s made me fear balanced shaft / other engine issues, plus the high tax (and cost of post 07 ones) mean we’ve ended up “just” a 200.
150 miles today and it performed well- surprisingly good sound and push in the smaller engine!

[Mr Tidy]

It's always interesting to find out the outcome of these threads.

Somehow I doubt anyone would describe an SC430 as "sporty"!