20k weekend car

[Alan_B]

Need some inspiration for a weekend car. Max budget is 20k but prefer around 15k.

Something that could carry a large dog on occasion would be handy so that sort of rules out kitcars. Apart from that I’m open to options.

Have considered -

Boxsters
Z4
370z

Not averse to something classic - have seen a nice Triumph GT6

My only real requirements are that it sounds good so that rules out all in line 4 cylinders in my book.

Cheers!

[cerb4.5lee]

I've had a 370Z(albeit the Roadster) for over 4 years now as my weekend car and I still love it. It has an upgraded exhaust/intakes/HFCs, so it sounds lovely I reckon. They are pretty quiet as standard to be fair.

[Alan_B]

I did have a 350Z a few years ago so I am pretty familiar with them. I enjoyed the heavy feel of it but I’m not fully sold on the 370Z looks.

[cerb4.5lee]

Yes and the 370 does seem to be a bit marmite with its looks as you say. I've always been a big fan of the 350 for sure.

[bobsavage789]

A good haggle/budget creep gets you into an XKR:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206267...

[Magnum 475]

Triumph GT6 or TR6 are both good options - but you’ll be doing your own maintenance. For the GT6 I’d go with a very late MK3 with the non-rotoflex rear axle.

Boxster is also a good shout. I’ve had my 987S (3.2 to dodge bore-score problems) getting on for 10 years now and still enjoy driving it whenever I get chance.

[SFTWend]

For a weekend car a TVR Griffith will be as much fun as you can handle. Or the bit softer Chim and plenty of change.

[Mr Tidy]

I'm on my third BMW Z4 Coupe, two 3 litres and currently an M.

But £15K is unlikely to get you a Coupe, they'll be towards the top of your budget.

I loved my 2.8i Capris back in the 80s, but when I drove one more recently it was a big disappointment. I wouldn't buy a classic unless I could afford to have both!

[DodgyGeezer]

go the path less travelled and try a C5 Corvette - if you can live with LHD (which is easy!)

[FilH]

Top of the budget, makes a great 5cyl noise, hatch, so might squeeze a large dog in the back, should get any money spent on maintenance back when it you sell in in a few years time as likely to be worth more.


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023081207...

Mk2 focus RS

[Om]

I guess it depends on how big your dog is and where you/it would be happy travelling. and how important a factor in your decision making a dog is..

In the rear of the 370z we can get two medium size/20kg dogs (collies) for trips out in reasonable comfort.

In the Cayman the only option is the passenger seat/footwell which limits options somewhat and if your dog is a bit frisky, which one of ours is, things can get a little fraught.

I think the Z4 coupe will be similart in terms of space in the rear and the roadster will have the same drawbacks as a Cayman/Boxster.

I think the 370z/Z4 coupe would be the more practical. The 370z is more a GT to the Boxster/Cayman’s sports car, and I suspect the Z4 somewhere inbetween.

[2pad]

My Cayman that's for sale?

[Belle427]

Id probably look toward the XKR, hell of a machine for the money.

[Alan_B]

Hmm some food for thought indeed.

XKR is definitely a good shout, might just be able to squeeze a 5.0 in budget but I’m sure the 4.2 is still a good going thing.

Re: the dog - it is reasonably important I can bring him if needed for day trips etc but it certainly wouldn’t be all the time. I have a decent daily that he is very comfy in for long hauls.

The other option is I sell the daily and have maybe 35k to buy one motor with but I hate the thought of trying to keep one car that’s in continual use in top shape.

[Slow progress]

Why not a Maserati Granturismo or 997 Carrera?

[Norton850]

Alan_B said:

Hmm some food for thought indeed.


The other option is I sell the daily and have maybe 35k to buy one motor with but I hate the thought of trying to keep one car that’s in continual use in top shape.

I have a 928s as my weekend car and lack of use has become a issue and it is on its second restoration so if you do buy a classic be prepared as most classics require work especially when not used often,it was my daily and ran far better then.
I am looking at a one car does all and i keep coming back to a 911..

[cerb4.5lee]

Slow progress said:

Why not a Maserati Granturismo

Both myself and my missus really like those too. They look great and sound great as well. I'd imagine them to be a bit of a niggly car to live with though, but I could be wrong with that assumption though.

[cerb4.5lee]

Norton850 said:

Alan_B said:

Hmm some food for thought indeed.


The other option is I sell the daily and have maybe 35k to buy one motor with but I hate the thought of trying to keep one car that’s in continual use in top shape.

I have a 928s as my weekend car and lack of use has become a issue and it is on its second restoration so if you do buy a classic be prepared as most classics require work especially when not used often,it was my daily and ran far better then.
I am looking at a one car does all and i keep coming back to a 911..

My Cerbera wasn't a fan of occasional use either, but then on the other hand I wouldn't have wanted to rely on it as my daily either though.

[fflump]

cerb4.5lee said:

Slow progress said:

Why not a Maserati Granturismo

Both myself and my missus really like those too. They look great and sound great as well. I'd imagine them to be a bit of a niggly car to live with though, but I could be wrong with that assumption though.

£15-20k may only stretch to a ropey example with unresolved variator issues.
The Gransport and especially the Coupe are worth looking at for a sorted example in budget.

[ZX10R NIN]

With your budget I'd look at the N/A 5.0 XK you'll get a nice one at the lower end of your budget:

Portfolio:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308291...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307240...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307039...

At this price point the GranSport would get the nod over a GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308130...

A bit more of a GT but a very capable car, is the CL500 with the 4.7TT V8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307149...

Monaro VXR:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309031...

At the top end of your budget you'll get a 370 Nismo, now these are an underrated but cracking steer:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235142685343?hash=item3...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308160...

If you can live with the fact it's not a V8 this could be a leftfield option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308231...