£35k... Modern, Fast & Fun

[cheshiredj7]

I'm on the hunt for a new car with a budget of £35k. My current commute is around 450 miles per week and my 420D has proved a great tool for the job. However, I am moving closer to work and my commute reduces so much that I will cycle to and from work.

My criteria
- Up to £35k, ideally £30k
- 4 Seats
- Coupe or convertible
- 350BHP min
- Some modern tech would be great; LED lights, HUD, heated seats
- Not concerned about fuel economy but would like something reliable

Current Shortlist

M4 CP: Can get into a 2017 facelift for £28k, quick and I like the shape but would it feel special? Same tech as my 420D. Lots have been modified and remapped.

C63 4.0 V8: Upper end of budget but probably my favourite so far. Lots of character, quick, loud and great spec (LED, HUD, Sunroof, Burmester) Though will it be costly to run? Tyres and brakes, AMG tax?

Cayman/Boxster 981 S: Had previous gen Boxster S and Cayman S, loved them but ideally need 4 seats.

911: My budget gets me into a 2015 which are prone to bore score and look dated inside

Maserati GT: Look amazing, sound fantastic but showing their age inside. No specialist nearby. Hard to move on after 12 months?

Audi R8: Would a sub £40k R8 be a world of pain?

BMW i8: Love these and spotted a few still under warranty (batteries) My concern, once the electic power has depleted will it be quick enough?

Can any past or present owners share their thoughts on the above and is there anything I am missing?

Thanks

Edited by cheshiredj7 on Wednesday 10th April 23:12

[mikiec]

recent thread on i8s.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

if your keen on r8s you could contact Reperformance and see if he knows any for sale at that price. If Ricky has serviced it/knows it, its probaby a safe bet.

[WeirdNeville]

GT-R?

[e600]

Your criteria asks for 4 seats, R8?

[bobsavage789]

You have very similar criteria to mine (albeit I’m not currently looking “properly”, as my next car change won’t be for at least a year).

Further to your shortlist, how about:

- M2 (£30k just about gets you into an M2C) (if you can forego the convertible aspect)
- Mustang
- You mentioned C63, but the C43 may well be a better daily (cheaper to run; AWD for inclement conditions). Your budget would also get you a facelift version (I couldn’t see a facelift C63 for less than £35k, but could be wrong).
- if 2 of the seats are only required for children, an XKR is unlikely to go far wrong and has a superb engine by all accounts, and an even better noise.
- leftfield would be a Lexus RCF: unlikely to go wrong and have a NA V8 to boot!

For what it’s worth, I’m very jealous of the test drives you’ll have!

[swanseaboydan]

C63 cab I reckon !!
Wish I’d bought one -I test drove one and it was nuts !

[bennno]

Mustang, F Type ?

[cheshiredj7]

Thanks for the i8 link. Ideally wanted 4 seats to take my young nephews out, who are car nuts.

I did look at GTR but cheapest on AT was £36k with high mileage. Plus finding a standard one is impossible.

I did seriously look at an M2, they get so much praise but I feel the interior will be a downgrade from what I currently have.

RCF and XKR is a great shout, off to have a peek now!

[fflump]

cheshiredj7 said:

I'm on the hunt for a new car with a budget of £35k. My current commute is around 450 miles per week and my 420D has proved a great tool for the job. However, I am moving closer to work and my commute reduces so much that I will cycle to and from work.

My criteria
- Up to £35k, ideally £30k
- 4 Seats
- Coupe or convertible
- 350BHP min
- Some modern tech would be great; LED lights, HUD, heated seats
- Not concerned about fuel economy but would like something reliable

Current Shortlist

M4 CP: Can get into a 2017 facelift for £28k, quick and I like the shape but would it feel special? Same tech as my 420D. Lots have been modified and remapped.

C63 4.0 V8: Upper end of budget but probably my favourite so far. Lots of character, quick, loud and great spec (LED, HUD, Sunroof, Burmester) Though will it be costly to run? Tyres and brakes, AMG tax?

Cayman/Boxster 981 S: Had previous gen Boxster S and Cayman S, loved them but ideally need 4 seats.

911: My budget gets me into a 2015 which are prone to bore score and look dated inside

Maserati GT: Look amazing, sound fantastic but showing their age inside. No specialist nearby. Hard to move on after 12 months?

Audi R8: Would a sub £40k R8 be a world of pain?

BMW i8: Love these and spotted a few still under warranty (batteries) My concern, once the electic power has depleted will it be quick enough?

Can any past or present owners share their thoughts on the above and is there anything I am missing?

Thanks

Edited by cheshiredj7 on Wednesday 10th April 23:12

2015 911s didn’t have bore scoring issues but they are out of your budget anyway

[Deep Thought]

cheshiredj7 said:

Thanks for the i8 link. Ideally wanted 4 seats to take my young nephews out, who are car nuts.

I did look at GTR but cheapest on AT was £36k with high mileage. Plus finding a standard one is impossible.

I did seriously look at an M2, they get so much praise but I feel the interior will be a downgrade from what I currently have.

RCF and XKR is a great shout, off to have a peek now!

Another vote for the M2. At your budget it would a Comp model.

Ensure it has both packs and you'll get all the tech youre looking for including ICON adaptive lights etc.

The interior in them is great. Seats are fantastic. Dash wont be to the latest gen 4 series, but i dont see that as a bad thing. I think its a good middle ground between old school and new tech.

Also you'll get in to like a 2019 or 2020 car with your budget. There are Approved Used too at that money.

Amazing cars for the money.

[BlackTank]

I've got a Mustang and an M4 cab. The Mustang is a brilliant GT with a big boot, cheap to insure, cheap to maintain and repair and modding is easy. You can get 2 small adults or 2 big kids comfortably in the back and the 5.0 with a 6 spd just can't be beat. It's the most fun to drive car I've had in years.

The M4 is much more refined, luxurious and delivers its thrills in a very grown up way. Seating for 4 is no problem and even the cab has a great useable boot.

If I feel like paying attention to the drive, I'll take the Mustang. If I want to zone out and just chill I'll take the M4 and set everything to efficient and comfort and it will behave just like a regular petrol 4 series. But on the way back, I can change all the settings to max and it'll turn into a proper hooligan, nothing like a 4 series at all.

Hope this helps.

[CG2020UK]

+1 for the M2.

Though definitely test drive both versions of the M2 is my recommendation.

I drove (still drive) both and went the N55 with no regrets!

[cerb4.5lee]

cheshiredj7 said:

Current Shortlist

M4 CP: Can get into a 2017 facelift for £28k, quick and I like the shape but would it feel special? Same tech as my 420D. Lots have been modified and remapped.

I've had my F82 M4 for 3 years and 25k miles, and I'm still really happy with it. It won't feel anymore special to sit in than your 420d, but it will be much more fun if you want it to be though.

[Deep Thought]

CG2020UK said:

+1 for the M2.

Though definitely test drive both versions of the M2 is my recommendation.

I drove (still drive) both and went the N55 with no regrets!

+1 on the OG.

I love mine and plenty quick for road use.

Love the exhaust note and the characterful engine.

[leef44]

e600 said:

Your criteria asks for 4 seats, R8?

and i8 and Cayman/Boxster?

[cheshiredj7]

Thanks all, going to arrange drives on an RCF, M2 and C63. I’ve watched enough videos on the M4 to know I’ll like it but I do fancy something different.

I thought the i8 had small rear seats? Added in 981’s to give a feel for what type of car I enjoy and R8 as it popped up but thought the better of it. It’s just me at the mo, so can choose 2 seats if needed but would be nice to take nephews for a spin in the Yorkshire Moors.

[Masiv]

RCF would be special and rare. Plus very reliable.

That would be my choice.

[fflump]

For sense of occasion a Granturismo Sport would be hard to beat.
I think there are aftermarket infotainment units which can bring the tech into the 21st century I believe.

[ZX10R NIN]

cheshiredj7 said:

Thanks all, going to arrange drives on an RCF, M2 and C63. I’ve watched enough videos on the M4 to know I’ll like it but I do fancy something different.

I thought the i8 had small rear seats? Added in 981’s to give a feel for what type of car I enjoy and R8 as it popped up but thought the better of it. It’s just me at the mo, so can choose 2 seats if needed but would be nice to take nephews for a spin in the Yorkshire Moors.

Take a look at the E53 coupe it's a very good car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402206...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402036...

I'm bias but I'd go for the 6.2 N/A 63 over the biturbo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402297...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401195...

I have to say the RC-F is a peach of a car & very special car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402126...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404038...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303024...

Leftfield

4.7 Granturismo Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312074...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403147...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403268...

[ITP]

Granturismo is a special ownership experience. Looking at it on your drive and walking up to it and starting it up will always feel more special than any ‘mainstream’ car, even if on paper they may be quicker and have more tech etc. Will cost between 2 and 3k/year to run on average over time but they are reliable.

For rarity, reliability and low cost of ownership you won’t beat an RC-F. Nice, very high quality car.