Sports car recommendation (30-50k)

[jezprior]

Hi everyone,

My considerably better half is looking to get herself her first sports car. She's driven plenty of performance cars in her time but this will be the first that she'll actually own. This isn't a field I know much about so I thought I'd pop in here for advice. Budget is hard to determine but 30-50 seems to be the area but there may be an opportunity to stretch (possibly based on the amount of time I get to spend driving it) and she'll be happy with a decent used car. She's got strong feelings on the looks of cars - curves are in, straight edges are out. So, Porsche 911 = nice, Lotus Esprit = not. She also doesn't like the hot Subarus and that sort of thing. Aside from that, her main wants are:

1. Decent reliability (it's taking her to work, 50 miles away, probably 2 days a week)
2. Fun to drive (I want her to be smiling when she gets back from work)
3. Moderately comfortable (as above)

She lives in a pretty salubrious area where 911s are ten a penny so something a bit different may get extra brownie points.

I was hoping to build up a shortlist from recommendations here (possibly taking out any I don't like) and then run them past her.

Any help would be much appreciated.

[R11ysf]

Aston Martin V8 vantage
Ferrari 550 / 575
Maserati Gran Tourismo

These would be my first port of call.

[kambites]

Hmm, the 911 is the obvious choice, really.

Off the top of my head, other options would be:

Jaguar XKR
Lotus Evora (it'll probably be reliable, but build quality of minor components is questionable)
Aston V8 Vantage
Covrette Z06 (maybe too angular)

[Plotloss]

V8V or a DB9

[10 Pence Short]

Audi S5?

[MDahmen]

355

[E55 Max]

R11ysf said:

Aston Martin V8 vantage
Ferrari 550 / 575
Maserati Gran Tourismo

These would be my first port of call.

Sub £50k?

[KrazyIvan]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1875216.htm

Its where my money would go

[papabear]

Morgan should do it. Not a straight panel in sight and uber cool.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1852256.htm

[jezprior]

KrazyIvan said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1875216.htm

Its where my money would go

It looks a bit like Darth Vader doesn't it?

Thanks for all the pointers so far - I honestly wasn't expecting so much so soon! Those Ferraris and Astons look like possibilities but do you get decent examples in this sort of range or do you save on the purchase price but pay when it comes to servicing / maintenance?

[Fittster]

I don't think there is such a thing as a 'bad' sports car in that range, so simply go to the major dealers and see what you like.

[BOR]

NSX ? (Honda)

[Munkeyfeet]

OK

R8

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1874865.htm

If a more sports saloon is an option
RS4

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1823530.htm

XKR?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1643267.htm

Evora?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1742226.htm

SLK55?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1805637.htm

Aero 8?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1852256.htm

Sagaris

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1815914.htm

[300bhp/ton]

jezprior said:

Hi everyone,

My considerably better half is looking to get herself her first sports car. She's driven plenty of performance cars in her time but this will be the first that she'll actually own. This isn't a field I know much about so I thought I'd pop in here for advice. Budget is hard to determine but 30-50 seems to be the area but there may be an opportunity to stretch (possibly based on the amount of time I get to spend driving it) and she'll be happy with a decent used car. She's got strong feelings on the looks of cars - curves are in, straight edges are out. So, Porsche 911 = nice, Lotus Esprit = not. She also doesn't like the hot Subarus and that sort of thing. Aside from that, her main wants are:

1. Decent reliability (it's taking her to work, 50 miles away, probably 2 days a week)
2. Fun to drive (I want her to be smiling when she gets back from work)
3. Moderately comfortable (as above)

She lives in a pretty salubrious area where 911s are ten a penny so something a bit different may get extra brownie points.

I was hoping to build up a shortlist from recommendations here (possibly taking out any I don't like) and then run them past her.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Surely one of these has to be a prime candidate??



If they feel a bit more game maybe a bit of American sports car??


Or even into modern muscle as they add a good combination or exclusivity, performance, practicality and reliability.





Similar size, weight and idealism as the pony cars above, but the Jag XKR is a good comfy large sports GT car.


If you want more sports and less GT, then how about one of these beauties:

[Gad-Westy]

I think the Corvette C6 is a pretty good shout actually. It's going to be bomb proof, relatively comfortable, rare, practical, good mpg, cheap to maintain and rocket ship fast. Only issues are LHD only, and a rather dull interior.

Did I just agree with 300? Off to lie down.

Edited by Gad-Westy on Tuesday 20th July 10:58

[Somnophore]

Surprised someone hasn't said MX-5 turbo/sc and save yourself a few quid

[Somnophore]

My suggestion is going to be a Z4M preferably the coupe as they look good and you said she likes curves

[hornetrider]

Gad-Westy said:

Did I just agree with 300? Off to lie down.

[Steameh]

papabear said:

Morgan should do it. Not a straight panel in sight and uber cool.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1852256.htm

Gosh, I love Morgans

[pilchardthecat]

jezprior said:

sports car

10 Pence Short said:

Audi S5?

Eh?