Do, don't I, and if so what?
Discussion
I am in the same boat as you - having just got rid of my RS 4 after 9 years of ownership I dont know what to get.
We replaced it with a Tiguan, but will be losing the small runabout to my lad once he passes his test, so there will be a blank space in the garage that can be replaced with something.
I am fed up of the expensive car issue of looking after it etc
I am tempted by a older Boxster that is for sale locally and appears to be a tidy example or trying to get a good golf gti mk 7 / 7.5.
Seen quite a few performance models so time for a bit of hunting and maybe a few drives to see what we fancy
We replaced it with a Tiguan, but will be losing the small runabout to my lad once he passes his test, so there will be a blank space in the garage that can be replaced with something.
I am fed up of the expensive car issue of looking after it etc
I am tempted by a older Boxster that is for sale locally and appears to be a tidy example or trying to get a good golf gti mk 7 / 7.5.
Seen quite a few performance models so time for a bit of hunting and maybe a few drives to see what we fancy
Motorbike?
I'd be tempted to look at 90s cars which are not too hard to work on.
Some people's idea of a toy car for the weekend is drivng a Morgan or 7 or ..... 20 miles to the pub and back, others would be thinking of weekends to nice roads in Wales or similar, so want civilised motorway cruising.
I'd be tempted to look at 90s cars which are not too hard to work on.
Some people's idea of a toy car for the weekend is drivng a Morgan or 7 or ..... 20 miles to the pub and back, others would be thinking of weekends to nice roads in Wales or similar, so want civilised motorway cruising.
It would be an Elise for me, or possibly a 'modern classic'.
Pick something like (for example) a Mk1 MR2, and not too much bad can happen. Even if the engine blows up, it's hardly the most terrible job to remove and replace or repair.
There's plenty of interesting metal out there for a few grand. Buy sensibly, and if you don't like it, sell it and move on.
I've been buying stuff that I like for years, and while non of it is particular PH worthy, it keeps things interesting, and I enjoy swapping and changing, and buying and selling. I suppose it's cost me a few grand over the years, but it's small money, and lots of fun.
Let's be fair, the excitement of a new car wears off pretty quickly, and then you start finding all the design niggles and irritations with it. Mind you, I do like the car to drive properly, and I do enjoy the spanners, so there's usually a bit of tinkering that both helps me bond to the car, and increases value a little.
Also, who wants or needs the worry and hassle of keeping a car in the 100% perfection mode. I don't for sure. Life is too short, and I want to be doing other things, rather than cleaning a car, and fretting about whether the wheels are original, or the mats are the right colour. Who cares? Not me that's for sure.
TL:DR. Go and buy something older and funner, and cheaper, and if you don't like it, sell it.
Pick something like (for example) a Mk1 MR2, and not too much bad can happen. Even if the engine blows up, it's hardly the most terrible job to remove and replace or repair.
There's plenty of interesting metal out there for a few grand. Buy sensibly, and if you don't like it, sell it and move on.
I've been buying stuff that I like for years, and while non of it is particular PH worthy, it keeps things interesting, and I enjoy swapping and changing, and buying and selling. I suppose it's cost me a few grand over the years, but it's small money, and lots of fun.
Let's be fair, the excitement of a new car wears off pretty quickly, and then you start finding all the design niggles and irritations with it. Mind you, I do like the car to drive properly, and I do enjoy the spanners, so there's usually a bit of tinkering that both helps me bond to the car, and increases value a little.
Also, who wants or needs the worry and hassle of keeping a car in the 100% perfection mode. I don't for sure. Life is too short, and I want to be doing other things, rather than cleaning a car, and fretting about whether the wheels are original, or the mats are the right colour. Who cares? Not me that's for sure.
TL:DR. Go and buy something older and funner, and cheaper, and if you don't like it, sell it.
Id stretch to the GTR if you can afford it but a lot of your other choices are also interesting.
Really depends what you like driving, the VX and Elise/Exige can be a very raw experience and not for everyone, im thinking of moving mine on after only a year as although its a very capable car the driving experience on the roads is a little too uncomfortable for my liking.
Values do hold up well though if thats a concern.
Really depends what you like driving, the VX and Elise/Exige can be a very raw experience and not for everyone, im thinking of moving mine on after only a year as although its a very capable car the driving experience on the roads is a little too uncomfortable for my liking.
Values do hold up well though if thats a concern.
I could have written this post myself - in a very similar scenario.
I'm holding off for now as my crystal ball has used ICE prices slumping, so I'm waiting to see what the market does. A lot of the cars you listed are on my shortlist, as are an old Japanese car from my younger days (I have a hankering for (another) Subaru Impreza).
The problem I have is I alternate between:
1. Fast and useable daily. Pros: It will get driven; I can justify the purchase; I will actually get to enjoy the car. Cons: I'll be precious about the car getting damaged in a soft play car park, the "boring" daily mileage I do will cost me more, and I can't really enjoy the car with the family in it.
2. Fast and silly weekend car. Pros: Cheaper; Something just for me that I can fawn over in the garage. Cons: It'll never get used, and I'll feel guilty for buying something for me when I could have spent it on holidays/mortgage/something for the family.
I'd certainly forget the loan if you're thinking weekend car - ideally, you'd want to buy outright and buy something that will hold its value well.
Sorry, I haven't answered the question, but you're not alone in your thinking. I'm off to get some vicarious enjoyment browsing the classifieds....
I'm holding off for now as my crystal ball has used ICE prices slumping, so I'm waiting to see what the market does. A lot of the cars you listed are on my shortlist, as are an old Japanese car from my younger days (I have a hankering for (another) Subaru Impreza).
The problem I have is I alternate between:
1. Fast and useable daily. Pros: It will get driven; I can justify the purchase; I will actually get to enjoy the car. Cons: I'll be precious about the car getting damaged in a soft play car park, the "boring" daily mileage I do will cost me more, and I can't really enjoy the car with the family in it.
2. Fast and silly weekend car. Pros: Cheaper; Something just for me that I can fawn over in the garage. Cons: It'll never get used, and I'll feel guilty for buying something for me when I could have spent it on holidays/mortgage/something for the family.
I'd certainly forget the loan if you're thinking weekend car - ideally, you'd want to buy outright and buy something that will hold its value well.
Sorry, I haven't answered the question, but you're not alone in your thinking. I'm off to get some vicarious enjoyment browsing the classifieds....
Very bias opinion here… Buy a lotus. Pretty much the best driving experience. Still half practical for weekends away/ you have a roof and proper doors! Cheap to run and maintain. Values are pretty good so shouldn’t lose much on depreciation.
I have an Exige 410 now. It’s an awesome piece of kit. However I think my old Elise 111R was possibly more fun. Could thrash it more on the road without going silly speeds.
If you can push into a v6 car though they are great fun. You wouldn’t think it was “only” a Toyota engine making the noise it does!
V6 is definitely better on the motorway for longer journeys with the Mrs though. If the exhaust is closed!
I have an Exige 410 now. It’s an awesome piece of kit. However I think my old Elise 111R was possibly more fun. Could thrash it more on the road without going silly speeds.
If you can push into a v6 car though they are great fun. You wouldn’t think it was “only” a Toyota engine making the noise it does!
V6 is definitely better on the motorway for longer journeys with the Mrs though. If the exhaust is closed!
One of the only cars i actually regret selling was a Mk 1 Mx5 that i paid £900 for with no Abs, traction, airbags etc.
It was a non running project i got back on the road and it already had Meister R coilovers fitted and was just a lovely thing to drive.
Dog slow but you kind of enjoyed ringing its neck more and the gearchange was sublime, it was a nice comfortable place to be too.
Im considering another in the future but would love to do a Supercharged conversion, a lot of money to do it though.
Id go as far to say i enjoyed it more than my current Elise as i wasnt precious about it at all.
It was a non running project i got back on the road and it already had Meister R coilovers fitted and was just a lovely thing to drive.
Dog slow but you kind of enjoyed ringing its neck more and the gearchange was sublime, it was a nice comfortable place to be too.
Im considering another in the future but would love to do a Supercharged conversion, a lot of money to do it though.
Id go as far to say i enjoyed it more than my current Elise as i wasnt precious about it at all.
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