Interesting/fun second car - £4k - £11k budget.

Original Poster

15,258 posts

198 months

Sunday 15th September

Currently have a 2010 MX5 and a Volvo C30 2.0D. The Volvo is used mainly for shopping trips/commute, etc on the less pleasant days (wet & windy!).

The MX5 has been great - had it 11 years and I'vedone 70k in it - but it's starting to show it's age and the 120k miles are taking their toll. It's used for about 5k a year now.

So I think it's time to replace it with something else, but not really sure what. Budget was originally £4k -£8k, but could stretch for the right car.

No strict criteria, just needs to be a bit different. We've got the Volvo, plus the other half has a Focus Estate (and a horsebox), so whatever I get doesn't need to be particularly practical, just interesting to drive. Doesn't have to be a convertible, but would prefer rear wheel drive.

So far, the ideas are :
1. Porsche Boxster (or possibly Cayman).
2. BMW Z4 . But drove one before I got the MX5 and found it dull by comparison.
3. Mercedes SLK
4. Nissan 370Z

The Porsche is the leading contender at the moment - insurance seems cheap, £260, only £30 more than the MX5, plus the owners club and other sites suggest running costs aren't too bad.
Am a little concerned about IMS issues, but my feeling is that if the engine was going to go, it would probably have done so by now..
Also there seem to be a lot of high mileage (six figures) - seems to suggest their relatively reliable.

So open to ideas for other vehicles to consider, or feedback on the suggestions above.

Belle427

9,742 posts

240 months

Sunday 15th September

Only certain Pork engines are affected by the problems so its worth doing some research on that, it would be the most logical choice but some describe them as a boring drive.
Have you considered doing the BBR Super 200 conversion to your MX5?
Makes it the car it should have been and for the gain its not bad money wise.

ajprice

29,259 posts

203 months

Sunday 15th September

I'm with Belle, my first thought seeing the title was to get the MX5 fixed up and updated. Or change it for a newer MX5, the top end of your budget would get you a ND shape.

ChrisH72

2,351 posts

59 months

Sunday 15th September

£10k will get you a nice ND with half the mileage if your NC

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024061106...

But I'm guessing you've ruled out another mx5 because you're wanting something different?

I had a similar search earlier this year with pretty much exactly the same cars you have on your list. My budget was higher and I ended up with a 2020 RF sport tech 2.0. Its really good but I would point out that I'm only 5 foot 8 and the seat is all the way back. Not a car for tall people!

My main reason for the RF was year round use, otherwise the soft top would've been fine. I thought long and hard about a Boxster 2.9 but was too worried about the running costs. The Z4 and SLK were a bit more GT and harder to find with a manual box which I really wanted.

If a convertible isn't essential you could look at a GT86?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024082632...

Top end of your budget but they still seem to hold their money very well.

Original Poster

15,258 posts

198 months

Sunday 15th September

I thought about the BBR, but I think the car's a little too worn for that. It's starting to feel tired - seats and steering wheel could do with a refurb, wheels are in need of straightening again (they're the rare 18" option which look great, but don't cope well with our awful roads) and I'm expecting it to need new shocks at some point.

Have thought about an ND, but think it's time to try something else.

ajprice

29,259 posts

203 months

Sunday 15th September

Your options seem more GT than the MX5, would you go for something more hardcore like a Westfield or a kit car?

Original Poster

15,258 posts

198 months

Sunday 15th September

A Westfield isn't totally out the question - I'm just thinking that could be a real minefield to find a decent one.
Also don't have a usable garage at the moment, so couldn't store it under cover..

ZX10R NIN

28,381 posts

132 months

Sunday 15th September

Original Poster

15,258 posts

198 months

Sunday 15th September

Thanks!

The BRZ/GT86 is definitely worth a look.

Tried an S2000 before getting the MX5 - great engine, but didn't feel great to drive.

I saw that Merc while browning yesterday. It's, erm, interesting smile

If it's had that wrap, I wonder what else has been done to it

TameRacingDriver

18,550 posts

279 months

Sunday 15th September

rscott said:

Good shout, my BBR 200 NC had 140k on it by the time I sold it, it was burning a fair bit of oil, and lots of things needed refreshing. It would have cost more than the car was worth to put everything right in the end, which made the option of a more modern car all the more tempting.

Plus, while I liked the 200 kit, and it likely gave the car the horsepower it should have had from the factory, it still wasn't a hugely engaging engine, nor was it still that fast really for the expense involved.

Original Poster

15,258 posts

198 months

Monday 30th September

Just to update the thread.

Ended up increasing the budget slightly and going for little less power.

2014 Z4 20i M Sport. Less than 60,000 on the clock for £10k.

Gas1883

568 posts

55 months

Monday 30th September

rscott said:

Just to update the thread.

Ended up increasing the budget slightly and going for little less power.

2014 Z4 20i M Sport. Less than 60,000 on the clock for £10k.

That looks a lot of car for 10k , enjoy

Mr Tidy

24,327 posts

134 months

Monday 30th September

rscott said:

Just to update the thread.

Ended up increasing the budget slightly and going for little less power.

Lovely, Valencia Orange has to be the best colour for an E89. thumbup:

FWIW the 20i can easily be mapped to 28i power as the engines are the same, although the 28i has bigger front brakes.

ZX10R NIN

28,381 posts

132 months