Fun car purchase £15k
Discussion
Hi all,
I’m fortunate enough to have saved up a nice sum onto which I am adding some of an inheritance I have come into (most is going on a property purchase) and want to spend it on a nice fun car (sold my MK2 Focus ST last year, and just got rid of my MG TF). I have a few options, and would be open to other suggestions and thoughts on existing options.
Blobeye WRX STI- Always wanted a Scooby and like the idea of a 4WD beast capable of putting its power down in any circumstances. Finding a decent one seems to be getting harder, I worry about rust.
E92 M3- Another car I’ve always lusted after, would love a first V8 experience. Seem to have held prices well so may struggle at 15k, and worry about rod bearings (ideally want these done already).
Vauxhall VXR8- Rare and interesting, finding one in budget may be tricky and 6.0 Monaro’s seem to be similar.
MG ZT260- Left field choice, but loved my MG TF and the ZT260 represents a fascinating curio. Have an excellent specialist garage up the road, and always liked the 75/ZT shape (which makes me a rather odd 25 year old!).
Any thoughts much appreciated. I’ve checked insurance costs and all cars come back between £500-850 which is acceptable to me. Cheers!
I’m fortunate enough to have saved up a nice sum onto which I am adding some of an inheritance I have come into (most is going on a property purchase) and want to spend it on a nice fun car (sold my MK2 Focus ST last year, and just got rid of my MG TF). I have a few options, and would be open to other suggestions and thoughts on existing options.
Blobeye WRX STI- Always wanted a Scooby and like the idea of a 4WD beast capable of putting its power down in any circumstances. Finding a decent one seems to be getting harder, I worry about rust.
E92 M3- Another car I’ve always lusted after, would love a first V8 experience. Seem to have held prices well so may struggle at 15k, and worry about rod bearings (ideally want these done already).
Vauxhall VXR8- Rare and interesting, finding one in budget may be tricky and 6.0 Monaro’s seem to be similar.
MG ZT260- Left field choice, but loved my MG TF and the ZT260 represents a fascinating curio. Have an excellent specialist garage up the road, and always liked the 75/ZT shape (which makes me a rather odd 25 year old!).
Any thoughts much appreciated. I’ve checked insurance costs and all cars come back between £500-850 which is acceptable to me. Cheers!
M3 would be great if you can find a well-looked after one in budget
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406281...
It's the time of year when you can haggle over a convertible like this M6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409244...
Left field, but a manual V8 and very much in budget is a Maserati Coupe GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409194...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406281...
It's the time of year when you can haggle over a convertible like this M6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409244...
Left field, but a manual V8 and very much in budget is a Maserati Coupe GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409194...
It also depends if you want to spend time driving it or fixing it. A ZT260 is not fast and is likely to need to be a labour of love for parts and maintenance - it's a 20 year old car that was indifferently engineered and built when new.
Maserati likely to cause a lot of pain, but joyous when it works.
How about a 5.0 XKR, you can get a convertible in budget too. A lot of dreamer sellers who want miles more than they are worth but you'll see sensible ones turn up all the time.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404208...
I have had one for a year after an impulse bid at trade auction and it is riotously good fun, very very fast and no turbo mush or lag so it feels far more brutal in power delivery than the turbocharged stuff.
It can be an absolute hooligan (with a killer exhaust note) one minute and a comfortable cruiser the next and they're largely trouble free, I've done over 10,000 miles in a year and mechanically all it needed was a water pump when I got it, which was £200 with a load of hoses and 2 hours to fit. I usually change cars a lot but I have no idea what I'd replace it with.
Personally I find taking the roof off makes every car about 100% more fun so even quite crap stuff can become enjoyable. Take the roof off an actually good car and you really are laughing out loud.
Look around for an SLK55 too, very funny cars.
Maserati likely to cause a lot of pain, but joyous when it works.
How about a 5.0 XKR, you can get a convertible in budget too. A lot of dreamer sellers who want miles more than they are worth but you'll see sensible ones turn up all the time.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404208...
I have had one for a year after an impulse bid at trade auction and it is riotously good fun, very very fast and no turbo mush or lag so it feels far more brutal in power delivery than the turbocharged stuff.
It can be an absolute hooligan (with a killer exhaust note) one minute and a comfortable cruiser the next and they're largely trouble free, I've done over 10,000 miles in a year and mechanically all it needed was a water pump when I got it, which was £200 with a load of hoses and 2 hours to fit. I usually change cars a lot but I have no idea what I'd replace it with.
Personally I find taking the roof off makes every car about 100% more fun so even quite crap stuff can become enjoyable. Take the roof off an actually good car and you really are laughing out loud.
Look around for an SLK55 too, very funny cars.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Sunday 20th October 12:08
The Maserati is a very analogue machine, with parts from places like eurospares readily available. With a decent Indy nearby it is a very realistic proposition IMO. FWIW I owned a Coupe Cambiocorsa for a while but would definitely buy a manual this time around.
The Jag is another excellent proposition if the OP wants an automatic and not worried about lack of rear seat room.
The Jag is another excellent proposition if the OP wants an automatic and not worried about lack of rear seat room.
fflump said:
The Maserati is a very analogue machine, with parts from places like eurospares readily available. With a decent Indy nearby it is a very realistic proposition IMO. FWIW I owned a Coupe Cambiocorsa for a while but would definitely buy a manual this time around.
The Jag is another excellent proposition if the OP wants an automatic and not worried about lack of rear seat room.
I've seen those Maseratis going for buttons but they're always that automated manual so I don't even look, I hadn't even realised you could buy a manual. I'd be tempted by one and I think there could be scope for a lot of haggling too.The Jag is another excellent proposition if the OP wants an automatic and not worried about lack of rear seat room.
GeniusOfLove said:
fflump said:
The Maserati is a very analogue machine, with parts from places like eurospares readily available. With a decent Indy nearby it is a very realistic proposition IMO. FWIW I owned a Coupe Cambiocorsa for a while but would definitely buy a manual this time around.
The Jag is another excellent proposition if the OP wants an automatic and not worried about lack of rear seat room.
I've seen those Maseratis going for buttons but they're always that automated manual so I don't even look, I hadn't even realised you could buy a manual. I'd be tempted by one and I think there could be scope for a lot of haggling too.The Jag is another excellent proposition if the OP wants an automatic and not worried about lack of rear seat room.
GeniusOfLove said:
How about a 5.0 XKR, you can get a convertible in budget too. A lot of dreamer sellers who want miles more than they are worth but you'll see sensible ones turn up all the time.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404208...
I have had one for a year after an impulse bid at trade auction and it is riotously good fun, very very fast and no turbo mush or lag so it feels far more brutal in power delivery than the turbocharged stuff.
It can be an absolute hooligan (with a killer exhaust note) one minute and a comfortable cruiser the next and they're largely trouble free, I've done over 10,000 miles in a year and mechanically all it needed was a water pump when I got it, which was £200 with a load of hoses and 2 hours to fit. I usually change cars a lot but I have no idea what I'd replace it with.
Personally I find taking the roof off makes every car about 100% more fun so even quite crap stuff can become enjoyable. Take the roof off an actually good car and you really are laughing out loud.
Look around for an SLK55 too, very funny cars.
That’s lovely. Far rather have something soft top that sounds like that over a coupe with a smaller engine. Won’t be the most agile of cars, still an event to drive.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404208...
I have had one for a year after an impulse bid at trade auction and it is riotously good fun, very very fast and no turbo mush or lag so it feels far more brutal in power delivery than the turbocharged stuff.
It can be an absolute hooligan (with a killer exhaust note) one minute and a comfortable cruiser the next and they're largely trouble free, I've done over 10,000 miles in a year and mechanically all it needed was a water pump when I got it, which was £200 with a load of hoses and 2 hours to fit. I usually change cars a lot but I have no idea what I'd replace it with.
Personally I find taking the roof off makes every car about 100% more fun so even quite crap stuff can become enjoyable. Take the roof off an actually good car and you really are laughing out loud.
Look around for an SLK55 too, very funny cars.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Sunday 20th October 12:08
Thanks all, some lovely suggestions! The Maser is a very interesting idea, a neighbour has one and it sounds the dogs (I’d definitely go manual though!). Jag I’d forgotten about, very much on the list as is the SLK55. A friend has a Chim and I’ve driven it, I’m 6ft 5 and found it very uncomfortable to drive, so have to discount it with a heavy heart. Definitely leaning towards a V8 now. Further suggestions welcome.
Edit- What are the running costs on the Maserati like? Any recommendations on Indy’s? I live near Farnborough in Hampshire for reference.
Edit- What are the running costs on the Maserati like? Any recommendations on Indy’s? I live near Farnborough in Hampshire for reference.
Edited by dtulip8 on Sunday 20th October 16:44
GeniusOfLove said:
.
Personally I find taking the roof off makes every car about 100% more fun so even quite crap stuff can become enjoyable. Take the roof off an actually good car and you really are laughing out loud.
Look around for an SLK55 too, very funny cars.
Definitely echo this sentiment, having the roof of the TF made it an absolute event every time, even if the car itself wasn’t necessarily the greatest thing ever made. Convertible will be the way forward for lovely V8 noise.Personally I find taking the roof off makes every car about 100% more fun so even quite crap stuff can become enjoyable. Take the roof off an actually good car and you really are laughing out loud.
Look around for an SLK55 too, very funny cars.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Sunday 20th October 12:08
Boxter - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407151...
Cayman - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309282...
or, of course, an MX5 - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410165...
Cayman - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309282...
or, of course, an MX5 - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410165...
I have a ZT260, and as you say it's a quite a curio, and I love mine...but you really have to be an enthusiast and really love them for it to work out. I've had mine 8/9 months and it hasn't given me any serious trouble, but I'm very aware that it's going to need a fair amount spending on it to keep it in decent condition.
Pros..
Sounds great, particularly with xpower exhausts
Looks great (that's obviously subjective)
A bit of a q car/sleeper (if you don't have noisy exhausts)
Community knowledge/support is great via the two-sixties forum.
It's really comfortable, rides nicely, and handles well
RWD, well balanced, and fairly controllable.
Insurance on a classic policy for 34yo me limited to 3k miles was less than £300
Ford V8 is unstressed and bombproof. Used in Mustangs and crown vics of the era.
Gets a lot of positive response/attention (if that matters to you)
Rarity
Cons..
It's not particularly quick - more of an old smoker to enjoy a V8 rumble and torque
The subframes rot (and so do the sills as per regular 75s)
The hvac system is a complete bodge with weak, leaky heating valves
Rarity - Some parts are now really hard to get hold of or just don't exist anymore (the community can help with some stuff)..they may look like any other ZT on the top but underneath it's surprisingly different in a few areas.
It was built by Rover 20 years ago. Imagine your TF...but with more complexity.
They can leak like a sieve...more so if you have a sunroof
You absolutely need a specialist who knows about them if you aren't going to work on it yourself - Austin Garages (Staffs) or Retro Sports Cars (Yorks) are the gold standard.
As I said I absolutely love mine, but the best way I can liken it is that it's like keeping a fully functioning prototype on the road. They certainly have their quirks, but it's also a really nice car to drive.
Values are also all over the place. There's scruffy ones at about £5k, most seem to sit at around £7-10k which I think is probably the sweet spot, and then a few up to around £15k. Id struggle to justify spending more than £10k on one unless it's absolutely immaculate and very low mileage. Mine was £8.5k with a nice chunky folder of history and seems to have sat around that mark for the last couple of occasions that it sold.
My thread... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Spinakerr's Tourer... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Pros..
Sounds great, particularly with xpower exhausts
Looks great (that's obviously subjective)
A bit of a q car/sleeper (if you don't have noisy exhausts)
Community knowledge/support is great via the two-sixties forum.
It's really comfortable, rides nicely, and handles well
RWD, well balanced, and fairly controllable.
Insurance on a classic policy for 34yo me limited to 3k miles was less than £300
Ford V8 is unstressed and bombproof. Used in Mustangs and crown vics of the era.
Gets a lot of positive response/attention (if that matters to you)
Rarity
Cons..
It's not particularly quick - more of an old smoker to enjoy a V8 rumble and torque
The subframes rot (and so do the sills as per regular 75s)
The hvac system is a complete bodge with weak, leaky heating valves
Rarity - Some parts are now really hard to get hold of or just don't exist anymore (the community can help with some stuff)..they may look like any other ZT on the top but underneath it's surprisingly different in a few areas.
It was built by Rover 20 years ago. Imagine your TF...but with more complexity.
They can leak like a sieve...more so if you have a sunroof
You absolutely need a specialist who knows about them if you aren't going to work on it yourself - Austin Garages (Staffs) or Retro Sports Cars (Yorks) are the gold standard.
As I said I absolutely love mine, but the best way I can liken it is that it's like keeping a fully functioning prototype on the road. They certainly have their quirks, but it's also a really nice car to drive.
Values are also all over the place. There's scruffy ones at about £5k, most seem to sit at around £7-10k which I think is probably the sweet spot, and then a few up to around £15k. Id struggle to justify spending more than £10k on one unless it's absolutely immaculate and very low mileage. Mine was £8.5k with a nice chunky folder of history and seems to have sat around that mark for the last couple of occasions that it sold.
My thread... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Spinakerr's Tourer... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by WelshPetrolhead on Sunday 20th October 17:53
dtulip8 said:
Thanks all, some lovely suggestions! The Maser is a very interesting idea, a neighbour has one and it sounds the dogs (I’d definitely go manual though!). Jag I’d forgotten about, very much on the list as is the SLK55. A friend has a Chim and I’ve driven it, I’m 6ft 5 and found it very uncomfortable to drive, so have to discount it with a heavy heart. Definitely leaning towards a V8 now. Further suggestions welcome.
Edit- What are the running costs on the Maserati like? Any recommendations on Indy’s? I live near Farnborough in Hampshire for reference.
Unfortunately my local indy is in Edinburgh. If you’re interested in what parts cost the eurospares website is very user friendly. As long as you’ve had a decent PPI to rule out stuff like rotten subframe the running costs are not bad but at that age gaskets tend to perish so check its oil tight and the underside well waxoiled or similar. Smooth idle important too though misfiring only means a new coil pack. The coupe is a bit more understated than the Granturismo and owners are often enthusiasts so worth holding out for a nice example with good history. Price wise they’ve bottomed out I sold mine for a touch more than I bought it for.Edit- What are the running costs on the Maserati like? Any recommendations on Indy’s? I live near Farnborough in Hampshire for reference.
Edited by dtulip8 on Sunday 20th October 16:44
Head over to Car and Classic and have a peruse. Plenty great ideas for £15k
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1792340
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1792340
andy43 said:
GeniusOfLove said:
How about a 5.0 XKR, you can get a convertible in budget too. A lot of dreamer sellers who want miles more than they are worth but you'll see sensible ones turn up all the time.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404208...
I have had one for a year after an impulse bid at trade auction and it is riotously good fun, very very fast and no turbo mush or lag so it feels far more brutal in power delivery than the turbocharged stuff.
It can be an absolute hooligan (with a killer exhaust note) one minute and a comfortable cruiser the next and they're largely trouble free, I've done over 10,000 miles in a year and mechanically all it needed was a water pump when I got it, which was £200 with a load of hoses and 2 hours to fit. I usually change cars a lot but I have no idea what I'd replace it with.
Personally I find taking the roof off makes every car about 100% more fun so even quite crap stuff can become enjoyable. Take the roof off an actually good car and you really are laughing out loud.
Look around for an SLK55 too, very funny cars.
That’s lovely. Far rather have something soft top that sounds like that over a coupe with a smaller engine. Won’t be the most agile of cars, still an event to drive.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404208...
I have had one for a year after an impulse bid at trade auction and it is riotously good fun, very very fast and no turbo mush or lag so it feels far more brutal in power delivery than the turbocharged stuff.
It can be an absolute hooligan (with a killer exhaust note) one minute and a comfortable cruiser the next and they're largely trouble free, I've done over 10,000 miles in a year and mechanically all it needed was a water pump when I got it, which was £200 with a load of hoses and 2 hours to fit. I usually change cars a lot but I have no idea what I'd replace it with.
Personally I find taking the roof off makes every car about 100% more fun so even quite crap stuff can become enjoyable. Take the roof off an actually good car and you really are laughing out loud.
Look around for an SLK55 too, very funny cars.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Sunday 20th October 12:08
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