What fun car / if any?

[alephnull]

So I have been saving up, and working...a lot, and I have reached a point where I'd really like to buy another car. Firstly, this is daft, because I already have a Lotus Elise 111R, and secondly because I live in London (just outside zone 1). Also I work so much, my ability to go drive it is limited - however the reason I work is because I have a slight car obsession. I have storage space in a secure underground carpark for two cars. I already own my flat, so I am not saving for anything really.

I am after a sports car that handles well, is an 'occasion', has a manual gearbox and little or no electronics, 6+ cylinders, 2 wheel drive, mid engined pref. I probably would track my existing Lotus and not this, because this second car would be a bit too precious. It would mostly be used on weekend b road trips, weekends away etc.

So question 1: Should I get a second car? Or would joining a supercar club be better? If so which club?

Question 2: What car? (budget - about 60k)
Porsche 996 Carrera 2 - well within budget, slush fund for a new engine. Driving to Wales in this would be less uncomfortable than my Elise.
TVR Tamora/T350/Tuscan - would probably break down all the time
Ferrari 348/355 - God I want a Ferrari, shame they are massively overpriced
Ferrari 360 - Did I say I want a Ferrari? Probably stretching the budget

[Dusty964]

If that was my criteria, i would buy a 964 c2.
Most likely a targa.

[Monkeylegend]

I know you already have a Lotus, but how about an Evora 400.

[OwenK]

Aright technically mid engine but not in the way you meant, but a close friend has just bought a 32k V8 Vantage and after a jealousy-filled spin around the block in it followed by much frantic research, I've come to the realisation that it occupies an absolutely unparalleled sweet spot in the cost/fun/usability/sense of occasion matrix.

[CABC]

supercar clubs have pretty obvious benefits.
but extra 'costs' are: not there when you have a spontaneous urge to drive in the country; mileage limitations & additional charges to factor in; need to collect the car from somewhere (far away?).
IMO supercars are pretty irrelevant on the public road, but i'd love to open them up on track (and pay for damage/insurance). i think some clubs do have trackdays. i saw an ad for a club in Shropshire that had a variety of cars incl Caterham, Lotus, Mustangs. More interesting but 3 hrs away...

as you have a parking space, i have to say i'd fill it with a low depreciating modern classic like you've listed.
to complement the elise, high on that list would be air cooled pork.

[HJG]

Not manual or mid engined but that budget would find you an E46 M3 CSL

[Matt UK]

in your position I think I'd join a super car club.

[alephnull]

All interesting points, thanks, keep em coming.

I hadn't thought of a 964, they don't go cheap it turns out! Same for M3 CSL - for that money I'd be tempted to go Italian...

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want to go Italian & have a chunk of change for other things then you need(30-40k depending on the model you buy) but this will provide smiles for miles & you can still get another fun car to take over daily duties.





Porsche 968CS
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

4.0 M3 Saloon
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

996 Turbo
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[SebringMan]

alephnull said:

All interesting points, thanks, keep em coming.

I hadn't thought of a 964, they don't go cheap it turns out! Same for M3 CSL - for that money I'd be tempted to go Italian...

You could and have the running costs to go with it. But I do see the appeal of going Italian .

is a 964 out of the 60k range these days?

[Dusty964]

I would also be tempted by one of these.

Cant imagine you would lose much to depreciation in the long term.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

[C70R]

It's not entirely on brief, but this still makes me go all gooey...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aston-Martin-Vanquish-5-...