Manual gearbox, 2+2, £50k

[JackReacher]

I'm looking for a weekend car, occasional commuter, that can carry 2 small children when needed. B road fun over A road cruiser. Budget is around £50k, but happy to spend less or slightly more for the right car. Must have a manual box. Priorities are a decent engine/exhaust sound, and good steering.

It's difficult to see past a 911 in truth, but want to try all options before making a decision. My shortlist at the moment:

997.2 carrera S - ticks most boxes but you pay a premium for the badge and its at an age where money may need to be spent to get it right.

Evora - I've had an Exige in the past so not immune to Lotus ownership, but I've never really gelled with the looks of the Evora, and the rear seats appear tiny (even compared to a 997).

M2 Comp - not sure I want another quick BMW after a m240 and m340i, although this is a 'real' M car. Not overly keen on the 'youtuber' image either, but think I should at least try it.

GR86 - great reviews but struggle to get excited by the looks, and ideally I'd want something a bit quicker.

Is there anything else I should add to the list to try? There are other 911's like the 996/997 turbos, or 991.1 but think it would be a 997 carrera if I went Porsche at that budget.

[Pflanzgarten]

Age of children is key, as even things like M2/M3 won't realistically fit a rear facing child seat. There's a reason why the 911 is so ubiquitous...

[JackReacher]

Pflanzgarten said:

Age of children is key, as even things like M2/M3 won't realistically fit a rear facing child seat. There's a reason why the 911 is so ubiquitous...

Good point, a baby and a soon to be 3 year old, who is still rear facing at the moment. The intention is that they would have to be forward facing before they go in the back of this car.

[Pflanzgarten]

JackReacher said:

Pflanzgarten said:

Age of children is key, as even things like M2/M3 won't realistically fit a rear facing child seat. There's a reason why the 911 is so ubiquitous...

Good point, a baby and a soon to be 3 year old, who is still rear facing at the moment. The intention is that they would have to be forward facing before they go in the back of this car.

I was in the same position as yourself when they were doing the cheap PCP M4 deals but the reality was with the seats they just wouldn't fit with my seat where it needed to be-and I'm no giant!

Just my opinion but a hot hatch is so much more usable with kids that age.

[JackReacher]

Pflanzgarten said:

I was in the same position as yourself when they were doing the cheap PCP M4 deals but the reality was with the seats they just wouldn't fit with my seat where it needed to be-and I'm no giant!

Just my opinion but a hot hatch is so much more usable with kids that age.

I think you are right on usability, although the main family car would do most of the work there. I don't think most of the current uber hatches offer much above my current m340i touring, but I do like the latest Civic Type R which by all accounts is a fantastic drive, so I should add that to my list.

[Stuart70]

Does a `Ford mustang do it?

I did the 997.2 S.

I would recommend it. Would rather eat eyeballs than the BMW option, but that is just me .

[JackReacher]

Stuart70 said:

Does a `Ford mustang do it?

I did the 997.2 S.

I would recommend it. Would rather eat eyeballs than the BMW option, but that is just me .

I do like the Mustang, offers character and a good sound, but it strikes me as a cruiser rather than a sharper drive. However, never driven one.

How did you find the 997.2?

[crisp packet]

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/13697372

This would get my vote. A smidge over budget and running costs won't be super low but more than made up for by being relatively depreciation-proof.

[georgeyboy12345]

What about a 991 - slightly larger wheelbase compared to the 997, so hopefully kids might fit better
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306309...


TVR Cerbera
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212232...

[CG2020UK]

JackReacher said:

Good point, a baby and a soon to be 3 year old, who is still rear facing at the moment. The intention is that they would have to be forward facing before they go in the back of this car.

There is a good few on the M2 forum who have child seats and it works.

My assumption when we tested car seats is I’ll be fine with one rear facing seat on the passenger side with behind the driver just being forward facing.

I’ve copied a photo from the forum.

In terms of driving the M2 in Og/Comp is miles better than the M-lites to drive. Downside is cabin is quite loud inside with tyre roar.

Personal advice is test drive both the comp and an OG LCI.

Edited by CG2020UK on Saturday 22 July 15:22

[M.F.D]

M2 Comp with a manual box will be right up there surely.

Supra 3.0 manual? - Just noticed these are not 2+2...

Edited by M.F.D on Saturday 22 July 15:19

[sherman]

M.F.D said:

M2 Comp with a manual box will be right up there surely.

Supra 3.0 manual?

Supra only has 2 seats.

With baby seats I would be looking to keep the 5 doors just for ease of access.

If you do want 2 doors though. I would consider a Lexus RCF even though its an auto.

[JackReacher]

CG2020UK said:

There is a good few on the M2 forum who have child seats and it works.

My assumption when we tested car seats is I’ll be fine with one rear facing seat on the passenger side with behind the driver just being forward facing.

I’ve copied a photo from the forum.

In terms of driving the M2 in Og/Comp is miles better than the M-lites to drive. Downside is cabin is quite loud inside with tyre roar.

Personal advice is test drive both the comp and an OG LCI.

Edited by CG2020UK on Saturday 22 July 15:22

Thanks, that's the same Cybex seat we have so good to know that can go rear facing. The M2 would offer the most rear space, and I'm sure it drives better than the M lites. Part of me just likes the idea of a change away from BMW.

[JackReacher]

georgeyboy12345 said:

What about a 991 - slightly larger wheelbase compared to the 997, so hopefully kids might fit better
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306309...


TVR Cerbera
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212232...

Cerbera would be fun but not sure I'd want to rely on it as an occasional commuter or have my kids in the back. Plus I'd need a chest wig.

991 seems like a backward step from the 997 in respect of steering and gearbox from what I understand, but rear space might be slightly better and it had isofix I think. A 991.2 appeals more, especially the T but they are a big step up in budget.

[JackReacher]

crisp packet said:

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/13697372

This would get my vote. A smidge over budget and running costs won't be super low but more than made up for by being relatively depreciation-proof.

I think a turbo would be quicker than I want, which sounds odd but I want to be able to use the performance on the road.

[ChrisH72]

I think you have most bases covered. A powerful 2+2 coupe with a manual box is a rare thing really.

For me the benefits of something like a Mustang or M2 is that £50k buys a relatively new one. The Porsche is lovely but it'll be older and carries more risk.

If you want a rare Beemer you could consider a 1M.

Or if you're feeling brave then something like this might suit sir..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023062187...

[Stuart70]

JackReacher said:

Cerbera would be fun but not sure I'd want to rely on it as an occasional commuter or have my kids in the back. Plus I'd need a chest wig.

991 seems like a backward step from the 997 in respect of steering and gearbox from what I understand, but rear space might be slightly better and it had isofix I think. A 991.2 appeals more, especially the T but they are a big step up in budget.

I had a 997.2 when the kids were early teens. 3 in the car was fine. Four was a challenge.

I now have a 991 GTS 3.8 which i would recommend over the 3.0t version, personally.
Smoother than 997, steering is excellent on a stand alone basis but not as alive in a side by side comparison.

[SWoll]

The gearbox in this is almost as jerky and awkward to operate as a manual. It also looks gorgeous, sounds amazing and will fit car seats in the rear without any issues as a proper 2+2.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306108...

[cerb4.5lee]

JackReacher said:

Stuart70 said:

Does a `Ford mustang do it?

I did the 997.2 S.

I would recommend it. Would rather eat eyeballs than the BMW option, but that is just me .

I do like the Mustang, offers character and a good sound, but it strikes me as a cruiser rather than a sharper drive. However, never driven one.

How did you find the 997.2?

The Mustang would definitely tempt me for sure, but then I used to happily put my baby daughter(at the time) and my missus in a Cerbera though. So they are my kind of cars.

I've driven a 911(991.2), and being totally honest I genuinely don't get what all the fuss is about them though. The drive of the 911 didn't make me want a 911 in the slightest, and it just made me want an AMG GT even more in fairness.

In saying that...I guess the 911 is the default choice in these circumstances though in fairness, and I do understand why many go in that direction if you have kids for sure. The best bet is to sell the kids and buy a 2 seater of some description I reckon!

[bencollins4]

ChrisH72 said:

I think you have most bases covered. A powerful 2+2 coupe with a manual box is a rare thing really.

For me the benefits of something like a Mustang or M2 is that £50k buys a relatively new one. The Porsche is lovely but it'll be older and carries more risk.

If you want a rare Beemer you could consider a 1M.

Or if you're feeling brave then something like this might suit sir..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023062187...

1M springs to mind instantly. It drives nothing like an M240i / M340i, I can assure you! M2 if you want
something more modern.

Lotus Evora probably a bit tight for child seats. 911 the same, and a bit too obvious.

DB9 / Granturismo a different league for running costs and more GT’s, but if that’s no issue, why not.