25k to spend

[microboy]

Ive got about 25k to spend and Im looking for a new car. Currently drive a BMW 328 convertible and Im looking for something with a little more poke. So far its down to 2 cars
Estoril Blue BMW M3 convertible 321 BHP
Silver Audi TT 225

can you guys suggest any other cars. Must be reliable and a good motorway cruiser....

[Roadrunner]

If you have a thing for rag tops then there's always the boxter. I think it'll be less wobbly than the bimmer.

[castex]

I think you'll find you need a lamborghini espada.
Money left over for petrol, bob's your uncle.

[s2ooz]

Audi S4

[castex]

oh, you said reliable...

>> Edited by castex on Thursday 20th June 11:24

[trefor]

The TT won't have any more poke than the 328 and they're getting very common if you're in the SE. With 6 gears you're forever changing gear too. Of course a few simple mods will make it much faster.

[douglasr]

quote:Ive got about 25k to spend and Im looking for a new car. Currently drive a BMW 328 convertible and Im looking for something with a little more poke. So far its down to 2 cars
Estoril Blue BMW M3 convertible 321 BHP
Silver Audi TT 225

can you guys suggest any other cars. Must be reliable and a good motorway cruiser....

Your mad if you take a TT over a Honda S2000 (less of a cruiser but a far superior drivers car), and I would rather have an E46 330CI Cab that an E36 M3 Cab - purely in terms of residual value.

[Roadrunner]

Forgot about the honda - looks good if it's not red.

[microboy]

Porsche Boxster never thought of that one..im adding that to my list
What do you think of the M3 Evo convertible anybody on here owned one ? Are they expensive to run compared to somethinglike the Bmw 328

[joe90]

For that money, if you want a sports car rather than a cabriolet then I reckon you can't get a better combination of handling, performance and comfort (including hood down motorway cruise at "close to the legal limit" as they say) than Census. Of course I would say that :-)

Joe90

[Twin Turbo]

Right you lot, no sniggering.

How about a Corvette (C5)? You'll have to sit on the wrong side of the car, but the 5.7 litre V8 should make up for that.

[Roadrunner]

Convertable bimmers are not sports cars. They are prone to scuttle shake (wobbling). Decide if you want a drivers car or a pose mobile.

[GregE240]

quote:
Right you lot, no sniggering.

How about a Corvette (C5)? You'll have to sit on the wrong side of the car, but the 5.7 litre V8 should make up for that.

And you get to brag that you drive/own the world's most dangerous sportscar.....

On the Boxster idea, bear in mind 25K is going to buy you a late 2.5 - if you can put a bit more in (isn't that always the case ???), you could go to a 2.7....

[M@H]

quote:Ive got about 25k to spend and ....

How about a Cottage in Wales or Shropshire

Cheers
Matt.

[Neil Menzies]

quote:
How about a Cottage in Wales or Shropshire

0-60 times are a bit slow.

[Roadrunner]

Do you age slower in Wales then?

>> Edited by Roadrunner on Thursday 20th June 12:24

[Neil Menzies]

quote:
Do you age slower in Wales then?

All together now - no, it just feels like it.

[anonymous-user]

caterham superlight!
what you do with the 10k left over is entirely up to you!

[douglasr]

quote:
Porsche Boxster never thought of that one..im adding that to my list
What do you think of the M3 Evo convertible anybody on here owned one ? Are they expensive to run compared to somethinglike the Bmw 328

Ok I'm biased - HONDA S2000 FFS !!!!!!!!!!! (In autocar this week - Honda 7/10, Boxster 9/10, but Boxster £7K more)

The M3 is not a lot more than a 328 in servicing, but it is in parts (floating calipers, exhaust, tyres). Insurance will be almost double the 328 (unless you live in a 'good' area). Always, always buy with a cast iron warranty - the Vanos Variable valve system is prone to failure (you will here a rattle at the front of the engine) and costs £2K to put right.

This months EVO has a used buyers guide for the Z3M/Mcoupe - that will give you a good idea of the costs as the drive train is the same.

In fact, what about a used Z3M - bonkers, if ugly.

>> Edited by douglasr on Thursday 20th June 13:30

[Mark Benson]

I had the same descision a few months back, I now drive an S2000.

TT - zzzzzzzzz (and I'd just got rid of an S3 - zzzzzzz)

Boxster - Would like one, but at 25k the only Boxster you can get is an early 2.5 - I saw 2 and both looked a little 'tired'.

BMW - as mentioned, scuttle shake and dodgy image too - not a sports car.