What car for £30k ?

[V8KSN]

Afternoon all, I'm looking for some advice

If you were to go on this tour ...........

http://www.petrolheadnirvana.com/driving-tours/alp...

.. what car would you take?

Budget of £30k

Has to be reasonably refined for the long motorways/autoroutes

Has to be fun on the twisties

Has to be reliable

MPG not a problem


Thanks

[V8KSN]

gibbon said:

Porsche 997 c2s.

I am rapidly coming to that conclusion myself !

The only thing that is worrying me about a 997 is all this talk of over rev ranges, cylinder bores being scored, d chunk failures etc etc

It's all leaving me very confused

[V8KSN]

80sboy said:

Could you stretch to one of these??

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3542889.htm

Aston Martin DB9, £34k.

Looks lovely but it's an Auto.....quick search reveals no manuals in my budget.

V8 Vantage maybe in with a shout......

[V8KSN]

Thanks for all your suggestions

Exige/Caterham etc will be too raw on the motorways I think, the Evora is a good shout, not sure if I would get one that cheap though and the F355 was a great idea but I think I would be too worried about breaking it!

So, I think it's going to be a 997 C2S.

Spoke with the wife last night and she agreed. It's the only one that has SOME semblance of practicality with it being a two-plus-two so it has a seat for our 18 month old too!

[V8KSN]

That Z06 looks lovely, didnt know they had dropped so low! Left hand drive rules it out for me though.

What do you guys think to this 911?

http://www.rsjsportscars.co.uk/used-porsche/porsch...

[V8KSN]

sday12 said:

Pricey.

Thats what i thought too ......Though i have heard nothing but good things about RSJ

What do you think it should be priced at? 28k?

[V8KSN]

sday12 said:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3537874.htm

Woah!

[V8KSN]

so called said:

Tuscan for me. For 30k you may be able to pick up a full convertible but the targa's are great as well for that kind of trip.
Wouldn't mind going myself.

There are places still available I think

I'll chip in £10 if you come along and promise to rev... then floor the speed six every time you go past me

[V8KSN]

Cactussed said:

I did that tour. Epic.
The DB9 blew its gearbox.
3 porches all had issues of one sort or another.

All the ferraris (my 355 included) were totally fine (financiall ruinous fuel bills aside).

Oh man! I'm paranoid as it is!!!!

Anymore of this talk and i'll end up taking a Toyota Corolla!

As you have been on this tour already, what would you suggest I take?

Also, were the problems the Porsche's encountered terminal? By that I mean, did they have to leave the tour? Were they the 996 shape or the newer 997?

Edited by V8KSN on Monday 30th January 09:33

[V8KSN]

Cactussed said:

ETA - I'd go for something which you are happy to throw around a bit.

On that tour, the motorway way bits aside, I personally think you'd have a LOT more fun in this
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3428578.htm
than this
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3586697.htm

In fact, I'd almost guarantee it.

Should you change your login name to concussed?

Joking aside, I dont think I could see myself buying a 1989 MR2 specifically for this run!

[V8KSN]

Cactussed said:

A lot of the roads on the tour are small and winding, ergo you want something nimble which you can throw around a bit. A powerful barge is going to be great for the motorway but otherwise, not really what you're after. Just trust me on this one.

I know what you mean about the small roads, I have seen a few video clips from previous years on the tour. I deally I'd like an Exige on the twisties and a Lexus to get there

Currently, the following are on the list (in order of priority)

Porsche 997 Carrera S (always wanted one)
Porsche Cayman S (probably does everything the 997 does but cheaper)
BMW Z4 M Coupe (highly rated as a drivers car)

[V8KSN]

Zippee said:

He speaks sense (of sorts) as the M6 is too big to fully enjoy the twisties. Of course, if your thrill is going hell for leather on the boring, straight autoroutes then fill yer boots with the M6.

Never considered the M6 as aesthetically it does not appeal to me at all!

I think a Cayman S would sensibly meet all the requirements but I know what I am like and I would always wish i'd bought the 911...........think my mind is set on the 997 shape 911 Carrera S

Big enough to be comfy on the autoroutes, quick enough to thrill and nimble enough on the twisties.

[V8KSN]

Cactussed said:

Or grow some real gonads like Zippee and take your TVR T350 on tour...
Which inciddntally performed faultlessly if I recall?

I dont have big enough balls to BUY one nevermind take one on a 2500 mile jaunt

DO love them though, the sound alone is enough to justify the price!

[V8KSN]

Just to give this thread some closure, I purchased a 911 (997 C2S) on Saturday

[V8KSN]

versus said:

Did you budget for a new engine?

[V8KSN]

Cactussed said:

Well done that man! Pics please!

Cheers bud

Picture from collection day on Saturday

[V8KSN]

gibbon said:

Do i win a prize? :-)

Enjoy the car.

[V8KSN]

versus said:

I'd rather waste time trying to get Porsche to do a recall than argue the toss on here.

In answer to your original question, YES!

I have thought about/researched and mitigated this potential risk and thank you for your concern.

Have you any experience of engine failure in Porsches? Did you have a bad experience? I am genuinely curious if you have and I apologise if I came across as rude in my original response but your post came across as though you were trolling.

[V8KSN]

Thats why i posted the roll eyes smilie.

It just smacked of a poster who had no experience spouting internet scare stories.

I know that Porsche engines have issues and I have planned for that with a comprehensive warranty from a respected independent dealer..... so there!