£15k, 2nd car, what do you get

[Lox18]

As above really.

Want something small, fast, less than practical. Wife has approved 15k of fun money.

It needs to be reliable enough to run a 50 mile commute a couple times a week.

It needs to be fun enough to make up for my other car being a bloody qashqai.

It doesn’t need to do anything practical like transporting kids.

Few things I can see in budget..

Porsche cayman 987 (getting on a bit now…)
BMW z4 E89 (I had an e85 for a few years so I do have a soft spot for an old Z4)
Mazda MX5 (love the idea of these)
Audi TT (seem a bit bland vs the others???)

What else? What would you look at?

[anonymous-user]

Do you have the disposable to run a Porsche? If so, go for a 987.

[sherman]

Toyota gt86

[Lox18]

Depends what kind of bills a 987 is likely to throw up. They are lovely though…

[Sway]

Realistically, it's 987 Boxster, or either NC MX5 with some sweet, sweet BBR upgrades, or ND MX5 (with future BBR upgrades!).

I'm torn in exactly the same ways...

[Luke.]

SLK55...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306018...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308211...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306258...

[Neil1323bolts]

Heart say’s Porsche, sensible answer is mx5 , far less likely to throw a massive bill your way , should get a lovely ND for 15k get the underside rust protection done and drive it right through the winter , very capable sports car .

[Nickp82]

I’m a big MX-5 fan so would always recommend them (with a few mods as mentioned) as they’re fun at most times and so easy to live with.

There’s also the Abarth 124 for a bit of extra silliness

[Luke.]

Nickp82 said:

There’s also the Abarth 124 for a bit of extra silliness

Good call. Had one for a couple of years. Great cars.

[Stick Legs]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186007972040?mkcid=16&a...



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125781967203?mkcid=16&a...




If it were me I’d look at a TVR S or a Lotus Excel.

You’ll get the best out there at £15k.
Genuinely charismatic cars which are a hoot at normal road speeds.
Reasonable economy.
DIY-able with basic skills.

Such a contrast to any modern car it’ll feel special but modern enough to keep up with traffic & be genuinely useable.

Also both rather undervalued at present so certainly won’t depreciate.

[Lox18]

Luke. said:

SLK55...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306018...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308211...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306258...

Must rank high on the “likely to give you a terrifying bill” scale?

[Lox18]

Stick Legs said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186007972040?mkcid=16&a...



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125781967203?mkcid=16&a...




If it were me I’d look at a TVR S or a Lotus Excel.

You’ll get the best out there at £15k.
Genuinely charismatic cars which are a hoot at normal road speeds.
Reasonable economy.
DIY-able with basic skills.

Such a contrast to any modern car it’ll feel special but modern enough to keep up with traffic & be genuinely useable.

Also both rather undervalued at present so certainly won’t depreciate.

That TVR is a thing of beauty 😍

I have no garage to store it though so I’d be worried about it rusting!

[Brent Hoffmeister]

I’d fancy an Audi S1 and a remap for that money. Something that will take some abuse on nadgery back roads around Derbyshire. Nothing too pristine, prone to theft etc.

[Stick Legs]

Get a good outdoor cover, or use £4k to build a car port!
Fibreglass body is okay, the steel chassis is the the weak point but that dealer is thorough and you can inspect on their ramp when you view.

£11k, damn I’m tempted.

[Luke.]

Lox18 said:

Must rank high on the “likely to give you a terrifying bill” scale?

They're very solid little things. So long as the history stacks up.

[Silvanus]

As well as the Toyota mentioned a Nissan 370Z would be worth a look, or for something with a more GT type drive how about one of the last Alfa Spiders.

[Hippea]

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15683866

[Monkeylegend]

Stick Legs said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186007972040?mkcid=16&a...



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125781967203?mkcid=16&a...




If it were me I’d look at a TVR S or a Lotus Excel.

You’ll get the best out there at £15k.
Genuinely charismatic cars which are a hoot at normal road speeds.
Reasonable economy.
DIY-able with basic skills.

Such a contrast to any modern car it’ll feel special but modern enough to keep up with traffic & be genuinely useable.

Also both rather undervalued at present so certainly won’t depreciate.

OP says it need to be reliable

[Mr Tidy]

As you liked your E85 that budget ought to get you into an M Roadster!

[kambites]

You can probably still just about get an Elise for £15k. Certainly reliable enough for 50 miles a couple of times a week; whether it's comfortable enough for it depends on you.