9k for a sports car - some inspiration, please
9k for a sports car - some inspiration, please
Author
Discussion

Dave200

Original Poster:

5,671 posts

242 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
So, with a firm budget of 9k, i intend to buy a rwd convertible sports car. Current front-runners are a 3.2 Boxster, an S2000, or a Z3M convert; however, i'm looking to broaden my search, and want some inspiration.

Criteria are:
firm budget of 9k
must be rwd
must have a soft/folding roof
must have a decent amount of grunt
not much older than 10yrs
some creature comforts/refinement (no kit cars or tvrs)
rhd only

Cheers folks. Do your worst!

STW2010

5,888 posts

184 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
Lotus Elise

Xaero

4,063 posts

237 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
I'd probably go for the S2000.

Random Japanese alternates if you can source them - Supra convertible and MR2 T top. Both well within budget and look nice in the right colour.

Thorburn

2,422 posts

215 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
STW2010 said:
Lotus Elise
If he's after creature comforts and refinement it probably won't push the right buttons.

Gotta say I wouldn't go for a cheap Boxster personally.

STW2010

5,888 posts

184 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
Thorburn said:
STW2010 said:
Lotus Elise
If he's after creature comforts and refinement it probably won't push the right buttons.

Gotta say I wouldn't go for a cheap Boxster personally.
I did wonder if it would fit the requirements, but the newer Elise's have air conditioning and stuff.

I think I would go for the Boxster too, though I think of the options it would be the most expensive in terms of running costs. I may be wrong

KingRichard

10,146 posts

254 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
Don't shoot me, but have you driven a TVR Chimaera?

It's a pussycat unless you take the piss, and it would tick literally all of your boxes with the possible exception that it may be a tad over ten years old.

They are bloody comfy too smile

If you're thinking about a Boxster, you are aware that some 996's are coming down to almost your budget?

spandexx

944 posts

298 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
I'm in the same boat; I want to get something pretty much exactly like the OP's criteria for the weekend / track days but have found that the combination of ragtop and power with the other desirables means only 3 cars so far:

Z3MR, S2000, Boxster S.

We may have to start considering things with a roof unless the PH massive can help.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

212 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
Dave200 said:
So, with a firm budget of 9k, i intend to buy a rwd convertible sports car. Current front-runners are a 3.2 Boxster, an S2000, or a Z3M convert; however, i'm looking to broaden my search, and want some inspiration.

Criteria are:
firm budget of 9k
must be rwd
must have a soft/folding roof
must have a decent amount of grunt
not much older than 10yrs
some creature comforts/refinement (no kit cars or tvrs)
rhd only

Cheers folks. Do your worst!
I suspect based on some of your previous comments a diesel Audi A4 would suit you better than any other car. A sports car would be just a waste of a good car eek


hehe

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Friday 19th November 09:20

STW2010

5,888 posts

184 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
spandexx said:
I'm in the same boat; I want to get something pretty much exactly like the OP's criteria for the weekend / track days but have found that the combination of ragtop and power with the other desirables means only 3 cars so far:

Z3MR, S2000, Boxster S.

We may have to start considering things with a roof unless the PH massive can help.
Lotus Elise?

Thorburn

2,422 posts

215 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
STW2010 said:
Thorburn said:
STW2010 said:
Lotus Elise
If he's after creature comforts and refinement it probably won't push the right buttons.

Gotta say I wouldn't go for a cheap Boxster personally.
I did wonder if it would fit the requirements, but the newer Elise's have air conditioning and stuff.

I think I would go for the Boxster too, though I think of the options it would be the most expensive in terms of running costs. I may be wrong
£9k he's going to be looking at an early so-so S2 or a decent S1, rather than a later model.

I'd look at the S2000 given the budget and criteria.

Some Gump

13,009 posts

208 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
Boxster
S2000
BMW Z3 (I think it's 3, I forget)
Elise (borderline comfort, but such a great car)
MX-5
CLK

...And before 300BHP/ton gets here, Corvette.

Parrot of Doom

23,075 posts

256 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
Dave200 said:
some creature comforts/refinement (no kit cars or tvrs)
That isn't at all fair. The Chimaera is a lovely car to drive, and very comfortable. It'll also piss over just about anything else you care to mention.

Emsman

7,193 posts

212 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
It's the TVR chimaera then.

What do you call creature comforts on your open top sportscar?

Shnozz

29,930 posts

293 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
PH at it's best

Criteria are:
firm budget of 9k
must be rwd
must have a soft/folding roof
must have a decent amount of grunt
not much older than 10yrs
some creature comforts/refinement (no kit cars or tvrs)
rhd only

And so far we've had suggestions of TVR's, LHD Corvettes and Elises.

Brilliant.

I'll say Nissan Qashqai just to try and avoid every aspect of the criteria set.

KingRichard

10,146 posts

254 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
smile

Shnozz

29,930 posts

293 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
Parrot of Doom said:
Dave200 said:
some creature comforts/refinement (no kit cars or tvrs)
That isn't at all fair. The Chimaera is a lovely car to drive, and very comfortable. It'll also piss over just about anything else you care to mention.
What else has he cared to mention?!

Edited to add - MX5 aside, I'm not sure how many of the cars others have mentioned would be 'pissed over' by a Chimaera.

Edited by Shnozz on Friday 19th November 09:28

Shnozz

29,930 posts

293 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
Just to add something useful to the thread.

I'd be looking at the S2000 or a 3.0 Z4. Possibly a Z3M also if you wanted something a bit more unique but you'd need to then budget the additional running costs for that benefit.

teen_cerbera

7,926 posts

247 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
  • BMW 3.0 Z4
  • Jaguar XK8
  • Audi TT 225 (remapped to abt 280bhp)
  • Nissan 350z Roadster (high miles) here

KingRichard

10,146 posts

254 months

a11y_m

1,861 posts

244 months

Friday 19th November 2010
quotequote all
Shnozz said:
Just to add something useful to the thread.

I'd be looking at the S2000 or a 3.0 Z4. Possibly a Z3M also if you wanted something a bit more unique but you'd need to then budget the additional running costs for that benefit.
Z4 with the 3.0 231ps engine was going to be my suggestion too. Not that I'm biased. Depends how much compromise you can live with. I looked at and discounted the following:

2.2 n/a VX220: I needed easier access
S2000: discounted as I previously owned an EP3 CTR and didn't get on with VTEC
350z (coupe though - hated the soft-top's looks): just didn't click
Elise S1: as per the VX
early Boxster 3.2: running costs

It turns out now that I don't need a car with the practicality/toys of the Z4 and could probably live with a VX/Elise, but the Z4's still a good choice for me. Good mix of fun, performance and practicality.

£9k should get you a good 53/04/54-plate 3.0. www.z4-forum.com is a good resource if you need to know more about Z4's.