Moving on from a Clio Trophy
Discussion
What aspect do you want to improve upon? i.e. Is it going to be a daily driver? Are running costs a concern?
At that budget, I'd be tempted to get a nice E46 M3 and keep the change. I've not checked lately, but that would presumably get you a reasonably high spec second hand Elise. If you're feeling hardy you can still get a lot of Caterham for £20k and they simply don't depreciate (especially if you buy at this time of year and sell in summer).
What else... Boxster S, maybe even a 996 or an early Cayman? I wouldn't pretend they're in the same league for build quality or point-to-point pace, but if you like extrovert cars then £20k will buy you a choice of TVR models with more sense of occasion than everything else I've mentioned put together.
At that budget, I'd be tempted to get a nice E46 M3 and keep the change. I've not checked lately, but that would presumably get you a reasonably high spec second hand Elise. If you're feeling hardy you can still get a lot of Caterham for £20k and they simply don't depreciate (especially if you buy at this time of year and sell in summer).
What else... Boxster S, maybe even a 996 or an early Cayman? I wouldn't pretend they're in the same league for build quality or point-to-point pace, but if you like extrovert cars then £20k will buy you a choice of TVR models with more sense of occasion than everything else I've mentioned put together.
We have one, so I am biased, but I would be looking at a Z4M Coupe on my shortlist.
RWD, Nearly twice as much power, much nicer inside, appreciating in price, which means that people are looking after them.
Little in the way of big ticket borkage to worry about. Enough out there to find a decent one, but rare enough to feel special.
People who consider these tend to also look at TTS/RS, Caymen ( is that the correct plural?) 370Z, and 335/435s., and maybe and SLK350.
Unless the aspect you want to improve on is number of seats of course.
In which case, S Max.

RWD, Nearly twice as much power, much nicer inside, appreciating in price, which means that people are looking after them.
Little in the way of big ticket borkage to worry about. Enough out there to find a decent one, but rare enough to feel special.
People who consider these tend to also look at TTS/RS, Caymen ( is that the correct plural?) 370Z, and 335/435s., and maybe and SLK350.
Unless the aspect you want to improve on is number of seats of course.
In which case, S Max.

benjijames28 said:
BMW 320d m sport
Go for one with leather seats, built in sat Nav and one of those flappy gear box things!
Is this the current "in form" joke or something?Go for one with leather seats, built in sat Nav and one of those flappy gear box things!
OP - the suggestions already made of Z4m/M3, Cayman , 370Z, are all good if you want a coupe , i'd add a Holden Monaro on to.
Or are you looking for another hot hatch in which case the Megane R250 would seem a natural step up.
aka_kerrly said:
Is this the current "in form" joke or something?
OP - the suggestions already made of Z4m/M3, Cayman , 370Z, are all good if you want a coupe , i'd add a Holden Monaro on to.
Or are you looking for another hot hatch in which case the Megane R250 would seem a natural step up.
No but everyone knows a BMW 320d or an any vag car with the 2 litre 140bhp diesel is the fastest car on the road.OP - the suggestions already made of Z4m/M3, Cayman , 370Z, are all good if you want a coupe , i'd add a Holden Monaro on to.
Or are you looking for another hot hatch in which case the Megane R250 would seem a natural step up.
Alpina B3 BiTurbo
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Alpina Roadster
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
M3 Saloon (as well as being a good drive I think these will hold their money well as they're so rare)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
CLK 63 AMG (these are a rare car but with that bombastic engine in my bias opinion is a good choice)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Nissan 370Z A very underrated car & good fun.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Subaru BRZ/GT86 (you'll be hard pressed to leave it standard)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Alpina Roadster
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
M3 Saloon (as well as being a good drive I think these will hold their money well as they're so rare)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
CLK 63 AMG (these are a rare car but with that bombastic engine in my bias opinion is a good choice)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Nissan 370Z A very underrated car & good fun.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Subaru BRZ/GT86 (you'll be hard pressed to leave it standard)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
ZX10R NIN said:
Alpina B3 BiTurbo
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Alpina Roadster
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
M3 Saloon (as well as being a good drive I think these will hold their money well as they're so rare)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
CLK 63 AMG (these are a rare car but with that bombastic engine in my bias opinion is a good choice)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Nissan 370Z A very underrated car & good fun.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Subaru BRZ/GT86 (you'll be hard pressed to leave it standard)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Some great ideas here. You'll struggle to find anything that matches the sheer fun of the Trophy. I still miss mine now, 10 years later. As an overall package though, I'd be looking for something that gives you a real kick with acceleration. The Trophy pretty much allows you to drive at full pelt through any corner, and you'll find that you have to dial this right back, so a car with some real poke will be a different challenge for you when it comes to slow in/fast out etc. I'd say M3 or CLK would be top of my listhttp://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Alpina Roadster
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
M3 Saloon (as well as being a good drive I think these will hold their money well as they're so rare)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
CLK 63 AMG (these are a rare car but with that bombastic engine in my bias opinion is a good choice)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Nissan 370Z A very underrated car & good fun.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Subaru BRZ/GT86 (you'll be hard pressed to leave it standard)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
All very interesting suggestions. Thanks for your input. So basically I am conscious of the Trophy's age and the fact that it is getting ever closer to 100k miles. This in itself is not a problem, but if an engine rebuild was ever required I'd be without a car and it is my daily beater.
I fully understand what you mean about power, as it was the same when I went from one of my toilet cars in my youth to a 172 cup. While power is always attractive, the more power you have the more it costs to run. It also seems to bring extra weight along with it. It is the extra weight that it going to make it feel nothing like the Trophy. I love the fact that I can literally chuck my car into corners and it does it. Especially with the Mark Fish uprated rear dampers.
I also have a motorsport gearbox mount, which is wonderful to use but absolutely teeth shattering.
If I went for something that is better to use day to day, it would bring inevitable compromises. A good 996 would be a dream car, but I believe it would be very difficult to get a good one for this budget. I reckon servicing would be interesting too. I understand the 911 engines are not the most reliable, apart from the Turbo. Now there's a car.
I've always thought that maybe a 2 car setup maybe a better option. However, some would argue one decent car is better than two average ones.
I do like the M3 and the M5, but they are a bit podgy.
I fully understand what you mean about power, as it was the same when I went from one of my toilet cars in my youth to a 172 cup. While power is always attractive, the more power you have the more it costs to run. It also seems to bring extra weight along with it. It is the extra weight that it going to make it feel nothing like the Trophy. I love the fact that I can literally chuck my car into corners and it does it. Especially with the Mark Fish uprated rear dampers.
I also have a motorsport gearbox mount, which is wonderful to use but absolutely teeth shattering.
If I went for something that is better to use day to day, it would bring inevitable compromises. A good 996 would be a dream car, but I believe it would be very difficult to get a good one for this budget. I reckon servicing would be interesting too. I understand the 911 engines are not the most reliable, apart from the Turbo. Now there's a car.
I've always thought that maybe a 2 car setup maybe a better option. However, some would argue one decent car is better than two average ones.
I do like the M3 and the M5, but they are a bit podgy.
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