£15k weekend car
Discussion
Another ‘what car?’ thread unfortunately!
I’m suffering from some analysis paralysis regarding what to buy next. I’m looking for a weekend car that’ll be used during the warmer months for days out with my other half, going to the occasional car show or the odd day commuting when I fancy it. We have other cars so don’t need anything practical.
Ideally looking for;
Two seater
Manual
Rear drive
Convertible preferred as I’ve never had one before, but not essential
Somewhat dependable and robust - I can do most jobs this side of an engine rebuild but I’ve got better things to do every weekend than being under a car. I’ve also done the rusty Japanese car thing before and didn’t enjoy it, so cars that are known to be susceptible to rust are a no-go.
I’ve considered;
987 Cayman / Boxster: An obvious choice but a little worried how good the cars are in my budget. Ideally I’d get a .2 2.9 but it’d be more likely a 3.2 or 2.7. What’s the 5 speed like on a longer run? Noisy?
ND MX5: I think I’d really enjoy one of these and there are plenty in budget so I could be picky. Love how simple the roof mechanism is. Slight worry is it’s not as capable as the rest and I’d find the 2.0 lacking. New enough to avoid any serious rust.
Z4 coupe: Think these are a great looking car, especially with the CSL style wheels. Quite an old car now though and the interiors of cars advertised don’t appear to be wearing their age well.
S2 Elise: Struggle to get a good one in budget.
370Z: Previously had one. Enjoyed it but wouldn’t go back.
Is there anything I’ve missed? Annoyingly £15k seems to be a bit of a dead spot, a budget of £20 - £25k brings much nicer cars in question with 981s, Z4Ms and F types.
Any wildcards appreciated
I’m suffering from some analysis paralysis regarding what to buy next. I’m looking for a weekend car that’ll be used during the warmer months for days out with my other half, going to the occasional car show or the odd day commuting when I fancy it. We have other cars so don’t need anything practical.
Ideally looking for;
Two seater
Manual
Rear drive
Convertible preferred as I’ve never had one before, but not essential
Somewhat dependable and robust - I can do most jobs this side of an engine rebuild but I’ve got better things to do every weekend than being under a car. I’ve also done the rusty Japanese car thing before and didn’t enjoy it, so cars that are known to be susceptible to rust are a no-go.
I’ve considered;
987 Cayman / Boxster: An obvious choice but a little worried how good the cars are in my budget. Ideally I’d get a .2 2.9 but it’d be more likely a 3.2 or 2.7. What’s the 5 speed like on a longer run? Noisy?
ND MX5: I think I’d really enjoy one of these and there are plenty in budget so I could be picky. Love how simple the roof mechanism is. Slight worry is it’s not as capable as the rest and I’d find the 2.0 lacking. New enough to avoid any serious rust.
Z4 coupe: Think these are a great looking car, especially with the CSL style wheels. Quite an old car now though and the interiors of cars advertised don’t appear to be wearing their age well.
S2 Elise: Struggle to get a good one in budget.
370Z: Previously had one. Enjoyed it but wouldn’t go back.
Is there anything I’ve missed? Annoyingly £15k seems to be a bit of a dead spot, a budget of £20 - £25k brings much nicer cars in question with 981s, Z4Ms and F types.
Any wildcards appreciated
I can recommend an S2000 having bought one recently but you have to be very careful buying them as they can look immaculate on top but resemble the Titanic underneath.
Prices are also all over the place, £15k should buy you a very nice car but there are a few areas that need to be checked such as suspension geometry bolts as these can turn into a job costing a lot of money as I am now finding out.
They lack a bit of mid range performance and are a car that likes to be thrashed to get anything out of them so bear that in mind, they will not suit everyone.
A nice NC MX5 is probably where I would put my money, very reasonably priced and easier and cheaper to maintain than the above but they hide rust very well.
The Boxster is obviously another contender, I would not worry too much about engine size and buy the best condition/looked after car you can and enjoy it.
Prices are also all over the place, £15k should buy you a very nice car but there are a few areas that need to be checked such as suspension geometry bolts as these can turn into a job costing a lot of money as I am now finding out.
They lack a bit of mid range performance and are a car that likes to be thrashed to get anything out of them so bear that in mind, they will not suit everyone.
A nice NC MX5 is probably where I would put my money, very reasonably priced and easier and cheaper to maintain than the above but they hide rust very well.
The Boxster is obviously another contender, I would not worry too much about engine size and buy the best condition/looked after car you can and enjoy it.
Porsche of any type could be ruinous, although I’d fancy a 944/968 convertible - they’re still cheap for what they are but could be a bit floppy.
Chimaera would tick every box if you can find a good one.
Maserati spyder but I think they’d all be flappy paddles at 15k. See ruinous above.
Loads of TT convertibles out there but not rwd.
I’d be tempted by a Z3M - they look ace, M power straight six and questionable handling - what more do you need
Chimaera would tick every box if you can find a good one.
Maserati spyder but I think they’d all be flappy paddles at 15k. See ruinous above.
Loads of TT convertibles out there but not rwd.
I’d be tempted by a Z3M - they look ace, M power straight six and questionable handling - what more do you need
popegregory said:
Also, why do people continually apologise for starting a what car thread? It s the absolute best use I can see of a forum full of car nerds!
They should apologise. Profusely. I’m currently staring at an ad for a TT convertible I don’t need. It’s not much more than the Mini we just bought. Maybe I should just quickly look at the insurance, arggghhhh. It’s realllly nice
Vx220 , obviously very similar to the lotus but without the badge tax , 15k might get you into a turbo , if power is important , saying that plenty of supercharged cars out there also . Even the newest cars are getting on 20 years old now so I guess that may be a problem to some people,
Z3M or an earlier Elise both feel pretty special and you don’t see many of them around.
My wild card comes in the form of this seemingly well looked after and very usable 968 cab https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1941124
My wild card comes in the form of this seemingly well looked after and very usable 968 cab https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1941124
BenB91 said:
Bmw Z4M
This. Even the 3.0 if you want to spend less, but these cars will be future classics for sure. The SLK 55 is a great car too, especially the R171.Porsches are great cars but hard work, unreliable, expensive to run. The mid engine cars are too capable. Boring. If you buy one and rely on a shop to look after it for, they’ll bankrupt you.
MX5’s are a bit meh. S2000 - 2004 on is the one to have of the 2 and will appreciate over time. 2006 on with traction control even better.
I’ve had all bar the 370z - didn’t like it - nor the Z4.
Your list looks pretty good, although compared to the others a standard MX5 might feel a bit tame.
I like the S2000 and VX220 suggestions too.
You say you fancy a convertible so a Z4M would be in budget. https://z4-forum.com/threads/imola-z4m-roadster.15...
Although a Z4M Coupe would either be over budget, or pretty leggy.
I like the S2000 and VX220 suggestions too.
You say you fancy a convertible so a Z4M would be in budget. https://z4-forum.com/threads/imola-z4m-roadster.15...
Although a Z4M Coupe would either be over budget, or pretty leggy.
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