£15k semi practical/daily fun car.
Discussion
Hello,
I currently own 2 cars a mk.5 golf GTI and a mk.1 MX-5 however being stuck in a flat with a single parking space I am finding I never drive the MX-5. I am after cutting down to one car somewhere in the middle of the fun/impractical balance for around the £15,000 mark.
Currently I have been looking at ~2006 Cayman S or a M135i swinging towards the Cayman as it seems a little more "special" and from reviews etc. I hear the 1 series suffers from a slight lack of steering feel. I am a little dubious of the costs of running a Porsche though, £15,000 is the top of my budget and while I will comfortably be able to afford servicing etc. I have read a few horror stories of lunched engines which leaves me a little on edge. An engine is not a cost I would be able to swallow. I do appreciate there are horror stories with all cars, and the internet is not a great place to look for these things as you only hear about the handful of broken cars rather than the thousands not but at the same time while unlikely it would leave me a little shafted.
I believe the 2.7 doesn't suffer the same issue, but I feel like buying one would leave me staring at the 3.4 S thinking I had made a dreadful mistake.
I am after some alternatives- Have considered e46 M3s but am not 100% sold on that idea- Having said that a guy at work is soon to be selling one thats had a recent full engine rebuild and the back end welded and braced.
I imagine it will make a difference that I am 26- Cayman and BMW are both insurable but I think anything more would begin to edge towards the £1000 mark which I am not really keen on.
I will also potentially be looking to hit the track a couple of times a year, again I imagine this is worth consideration!
All input and advice is gratefully received.
I currently own 2 cars a mk.5 golf GTI and a mk.1 MX-5 however being stuck in a flat with a single parking space I am finding I never drive the MX-5. I am after cutting down to one car somewhere in the middle of the fun/impractical balance for around the £15,000 mark.
Currently I have been looking at ~2006 Cayman S or a M135i swinging towards the Cayman as it seems a little more "special" and from reviews etc. I hear the 1 series suffers from a slight lack of steering feel. I am a little dubious of the costs of running a Porsche though, £15,000 is the top of my budget and while I will comfortably be able to afford servicing etc. I have read a few horror stories of lunched engines which leaves me a little on edge. An engine is not a cost I would be able to swallow. I do appreciate there are horror stories with all cars, and the internet is not a great place to look for these things as you only hear about the handful of broken cars rather than the thousands not but at the same time while unlikely it would leave me a little shafted.
I believe the 2.7 doesn't suffer the same issue, but I feel like buying one would leave me staring at the 3.4 S thinking I had made a dreadful mistake.
I am after some alternatives- Have considered e46 M3s but am not 100% sold on that idea- Having said that a guy at work is soon to be selling one thats had a recent full engine rebuild and the back end welded and braced.
I imagine it will make a difference that I am 26- Cayman and BMW are both insurable but I think anything more would begin to edge towards the £1000 mark which I am not really keen on.
I will also potentially be looking to hit the track a couple of times a year, again I imagine this is worth consideration!
All input and advice is gratefully received.
Thanks for the replies!
Luckily I actually do pretty limited milage, my commute to work is currently <5miles each way so most decent milage I do is for pleasure. Next year I am hoping to do a bit of a eurotrip for a couple of weeks so having a great car for the twisties that isn't terrible to drive for prolonged periods is a must. I was looking at VX220s and Elise' but SWMBO wasn't too keen on being away for a couple of weeks with that sort of luggage space and potential discomfort.
Have made some enquiries about the E46 M3 as it seems to tick all the boxes, and as mentioned the expensive things having been addressed makes it a little easier on the mind.
A few people have mentioned the Meganes but I am keen to stick to RWD as I have had a few hot hatches and love the back end fun of the MX-5, just looking for something with a little more oomph!
Have considered the gt-86, not sure if it might leave me wanting for more?
Luckily I actually do pretty limited milage, my commute to work is currently <5miles each way so most decent milage I do is for pleasure. Next year I am hoping to do a bit of a eurotrip for a couple of weeks so having a great car for the twisties that isn't terrible to drive for prolonged periods is a must. I was looking at VX220s and Elise' but SWMBO wasn't too keen on being away for a couple of weeks with that sort of luggage space and potential discomfort.
Have made some enquiries about the E46 M3 as it seems to tick all the boxes, and as mentioned the expensive things having been addressed makes it a little easier on the mind.
A few people have mentioned the Meganes but I am keen to stick to RWD as I have had a few hot hatches and love the back end fun of the MX-5, just looking for something with a little more oomph!
Have considered the gt-86, not sure if it might leave me wanting for more?
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