Weekend Toy - up to 40k (ish)

[carbonblack]

The time has come to look for a weekend car, with a budget 40k though at a push 50k is a possibility for something really special.

Practicality isn’t a consideration, nor MPG, the only thing that I’d like beside being quick and a fairly decent steer (no track for this car) is a reasonable interior for road trips, so an Elise/VX220 style car isn’t really for me.

I borrowed a 4L W205 C63 and it was very enjoyable, even with the MCT gearbox, but I’m not sure it really qualifies as special enough to drop such a large chunk of cash on for a weekend car, with no real limits on practicality. Most of the AMG line’s c220d are almost indistinguishable in looks.

Current contenders, in no particular order:
F-Type 5.0
R8 V8 - possibly not that quick even compared to a C63?
F8x M4 convertible
F80 M3 saloon
GranTurismo 4.7 - possibly financially ruinous
SL55 - long in the tooth, dynamically inferior to the M4 vert?

I’m open to other suggestions although American cars aren’t really for me. What have I missed?

Cheers

[plenty]

Lotus Evora

[clarki]

Out of your list it'd be the F-Type for me - lovely car.

Nearly went for one myself when in a similar position, but, and it's a BIG but, decided on an SLK55. Complete leftfield/unexpected choice at the time but the car just got right under my skin. So much so i've still got it 7 years later!! Wonerful thing and think i've finally found my "keeper".

Probably completely mad and you should ignore the above advice as its not what the press/masses will tell you plus its coming from someone who sold a 981S Boxster after about 9 months because, well, it's just dull. Great car, but then so is a Golf.

[TCS1]

You'd get a very good Tuscan/T350 with that budget

[Terzo123]

M3,M4, C63. I dont think they would cut it as a weekend only car.

From your list it would be the R8 for me, although the Jag would be tempting.

[Pixelpeep 135]

no Porsche 981 boxster ?

Under budget, great sound, a bit special ?

[Royal Jelly]

A well-specced, low miles 981 Cayman S for 42-45. Comfy interior, decent luggage capacity, modern enough and a peach of an engine. The howl over 4000rpm never gets old. Brilliant handling. Both the manual and PDK are about as good as examples get.

Or perhaps a higher miles, lower spec 981 GTS. Like-for-like they’re expensive for very little over the S, but residual values are likely to be stronger with this one.

For the Boxster, 5k off Cayman prices seems about the ballpark.

[omniflow]

A 4.7 Maserati Gran Turismo or Gran Cabrio is definitely within budget.

Running costs really aren't that bad. Yes, pads and disks are quite expensive if you stick with OEM, but there are plenty of alternatives out there which are better and cheaper.

Servicing is every 12,500 miles or 2 years. Some things, such as AC compressors, have a short lifespan, but a decent Indy will fit a reconditioned one at 1/3 the price of a brand new one.

A Naviplus system brings the Satnav up to 2022 standards, without spoiling the OEM look of the interior.

[p4cks]

plenty said:

Lotus Evora

This.

[Drew106]

Two MX5s.

[Pixelpeep 135]

Drew106 said:

Two MX5s.

:facepalm: :facepalm:

[Ash_]

plenty said:

Lotus Evora

This

[SpudLink]

Ash_ said:

plenty said:

Lotus Evora

This

Was my first thought as the obvious answer.

Boxter/Caymen or Alpine would be less interesting alternatives.

[Zarco]

Ash_ said:

plenty said:

Lotus Evora

This

This or a 911.

The BMW and Mercs aren't really weekend car material for me.

[SWoll]

More like £45k in some cases but how about.

V8 Vantage S
R8 V10 Spyder
Alpine A110
XFR-S
XKR-S
Exige V6 (lots can be done to make he interior more habitable)
Alfa Giulia QF

All more special than a C63, M3/4 IMHO.

Edited by SWoll on Thursday 21st April 16:48

[carbonblack]

Some great replies, thanks!

I did consider an Evora but it would seem the days of a 25k example are long gone now and they’re 40k.

I’ve also been eyeing up Aston Vantage, but I’m not sure that the Volvo / Ford switchgear and parts bin pieces make it that special. I’m sure they’re great but perhaps a bit long in the tooth now too.

Agreed that BMW/Merc isn’t really all that special as a weekend car, although the V8 is very compelling in the Merc.

Porsche 911/981 is a good suggestion although the bore scoring does worry me, it would seem that budget won’t stretch to a 997 Turbo (unfortunately those days are gone too….)

Current inkling is an F-Type, I think, which although heavy should be brutally fast and have the thrill of a V8.

Lots to think about, in an ideal world I’d buy one of each but that’s never happening ??

[Royal Jelly]

FYI the 981 and 997.2 (easily distinguishable by the rear lights) have the 9A1 DFI engine, and no bore scoring to worry about.

A V8 F-Type would be a lot of fun, and in a similar vein, a DB9 or V8 Vantage are surely contenders..

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a special weekend warrior then these are where I'd be looking.

C6 Z06 absolutely a special chassis/engine that would easily be the pick for me:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108015...

Over budget but worth looking out for others is the ZR1:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009153...

Noble M12 GTO:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304276280610?hash=item4...

I would've said an Evora but there aren't any for sale close to your budget

But you can get a very nice Alfa 4C for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108136...

A110 Premiere Edition:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111169...

Maserati GT Sport these are far from ruinous & would cost less to run than something like a Vantage etc:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204114...

GT-R people think these are just point & squirt machines but they're very much a drivers car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204084...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203294...

Leftfield.

i8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203294...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201281...

Fully leftfield.

Chrysler Prowler:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204204...

[fflump]

Definitely the Granturismo for me. The Sport model (easy to tell from the seats) that came in in 2013 is perfect for your price point. As noted above it will cost less to run than an Aston, and they feel special even in a traffic jam.

Very much a GT and with 4 usable seats-so a Noble it is not. Comes down to what your personal preference is on the GT-Sports car spectrum.

That said, if I was going to buy a Granturismo Sport I'd also test drive an AM Rapide just to be sure which one was for me.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204184...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203173...

[edc]

987 Spyder or Cayman R or Exige V6.