Automatic track car

[Zumbruk]

Due to arthritis in my wrists, I can no longer comfortably drive a manual car for any length of time, and I was thinking of getting (another) track car before I'm too creaky to enjoy it. Budget about £15K, prefer RWD, I'll be driving too and from events, so not too extreme, Herself insists on air-con (she comes along sometimes). My thoughts were along the lines of a GT86 (too slow?) or a Boxster (prefer PDK, but that busts the budget). I know nada about BMWs.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

Edited by Zumbruk on Saturday 13th November 16:03

Edited by Zumbruk on Sunday 14th November 12:03

[braddo]

There was a similar thread here very recently. The BMW option would be a M135i from around 2014-15, which has the ZF 8-speed auto.

I think your suggestions of GT86 and Boxster are better though.

[VAD17]

I have automatic GT86, tracked it for nearly 4 yrs now. Its has an aftermarket turbo though (with an oil cooler and a number of other supporting mods) and its quick enough and cheap to run.

2nd hand turbo cars will probably be around 20k (if in good condition), and would be a lot cheaper to run than Cayman in the medium to long run.

[phazed]

Blimey, can't believe the prices os 2009 on double Kerplunk Boxster S's since I looked a few years ago.

They're oot!

[GC8]

Prices are comical.

[phazed]

Comical or not, they are what the market dictates.

Bought my 5.5 TVR some years ago for 11 K. Admittedly, it was in much Betty condition when I sold it seven years later but that was for 25K! Who would have thought.

[Krikkit]

M135i sounds like the best bet - in budget, well specced, loads about, fast out of the box and a big tuning scene too.

[Zumbruk]

Krikkit said:

M135i sounds like the best bet - in budget, well specced, loads about, fast out of the box and a big tuning scene too.

Cheers - I'll have a look at those.

[QBee]

Second hand car prices have all gone through the roof lately.
It's a serious shortage of electronic parts for new cars that is the cause of the problem.
The effect is that far fewer up to 3 year old cars are available, because people are hanging on to them while they cannot get their new ones, and so on down the chain.

By way of illustration, I have been trying to source a new or recent Mercedes GLC Coupe Hybrid for a client recently, and have had two cars, on which we had a deposit placed and a delivery date agreed, simply cancelled by the Mercedes factory. His current option for late December delivery is in a colour he hates, or wait until March.
His current C350e has been valued at £14,000 by the dealer. We sold two almost identical cars, a year newer, for £3,000 less back in April.

[phazed]

And my friend who bought his Jaguar F pace two years ago for 19 K from a Jaguar dealer . sold it back to them last week with a further 20 K on the clock for 18.5 K!

That is cheap motoring.

[GC8]

With shonky old x86 Porsches, the prices are ridiculous. 911s which sold in 2010 for £8,000 are now doubly worn out at double the price. It is a perfect storm of a rising pandemic-fuelled market and bandwagon jumping.

[JP__FOX]

I think my money would be going on a BMW M235i, I quite like the look of this one!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111029...

[Zumbruk]

JP__FOX said:

I think my money would be going on a BMW M235i, I quite like the look of this one!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111029...

Blimey, they're a lot prettier than the m135i! I shall look at those, also. Thanks!

[phazed]

It’s a shame that there is so little choice out there.

[Zumbruk]

phazed said:

It’s a shame that there is so little choice out there.

I guess the market for "enthusiasts who want an auto" is quite small. You only have to look on FB at all the "auto drivers are nonces" posts to see that.

[DodgyGeezer]

OP have you considered an SLK55?

Pro: Civilised, plenty of grunt, flappy paddle and manual selection option, folding hard-top

Con: not the sharpest (are you good enough to notice, no offense), expensive to fix (parts & labour)

[phazed]

Fifth Gear tracked both the SL500 and SLK55.

The SL was the better and preferred car on track surprisingly!

[CedricN]

A 2 series will feel very big and heavy compared to the 86, crap steering, high burn rate on consumables etc. But will of course be faster with some tweaking, and alot faster with more tweaking and parts. There are some seriously quick 135s around here. Have never driven an auto 86, maybe test drive one? Thhe manual one at least is brilliant on track, and if not over rubbered it doesn't feel underpowered on track, at least on reasonably sized tracks.

Edited by CedricN on Friday 19th November 13:38

[Zumbruk]

DodgyGeezer said:

Con: not the sharpest (are you good enough to notice, no offense), expensive to fix (parts & labour)

None taken. And likely ... no, I'm not!

[Zumbruk]

CedricN said:

A 2 series will feel very big and heavy compared to the 86, crap steering, high burn rate on consumables etc. But will of course be faster with some tweaking, and alot faster with more tweaking and parts. There are some seriously quick 135s around here. Have never driven an auto 86, maybe test drive one? Thhe manual one at least is brilliant on track, and if not over rubbered it doesn't feel underpowered on track, at least on reasonably sized tracks.

Edited by CedricN on Friday 19th November 13:38

I drove some sort of fast Beemer at the Palmersport day and it was pretty blancmangey compared to the other stuff. Can't for the life of me recall what it was, though.