£70K 'Super' Car... WWY?

[G-Rich]

This is a simples one really... if you are lucky enough to put £70K into a 'super' car; where do you go?

Audi R8 GT (1st Gen)?
F360 / 430?
Mc 12c / 540c?
911 T?
AMG GT Roadster?

Lets assume all things are equal, and the prospective purchaser is looking to scratch an itch on something special, in an "if not now, then when" kind of capacity? Maintenance et al is a consideration, but not a show stopper. Storage / management of the car is controllable and there is no risk in as this will be a weekend toy, not a daily. Depreciation is always a concern - this is not necessarily a 'forever' car.

Thoughts from the qualified masses very much appreciated!

[av185]

£70k buys you an older car/ Mclaren/very old Ferrari with associated big bills and high warranty costs.

Or a much newer 911/Cayster with few issues better reliability and much lower warranty costs.

991.2 T great package at the money and low numbers too supporting residuals nicely unlike the 992. Manual and PDK choice mine was manual with T pack not the best Porsche box slightly vague in the upper ratios. Rear seats and lightweight glass a no cost option.

GT4 and Spyder more driver focused especially the 718....rapid road cars with one of Porsches finest manual gearboxes and a storming 8k rev limit engine great driver engagement but very usable and final cars produced 2023. Basic PDK an option.

As usual best advice is to drive those cars that interest you to help you decide.

[Heathwood]

Stretching the notion of a ‘supercar’ but perhaps an Exige 410.

[DodgyGeezer]

TBH I'm not sure I'd even look at a 'supercar' - there are quite a few resto-mods out there which seem attract me far more (and seem to attract the jealous types a whole lot less - win/win)

[Olivergt]

Something like this would do me:

Honda NSX

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1493227

[bobthemonkey]

G-Rich said:

This is a simples one really... if you are lucky enough to put £70K into a 'super' car; where do you go?

Audi R8 GT (1st Gen)?
F360 / 430?
Mc 12c / 540c?
911 T?
AMG GT Roadster?

Lets assume all things are equal, and the prospective purchaser is looking to scratch an itch on something special, in an "if not now, then when" kind of capacity? Maintenance et al is a consideration, but not a show stopper. Storage / management of the car is controllable and there is no risk in as this will be a weekend toy, not a daily. Depreciation is always a concern - this is not necessarily a 'forever' car.

Thoughts from the qualified masses very much appreciated!

F Type R and save a chunk of cash? An early one when they were still RWD and had the better exhaust..

Edited by bobthemonkey on Friday 26th July 17:34

[BlackTails]

How do you plan to use it is key to this.

Is your weekend use just you, enjoying some fast roads in the country, or is it you and your partner going places for the weekend? Would you use it year round in all weathers, or is it more a high days and holidays car? Are you city based or countryside based?

[Billy_Rosewood]

Had a similar issue but a slightly smaller budget and after lusting after an R8 V10 for the "lambo" engine I realised the only real answer was a gallardo.

[johnnyreggae]

Heathwood said:

Stretching the notion of a ‘supercar’ but perhaps an Exige 410.

Similar thinking would include an Alpine

[deggles]

I think I'd be looking at a GT4 or Emira at this money. As above, 'cheap' McLarens and Ferraris have the potential for big bills.

[200Plus Club]

718GT4 with carbon buckets loads around at 70k sort of money. Boxes ticked , does touring and trackdays plus 2 yr servicing and decent value warranty costs.
60k gets you an Evora 410 with similar attributes and gentle depreciation.
70k into anything lambo/mclaren/ferrari gets you someone else's problem car imho.
Other option amd more a genuine supercar experience is a gen 2 R8 V10. Looks/noise and great performance

Edited by 200Plus Club on Friday 26th July 18:24

[samoht]

This is a particularly individual type of decision, but I did (at a somewhat higher budget) plump for a McLaren 570GT.

It's very much got the 'wow' factor to own, it makes me feel very lucky to be in.

It's been across Europe, on track and out for many local Sunday B-road blasts, and does them all well. For me it's the steering feel which makes it not just mad quick, but engaging and exciting with it.

In terms of maintenance I go to V Engineering, they know these cars inside out and can sort most issues for a half-reasonable price. No warranty, 18 months in and no huge bills yet (touch carbon!)


My only reservations would be (a) that £70k is really entry level for the 540C/570S, so you'd need to shop very carefully and get a proper PPI done and (b) there aren't that many really reputable McLaren specialists, so the ability to run one for a reasonable price is somewhat location-dependent.


FWIW it's not quite the same budget but evo tested F430 v Gallardo v 650S v R8 V10, and found the McLaren to be head and shoulders above the rest.

https://www.evo.co.uk/supercars/206652/ferrari-f43... (photos only, test isn't online AFAIK)

[ZX10R NIN]

For me it would be a 12C with enough left over for Thorney warranty:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405260...

My other pick would be a C8 Corvette but they're still a smidge over budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406090...

Not quite a supercar but it's a cracking steer so an honourable mention for the Lotus Emira:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405179...

[biggbn]

Nissan GTR. Come on, don't claim its not a supercar!! Failing that, an NSX.

[CABC]

biggbn said:

Nissan GTR. Come on, don't claim its not a supercar!! Failing that, an NSX.

all about personal definition, but supercars need a high quotient of theatre. Many a Lotus or Porsche qualify as far better sports cars, but a supercar needs Lambo-style drama. In fact my first thought was a Huracan, but I looked up the prices and they're 150k+. Having recently driven one I'd say they're worth it as both a dramatic car AND a great drive. A Gallardo is in budget but I read that they're not as good as a Huracan??

[G-Rich]

Thanks for the feedbacks. It’ll be weekend blasts, and maybe a weekend away. No track work.

Any thoughts on R8 GT ? Foolish buy or canny limited edition reliable gallardo? Or for the same money an old Fexxa or McLaren and screw the cost / risk?!

[200Plus Club]

G-Rich said:

Thanks for the feedbacks. It’ll be weekend blasts, and maybe a weekend away. No track work.

Any thoughts on R8 GT ? Foolish buy or canny limited edition reliable gallardo? Or for the same money an old Fexxa or McLaren and screw the cost / risk?!

I can't see any scenario where an R8 GT isn't more reliable than a Gallardo. The lambo will ultimately have more "drama/theatre" if you want that more.
I've a McLaren at present and it's stunning, but brings costs with it and minor niggles.
Supercars and a few foibles go hand in hand generally tho.

[200Plus Club]

biggbn said:

Nissan GTR. Come on, don't claim its not a supercar!! Failing that, an NSX.

They are supercar quick that's true. Not got the same sort of visual appeal though unfortunately as many supercars.
NSX for 70k is going to be one of the old slow ones, and the modern ones can literally only be serviced in london/South, complete no go for many.

[Stick Legs]

This is easy for me.

McLaren MP-4/12C.

The prettiest, most useable, awesomest car of the last 15 years IMHO.

[Summit_Detailing]

I've been privileged enough to drive most of the aforementioned through work and if it was my £'s I'd be looking at a Vantage V12 or R8 V10 (not GT)......or something very left field - KTM X-bow?.

Happy car shopping.

Cheers,

Chris