What sports car to buy next?

[brillomaster]

Idle musings really... i've had quite a few sports cars in my time, but not really sure what to do next, so interested to see what the PH collective would do in my situation...

Previously i've had an MX5, Nissan 300ZX, Nissan 350Z, BMW E85 Z4, and now i have a porsche 986 boxster S. so... requirements are generally, 2 seats, rwd, makes a good noise. It might get used for some light trackday duties too - I appreciate this will be expensive for tyres!

my current options are... keep the boxster, then in 2 years spaff a load on an Audi R8, with the hopes that they're still reasonably priced for a V8 manual...
or, chop the 986 boxster in now for a 987 boxster for 2 years, but would it be different enough from the 986?
or, chop the boxster in now and get back into a Nissan - a 370z looks like it would fit the bill too.

it has to be a *reasonably* usable car, so elises and caterhams are out - want to be able to take the missus out for a long weekend, and theres no way she'd get in a caterham for that.

Anything else i'm missing, or that i should try? i guess budget is about £40k tops, but has to be special for that price!

[greeneggsnsam]

I reckon R8s will keep going up so you might be in the same position in 2 years.

What about a Lotus Evora - usable, but a proper driver's car. Or the most obvious answer in the world, a 911

[brillomaster]

i did think of an Evora after i posted this thread - will check them out. could be the right balance between focused drivers car, but still useable. not sure about price though.

A 911 is also a fair shout, but... i certainly dont think a 996 911 will feel different enough to my 986 boxster (given all the bits i'll see are the same!)... but a 997 C2S would be lovely...

[samoht]

You could consider an RX-7, quite a nice combo of MX-5 handling with 350Z performance, so to speak (easy to get more power out of too). Happy on track (with a few mods) and also comfortable for longer trips.

Downsides, they're old cars now so rust is an issue on top of the usual rotary concerns, needs skilled specialist maintenance.

[Canon_Fodder]

An SLK55 AMG is probably not the one for you OP but perhaps would earn bonus points from your wife?

[ZX10R NIN]

The Evora is a very good car & a great fillet to the Porsche (imo it's the better drivers car) as well as being just as special.

Evora:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209179...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208158...

S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210110...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210241...

Your top budget will land you a decent V8 R8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209089...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209069...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209219...

My leftield option is the Corvette C6 Z06 they're a fantastic car the chassis & engine are epic they'll eat euro jaunts with ease as well as trackdays.

They're hard to find but do your checks & you land a good one.

They have cheekily put the first one up 2k since I last saw it:

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

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325382105736?hash=item4...

For half the budget the 370Z Nismo is a great steer & option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209220...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208319...

[georgeyboy12345]

How about some of these prime cuts of British Beef

TVR Tuscan
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205246...


Aston Martin V8 Vantage
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111169...


Jaguar F-Type R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210130...


Lotus Evora
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210110...


Morgan Roadster 3.0 Litre
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203253...

[sean ie3]

Corvette is a great choice PP. 😎

[ChocolateFrog]

Honda S2000 and TVR Griffith both spring to mind.

Your budget would get one of the best examples of either with plenty of change.

[brillomaster]

thanks for all the suggestions, a few leftfield (and left hooker) options in there!

slk might be a bit too GT cruiser than sports car for me, as entertaining as a proper AMG engine would be.

and i did once go out on track in an LS swapped RX7... it was wicked fast, but perhaps a little too old for me now - got badly burned on the 300zx i had which turned out to be a rusty, unreliable thing.

have always fancied a TVR, but was thinking the best i could do would be a chimaera or a griffith - never considered a tuscan, that is glorious.

[rotaryjam]

How about a Z4M Coupe? They look like great value at the moment and generally considered to be a TVR by BMW

[keo]

I’d say Evora but I am a lotus fan, I wouldn’t write the Elise off they ride very well for what they are. My mrs fell asleep in my Exige the last time she was init. Moans about getting in and out of it though!

[TheAlastair34]

I have an Evora a early NA car, for less than 30k i dont think there is anything as good value that drives so well and is special.

Also not likley to throw you bills like a 911 either.

The ride is amazing, a great road car, might be a little soft for track use however but i belive the S version will be stiffer.

[Belle427]

Tough decision but I'd probably hold out for the R8.
I'm a big Tvr and Porsche fan but think the R8 has that X factor.

[JackReacher]

£40k might just get you into an Alpine A110, great cars.

[Ash_]

Evora has to be top of the list surely, it would be top of mine for that money.

[CG2020UK]

BMW M2 might be worth a look.

Choice of comp or OG LCI.