Goodbye RS4, Hello................

[B.J.W]

Thanks Sunday Service!

After a great drive down to the Sunday Service in the B7 RS4, and a play via Fish Hill on the way back I got back home feeling as if something was missing from my morning; a sense of theatre and occasion that the beefed up German Saloon couldn't, and I don't think ever will, deliver.

Don't get me wrong, the RS4 is a hugely capable car, blisteringly quick and superb point to point. The sound of the V8 is great, but (cliche alert) the whole experience is a touch....digital.

So, the RS4 is being put up for sale this week, and I am now on the look out for a weekend car which has that 'special something'.

I quite fancy an open top for the drive down to Le Mans this year (but it is not a deal breaker). Performance (I include being an enjoyable steer) needs to be in the same 'approximate' ball park as the RS4 (10ish seconds to 100mph, 0-60 sub 5 if possible). The car also needs to have the 'theatre' and 'occasion' that I mentioned above. Practicality is not a major issue, but it would be nice to have some space for the odd weekend break away at a country house hotel.

Budget is £30k (ish)

The list (so far) contains the following

Noble M12 GTO 3R (ok, ok, I know it doesn't have a boot)
TVR Tuscan S Convertible (although the Targa would be fine)
TVR Griffith - old school, but a car I have always wanted to own

Any other thoughts? More than happy to hear other suggestions.

Thanks in advance

[Tuvra]

I would suggest:

• Lotus Exige
• TVR T350c/t
• Maseratti 4200/Grand Sport

For a few grand more, you could be looking at a 996 GT3 or Aston V8V....

[harryowl]

T350 or Noble

[Epic Winning]

Tuvra said:

I would suggest:

• Lotus Exige
• TVR T350c/t
• Maseratti 4200/Grand Sport

For a few grand more, you could be looking at a 996 GT3 or Aston V8V....

Ooh yes a Maserati 4200 Spyder!

[B.J.W]

Tuvra said:

I would suggest:

• Lotus Exige
• TVR T350c/t
• Maseratti 4200/Grand Sport

For a few grand more, you could be looking at a 996 GT3 or Aston V8V....

An Exige 'S' is a consideration, as is the T350 (but Targas do seem to be pretty rare). I checked out the Grand Sport Masser last year when before I bought the RS4. 30k puts me out reach of the GT3's and AMV8's.

[AcidReflux]

Corvette C6?

Sub-five seconds 0-60. Plenty of luggage space. Lots of creature comforts. Reliable. Minimal running costs. 25+ mpg.

[Pork]

Tuvra said:

I would suggest:

• Lotus Exige
• TVR T350c/t
• Maseratti 4200/Grand Sport

For a few grand more, you could be looking at a 996 GT3 or Aston V8V....

Three vey different cars there, but I would suggest looking at a GranSport if the thought appeals.

www.maseratiforum.co.uk
www.sportsmaserati.co.uk

...visit either for a glut of infor and even a car or two for sale.

You could also probably get a Ferrari if that appeals? 348's are that sort of money aren't they?

[Presuming Ed]

If the budget could be expanded on a little I'd go for a Ferrari 355 and if your after an open top the Spider comes in cheaper then the fixed head.

[B.J.W]

AcidReflux said:

Corvette C6?

Sub-five seconds 0-60. Plenty of luggage space. Lots of creature comforts. Reliable. Minimal running costs. 25+ mpg.

I am guessing that the example above would be some away North of £30k?

[Aizletree]

B.J.W said:

AcidReflux said:

Corvette C6?

Sub-five seconds 0-60. Plenty of luggage space. Lots of creature comforts. Reliable. Minimal running costs. 25+ mpg.

I am guessing that the example above would be some away North of £30k?

Here? Yes!

[Deerfoot]

996 Turbo?

[B.J.W]

Guys, to mention again.....budget is £30k (I am looking at setting up a new business soon, so diverting £9k to the car budget is not really a sensible option).

Having said that, that Corvette is lovely.

[Tuvra]

Deerfoot said:

996 Turbo?

Driving experience? This would probably be like a sportier/quicker/less practical version of what hes got now...

[B.J.W]

Tuvra said:

Deerfoot said:

996 Turbo?

Driving experience? This would probably be like a sportier/quicker/less practical version of what hes got now...

I agree. Some decent 996T's within that price area, but too similar to the RS4 in terms of overall experience. Also (and as good as car as they are), 996's are bloody everywhere.

[MiniMadMike]

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2237335.htm

Awesome car. 30K is a lot for one, but it is bloody lovely

[pauldc259]

How about an XKR?



http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2583866.htm

Edited by pauldc259 on Tuesday 15th March 10:05

[AcidReflux]

B.J.W said:

I am guessing that the example above would be some away North of £30k?

That particular one is, yes, but there's a yellow one for £27k, although it's not the Z06. The standard C6 still easily has the performance you want but doesn't look quite so aggressive as the Z06. It's available as a convertible though.
There aren't many C6s on PH at the moment, for some reason. Perhaps they've all gone to Europe now. In fact, they seem pretty bloody rare! Sorry - as you were.

[marcosgt]

Griffith - Ticks all your boxes...

I've never owned one either, but it's the only open TVR I've ever really wanted to!

If I was buying an open TVR that would be it and I suspect it'd be VERY analogue!

M

[Aizletree]

BMW M6

Under £30k, I assume you can get a cabriolet version if you wanted the roof off, and the noise

[Mermaid]

Aizletree said:

BMW M6

Under £30k, I assume you can get a cabriolet version if you wanted the roof off, and the noise

Good choice - will be reliable, quick and residuals ought to be good at this stage Epic engine.