Live your fantasy through me? Roadster for European Touring

[SockToy]

Had a 2009 Carerra 4S PDK and then went to American and sold it for the wheel being on the wrong side. I loved that car. The needles WHOOPED when I turned the engine over the headlines dipped and rose, and it was practical enough to throw camping gear in the back and bikes on the roof rails. Lots of fun.

Then in the 'States I got a 718 Spyder, stick shift, and it's been great to me - lots of fun to drive but... less of an occasion. A very reliable little roller skate, toured up to Canadia, went through nice bits of Pensylvania, drove it around fast and occasionally found other petrolheads to zoom along with. Beep beep!

And now I have to return to the UK again, so the 718 has been sold. I'll likely have an RS3 as the daily, and I want something comfortable enough I wont /hate/ touring Europe in, and ludicrous enough its a fun event to drive. Definitely cap out at 200K GBP, ideally lower.

Been thinking....
- 488 spider?
- 718 spyder? I know the car and enjoyed it but wouldnt might something with more occasion. And the number of miles will be limited so the PCar reliability isnt technically really needed...
- Lotus Emira?
- Miata? ;p

Thoughts on the above? Thoughts on alternatives I havent considered? I enjoyed the mid-engine NA'ness of the 718, but honestly, the stick wasnt as engaging as I thought because the gears were so long mostly I was just sitting in 3rd or 4th if I wanted some punch or 6th if I was cruising along.

I guess maybe a re-geared 718...

Car doesnt need to worry about resale too much, it's kinda a one and done fun car. I would like enough modern tech that it has decent ABS/Traction control and can at least provide a decent music experience and site a phone screen (ideally projected onto a car screen) somewhere - Touring will mean I often dont know where Im going.

Cheers piston-people

Matt

[ZX10R NIN]

Personally I'd be looking for the best Mclaren 750 S I could find:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505232...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506043...

Or a 720 S Spider, the 750 S is the better car though.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604011...

Huracan Spider:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603190...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602250...

[M11rph]

458 Spider?

Definitely a sense of occasion. NA.

You can get a Carplay module added to update it for £1k.
This is one of the more expensive ones on sale, but the way prices are going it'll probably hold its value.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601309...

488 Spider.

Updated tech. Turbocharged.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602180...

[samoht]

As above, McLaren is the obvious other suggestion; carbon tub so having an open roof doesn't hit rigidity, reasonable luggage space, decently comfortable - my wife and I have done a few cross-Europe fortnight trips in our 570GT. Steering is fab, downside is turbo engine is somewhat 'boosty' and doesn't sound the best, although ok when you're 'on it'.
Another reason to consider them is that McLarens are anomalously cheap in the UK vs anywhere else. You could also consider the Artura (hybrid torque-fill, mechanical LSD), 600LT (top-exit exhausts) or 570S or 650S spiders.

For the N/A engine you could also consider the Huracan's sister car the Audi R8 V10 for a lot less, the Mk1 also comes in manual https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603170...

I'd consider Aston Martins, the latest spec V8TT Vantage is meant to be very good.