Weekend car ideas
Discussion
Hi everyone, just looking for a bit of inspiration I don’t really know what to do. I might not even buy another weekend car. The state of the roads, speed cameras driving 20k boring miles for work a year all put me off.
But as most of us here I love cars, always on here YouTube etc.
I sold my Exige 410 anniversary last week. It was a hard decision but I’d had it nearly four years. Was my dream car and the only car I have ever bought new. Won’t be able get one new again so that was quite conflicting. Sold it for a few reasons, honestly it was probably too much money for me. Used to worry about using it and parking it incase it got damaged. It was absolutely perfect condition.
Also it was too fast as a road car really. I know it only goes as fast as you make it. But it was addictive listening to the V6 screaming behind you. As a road car I honestly think my old Elise 111R was better as you could have more fun. Or more legal fun shall we say….
My criteria is fun, two seats (don’t need practical, however I have thought should I go a little bit more practical so I actually use it more?)
I like something rare/ special/ different.
Tough one but very low depreciation. I’m a serial car changer and I think one of the things I do like is trying different cars. So I might get a car now, keep it 12 months and then try something different again next year. After losing £20k odd on Exige I’d like to keep this to a minimum though!
Good steering feel. I have had an EP3 Civic type R back in the day and hated it because of the electric power steering. Same with my 981 Cayman GT4 I couldn’t get on with the electric power steering. It was a brilliant car but I found it to clinical, dull and boring.
I love Lotus but I have had a VX220T, 111R and Exige now so I want something different as they all feel very similar when you are sat in them.
Budget would be £40kish but I’d be happier £30kish really. So ideas I have come up with if anyone can help.
Porsche Cayman R
Rare, hydraulic steering so I might like it more than gt4, pretty practical so I could actually use it. Top end of budget feel I might find it a bit boring.
Mazda MX5 ND
Never had a MX5 and people rave about them. If I had one of these I’d only want to spend about £15k max on one. Don’t know if I’d find one a bit soft as a weekend car. If I didn’t do the miles for work I’d daily one.
Atom
Just about the driving. Not practical at all so don’t know how much use I’d get from one. Maybe more fun on the track than the road and I don’t do trackdays.
Caterham 7
Again just about driving but practical compared to an atom, it’s got doors!
I originally wanted a 420R and nearly bought one before my GT4. But thinking about it now. I aren’t after so much flat out speed. Maybe a 310R could be the sweet spot for me? I know it’s not practical though but it might make me get up early for a blat around at the weekends.
Megane Trophy R 265
Spotted one of these for sale, always loved hot hatches and Renaultsport. Again despite it only having two seats and scaffolding in the back it’s quite useable. Heads saying it’s only a fwd Renault…. But all the reports say it’s a hot hatches gt3. Would worry about selling something like this on (and the atom) with how niche they are. Can’t be that many loonatics who want one!
Cars I have pretty much dismissed.
997 GT3 should have had one of these instead of the GT4 big money now and I don’t want to spend it. Same with a McLaren 570s.
Sorry for the rambling and long post. Just mulling it all over myself!
But as most of us here I love cars, always on here YouTube etc.
I sold my Exige 410 anniversary last week. It was a hard decision but I’d had it nearly four years. Was my dream car and the only car I have ever bought new. Won’t be able get one new again so that was quite conflicting. Sold it for a few reasons, honestly it was probably too much money for me. Used to worry about using it and parking it incase it got damaged. It was absolutely perfect condition.
Also it was too fast as a road car really. I know it only goes as fast as you make it. But it was addictive listening to the V6 screaming behind you. As a road car I honestly think my old Elise 111R was better as you could have more fun. Or more legal fun shall we say….
My criteria is fun, two seats (don’t need practical, however I have thought should I go a little bit more practical so I actually use it more?)
I like something rare/ special/ different.
Tough one but very low depreciation. I’m a serial car changer and I think one of the things I do like is trying different cars. So I might get a car now, keep it 12 months and then try something different again next year. After losing £20k odd on Exige I’d like to keep this to a minimum though!
Good steering feel. I have had an EP3 Civic type R back in the day and hated it because of the electric power steering. Same with my 981 Cayman GT4 I couldn’t get on with the electric power steering. It was a brilliant car but I found it to clinical, dull and boring.
I love Lotus but I have had a VX220T, 111R and Exige now so I want something different as they all feel very similar when you are sat in them.
Budget would be £40kish but I’d be happier £30kish really. So ideas I have come up with if anyone can help.
Porsche Cayman R
Rare, hydraulic steering so I might like it more than gt4, pretty practical so I could actually use it. Top end of budget feel I might find it a bit boring.
Mazda MX5 ND
Never had a MX5 and people rave about them. If I had one of these I’d only want to spend about £15k max on one. Don’t know if I’d find one a bit soft as a weekend car. If I didn’t do the miles for work I’d daily one.
Atom
Just about the driving. Not practical at all so don’t know how much use I’d get from one. Maybe more fun on the track than the road and I don’t do trackdays.
Caterham 7
Again just about driving but practical compared to an atom, it’s got doors!
I originally wanted a 420R and nearly bought one before my GT4. But thinking about it now. I aren’t after so much flat out speed. Maybe a 310R could be the sweet spot for me? I know it’s not practical though but it might make me get up early for a blat around at the weekends.Megane Trophy R 265
Spotted one of these for sale, always loved hot hatches and Renaultsport. Again despite it only having two seats and scaffolding in the back it’s quite useable. Heads saying it’s only a fwd Renault…. But all the reports say it’s a hot hatches gt3. Would worry about selling something like this on (and the atom) with how niche they are. Can’t be that many loonatics who want one!
Cars I have pretty much dismissed.
997 GT3 should have had one of these instead of the GT4 big money now and I don’t want to spend it. Same with a McLaren 570s.
Sorry for the rambling and long post. Just mulling it all over myself!
If you're thinking mx5 I would go for the ND2 with the 2.0 184bhp engine. Might be a little more than your 15k limit but not much.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025021491...
I have the RF. They are great little cars and a lot of fun. For what you want it might not be special enough and I certainly wouldn't put it in the same league as Porsche or Lotus.
Hot hatches are great if you wanted a bit more practicality and usability. GR Yaris maybe?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025021491...
I have the RF. They are great little cars and a lot of fun. For what you want it might not be special enough and I certainly wouldn't put it in the same league as Porsche or Lotus.
Hot hatches are great if you wanted a bit more practicality and usability. GR Yaris maybe?
Alpine A110 - not once in 18 months have I ever found mine to be boring
Cayman R is a good shout but vast majority of people will just see a Cayman - thats if you are bothered what other people see / think
Most RenaultSport cars are pretty much guaranteed to be a lot of fun and are unfairly overlooked - no idea whether a Megane 4 Trophy would be in budget but they look great and drive very well, as do the earlier RS265 / 275 cars
Cayman R is a good shout but vast majority of people will just see a Cayman - thats if you are bothered what other people see / think
Most RenaultSport cars are pretty much guaranteed to be a lot of fun and are unfairly overlooked - no idea whether a Megane 4 Trophy would be in budget but they look great and drive very well, as do the earlier RS265 / 275 cars
Edited by Andy665 on Wednesday 5th March 09:09
As above the best Alpine you can buy would be my suggestion:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501107...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503019...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501107...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503019...
RS Meganes are good, but I wouldn't bother as a weekend car. Same for any hot hatch or super saloon. The beauty of them is that they are versatile, and can be used for everything.
The Trophy R is a 275 BTW. I ran a 275 Nav for 7yrs as a do it all. Had most of the parts to make it a Trophy R with back seats. Only got rid as I bought an Elise.
The Trophy R is a 275 BTW. I ran a 275 Nav for 7yrs as a do it all. Had most of the parts to make it a Trophy R with back seats. Only got rid as I bought an Elise.
Audi R8 V8 manual? Wonderful dry-sumped high-revving engine, gated manual box, glass engine cover, whats not to like as they say.
£40k buys a nice one:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17018809
Hard to see them depreciating from here.
£40k buys a nice one:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17018809
Hard to see them depreciating from here.
The E85/86 Z4M gets overlooked as the handling out of the box was iffy, but coilovers and geo gives you a fine-driving low-slung two-seater with lots of occasion, rarity and the mighty S54 engine. You can get a decent one for a lot less than £30k.
I was going to mention the Megane R26.R, but I found the EPAS on it quite artificial.
Older Type-Rs - DC2, DC5, FD2, EK9 - are special things.
I was going to mention the Megane R26.R, but I found the EPAS on it quite artificial.
Older Type-Rs - DC2, DC5, FD2, EK9 - are special things.
Thanks for the reply’s everyone. I don’t know how to quote individual people sorry. But I am going to try and reply to everyone as best as I can.
I love Nobles but the maintenance costs scare me and I’m not sure how reliable they are with them knocking on now.
MX5 yes sorry I didn’t realise it was a ND2 I was after. I think I read it was 2019 the 184bhp version came out. I like the car you posted. But I agree I’m not sure if it would be special enough as a weekend only car. Softop vs RF is another discussion as I can’t decide what I would prefer. The Yaris GR looks great but not sure for a weekend car. Have read the steering feel isn’t very good.
Alpine A1110 I forgot to mention these. I like the look of them, rare, lightweight and supposed to handle well. I have read/ watched videos on YouTube and people say they lack steering feel but I know most owners rate them. I’d prefer a manual as well I think.
Im not bothered what other people think, I used to drive a bright orange car with a daft wing
Evora I’m not sure. It’s Lotus so I’d imagine I’d like it but I feel they are a little big for me.
Alfa 4c very pretty car, I like the sound of the carbon tub but again paddles so I’m not sure.
I love the look of an original V8 R8. Gated manual and I just think they just look classy. Have aged very well. Fear I might find one slightly dull and boring to drive. Could chuck some big bills but I agree I can’t see them depreciating much more.
I like the look of a Z4M Coupe but being honest I couldn’t buy a car and then try and make it how it should have been. I get lots of people do it and enjoy it. It just isn’t for me. I have looked at a few DC5’s actually, I regret buying my civic type r years ago should have got a DC5. But the age puts me off a bit but I agree integras and ek9’s are special cars.
The more I think about it I think it has got to be a Caterham. Just so many versions and price points it’s hard to know what do for the best. Oakmere are my closest Caterham dealer but I had a bad experience with them so I would need to go somewhere else.
Thanks everyone
I love Nobles but the maintenance costs scare me and I’m not sure how reliable they are with them knocking on now.
MX5 yes sorry I didn’t realise it was a ND2 I was after. I think I read it was 2019 the 184bhp version came out. I like the car you posted. But I agree I’m not sure if it would be special enough as a weekend only car. Softop vs RF is another discussion as I can’t decide what I would prefer. The Yaris GR looks great but not sure for a weekend car. Have read the steering feel isn’t very good.
Alpine A1110 I forgot to mention these. I like the look of them, rare, lightweight and supposed to handle well. I have read/ watched videos on YouTube and people say they lack steering feel but I know most owners rate them. I’d prefer a manual as well I think.
Im not bothered what other people think, I used to drive a bright orange car with a daft wing
Evora I’m not sure. It’s Lotus so I’d imagine I’d like it but I feel they are a little big for me.
Alfa 4c very pretty car, I like the sound of the carbon tub but again paddles so I’m not sure.
I love the look of an original V8 R8. Gated manual and I just think they just look classy. Have aged very well. Fear I might find one slightly dull and boring to drive. Could chuck some big bills but I agree I can’t see them depreciating much more.
I like the look of a Z4M Coupe but being honest I couldn’t buy a car and then try and make it how it should have been. I get lots of people do it and enjoy it. It just isn’t for me. I have looked at a few DC5’s actually, I regret buying my civic type r years ago should have got a DC5. But the age puts me off a bit but I agree integras and ek9’s are special cars.
The more I think about it I think it has got to be a Caterham. Just so many versions and price points it’s hard to know what do for the best. Oakmere are my closest Caterham dealer but I had a bad experience with them so I would need to go somewhere else.
Thanks everyone
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff