Weekend Toy - 10k Budget - Boxster?

[SiberianHills]

Until a couple of months ago, my daily was a 2005 Subaru WRX STI (Japanese import). Then I bought a Model Y Performance for daily duties, planning to sell the Scooby. No regrets at all, it’s a fantastic car.

I still have the Scooby, and I do need to sell it to free up some money. But I don’t think I can run just the Model Y and leave it at that. As great as it is, I want something I can take out on the back roads at the weekend, or on the long sweepers in the Peak District.

For context, the Scooby is a great car and really fast on the back roads, but I don’t love it, and I probably won’t be sad to see it go. I should get a decent price for it, which will leave me with some money left over. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it never gave me the emotion I’d hoped for before I bought it. Maybe it’s the lack of sound (being JDM), or maybe the power, I’m not sure. Either way, it’s not as raw as my old MR2 or even my Z4 3.0si.

So the problem is: what do I get? I’ve looked at everything from V8 estates to old MX-5s, but I keep coming back to a manual Porsche Boxster S, either a 986 or a 987, 3.2 or 3.4.

Then I think back to the Mk2 MR2 NA I had years ago. It wasn’t fast, but it was the most special car I’ve ever owned, absolutely loved it, felt like an event every time I drove that thing. The Mk3 MR2 was the same: not fast, but super raw and agile. I’m really tempted to get one and do the V6 conversion or another popular swap.

Then there’s the MX-5, another car everyone says is fantastic, plus the BBR conversions or V6 swaps.

I guess what I want is something raw that sounds like a proper sports car, either as standard or with a custom exhaust. It needs to be a manual, sit low, be fast, and handle as well as or better than the Scooby on the back roads.

Any ideas?

[paddy1970]

Honda s2000

[hmg]

A properly sorted 3.2s 986.2/987.1 Boxster are great cars but be choosy…for 10k you should be able to find a good 986..probably pushing the budget for a sorted 987 though. Do your homework,join all the 986/987 UK FB pages,put a wanted post up and buy one direct from an enthusiast.

[HiAsAKite]

A TVR Chimaera... ? some of those are edging into 10k territory.

Much older car, but if you can garage it, the sense of occasion...

Else boxter is probably a good shout...

[CG2020UK]

MX5 or MR2 definitely strong contenders.

BMW Z4 as an alternative to the Porsche?!

Any interest in hot hatches?

[Mr Tidy]

Boxster is probably the default option.

I don't think there are many S2000s in budget any more but a 3 litre Z4 would be - if you don't mind some miles you might find an M Roadster.

Or maybe a Nissan 350Z/370Z?

[jules_s]

SiberianHills said:

I guess what I want is something raw that sounds like a proper sports car, either as standard or with a custom exhaust. It needs to be a manual, sit low, be fast, and handle as well as or better than the Scooby on the back roads.

Any ideas?

VX220 NA

[Dog Biscuit]

Yep a Boxster is the answer. Had about 4 over the years....loved em all

[pthelazyjourno]

If you can afford the potential bills a Boxster can throw up, push the budget and buy an Elise.

Rawer, a lot more fun, better handling.



Or find a VX220, as somebody else has mentioned. Not quite so raw, heavier, but still more of a laugh than a Boxster IMO. Occasionally pop up around top end of your budget.