What car - something fast and different 20k ish

[Zippee]

I know there are usually hundreds of these posts but I'm really stumped as to what to do. Currently I drive a TVR T350t, a car that whilst I enjoy I've never really fallen in love with. As such I'm giving serious consideration to changing but have no idea as to what. Budget would be 20k or thereabouts and I'd like to keep the power, rarity and depreciation proof elements of my current car if possible.
Current thoughts are Maser 4200 but I'm scared of Italian running costs and also would want the Gransport which is out of my budget.
Z4M Coupe - Is it special enough?
Elise - but I regularly transport my 80 year old father and he'd find it virtually impossible to get in/out.
Previous shape M3 - wrong image for me I think
Current shapr Jag XK - struggle to get one in budget.

Not keen on Porsche expect for the turbo which is out of my budget.

Is there anything I'm missing or any comments on my not so sure shortlist?

[mattmoxon]

You'd get a rather good XKR of the previous generation for your budget I recon, though depreciation on this might put this out.

You could always try something left field, or in this case LHD, A 2005-2009 Mustang falls within your budget, you might be lucky and get a supercharged one, very low depreciation, low running costs etc.

Some sort of AMG Mercedes? depreciation might again take this one out of contention.

Other than that other TVR's are the only other cars I can think of.

Edited by mattmoxon on Tuesday 28th September 12:56

[BoRED S2upid]

Zippee said:

Z4M Coupe - Is it special enough?

Yes id say.

I was going to throw the Lotus Europa into the mix as a rarer car than the Elise but probably ruled out for the same reasons.

[LayZ]

VXR8?

E60 M5s are epic value at this money too.

[TOENHEEL]

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2110622.htm -way below budget and very rare..840ci

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2024539.htm -BUY IT!! DEPRECIATION PROOF MOTORING! M3 CSL!

[Snails]

Noble M400?

[TOENHEEL]

Snails said:

Noble M400?

FOR 20K? You wouldnt even get a tidy 3R for 20k!

Edited by TOENHEEL on Tuesday 28th September 13:06

[Snails]

Snails said:

Noble M12?

[Snails]

TOENHEEL said:

Snails said:

Noble M400?

FOR 20K? You wouldnt even get a tidy 3R for 20k!

Edited by TOENHEEL on Tuesday 28th September 13:06

I meant M12, sorry.

[TOENHEEL]

Snails said:

TOENHEEL said:

Snails said:

Noble M400?

FOR 20K? You wouldnt even get a tidy 3R for 20k!

Edited by TOENHEEL on Tuesday 28th September 13:06

I meant M12, sorry.

Be looking at 2.5 GTO's for 20k very hard to find a good one.

[Zippee]

A Europa would be nice as suggested above but my dad would have the same issues as with an Elise. I like the look of the CSL, probably the only depreciation proof modern M3. The more I look the more I like the 4M coupe as well, may have to try and get a couple of test drives sorted to spur me along a little.

Any comments regarding ownership experiences on the Maser? May have to venture into the relevant forum on that one.

[RobM77]

Z4M I'd say The M3 feels like a 330ci to drive; you have to prick your ears up and pay attention to notice the nice M bits on it. Obviously it's quicker in a straight line, but feeling special is more about welly in the back. A Z4M will always feel special, even when tootling through town.

[Eddie the Ead]

If you don't have any feelings towards your T350, how are you ever going to love owning a Z4 or an M3. I think it would have to be something classic but then your choices are seriously limited by budget.

[TOENHEEL]

Take your time when looking at Z4M's i considered one a while ago and every now and then a gem comes up, CSL alloys and better brakes etc. Really are a lot of car for the money considering most haven't done a lot of miles and have the iconic 6 cyl M engine.

[RobM77]

TOENHEEL said:

Take your time when looking at Z4M's i considered one a while ago and every now and then a gem comes up, CSL alloys and better brakes etc. Really are a lot of car for the money considering most haven't done a lot of miles and have the iconic 6 cyl M engine.

I have a mint condition 17k mile Z4C for sale at the moment which is comfortably under budget for the OP. The differences obviously are run flats, electric PAS and less power, but the benefits are that your money gets you a much newer car (mine still has a warranty and even smells new!), and 40mpg+ is easily possible on the motorway, with an average of 30 being easy. Oh, and servicing is much less expensive. If it's the OP's only car though (I have an Elise as well), then I'd be inclined to go for the M version and spend time and a bit more money finding a really good one. They're very practical too - my car's boot is huge for a sports car - much larger than for instance a Cayman or SLK.

[Mr Roper]

Maybe not different enough but you can't deny that's a lot of car and power for naff all.

(potential money pit aside)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1923457.htm

[slomax]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CITROEN-SM-2-6-V6-MANUAL-RES...

Providing you keep it in good nick it will only go up in price....

[Zippee]

Mr Roper said:

Maybe not different enough but you can't deny that's a lot of car and power for naff all.

(potential money pit aside)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1923457.htm

I love these cars but it's really bottom of the market price and I'd be scared stiff of something electronic going wrong. Wasn't that sort of year also when Mercedes were having a few 'build quality' issues as well?

[plasticpig]

AM DB7 V12 Vantage. Don't see many about these days. Not sure about depreciation but I cant see them dropping that much.

[Zippee]

RobM77 said:

TOENHEEL said:

Take your time when looking at Z4M's i considered one a while ago and every now and then a gem comes up, CSL alloys and better brakes etc. Really are a lot of car for the money considering most haven't done a lot of miles and have the iconic 6 cyl M engine.

I have a mint condition 17k mile Z4C for sale at the moment which is comfortably under budget for the OP. The differences obviously are run flats, electric PAS and less power, but the benefits are that your money gets you a much newer car (mine still has a warranty and even smells new!), and 40mpg+ is easily possible on the motorway, with an average of 30 being easy. Oh, and servicing is much less expensive. If it's the OP's only car though (I have an Elise as well), then I'd be inclined to go for the M version and spend time and a bit more money finding a really good one. They're very practical too - my car's boot is huge for a sports car - much larger than for instance a Cayman or SLK.

Thanks for that. I'm not keen on the SLK as I find it a bit girly (wife loves it though) apart from the 55AMG which is out of my budget.

I half thought about the 3l Z4 but would really miss the power of my TVR, especially as it's weekend toy rather than a daily driver. Think I'll have to try and find a dealer who has one in stock (closest at present is in London) in order to have a test drive. I know I can get a Z4M roadster way cheaper but I just far prefer the looks of the coupe.
What the standard warranty on one? Reason I ask is the 2006 models for sale often still state they're under manufacturer warranty - is it 5 years comprehensive?