Is fast and reliable possible for £20k?
Discussion
I’m on the hunt again.
I don’t know if there’s something wrong with me but I think my idea of ‘quick’ isn’t what it used to be. My current car is a 2009 Cayman 2.9 and while it’s pretty good at covering ground, it’s not exactly what I’d describe as a quick car. It’s like hot hatch fast, rather than fast fast.
What I want is something which will be as reliable as the Cayman has for the last 21 months, as good on a European road trip, as usable every day, just quicker.
Is the obvious answer just… a Cayman S, or is there something out there which will blow my socks off and not break for similar money?
I don’t know if there’s something wrong with me but I think my idea of ‘quick’ isn’t what it used to be. My current car is a 2009 Cayman 2.9 and while it’s pretty good at covering ground, it’s not exactly what I’d describe as a quick car. It’s like hot hatch fast, rather than fast fast.
What I want is something which will be as reliable as the Cayman has for the last 21 months, as good on a European road trip, as usable every day, just quicker.
Is the obvious answer just… a Cayman S, or is there something out there which will blow my socks off and not break for similar money?
Edited by Robmarriott on Monday 10th March 21:15
A tesla Model 3 performance will leave most cars standing, and a heck of a lot quicker (and reliable!) than the m5 above, just stay under 90 to not decimate the range. If anything they're almost too fast as everything is instant. Plus you won't ruin yourself financially gunning it everywhere (apart from speed cameras). £20k will get a Chinese built one so very reliable. They don't even need servicing which would be another £1k annual expense on German performance cars
The best C63/IS F you can find.
IS-F:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406221...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404299...
V10 M6 as long as the preventative work has been done:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410255...
C63 125 Edition:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502279...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412046...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503079...
SLK55 AMG:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502209...
IS-F:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406221...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404299...
V10 M6 as long as the preventative work has been done:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410255...
C63 125 Edition:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502279...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412046...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503079...
SLK55 AMG:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502209...
My fear is that you’re all correct with the Cayman. It’s does everything I want, I’d just like it to be a bit more powerful (and maybe less grey).
I’ve been sort of looking for a Cayman S but it doesn’t really gain a load much power over the standard car. It’s a gain but it’s not dramatic. They’re also far less common and I’m yet to see one which is in budget and not older than mine.
My daily commute is all dual carriageway, so I don’t really get to experience the good bit of the car at all.
I just don’t know if the same car but a little hotter is going to be the change I want.
I’ve been sort of looking for a Cayman S but it doesn’t really gain a load much power over the standard car. It’s a gain but it’s not dramatic. They’re also far less common and I’m yet to see one which is in budget and not older than mine.
My daily commute is all dual carriageway, so I don’t really get to experience the good bit of the car at all.
I just don’t know if the same car but a little hotter is going to be the change I want.
How fast are you looking?
An E92 M3 is well within budget. They have rod bearing issues, but lots of owners get the preventative measures done and as long as they are, the engines are pretty strong.
B8 RS4 is dipping into the high teens now too.
Circa £20k will also just about get you an early M4 (2014-ish) which then has plenty of tuning capability if you want to go down that route.
An E92 M3 is well within budget. They have rod bearing issues, but lots of owners get the preventative measures done and as long as they are, the engines are pretty strong.
B8 RS4 is dipping into the high teens now too.
Circa £20k will also just about get you an early M4 (2014-ish) which then has plenty of tuning capability if you want to go down that route.
I'd love an E90/92 M3 but the bearing issue does put me off. The VED is nuts too, I'm sure it'll go up in April and at the moment it's £65 a month!
A F80/F82 would work. I think the M3 is still a bit over budget and that's what I'd prefer. Not keen on the rear of the M4, it looks 'heavy' compared to other coupes.
As for the first bit, I just want something which makes me giggle when I put my foot down.
A F80/F82 would work. I think the M3 is still a bit over budget and that's what I'd prefer. Not keen on the rear of the M4, it looks 'heavy' compared to other coupes.
As for the first bit, I just want something which makes me giggle when I put my foot down.
Edited by Robmarriott on Tuesday 11th March 10:45
I own an F82 M4 and it is indeed seriously quick. With rwd only, in anything other than warm dry conditions traction is at a premium which can be terrifying / hilarious depending on when it happens and how you view the world. Also worth noting that for a mere £800, Litchfields will give it back to you with 550bhp if you find the standard power underwhelming.
Other cars I thought about that would be in your budget were the Bentley GT, Jaguar XKR, C63 AMG and F10 M5.
The M4 was the cheapest to tax, but with the recent big increases in insurance premiums the first thing I'd say to anyone is get some insurance quotes as it's likely to be very expensive .
Other cars I thought about that would be in your budget were the Bentley GT, Jaguar XKR, C63 AMG and F10 M5.
The M4 was the cheapest to tax, but with the recent big increases in insurance premiums the first thing I'd say to anyone is get some insurance quotes as it's likely to be very expensive .
Snubs said:
I own an F82 M4 and it is indeed seriously quick. With rwd only, in anything other than warm dry conditions traction is at a premium which can be terrifying / hilarious depending on when it happens and how you view the world. Also worth noting that for a mere £800, Litchfields will give it back to you with 550bhp if you find the standard power underwhelming.
Other cars I thought about that would be in your budget were the Bentley GT, Jaguar XKR, C63 AMG and F10 M5.
The M4 was the cheapest to tax, but with the recent big increases in insurance premiums the first thing I'd say to anyone is get some insurance quotes as it's likely to be very expensive .
Good info thanks.Other cars I thought about that would be in your budget were the Bentley GT, Jaguar XKR, C63 AMG and F10 M5.
The M4 was the cheapest to tax, but with the recent big increases in insurance premiums the first thing I'd say to anyone is get some insurance quotes as it's likely to be very expensive .
Insurance seems ok when I checked a few months back but I’ll check it again. Hasn’t considered the Jag or the Bentley. The bork factor on both is a worry but the idea of a Bentley is cool.
I even thought about a very cheap V8 Vantage but I don’t think I’m that stupid.
Audi TT RS is incredibly quick point and shoot. But like a lot of the other suggestions you may end up lacking the engagement you have with the Cayman.
Maybe something which adds lightness to increase speed? So even though it is bloody quick, it doesn't need all that much power? Something like a VX220 Turbo / Lotus Elise / Cateram?
Maybe something which adds lightness to increase speed? So even though it is bloody quick, it doesn't need all that much power? Something like a VX220 Turbo / Lotus Elise / Cateram?
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