£35k raw drivers car

[rotaryjam]

Hi all

I'm looking to sell my current RX7 to move to a car that is:

- More powerful, looking at around 300 bhp per tonne
- Noiser, thinking V6 / V8 sound
- More raw
- Convertible or Coupe
- Looks good (subjective I know)
- RWD
- Manual

I'm basically looking for an involving drivers car and I've narrowed it down to 3, weirdly all British

- TVR T350
- Noble M12
- Lotus Exige S3

Discounted: BMW Z4M

Which do you think would be best? Any other cars that would fit the bill?

[rotaryjam]

In theory in ticks all the boxes but they really don't do it for me, too barebones and I just don't like the look at all!

Good suggestion all the same

[rotaryjam]

Thanks all some really interesting suggestions!

Rocketeer MX5, interesting idea and I'm a big fan of the MX5 but not quite right.

Tuscan S I would discount purely because I don't like the look of it, that's why the T350 is on the list

Cayman R hmm, I had a 987 S and really liked it but definitely not raw, I assume the R is by Porsches standards but is it really raw and much different to a 987 S? They are 2-3x the price of a normal 987 which puts me off.

Alfa 4C, can't decided whether I like the look. Particularly as the number plate does really seem to look good anywhere on the front, also don't like the idea of a small turbo engine or auto.

Corvette not sure about the look of of it would be an involving drive? LHD kills it for me too.

Keep them coming!

It's increasingly looking like the noble. My dad also had one when I was a kid and I loved it so it has the nostalgia factor too.

[rotaryjam]

Belle427 said:

Will a Noble fit in a single garage?

I was also unsure of this and asked the question in the noble forum.

They are 1828mm including mirrors I'm told which isn't too wide at really, I thought the wing went wider apparently not. So it will fit.

[rotaryjam]

ZX10R NIN said:

Anything tick your boxes OP?

Lots of great suggestions! However I think its a toss up between the Exige S and the Noble M12.

Most of the suggestions its simply the looks that don't quite do it for me, I'm very particular.

Currently leaning towards the Noble M12 if I can get one for my budget, love the look and no downsides I can see.

[rotaryjam]

simonrockman said:

There is an Evora on Auto trader for that money: a sports Racer wit a 430bhp upgrade. You'd also get a Ferrari 456.

I do like the Evora and 456! The Ferrari would put me off just because if maintenance costs though.

I went off the Evora purely because I don't need 4 seats so for about the same price (Evora S that is) I could get a slightly more raw and IMO better looking Exige S3

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blueg33 said:

Ginetta g40

Interesting proposal

I did look at them and crucially I like the way they look.

Discounted the engine/performance which isn't quite at the level of the others cars. I'd also worry about resale value and general difficulty selling it

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stuthe said:

4.5 cerber is worth a look IMO. Brill fun, very interactive and rewarding drive for me. Not the fastest AtoB, but bloody fun whilst doing it!

In theory yes but again just can't get in with the look of them, I like generally like short stubby cars rather than long ones like the cebera.

[rotaryjam]

mrpbailey said:

Definitely the Noble. I recently sold mine after over 11 years ownership. Fantastic cars and most are now much better than when they left the factory due to upgrades/improvements. Plenty of big power ones out there too (700+bhp (mine was ‘only’ 520bhp)).
First 8 years it spent in a single garage, no problem at all, just be careful when opening the door (I stuck a bit of carpet on the wall).
There are a lot of Noble owners who are ex TVR and Ultima owners, and I’ve yet to come across one who doesn’t rate the Noble as a MUCH better drive. Much faster than an exige in a straight line and a match through the bends.
I purchased mine in 2008 after driving it back to back with an Exige S, drove the exige first and enjoyed it, however after 10 minutes in the Noble there was no way i was going to buy the lotus! In a way it feels like a better equipped, grown up exige.
Only issue may be your budget, it’s at the bottom end. Mine sold for 15k more than I pad for it in 2008.

Thanks for your views on this. Interesting you say the noble was much faster, on paper isnt it just about 0.3 seconds 0-60 difference? Presume the noble was tweaked?

I've come to the conclusion it has to be the noble, even if I place to pay a few £k more. The Exige S is tempting but less rare, much more expensive to insure (£859 Vs. £1,350) , not as good from what people say and doesn't have the nostalgia factor the noble does for me.

Thanks for your input all

[rotaryjam]

Zippee said:

If it's purely a toy and you're likely to use it on track then I'd say a Noble or a supercharged converted S1 Elise if you really want raw.
I owned a 4.3 T350 for 10 years and it's a great car but I feel from what you say it just wouldn't suit you.
Anyhow - I can't believe no-one has asked for details of your RX7

Ah interesting, What makes you say that about the T350? Though I've written it off it would be good to get your take on why you think it wouldn't be suitable.

Re: RX7, I know very rude... ha! Its for sale on pistonheads now, its a 1999 spec car and virtually unmodified, its a brilliant car but fancy a change now to something at the next level performance. I know the RX7 could easily be modified to higher levels but I wouldn't do it, I like cars stock how they were intended.