Considerations on next car, up to £14K!

[jackpe]

Guys,

I know this is yet another "what should I get" thread but bear with me..

Am looking for something up to £14k (ideally less) but here is a bit of background.

I have a 1980 380 SL which will sell, am looking for something a little more fun but still has to be usable. Will consider anything a few years old. These are the cars i have thought about:

-E46 M3

Pluses: Drive, always loved looks, future classic?
Minuses: insurance costs, a bit blad

-Porsche 911 (964 or other 1980s or early 1990s model)

Pluses: 911! , Looks, durability, usability, Classic insurance
Minuses: Potential costs, price right at top of budget for an ok car

-Elise S1

Pluses: Fun, Handling, in my price range
Minuses: I am over 6.1 foot.. maybe not very usable? Terrible comfort..

-TVR Griffith or Cerbera

Pluses: Proper sports cars, like the look
Miuses: Will they fall apart, comfort?


Am really temped by the Elise but just think it will be way to small and uncomfortable. Any other comments or ideas?

[jimslops]

MX5

[jackpe]

Jim,

Concise but surprisingly it has started to whet my appetite... I like the Mk1's.. and they are super cheap! Does anyone have any recommendations on the MK1 MX5s? things to look out for, best engine, options..etch?

[jimslops]

jackpe said:

Jim,

Concise but surprisingly it has started to whet my appetite... I like the Mk1's.. and they are super cheap! Does anyone have any recommendations on the MK1 MX5s? things to look out for, best engine, options..etch?

There is far more infromation and better worded on all MX5's on MX5 section here, MX5 owners club, MX5 NUTZ and more.

They are absolutely brilliant. 1.8 Eunos has improved diff from 1.6 engine and is 20bhp down from 1.8 but is more revvy and lighter. Strokes for folks. Go try, it is not all false hype. If you have 14k to piss away you could probably afford a tow car, trailer and mx5 race car...#

TVR is it was me - depends on your monthly disposable and what you are willing to spend running the thing each year.

[JameshGT]

Z4 M coupe?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3685158.htm

A differnt TVR, Tamora?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2876468.htm

[jimslops]

JameshGT said:

A differnt TVR, Tamora?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2876468.htm

[jackpe]

jimslops said:

Is the Tamora reasonably reliable? if it is close to £14K that would be the very top end of my budget..

[jimslops]

jackpe said:

Is the Tamora reasonably reliable? if it is close to £14K that would be the very top end of my budget..

Yes, reasonably reliable. If you want a V8 you are going to have more running cost's than an Elise (probably) but I am now stating the obvious. Get test driving.

[Chunkychucky]

I would go for a Chimaera 400 or 450, lovely cars. Always slightly weary of the Speed Six engined cars as it doesn't seem to be a very good engine given the amount that have had a rebuild or two..

[varsas]

Porsche Boxster?

Only if you find the MX-5 a bit slow though, they are very good.

[V8 FOU]

Lotus Esprit.
Not that I'm biased or anything....

Get a damn good one for £14K

[jackpe]

Thanks guys .. this has certainly given me some food for thought.. any more ideas or feedback welcome.

Esprit would be great but not really sure if usable enough..?

[jimslops]

jackpe said:

Thanks guys .. this has certainly given me some food for thought.. any more ideas or feedback welcome.

Esprit would be great but not really sure if usable enough..?

Can you spanner?

[hesnotthemessiah]

If you are female buy the MX5. If not then go for the Elise or a TVR.

[jackpe]

hesnotthemessiah said:

If you are female buy the MX5. If not then go for the Elise or a TVR.

I fear the TVR will be too expensive to run and right at the top of my budget.. so if something goes wrong not much left for contingencies..

Is the Elise not devilishly uncomfortable and too small considering my height (6.1 feet)? Anyone live near Putney, South west london have one I can poke around in?

[The Surveyor]

If your tall, go for the TVR. Peter Wheeler was a tall bloke so all his cars come with loads of leg room. For your budget you'll either get a usable Griffith, or an excellant Chimaera. The Chimaera isn't going to rise in value as they are still a little too common compared to the Griffith (in TVR terms...) but the Chimaera is a cracking sports car and is just the same as a Griffith underneith. Go for a 5.0 Chimaera for the best of all worlds....

Rover V8 engined TVR will be no more expensive to run and maintain than either a 911 or Lotus.

Paul

[jimslops]

The Surveyor said:

Rover V8 engined TVR will be no more expensive to run and maintain than either a 911 or Lotus.

Paul

[williamp]

some lovely cars there. A wonderful position to be in..

Of those I'd take the Lotus..no the 911...no the... XKR? Maserati 3200GT? 8 series? Merc SL or CL? Mint 928?

...but this is pstonheads, so I have to recommend a nearly new Audi or BMW diesel. In black obviously, wth leather and a few other options: electric windows, windscreen wipers, a complete absence of charm or charisma. More frugal then the others, and aparently its quicker in the real world. Nevermind the sense of occasion, the driving etc etc

[The Surveyor]

jimslops said:

The Surveyor said:

Rover V8 engined TVR will be no more expensive to run and maintain than either a 911 or Lotus.

Paul

Buy a good one and not the one that your mates brothers old golfing friends owned 15 years ago.... With a £14k budget, you'll get a tired council-spec 911 or a mint Chimaera so you tell us all which will be a better ownership proposition? Oh and Lotus has always had such a solid reputation for reliability and bargain basement repairs haven't they...

[coetzeeh]

jimslops said:

The Surveyor said:

Rover V8 engined TVR will be no more expensive to run and maintain than either a 911 or Lotus.

Paul

I owned a Griff for 6 years and aside from replacing a camshaft it only required regular servicing. I spent a bit on upgrades but that was out of choice. Buy a good one from the off and you will be OK.