What next? Sports coupe
Discussion
Just sold a 997.1, great car but to me more of a GT than true sports car. Currently own a MR2 Spyder which is spot in any many ways but has the worst engine ever put in a car...
For my next car I'm looking for a sports coupe or convertible max £25k but idealy up to £15k
Criteria
- Nice sound (found the 911 a little too muted)
- Fun to drive fast or slow (911 only really fun at speed)
- Feeling of nimbleness (911 felt a bit large to me)
- 2 seats is fine
- 200 bhp + ideally
- Low depreciation (relatively speaking)
I'm tempted by a 987 Cayman as I had one previously and found it a bit more focussed but what else would be worth a look?
For my next car I'm looking for a sports coupe or convertible max £25k but idealy up to £15k
Criteria
- Nice sound (found the 911 a little too muted)
- Fun to drive fast or slow (911 only really fun at speed)
- Feeling of nimbleness (911 felt a bit large to me)
- 2 seats is fine
- 200 bhp + ideally
- Low depreciation (relatively speaking)
I'm tempted by a 987 Cayman as I had one previously and found it a bit more focussed but what else would be worth a look?
Interested to see suggestions as I'm thinking similar with convertibles.
The other day I went to a Porsche specialist garage to look at a few Boxster/Cayman. My conclusion there was that I may as well get a Boxster as I would certainly use the roof. 987.2 was okay with the 2.9 but in all honesty it did feel its age for a car near not far off £20k. If I went for one it'd have to be a 981 2.7 as it felt like a much better car inside and out. You can just get one under your £25k budget and I think it's worth the stretch.
However, on Ftiday I looked at a 19 plate mx5 sport nav+ and have to say that for the money it was much nicer than the Boxster. It had the latest 184bhp 2.0 and sounded great to me. I love how simple it is and it would give me peace of mind with maintenance and running costs. Seems to tick all your boxes except the depreciation one. Sadly it won't hold its money but for me I'd be keeping it a while so not too fussed.
The only other convertible I can think might work is a Z4 but I've had a BMW before and not sure I'd want to go back.
Coupe, maybe a gt86? The lower end of your budget would get a nice one but they do have some flaws.
Edit: Forgot to mention the Lotus Elise. That would be great and won't depreciate. Its too spartan for me as I'd need to use it most days all year round but might work for you depending on usage.
The other day I went to a Porsche specialist garage to look at a few Boxster/Cayman. My conclusion there was that I may as well get a Boxster as I would certainly use the roof. 987.2 was okay with the 2.9 but in all honesty it did feel its age for a car near not far off £20k. If I went for one it'd have to be a 981 2.7 as it felt like a much better car inside and out. You can just get one under your £25k budget and I think it's worth the stretch.
However, on Ftiday I looked at a 19 plate mx5 sport nav+ and have to say that for the money it was much nicer than the Boxster. It had the latest 184bhp 2.0 and sounded great to me. I love how simple it is and it would give me peace of mind with maintenance and running costs. Seems to tick all your boxes except the depreciation one. Sadly it won't hold its money but for me I'd be keeping it a while so not too fussed.
The only other convertible I can think might work is a Z4 but I've had a BMW before and not sure I'd want to go back.
Coupe, maybe a gt86? The lower end of your budget would get a nice one but they do have some flaws.
Edit: Forgot to mention the Lotus Elise. That would be great and won't depreciate. Its too spartan for me as I'd need to use it most days all year round but might work for you depending on usage.
Edited by ChrisH72 on Sunday 10th April 08:22
Canon_Fodder said:
Totally left field OP but a JCW convertible?
You may hate them, but they are nimble and can make a nice noise with Pro exhaust..
Funny enough I was watching some YouTube reviews of these yesterday. A bit marmite but I can see the appeal especially if you could use rear seats on occasion. They look like a car not to be taken too seriously and quite joyful as a result. Good wildcard.You may hate them, but they are nimble and can make a nice noise with Pro exhaust..
rotaryjam said:
Just sold a 997.1, great car but to me more of a GT than true sports car. Currently own a MR2 Spyder which is spot in any many ways but has the worst engine ever put in a car...
For my next car I'm looking for a sports coupe or convertible max £25k but idealy up to £15k
Criteria
- Nice sound (found the 911 a little too muted)
- Fun to drive fast or slow (911 only really fun at speed)
- Feeling of nimbleness (911 felt a bit large to me)
- 2 seats is fine
- 200 bhp + ideally
- Low depreciation (relatively speaking)
I'm tempted by a 987 Cayman as I had one previously and found it a bit more focussed but what else would be worth a look?
A bit leftfield but a Lotus Europa S ticks a lot of your boxes but they are at the top end of your budget:For my next car I'm looking for a sports coupe or convertible max £25k but idealy up to £15k
Criteria
- Nice sound (found the 911 a little too muted)
- Fun to drive fast or slow (911 only really fun at speed)
- Feeling of nimbleness (911 felt a bit large to me)
- 2 seats is fine
- 200 bhp + ideally
- Low depreciation (relatively speaking)
I'm tempted by a 987 Cayman as I had one previously and found it a bit more focussed but what else would be worth a look?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111219...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275232387621?hash=item4...
Evora:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110118...
At the lower/middle part of the budget is the VX220 Turbo:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255159757185?hash=item3...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107265...
Something that I would look at ahead (& would encourage you to test drive one) of a regular Boxster/Cayman at your price point is the 370Z Nismo, from what you describe I'd say look for a Gen1 as they're a bit rawer in their set up & with less sound deadening a bit more visceral too:
Gen1
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202102...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204054...
Gen2 still a great drivers car but a little more civilised overall:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201221...
ZX10R NIN said:
This. It ticks every box and then somep4cks said:
ZX10R NIN said:
This. It ticks every box and then someThanks guys, some good suggestions here!
Out of contention:
GT86 - quite appealing but the engine puts me off, similar issue to my MR2 Spyder really
MX5 - not sure its special enough and again, the engine isn't really that exiting?
JCW covertible - noooo
S2000 - had one and I'm one of the minority who just didn't really get on with it, found it tiresome to drive and low speeds which unfortunately is most of my driving.
Europa S - too nichce, not sure on the look. I'd be worried about selling it as I imagine it would take a while and again, not sure the engine is special enough
370Z - heard they are more of a GT car, plus I don't like the look and for the cost there are more interesting alternatives
MB SLK55 AMG - A bit too scary expensive if things break and a bit too refined for me I think
Maserati Coupe/Gransport - See above
Potential!
BMW Z3M - tempting! hard to find but that could well fit the bill actually
BMW Z4M - similar to the above, I think I prefer the Z3M styling though
BMW E92 M3 Convertible - these are quite appealing, I'd have it in coupe form though. none of the reviews seem that glowing though, but the engine is appealing!
TVR Chimaera - don't like the look but otherwise pretty much ticks the boxes, I'm trying to get past the looks
Evora - now this is basically perfect, its weird though, there are basically none for sale unless you go for the S, then the price is double! I always thought if I got a non-S I'd always wish I had the S. would love to hear from anyone who has a non-S? I did wonder if the performance is quite enough
VX220 ITBS / Turbo - very appealing choice, again, its the engine that seems like the only 'meh' bit but with ITB's I assume that spices things up a bit.
Boxster/Cayman 981 2.7 - very appealing, love the look of these. My only hesitation is whether the performance would be enough given its 275 bhp and cost, when I could get a boxster or cayman 3.4 with 295bhp for 1/2 the price. I've also heard the 987 is the more engaging drivers car.
Cayman 987 - agree it would need an exhaust to make the most of the sound
Out of contention:
GT86 - quite appealing but the engine puts me off, similar issue to my MR2 Spyder really
MX5 - not sure its special enough and again, the engine isn't really that exiting?
JCW covertible - noooo
S2000 - had one and I'm one of the minority who just didn't really get on with it, found it tiresome to drive and low speeds which unfortunately is most of my driving.
Europa S - too nichce, not sure on the look. I'd be worried about selling it as I imagine it would take a while and again, not sure the engine is special enough
370Z - heard they are more of a GT car, plus I don't like the look and for the cost there are more interesting alternatives
MB SLK55 AMG - A bit too scary expensive if things break and a bit too refined for me I think
Maserati Coupe/Gransport - See above
Potential!
BMW Z3M - tempting! hard to find but that could well fit the bill actually
BMW Z4M - similar to the above, I think I prefer the Z3M styling though
BMW E92 M3 Convertible - these are quite appealing, I'd have it in coupe form though. none of the reviews seem that glowing though, but the engine is appealing!
TVR Chimaera - don't like the look but otherwise pretty much ticks the boxes, I'm trying to get past the looks
Evora - now this is basically perfect, its weird though, there are basically none for sale unless you go for the S, then the price is double! I always thought if I got a non-S I'd always wish I had the S. would love to hear from anyone who has a non-S? I did wonder if the performance is quite enough
VX220 ITBS / Turbo - very appealing choice, again, its the engine that seems like the only 'meh' bit but with ITB's I assume that spices things up a bit.
Boxster/Cayman 981 2.7 - very appealing, love the look of these. My only hesitation is whether the performance would be enough given its 275 bhp and cost, when I could get a boxster or cayman 3.4 with 295bhp for 1/2 the price. I've also heard the 987 is the more engaging drivers car.
Cayman 987 - agree it would need an exhaust to make the most of the sound
Edited by rotaryjam on Sunday 10th April 10:56
ChrisH72 said:
Funny enough I was watching some YouTube reviews of these yesterday. A bit marmite but I can see the appeal especially if you could use rear seats on occasion. They look like a car not to be taken too seriously and quite joyful as a result. Good wildcard.
The Roadster looks better than the Convertible too. I’ve got a Cooper S Coupe and great fun down a B road but wouldn’t suggest these as an only car.A Scirocco R would be up my street as an all rounder but many see it as a hatch rather than a coupe
On the 370 the standard car is more GT but the Nismo with it's better suspension set up will give something like a Z4M a nightmare down a typical A/B road.
The SLK55 has a pretty much (I agree it may be to refined for what you're looking for) bulletproof drivetrain & will be nowhere near as expensive to maintain as an E90/92 M3 (ask me how I know) although when you up the leptons the M3 is something very special.
The Evora is the pick there are non S's out there you'll just have to keep checking.
TVR wise I have to say (I may be flamed for this) I much prefer the Tamora to the Chimaera, I prefer the looks the way they drive & the engine imo is just as special as the V8 in the Chim:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012177...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224721955488?hash=item3...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275257825325?hash=item4...
The SLK55 has a pretty much (I agree it may be to refined for what you're looking for) bulletproof drivetrain & will be nowhere near as expensive to maintain as an E90/92 M3 (ask me how I know) although when you up the leptons the M3 is something very special.
The Evora is the pick there are non S's out there you'll just have to keep checking.
TVR wise I have to say (I may be flamed for this) I much prefer the Tamora to the Chimaera, I prefer the looks the way they drive & the engine imo is just as special as the V8 in the Chim:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012177...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224721955488?hash=item3...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275257825325?hash=item4...
rotaryjam said:
Potential!
BMW Z3M - tempting! hard to find but that could well fit the bill actually
The "clownshoe" coupes command a significant premium and would be top of your budget, but if you're OK with a roadster there are a few about well < £20k. I though this one was a rather nice, original example with decent miles and the best colour combo at a very reasonable price.BMW Z3M - tempting! hard to find but that could well fit the bill actually
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202012...
You're unlikely to lose any money on that.
Deerfoot said:
There’s a nice BBR200 NC MX5 on Autotrader at the moment for £10500, they always get decent reviews.
One of our regular posters has bought one in the past month.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?me...
Edited by SWoll on Sunday 10th April 14:00
As a leftfield what about the RX-7? I realise trying to find a nice one will be the hard bit but they're very special chassis & the engine & it's delivery is special too:
I'd want to loose the rear spoiler on the (& change the wheels) one below but you get the idea:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115320054259?hash=item1...
I'd want to loose the rear spoiler on the (& change the wheels) one below but you get the idea:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115320054259?hash=item1...
SWoll said:
One of our regular posters has bought one in the past month.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?me...
Me! https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?me...
I went from a 986 S to this and I prefer the Mazda. It is fun driven fast or slow. The BBR package is the engine it should have came with from the off. Good torque across the rev range, likes to be revved, and has a nice 'fwarpy' old school twin cam noise. If you've got £15k to spend, I'd get an NC and go for the Super 225 package, which includes ITBs which would give it the soundtrack and performance to rival an S2000 I reckon. Or you could just get an S2000 as well. I missed out on a minty one for £8k because I didn't have the money at that exact time.
Don't rule out a GT86, but you'd have to modify to remove the torque dip and give it a proper Scooby soundtrack to bring the engine up to your standards.
Z4 Coupe is a characterful car in any guise. I enjoyed mine.
What about a 370Z Nismo?
That Evora is lovely though! I wish I had £25K
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Sunday 10th April 15:18
From what you say it seems the need for 200bhp+ is really more like 300bhp+. Nothing wrong with that but light weight sports cars which are fun and handle well don't really need it imo.
At the top end of your budget you can easily get a nice 987.2 Boxster s or cayman s although most seem to be pdk auto which would spoil it for me. I was warned not to go near the earlier gen 1 S but as you're coming from a 911 I guess you're fine with scary maintenance issues.
Never driven them but I can't imagine those BMWs to be all that much fun. Plenty of power but that's not always what it's all about.
At the top end of your budget you can easily get a nice 987.2 Boxster s or cayman s although most seem to be pdk auto which would spoil it for me. I was warned not to go near the earlier gen 1 S but as you're coming from a 911 I guess you're fine with scary maintenance issues.
Never driven them but I can't imagine those BMWs to be all that much fun. Plenty of power but that's not always what it's all about.
I'd definitely be tempted with a TVR Chimaera or a Tamora. My BIL has been really happy with his E93 M3(DCT) Convertible as a weekend car for 10 years now.
I'd definitely get a test drive in a Z4M first, because I had a Z4M Roadster and I didn't gel with the ride/suspension on a bumpy B road. Plus the manual gearbox was a bit of a pig to use too.
I'd definitely get a test drive in a Z4M first, because I had a Z4M Roadster and I didn't gel with the ride/suspension on a bumpy B road. Plus the manual gearbox was a bit of a pig to use too.
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