Best sub 90k weekend car
Discussion
Hi everyone,
Im looking for my next weekend car with a budget of 90k, it will be purely a toy for drives out, the odd euro trip and maybe occasional track day.
My current shortlist consists of -
570S - seems like a lot performance for the money and a good first step towards a "supercar" ownership. Corrosion/reliability issues are a worry although they may well be blown out of proportion online
Gen 2 R8 plus - glorious V10 is obviously the biggest plus but are they a bit dull? I've also heard the steerings a bit numb
718 GT4 (PDK) - I previously owned a 981S and loved it, they look the part and I imagine would feel quite special with the carbon buckets etc. Lacks straight line performance but thats not what they're about
Evora 410 sport - lotus handling, V6 howl, reasonably practical (for a lotus)
AMG GTR - great performance but maybe to big for British B roads?
991.2 GTS - Often described as the "sweet spot" in the 911 range, but maybe not special enough as a 2nd car? (991.2 GT3 is currently out my budget)
V12 Vantage S - absolutely beautiful, V12 noise but let down by the gearboxes?
For context ive previously owned a k20 supercharged exige, Westfield, supercharged Atom, M3s, Alfa 4c, Alfa giulia QV etc and currently an F type SVR.
The SVR is a fantastic car but feels a little to much of a "GT" car and you have to be really pushing on the road before it comes to life.
It would be great to hear from owners of any the above with their experience and advice.
Cheers
Will
Im looking for my next weekend car with a budget of 90k, it will be purely a toy for drives out, the odd euro trip and maybe occasional track day.
My current shortlist consists of -
570S - seems like a lot performance for the money and a good first step towards a "supercar" ownership. Corrosion/reliability issues are a worry although they may well be blown out of proportion online
Gen 2 R8 plus - glorious V10 is obviously the biggest plus but are they a bit dull? I've also heard the steerings a bit numb
718 GT4 (PDK) - I previously owned a 981S and loved it, they look the part and I imagine would feel quite special with the carbon buckets etc. Lacks straight line performance but thats not what they're about
Evora 410 sport - lotus handling, V6 howl, reasonably practical (for a lotus)
AMG GTR - great performance but maybe to big for British B roads?
991.2 GTS - Often described as the "sweet spot" in the 911 range, but maybe not special enough as a 2nd car? (991.2 GT3 is currently out my budget)
V12 Vantage S - absolutely beautiful, V12 noise but let down by the gearboxes?
For context ive previously owned a k20 supercharged exige, Westfield, supercharged Atom, M3s, Alfa 4c, Alfa giulia QV etc and currently an F type SVR.
The SVR is a fantastic car but feels a little to much of a "GT" car and you have to be really pushing on the road before it comes to life.
It would be great to hear from owners of any the above with their experience and advice.
Cheers
Will
Edited by tann2k on Tuesday 20th May 13:54
I've had 3 other cars on your list, and also driven/considered the Lotus Evora 410 Sport.
GT4 is a fabulous weekend / trackday car, you could daily it too. 718 doesn't sound that fabulous unless you've put a decent exhaust/oap system on it.
570s is a grown ups Elise/Exige, stunning drivers car. Running costs and Mclaren warranty will need £5k pa and be prepared for niggles and warranty shenanigans with paint corrosion not covered past +5yrs. If you are near V Engineering or Thorney for servicing and repairs then it's probably an easier car to long term own. 570s also sounds fairly subdued without an x pipe or sporty exhaust. It's like 2 cars in one if you get a spyder, stunning car.
V10 R8 gen 2 with 600+bhp is a proper hoot, sounds absolutely great with std sports exhaust and even better with a system if you want it (too) loud. In gear it's probably livelier than the 570s as there's no lag, but hasn't got the gull wing door drama of a McLaren.
I hear people saying the steering feel is numb, i dont think it is, but the 570s has slightly better feel. Running costs slightly cheaper than McLaren. Overall a stunning fast road car without the bodywork corrosion worries.
The Lotus Evora 410 is a brilliant drivers car, looks great with the carbon roof/deck etc and is very similar to a GT4 in feel. Definitely worth a test drive, and the exhaust sound is fabulous.
Other car I'd definitely consider would be a GT3 but you won't get the later cars with the stronger engine at £90k budget, and the risk of those engine issues on the earlier cars put me off.
Good luck in your hunt but eyes open with the 570s in regards to warranty/repairs, supercar pricing repairs at main dealers and lack of indies 'up north.
GT4 is a fabulous weekend / trackday car, you could daily it too. 718 doesn't sound that fabulous unless you've put a decent exhaust/oap system on it.
570s is a grown ups Elise/Exige, stunning drivers car. Running costs and Mclaren warranty will need £5k pa and be prepared for niggles and warranty shenanigans with paint corrosion not covered past +5yrs. If you are near V Engineering or Thorney for servicing and repairs then it's probably an easier car to long term own. 570s also sounds fairly subdued without an x pipe or sporty exhaust. It's like 2 cars in one if you get a spyder, stunning car.
V10 R8 gen 2 with 600+bhp is a proper hoot, sounds absolutely great with std sports exhaust and even better with a system if you want it (too) loud. In gear it's probably livelier than the 570s as there's no lag, but hasn't got the gull wing door drama of a McLaren.
I hear people saying the steering feel is numb, i dont think it is, but the 570s has slightly better feel. Running costs slightly cheaper than McLaren. Overall a stunning fast road car without the bodywork corrosion worries.
The Lotus Evora 410 is a brilliant drivers car, looks great with the carbon roof/deck etc and is very similar to a GT4 in feel. Definitely worth a test drive, and the exhaust sound is fabulous.
Other car I'd definitely consider would be a GT3 but you won't get the later cars with the stronger engine at £90k budget, and the risk of those engine issues on the earlier cars put me off.
Good luck in your hunt but eyes open with the 570s in regards to warranty/repairs, supercar pricing repairs at main dealers and lack of indies 'up north.
Edited by 200Plus Club on Monday 19th May 22:44
Well under budget but any TVR.
You could have an absolute peach of a Tuscan for half your budget.
Even if you just bought one to scratch the itch you’ll sell it for what you paid for it.
Best bit?
You can have lots of fun at legal speeds. Most high performance cars are fairly dull at legal speeds, not an accusation that could be levelled at a TVR!
You could have an absolute peach of a Tuscan for half your budget.
Even if you just bought one to scratch the itch you’ll sell it for what you paid for it.
Best bit?
You can have lots of fun at legal speeds. Most high performance cars are fairly dull at legal speeds, not an accusation that could be levelled at a TVR!
Captain Smerc said:
Honda NSX Gen 2 are well regarded
And unless you live in London will be an absolute nightmare to maintain. Only two service centres in the UK I believe and both in London. I briefly considered one, but conplete lack of support further north killed it really. Great reviews, very rare (probably not surprising).I’ve just gone for a 992.1 GTS with the manual gearbox. It handles brilliantly, is properly engaging at sensible speeds but lacks any kind of ‘grin’ factor or specialness. For that reason alone I’d skip over the 991.2 GTS and look at proper GT cars if going for a Porsche.
If I didn’t need four seats I’d be straight to McLaren for that 570; I just feel that only British brands have properly tuned the suspension for handling British B roads, German stuff is just too firm.
Have you considered an Alpine with some spare change left over?
If I didn’t need four seats I’d be straight to McLaren for that 570; I just feel that only British brands have properly tuned the suspension for handling British B roads, German stuff is just too firm.
Have you considered an Alpine with some spare change left over?
200Plus Club said:
sjc said:
From your list it would be the Evora,but I’d throw the
Emira and a Noble M400 into the mix as well.
Fair comment. If you want a weekend car and do Euro trips I think that discounts the Noble due to storage space perhaps but would be a good weekend toyEmira and a Noble M400 into the mix as well.
Crumpet said:
I’ve just gone for a 992.1 GTS with the manual gearbox. It handles brilliantly, is properly engaging at sensible speeds but lacks any kind of ‘grin’ factor or specialness. For that reason alone I’d skip over the 991.2 GTS and look at proper GT cars if going for a Porsche.
If I didn’t need four seats I’d be straight to McLaren for that 570; I just feel that only British brands have properly tuned the suspension for handling British B roads, German stuff is just too firm.
Have you considered an Alpine with some spare change left over?
I imagine the drivetrain would automatically rule it out in comparison to the other options listed?If I didn’t need four seats I’d be straight to McLaren for that 570; I just feel that only British brands have properly tuned the suspension for handling British B roads, German stuff is just too firm.
Have you considered an Alpine with some spare change left over?
Ref McLaren, if it was for more regular use then the 570s would be the pick, but for weekends and the odd Euro trip I'd go full Harry and get a 650s.
maz8062 said:
I'll call your GT3 and raise you this. 
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503049...
Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 20th May 09:05
I think it also depends on your comfort level for running costs.
Audi R8 V10+ (pre-facelift Gen 2) is a bit of a sweet spot IMO. You can whack a warranty on it for £2k for the first year, then £1k after that, and then it's fairly routine servicing.
981 Cayman GT4 I think is a bit more raw than the 718 (if a little slower and with slightly poorer steering). It leans more towards weekend car in terms of character IMO. Also can easily stick a Porsche warranty on it and don't need aftermarket bits on it if you get the right one.
Things like the Aston are far more skewed to a long drive than a fun drive IMO. I mean we're right into first world problem territory here, but if you're comparing across some of the cars you've said, I think lots of euro trips you'd want a GT car, lots of track days a sports car, weekend drives a supercar.
EDIT: completely forgot to reference the Evora, which IMO rides amazing, but the gearbox choices are long and average or slush box. Great engine and chassis, meh interior, fantastic character.
Audi R8 V10+ (pre-facelift Gen 2) is a bit of a sweet spot IMO. You can whack a warranty on it for £2k for the first year, then £1k after that, and then it's fairly routine servicing.
981 Cayman GT4 I think is a bit more raw than the 718 (if a little slower and with slightly poorer steering). It leans more towards weekend car in terms of character IMO. Also can easily stick a Porsche warranty on it and don't need aftermarket bits on it if you get the right one.
Things like the Aston are far more skewed to a long drive than a fun drive IMO. I mean we're right into first world problem territory here, but if you're comparing across some of the cars you've said, I think lots of euro trips you'd want a GT car, lots of track days a sports car, weekend drives a supercar.
EDIT: completely forgot to reference the Evora, which IMO rides amazing, but the gearbox choices are long and average or slush box. Great engine and chassis, meh interior, fantastic character.
Having sold my Noble M400 after 19 years,I was in the same position. Tried a 718 GT4 and it left me completely cold at sensible speeds,preferred a Litchfield tricked 991.2 Carrera T manual,but although a great weapon I realised again that there was no event or theatre,just ground covering efficiency.My original intention was a 650S,but I still didn’t fit properly even with manual seats,big heavy GT’s do nothing for me so they were all out as well.
The Evora in its very last incarnations was a delight,but it felt like a pointless change after the M400. So I’m picking up an Emira V6,it’s nowhere near as quick as my Noble (which was upgraded as well),but it’s a bit more useable and practical,it’s the right size for our B roads( important to me) and I can hopefully enjoy it more at sane speeds and more of the time than the other stuff I tried.…. and when the warranty runs out it can go to Komotec for some more shove.
Nice position for you to be in OP.
The Evora in its very last incarnations was a delight,but it felt like a pointless change after the M400. So I’m picking up an Emira V6,it’s nowhere near as quick as my Noble (which was upgraded as well),but it’s a bit more useable and practical,it’s the right size for our B roads( important to me) and I can hopefully enjoy it more at sane speeds and more of the time than the other stuff I tried.…. and when the warranty runs out it can go to Komotec for some more shove.
Nice position for you to be in OP.
maz8062 said:
New engine fitted and just moving the issue further down the road in a few years when porsche warranty not applicable. Long term these engines are going to put people off particularly as the "revised" later engine also fails by all accounts albeit not as much! Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff