I just cannot make my mind up.

[dirty boy]

I am in the market for something, but I don't know what.

I don't want to be hasty either.

My budget is up to £20,000 for the 'perfect car' (maybe more) although, for the moment, I want to spend less, say £10,000, see how I get on, and perhaps upgrade later.

The reason for that being, I don't want to be forking out big maintenance/insurance costs for the next year or so whilst i'm continuing with building work, just keeps my cashflow in check, and if the worst happens, I still have the buffer without affecting my ongoing commitments. I'm also kind of missing the Cerbera already, and if I were to spend that sort of money again, it would just have to be another, so I want to avoid that end of the market, and get something more useable (jump in and go)

Anyway.

Current cars on my radar.

Caterham

Lotus S1 or cheaper S2

BMW ZM3

TVR Chimaera

All really different cars, and I keep flitting between them all, it appears decent cars can be had for circa £10k.

Any thoughts on my selection please? pros/cons

I obviously have my own, but would like the opinions of others.

[Matt UK]

Just to check, will this be your main daily driver?

[soad]

300bhp/ton

[Tallbut Buxomly]

Chimp or z3m without a doubt.

Z3 will hold its value really well and be fun ish and the chimaera well it'll be fun and should hold its value quite well as well.

[300bhp/ton]

dirty boy said:

I am in the market for something, but I don't know what.

I don't want to be hasty either.

My budget is up to £20,000 for the 'perfect car' (maybe more) although, for the moment, I want to spend less, say £10,000, see how I get on, and perhaps upgrade later.

The reason for that being, I don't want to be forking out big maintenance/insurance costs for the next year or so whilst i'm continuing with building work, just keeps my cashflow in check, and if the worst happens, I still have the buffer without affecting my ongoing commitments. I'm also kind of missing the Cerbera already, and if I were to spend that sort of money again, it would just have to be another, so I want to avoid that end of the market, and get something more useable (jump in and go)

Anyway.

Current cars on my radar.

Caterham

Lotus S1 or cheaper S2

BMW ZM3

TVR Chimaera

All really different cars, and I keep flitting between them all, it appears decent cars can be had for circa £10k.

Any thoughts on my selection please? pros/cons

I obviously have my own, but would like the opinions of others.

I like them all. But would it be your only car?

While I'm sure a Caterham can be used daily, it will require commitment. The Elise less so, but it's still a pretty hardcore place to be day in day out.

Z3M, presume these are the M Roadster variant as I thought most M Coupes where above £10k these days. Have to say I'm a fan of the M Coupe, it is IMO great looking and one of my fav BMW's.

To stick with tradition, a Corvette (although C4 at this money, probably need £12-15k for a C5) will offer very similar drama and thrills to a TVR, but with more like Ford Focus running costs and reliability. Although I do admit any C4 Vette will not be new any longer.

Mustangs would be another more practical option, although bigger and heavier. Recently I've seen two 2003/4 Mustang Cobra's sell for around £10k. These were the limited edition ones, they had IRS, T56 6 speed manual and a number of other higher performance parts including a supercharged 4.6 V8. Fairly easy to get a reliable 500-550hp from too.

But maybe the best solution would be to write all your options down on some small bits of paper and draw one out of a hat.

[coley20]

Tallbut Buxomly said:

Chimp or z3m without a doubt.

Z3 will hold its value really well and be fun ish and the chimaera well it'll be fun and should hold its value quite well as well.

or you could just get a Z4M

Maybe able to get this one for £15k if you haggle well z4m

Boxster S

[Rude-boy]

You want a 2.5 Boxster

[dirty boy]

Matt UK said:

Just to check, will this be your main daily driver?

Pure enjoyment.

[Matt UK]

dirty boy said:

Matt UK said:

Just to check, will this be your main daily driver?

Pure enjoyment.

Caterham then, no question

[Bill]

dirty boy said:

Matt UK said:

Just to check, will this be your main daily driver?

Pure enjoyment.

Caterham > Elise > Chim depending on how much track you're planning to take in.

Although if you've had a Cerb I'd be worried the Chim would just remind you what you were missing.

[dirty boy]

Bill said:

Although if you've had a Cerb I'd be worried the Chim would just remind you what you were missing.

Kind of why i'm keen to avoid big engine power, and go for something small and nimble, as a complete contrast, rather than a compare.

Never been in an Elise, must go find one and have a go.

Caterham is looking a favourite though.

[Rude-boy]

dirty boy said:

Bill said:

Although if you've had a Cerb I'd be worried the Chim would just remind you what you were missing.

Kind of why i'm keen to avoid big engine power, and go for something small and nimble, as a complete contrast, rather than a compare.

Never been in an Elise, must go find one and have a go.

Caterham is looking a favourite though.

Personally I love Caterhams, but have only been disappointed by the Elises I have driven.

[dirty boy]

Rude-boy said:

Personally I love Caterhams, but have only been disappointed by the Elises I have driven.

S1 or S2

or both?

[Rude-boy]

dirty boy said:

Rude-boy said:

Personally I love Caterhams, but have only been disappointed by the Elises I have driven.

S1 or S2

or both?

Both. The S1 was admittedly a tired PalmerSport one but I just didn't 'get' them at all. I can't even give you a rational argument to back up my position. I just walked away from them feeling distinctly underwhelmed.

[dirty boy]

Rude-boy said:

dirty boy said:

Rude-boy said:

Personally I love Caterhams, but have only been disappointed by the Elises I have driven.

S1 or S2

or both?

Both. The S1 was admittedly a tired PalmerSport one but I just didn't 'get' them at all. I can't even give you a rational argument to back up my position. I just walked away from them feeling distinctly underwhelmed.

I drove an S1 about 9 years ago, and remember it being great, but as a 21 year old who's most exciting car experience to that date would have been a toss up between a Mercedes C180 and 1400cc Vauxhall Corsa, it wasn't difficult to be impressed

[Tallbut Buxomly]

Rude-boy said:

dirty boy said:

Rude-boy said:

Personally I love Caterhams, but have only been disappointed by the Elises I have driven.

S1 or S2

or both?

Both. The S1 was admittedly a tired PalmerSport one but I just didn't 'get' them at all. I can't even give you a rational argument to back up my position. I just walked away from them feeling distinctly underwhelmed.

I had that same thing with the vx220 turbo.