What car - weekend fun

[kiethton]

Hi all, some help to try and find me a car.

With my 540i now written off I need to try and look at a replacement for the spring (will likely fix the 540i, use it as a cat-c until April (insurance expiry) and move from there, possibly retaining it too!

I don't need it to commute (have a CBR600F for that) and it doesn't need to be hugely practical as we've got the use of my GF's Scirocco.

Typical use is weekends, going to golf, shopping and the occasional nip to the shops/parents in the evenings - mostly local. Mileage has averaged ~5k over the past 3 years so I don't go huge distances.

Age (and to a degree mileage) is irrelevant but it would be nice if it was newer than '06 to comply with Sadiq's proposed low emission zone bks (I live on the edge of the proposed zone). Other plans include a eurotrip (hopefully to turn into an annual affair) and the GF doesn't travel light so a boot/decent luggage space would be nice, as would a bit of on-track performance....the 540i liked to set it's brakes on fire if +10*C but I concede its not built for that job.

Running costs are irrelevant but i'd like for it to not depreciate, the 540i write off settlement figure is inline with purchase price and total repair & 80% of the maintenance spend over the 3.5 years I've had it. Also with 6 points, some accident history and an "C" London postcode insurance is a consideration - I'm 27 and don't want to pay too much more than £1k a year (540i is £400 - well before the points and recent accident, quotes on M3's are £1,800....)

Budget is flexible - Ideally as little as possible but £10k is realistic, could stretch to ~£13-15k for an all cash purchase. I could add an element of finance on top taking budget to ~£30k (but the car would have to be very special!). I have a single garage to store the car in.

Have considered:

TVR's - Cerb/Tuscan/Tamora - like them and are childhood dream but wonder whether they'll live up to expectations, which one?
S2 Exige/Elise - Luggage space?
Ultima - Cost, practicality
Noble - luggage, seem to have roofed in price over the past few years
S2k - don't know if it'll be special enough, did like my old EP3 though

The current courtesy car is a Scirocco R which although nice it has reaffirmed that it should really be AWD....would rather keep away from FWD if possible!

Edited by kiethton on Tuesday 10th January 11:54

[Deerfoot]

Personally I`d try to find a nice standard spec S2000.

They appear to be appreciating in value so that can`t be bad for an ownership prospect....

[james_gt3rs]

Boxster?

[kiethton]

Thanks for those suggestions, only thoughts are on the S2k not being fast/special enough

Boxter is interesting, the Boxter S's - are they the ones prone to bore score?

ETA - Just seen this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Would I get the equivalent of a large suit case worth of stuff in it? (appreciate it'll have to be packed in bin bags to pack properly & fill the space

Insurance ~£1,300 says the opera comparison

Edited by kiethton on Tuesday 10th January 12:52

[ZX10R NIN]

The thing is the more you spend the further it has to fall, also if you're trying to keep the insurance costs down then I'd go for the cooking models, for around 10k I'd look at the following:

BMW 550i

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

E500 Coupe

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[kiethton]

ZX10R NIN said:

The thing is the more you spend the further it has to fall, also if you're trying to keep the insurance costs down then I'd go for the cooking models, for around 10k I'd look at the following:

BMW 550i

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

E500 Coupe

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Thanks, they are very similar to what I have already TBH.

I'm concerned about insurance cost but as always everything is a balance so happy to pay up if the car warrants it

[ZX10R NIN]

I realised they're similar but they don't have the N/AMG/RS badges so will be a little lower insurance wise, I'm going to suggest something leftfield if you want a fun weekend/trackday toy I'd suggest a Megane 250/265/275 (depending on how much you decide to spend these cars are a complete blast & still the king of hot hatches up until they stopped production (the regular RS has come out on top in pretty much every test as the best drivers car & in Trophy form came out on top compared to the GTI Clubsport) so I'd say get a test drive in one of those as you might find you really like it (try & find one with the Recaros) by the way it'll be nothing like your partners VW to drive.

[Johnny 89]

I don't think TVRs will disappoint..

If you want to keep the budget to ~ £10k then don't write off a Chimaera

[The Surveyor]

Johnny 89 said:

I don't think TVRs will disappoint..

If you want to keep the budget to ~ £10k then don't write off a Chimaera

I think he's had enough of writing off cars for now

Chimaera is a good shout, certainly its better to buy a good Chimaera rather than a cheap Cerb/Tuscan/Tamora.

[kiethton]

Yeah no more write off's hopefully! Currently have 2 of the things sat on my Parents drive....

Interesting re. the Chim, a friend (well his dad has one) and loved the noise and seemed special enough too

Also keep on being drawn back to the Exige, the modern-ness and looks appeal (if not the noise!)