What £20k stupid purchase?
Discussion
Okay so I'm lucky enough to be in the situation where I can justify spending this amount of money on a car. I currently have a Toyota GT86 and a Volvo Diesel daily. I shall start by saying I may not buy anything, the GT86 really is a fantastic car. However, we all get itchy feet so...
Since I was a small child I've always wanted a 911, I can probably stretch to £25k which would get me a 996 C4s or a 997 C2s. This would be a "Dream car" for me. However, I've also been offered a rather nice E92 M3 for £20k. And when there's a good car available I struggle to turn down having a look, especially an M3. And for that money its a low mileage and mint, rather than stretching for a potential money-pit 911.
I'm just wondering what else I should look out for around this money? I am really about "The drive" rather than outright speed/power, and I also like doing driving trips into europe. I'd like something thats pretty dependable, something I can leave on the road all week and not worry about it not starting. Even maybe a car that works on trackdays too. Also I'm 6ft 4, so a lot of cars that I would like (Lotus Elise', for example) I dont fit in!
So to summerise:
- Tall Person friendly
- £20k or under, and I dont mind suggestions at half that price if I'm forgetting something perfect!
- The less of a potential money pit, the better.
- Good driving feel to it, massive power not that important.
- Potentially the ability to drive long distances across europe without being uncomfortable or impractical (Not too necessary)
- Potentially Trackday-able
Answers on a postcard PH!
Since I was a small child I've always wanted a 911, I can probably stretch to £25k which would get me a 996 C4s or a 997 C2s. This would be a "Dream car" for me. However, I've also been offered a rather nice E92 M3 for £20k. And when there's a good car available I struggle to turn down having a look, especially an M3. And for that money its a low mileage and mint, rather than stretching for a potential money-pit 911.
I'm just wondering what else I should look out for around this money? I am really about "The drive" rather than outright speed/power, and I also like doing driving trips into europe. I'd like something thats pretty dependable, something I can leave on the road all week and not worry about it not starting. Even maybe a car that works on trackdays too. Also I'm 6ft 4, so a lot of cars that I would like (Lotus Elise', for example) I dont fit in!
So to summerise:
- Tall Person friendly
- £20k or under, and I dont mind suggestions at half that price if I'm forgetting something perfect!
- The less of a potential money pit, the better.
- Good driving feel to it, massive power not that important.
- Potentially the ability to drive long distances across europe without being uncomfortable or impractical (Not too necessary)
- Potentially Trackday-able
Answers on a postcard PH!
200Plus Club said:
BMW Z4m coupe
Job jobbed
Good call. Could get a lot of Z4M coupe for that money! A friend had one and I did like it. Cayman S falls into that category too...Job jobbed
Pistonheader101 said:
My personal reccomendations
-BMW M6
-SL55 AMG
-Jaguar XKR
Lovely cars, not sure if they give me the fizz though?-BMW M6
-SL55 AMG
-Jaguar XKR
I'd go in a different direction as you have the fun car side of things covered & if you're about the journey then the three below will certainly make the journey fun.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-S-1000-RR-HP4-Carbon...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-12-DUCATI-1199-PANI...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX10R-/25...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-S-1000-RR-HP4-Carbon...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-12-DUCATI-1199-PANI...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX10R-/25...
Anything that's german with a massive engine! Definitely stupid and can be bought for £20k or less.
I picked up a CLS63 for around that amount, plenty around for less. You'd get a great example of an AMG with either the 5.5 supercharged AMG lump or the normally aspirated 6.2 V8.
That would be my thoughts purely as a Merc fan. As long as you're prepared to maintain them though there's got to be a whole host of M/RS/AMG motors for that price bracket.
Enjoy.
I picked up a CLS63 for around that amount, plenty around for less. You'd get a great example of an AMG with either the 5.5 supercharged AMG lump or the normally aspirated 6.2 V8.
That would be my thoughts purely as a Merc fan. As long as you're prepared to maintain them though there's got to be a whole host of M/RS/AMG motors for that price bracket.
Enjoy.
LankyLegoHead said:
Thanks for the suggestions! The bikes are dream items, but I just got a GSXR 750 so probably should concentrate on upgrading my license so I can ride that!
As for the other options, a Cayman S is a good one. Don't think I can get a Gen 2 for this price though...
If you have a GSXR750 a 20 grand car is going to feel rather slow and boring.As for the other options, a Cayman S is a good one. Don't think I can get a Gen 2 for this price though...
With £20k to spend and looking at a used car, I wouldn't want a Boxster. Or even a Cayman. It would have to be a 911, and I'm not sure I'd want a 4wd version either - a friend who has had a 996 C4S and a 996 C2 reckons the C2 was the nicer car to drive - you'd get a very nice C2 for a lot less than your budget, with a slush fund to maintain it.
Wildcard: Caterham 7?
If you are more about the 'driving experience' then you won't get much better than this. The cars you have now cover the long distance requirement, so why not go for all-out fun?
Get one with a lowered floor and the wider chassis and I'm sure you'll be fine. Henry Catchpole of Evo magazine is as tall as you, and he had one as a long termer and absolutely loved it.
Can you tell this week I've been day dreaming of a Caterham 160 - low on power but big on fun (although I'm not sure you'd fit in one of those)?!
If you are more about the 'driving experience' then you won't get much better than this. The cars you have now cover the long distance requirement, so why not go for all-out fun?
Get one with a lowered floor and the wider chassis and I'm sure you'll be fine. Henry Catchpole of Evo magazine is as tall as you, and he had one as a long termer and absolutely loved it.
Can you tell this week I've been day dreaming of a Caterham 160 - low on power but big on fun (although I'm not sure you'd fit in one of those
)?!Trabi601 said:
With £20k to spend and looking at a used car, I wouldn't want a Boxster. Or even a Cayman. It would have to be a 911, and I'm not sure I'd want a 4wd version either - a friend who has had a 996 C4S and a 996 C2 reckons the C2 was the nicer car to drive - you'd get a very nice C2 for a lot less than your budget, with a slush fund to maintain it.
Hmm, having owned 3 Boxsters and driven all the others, I'm not sure I'd agree with much of that, depends if you like the way a 911 steers or not possibly. I don't. Horses for courses. Best to try all before taking the plunge obviously.Heaveho said:
Hmm, having owned 3 Boxsters and driven all the others, I'm not sure I'd agree with much of that, depends if you like the way a 911 steers or not possibly. I don't. Horses for courses. Best to try all before taking the plunge obviously.
I've got a Boxster 3.2S. But it was very much budget driven as much as anything else (also liked the extra luggage capacity!) - but I often do wonder if I should have bitten the bullet and bought a 996 C2.Yes I could stretch up to £25k and be in 997 C2S territory. These are apparently more bulletproof than the 996 looking online.
However, the 996 C4S is gorgeous... but 4WD. Ah decisions!
As for the Caterham, it'll spend all week sitting outside. I've tried fitting in them before and even with lowered floors I struggle with leg length!
However, the 996 C4S is gorgeous... but 4WD. Ah decisions!
As for the Caterham, it'll spend all week sitting outside. I've tried fitting in them before and even with lowered floors I struggle with leg length!
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff