Replacing Elise

[Futse]

I've decided my beloved Elise has to go. She just doesn't get used enough, with the kids growing older. Looking to replace her with a four-seater (or at least 2+2). Common question probably, and sorry if I bore you guys and girls, but... what to replace it with? I'm looking at something special, a bit collectible over the years maybe, doesn't have to be M3-quick, but quick enough for the yearly trip to the Ring and to have fun with in the weekends. Budget about 8.000 £, could be up to 10 for something really interesting and planning to drive around 5.000 km a year. Engine not too big, due to the taxes in our beloved little Belgium, max 3.0 litre. I'm thinking Alfa 75 3.0 V6, Lancia Thema 8.32, Jaguar XJR (bit too big on engine really, but so nice...)... Can be a coupe too though. I'm hoping you guys will think of something really special that I'm forgetting about. All your ideas would be greatly appreciated

[ewenm]

You could take a risk on a classic 911 - they pop up at 10k or so occasionally.

[george h]

Alfa 147 GTA?

[Baz Tench]

I'm not very imaginative when it comes to these threads, but this sprung to mind for some reason...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2639870.htm

Very practical, quite rare and (to my mind) very interesting!

[Alfanatic]

If you can find a 75 that's going to be reliable on such long journeys, it will certainly give the feedback to make it pleasurable, and it gives you plenty of room for four adults. They are really getting on a bit now though. If you want something a bit more dependable, newer, faster but a bit less communicative, I'm guessing there's some or other M5 available for under 10k. I'm only assuming it will be less communicative though, I haven't driven a 75 V6 or an M5, so I'm going on what I read.

Someone mentioned a 10k 911, which made me think the usual 4 cylinder Porsches (944 or 968), or perhaps a Renault Alpine GTA?

[NLB]

Admittedly, I was replacing an R1 not an Elise, and my budget was a lot less, but I went through more or less this same thought process a couple of years ago. Looking for an amusing toy which could at least take the offspring out for a day... I ended up with my Alpine GTA. Mine is a non-turbo, so not very fast, but is great fun, and really quite rare these days. Even nice Turbos, which are faster but still not that fast in standard form, don’t seem to fetch serious money. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but I like mine a lot, and it has filled its role admirably.

Pipped to the post by Mr Alfanatic.

[kambites]

I think I'd go for an oldish 911. I have been pondering more and more about Alfa 75 V6s though, for the noise if nothing else.

[Risotto]

DC5 Integra?

[braddo]

Can you still get the E30 BMW M3 for less than £10k?

Or get a mint 190e 2.3(or 2.5)-16.

Both these are now firmly in the non-depreciating camp.

[Futse]

Very much like the 190E 2.3 (or 2.5 of course), they were on my short list as well. I think the M3 will be too expensive. The Alpine GTA is a nice alternative

[SeanyD]

I went from my Elise to a Megane R26 F1. A quick car still, but with a kiddy friendly back seat. Some debate about french reliability etc, but touch wood has been trouble free in my 6 months of ownership. The missus loves it too, as she never wanted to drive the Elise.

[Mannginger]

BMW Z3M Coupe?(Top end of budget but likely to be very amusing and may hold value well)

Lol left field

Alfa Brera

Slightly more serious Left Field

[kambites]

Mannginger said:

BMW Z3M Coupe?(Top end of budget but likely to be very amusing and may hold value well)

Four seats?

[Mannginger]

Oh I thought they were 2+2?

[Church of Noise]

Have got to agree on the Z3/4M coupé and the older 911 (lower taxes etc too!), Alfa GTA would work too!
Failing that, Scooby?

(nog een oost-vlaming?)

[slipstream 1985]

Mannginger said:

Oh I thought they were 2+2?

yeah 2 in the front 2 in the boot. passengers dont get a say.

nissan 300 zx?
rx 8

[rob.e]

Porsche 968?

Lotus Excel/Eclat?

Lotus elan +2?

Alfa GT 3.2 v6

E46 M3?

Audi S2?

Camaro?

Rx8?

[300bhp/ton]

Would an RX-8 fit in tax wise?

£10k should get you a tidy one with enough for some coilovers and a supercharger.

Either that or I think I might be looking at classics like a 944 Turbo or even a fully built Triumph Dolly Sprint with 200hp.

Bit of a curve ball but 4 seats. I'm quite a fan of the st205 Celica GT-Four. Very, very different to an Elise but quite a bit of rally heritage.

Honda DC2 would also be worth a look too IMO. Or something Lotus Excel like.

[Mannginger]

300bhp/ton said:

Would an RX-8 fit in tax wise?

£10k should get you a tidy one with enough for some coilovers and a supercharger.

I didn't know there was a supercharger mod for RX-8s! :goesoffhuntingforinfo:

[edo]

from the rx8 thread.

Hell of a lot of car for the money. Going to be a lot older/higher mileage to get a similar spec car from other marques for the ££.

2007 MAZDA RX8 4dr [231] Coupe
Private Seller

29,900 miles, Registered January 2007,One Owner from new, 4 Door Coupe ( 231ps), Petrol, Manual,Metallic Sunlight Silver, Leather interior,Intergratted SAT-NAV, Bose 6 disc CD Stereo system,Electric adjustable drivers seat, heated front seats, ABS, Alloy Wheels, Front and side airbags, Traction control, DSC, Isofix points, Electric windows & Mirrors, Climate Control, Alarm, Headlight Washers, Fog Lights, Full Mazda Service history, 5 Months Tax & 11 Months MOT, Excellent condition. £5,650