Best sports car for between £5000-7000?

[Biccaroo]

Hi, I was wondering if I could have some advice from my fellow petrolheads...

I am at a stage in my life where I have very few responsibilities - I am young, free and single and I currently have a reasonable amount of money going spare each month. So, I believe that this is the ideal time to purchase a sports car. However, I am not sure which sports car would offer me the best value for money if I was to spend between £5000-7000.

Could you suggest what cars I could consider within this price range and perhaps elaborate on the reasons why?

Any help is much appreciated!

Cheers.

[Craigy_97elise]

Biccaroo said:

Hi, I was wondering if I could have some advice from my fellow petrolheads...

I am at a stage in my life where I have very few responsibilities - I am young, free and single and I currently have a reasonable amount of money going spare each month. So, I believe that this is the ideal time to purchase a sports car. However, I am not sure which sports car would offer me the best value for money if I was to spend between £5000-7000.

Could you suggest what cars I could consider within this price range and perhaps elaborate on the reasons why?

Any help is much appreciated!

Cheers.

Please define what you mean what you say "sports". For a little more than that you can buy an Elise, but it will cost a lot to run (keeping it running...)

Do you want something that will work on the track?
Does it need to be practical?

for that sort of money an MX5 is quite a lot of fun, but it's not going to be all that quick.

C

[Biccaroo]

I suppose a bit more information would be useful! Basically, I've been looking at cars like the Honda S2000, Audi TT, Lotus Elise, Ford Racing Puma and the Toyota MR2 Mk3. The Honda is my personal favourite but I can't currently get insurance for less than £1k whereas I can insure a TT for about £500. I suppose it would help if I could find an insurer who'd offer me a better deal than those found on sites such as Confused.com. Any suggestions?

I wouldn't use this car on the track and I'm not too bothered about how practical it is. However, I'd like something that's also reliable as I don't have piles of cash to throw around.

I just want something that's fun to drive, quick and eye-catching. I hope that helps.

[Altrezia]

VX220, or Boxter.

[Craigy_97elise]

Biccaroo said:

I suppose a bit more information would be useful! Basically, I've been looking at cars like the Honda S2000, Audi TT, Lotus Elise, Ford Racing Puma and the Toyota MR2 Mk3. The Honda is my personal favourite but I can't currently get insurance for less than £1k whereas I can insure a TT for about £500. I suppose it would help if I could find an insurer who'd offer me a better deal than those found on sites such as Confused.com. Any suggestions?

I wouldn't use this car on the track and I'm not too bothered about how practical it is. However, I'd like something that's also reliable as I don't have piles of cash to throw around.

I just want something that's fun to drive, quick and eye-catching. I hope that helps.

Having had an elise (S1) and my current wheels are a 2.0 TT, I can recommend neither of those. An S2000 would be interesting, but they aren't all that cheap to run (maintenance ain't cheap).

The man who said VX220 had a point.
C

[Uhura_Fighter]

Altrezia said:

Boxter.

Little over budget but

What about classics or are you after something "modern"?


leftfield - Corvette (c4)

[Biccaroo]

A VX220? That's a brilliant shout! I'd forgotten about those. Let's take a look...

Thanks for your help!

[Biccaroo]

I'd consider a classic yes, but I guess they're going to incur higher maintenance costs. But, fire away all the same.

Of course I'd be interested in cars below the £5k budget line too...

[_Dan_]

You can pick up a decent TVR Chimaera for that price (just sold mine for half that and was still going very strong!), a good Skyline R32GTR or a alright R33GTR, Toyota Supra, BMW M3, stretch a bit more and you can get an M5. Also, as mentioned, Lotus would be fun!

Loads of options!!

[Zad]

You sold a BRG Chim 4.0 for £3.5k? Damn, wish I had known

[_Dan_]

Zad said:

You sold a BRG Chim 4.0 for £3.5k? Damn, wish I had known

Yep, cheap I know, didn't even advertise it, just a off the cuff comment on the Chimaera forum sold it. To be fair though, it needs a bit of work, few panels need a respray, wiper washers not working, leaking in the cockpit, torn hood, squeaky suspension, heater blower not working, 110k miles and so on. Nothing major, but had it 7yrs and need a change. Family man now and all that!

Also, about to get a Skyline and needed a quick sale.

Edited by _Dan_ on Thursday 11th February 00:29

[Zad]

Blimey. Well that's another potential car on the short "what on earth do I buy next that isn't dull" list.

[Tangent Police]

Sylva Stryker with RX7 engine

[Wayne King]

Some options that haven't been mentioned:

Alfa GTV V6 with change for running costs.
Bmw Z3 2.8
Civic Type-R
Integra DC2 Type-R
Mazda RX8
Merc SLK 230k
Renaultsport Megane 225
TVR Chimaeras

There are also a couple of 350Z's for around 7-8k, imports and uk spec..

[Biccaroo]

Hmm... BMW Z3 eh? What's the general consensus on those?

[edo]

Biccaroo said:

Hmm... BMW Z3 eh? What's the general consensus on those?

Lots of people who have never driven one will come on here and criticise it, but for £6.5k with BMW's peachy straight 6 3.0, I think it is a lot of car for the money:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1441712.htm



BMW Z3 3.0 2DR ROADSTER ++FACE-LIFT MODEL++AIR CON++ (2000/X)
40,000 miles £6,491

Metallic Grey, MOT-06-2010. BMW Service History, Face-Lift Model, Full Black Leather Seats, Air conditioning, Electric Roof, Electric windows, Alloy wheels, Central locking, Immobiliser, Sports seats, Passenger airbag, Remote locking, Power assisted steering, ABS, Metallic paintwork, Rear headrests, Adjustable seats, Traction control, Electric door mirrors, Trip computer, Service indicator, Drivers airbag, Alarm, Electrically adjustable drivers seat, Headlight washers, PAS, Front head restraints, Front fog lights, Electrically adjustable passenger seat.

[Great Pretender]

edo said:

Biccaroo said:

Hmm... BMW Z3 eh? What's the general consensus on those?

Lots of people who have never driven one will come on here and criticise it.

And unless it's the //M, they'd be right. Not that I mean to diss' another man's wheels you understand; but there are better steers out there than the Z3.

OP you need to decide whether you want delicate handling balance or outright grunt. Unfortunately for £7k you can't have both.

My suggestion would be either a VX220 (unfortunately a decent S1 appears to be just outside your budget) or an E36 M3.

Food for thought:

[nottyash]

Any moment now 300BHP/TON will be here to recommend a Yank tank and post various pictures of cars for you to choose from

[Great Pretender]

nottyash said:

Any moment now 300BHP/TON will be here to recommend a Yank tank and post various pictures of cars for you to choose from

...Or an X-type.

[ewenm]

Young, free and single, and after a sports car for £5k-£7k:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1362532.htm


And yes, Caterfields can be used as daily drivers, tend to be cheap to insure (for the performance) and cheap to maintain