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See this is why things like the G35 are on the list.
£8k for a really good one, and I could spend £6k on a supercharger and suspension tweaks and still end up under maximum budget.
[i]Cayman S - not that impressed with those IMO. A mate bought one 2-3 yrs ago (as his first car!). Really wanted to like it but felt sterile and unengaging. [/i]
Eh?
It revved like a motorbike, gripped well and in tiptronic form you could just plant your right foot and take off - but that was on the A413 'racetrack'. And you'd get a bike in the back 🙂
[url= http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201149434025164/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-to/18000/make/aston_martin/radius/1501/quicksearch/true/page/2/postcode/bd111dr?logcode=p ]Aston??[/url]
[img] http://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=1874936124 [/img]
To my eyes the DB7 has aged really badly. So it's a no, I'm afraid.
Vauxhall Monaro?
It revved like a motorbike, gripped well and in tiptronic form you could just plant your right foot and take off - but that was on the A413 'racetrack'. And you'd get a bike in the back
I wouldn't disagree ... it's just that I felt detached when pushing it. Not in the same way you can in an Evo though. Like I say, I wanted to like it but it somehow left me cold.
Mercedes Benz SL500
Jaguar XK/XKR
993/996 if you want a sports car, E55 if you want a cruiser, M3 for something in the middle.
yep, spot on that!
Track-wise you could also consider something more youngtimer-ish like Porsche 968 CS or BMW E30 M3
I also like the VX220, Megane R26 and Exige proposal.
Imprezas maybe? Integra Type-R, Clio renaultsport AND something silly for the track (Caterham Classic)?!
Avoid tiptronics on Porsches! PDK is okay but too new to be within your budget.
Then again what do you really want from it? Outright pace, brute power or handling finesse? Do you give a damn about image and looks or does that play a part, too? Fun starting at licence friendly low speeds or competitive track day speed? Should Ms Ox be happy (in terms of ride, perceived safety, practicality, image...) on the passenger seat or is she used to worse?
Lotus Evora?! But north of your budget (>30k).
Good luck!
TVR Tuscan Six engines can be modified by Racing Green as part of a service.
They are as reliable as a toy car needs to be.
And goodness are they quick.
Or you could just buy a motorbike, which will out-accelerate (plus greater top-end than) anything above, and a fast car for your £18k
Then again what do you really want from it? Outright pace, brute power or handling finesse?
All 3? Brute power is nice but I do like my twisty roads, so I reckon handling finesse.
Do you give a damn about image and looks or does that play a part, too?
Looks play a part. It would be nice to be able to drive somewhere fancy for a meal and not require 4-point harness and a crash helmet, but there'll always be Mrs Flying Ox's car if not.
Should Ms Ox be happy (in terms of ride, perceived safety, practicality, image...) on the passenger seat or is she used to worse?
She's been used to pillion on my motorbike, hanging on for dear life in my old MR2, roughing it in her old mk1 MX5 and the comparative luxury of an E36 3-series. She'll just get on with it, I think, whatever it is.
The more I think about it, the less suitable an out-and-out track day car seems. Porkers are still a decent shout though. Liking the Cayman S.
Or you could just buy a motorbike, which will out-accelerate (plus greater top-end than) anything above, and a fast car for your £18k
This is the other option. Buell XB9S/Duke 748 and a xxxxxxxx?
If looks are important, and you don't want depreciation, I think the very best E39 M5 you can find makes some sense. All the rubbish is dropping out of the market, and if you don't buy one now, you'll never get a good one.
There are a lot of great cars out there for the £18k you have in your budget.
My vote would be a Porsche or TVR.
The 996 is not loved by the market, so is relatively cheap compared to the 993 (air cooled) or 997 (newer)
I have a turbo which is exceptionally fast when you want it to be, but you dont need to drive it at 10/10 to enjoy.
The other car I would look at is a Cerbera, you can pick them up ex TVR power who give a 5 year warranty on the engine which removes a lot of the worry. The TVR option is also likey to come in much less than budget, leaving you with a war chest if the anticipated problems arise.
Hope you choose well and enjoy!
Al
Compliments for the lady who roughed it with her MX5! 🙂
Cayman sounds like a good solution for you! It's got the everyday, the long-haul, the bad weather, the B-road and the track day covered. A save bet really.
Avoid tiptronic (neuters the car) and big 19" wheels (wooden on B-roads, 18" better, 17" best but look feeble).
Nice to have: sportchrono pack - it comes with a silly clock on the dash but more importantly gives you an ESP sport option with more leeway (standard, sport, off).
Compared to the MR2 and MX5 it will feel more solid, has more grip and might feel less engaging at legal speeds as a result. Upside: it's actually fast on a track and not just fun.
Enjoy the test ride I'd say! 🙂
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Then again, you can always drive a grown-up car when you are older! 😈
At least go for a test-ride with an Elise/Exige/VX220, too! 😛
All the best!
This is how i roll.
[img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/73773087@N07/6721154257/ ][img] http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6721154257_82fc171dc5.jp g" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/73773087@N07/6721154257/ ][img] http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6721154257_82fc171dc5.jp g"/> [/img][/url] [url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/73773087@N07/6721154257/ ]phonepics 187[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/73773087@N07/ ]h4muf[/url], on Flickr[/img]
P.S.: E39 M5 is nice but will feel like a barge compared to any actual sports car!
I really like them but it's just 300 to 500 kg more than most of the others mentioned here.
Don't get me wrong they can still be fun and fast. But in a different way.
P.P.S.: you could also get yourself a copy of the evo Performance Car Heroes and/or Track Day mag books for inspiration and advice.
[url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/Performance-Car-Heroes-MagBook-Evo/dp/1907232605 ]evo mag book Performance Car Heroes[/url]
[url= http://www.magbooks.com/magazine/motoring-transport/cars/the-evo-guide-to-track-days ]evo mag book Guide To Track Days[/url]
Both feature all the right (2nd hand) cars and have buying guides for the most relevant ones.
robowns - MemberTVR's are the ugliest cars ever made.
Errr. I don't think so...
TVR Tuscan Six engines can be modified by Racing Green as part of a service.They are as reliable as a toy car needs to be.
They're rubbish as a toy car as you can't seem to leave them for weeks and then go and have a play. This was a friends experience with a Tuscan anyway. The only sensible way to use them seems to be own two, use them frequently and accept one of the two will probably be broken.
For the op my money would go on a good e46 M3 with a brake upgrade for track work, or if you're happy with a very moddified car then a R33 GTS-t skyline. I had a ride at Elvington in one and it made the 300bhp 200sx I owned at the time seem very very slow.
I would go for a 993 personally like [url= http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3444694.htm ]THIS[/url]or [url= http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2661255.htm ]THIS[/url]
For that infrequent use you want something special really, 993 is significantly more desirable than a 996, drives better and looks better. Depreciation wise you will be more protected in a 993. I sold mine for more than i paid for it (first time ever).
Or a nice M3, or a B5 RS4 would also be a good bet (twin turbo V6). Or a classic RS2 perhaps ?
Evo 10 ? Or maybe a arial atom
you'd get a really good Mitsubishi Evo for 18k, or a nice (and my choice) Porsche...
£18.5k
[url= http://www.vcars.co.uk/used-cars/cardetails.php?t=autotrader&u=427454 ]RS4[/url]
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Ha - was just about to link to that Noble in Pistonheads!
Nice cars, not 'that' well known, and faaaaaassssttt..... (fastest I've been in a car, anyhow)
DrP
As an RS4 owner, and looking at your list, don't get an RS4. Brill car, but sounds like you want something sillier.
Silly is the key, yes. RS4/M5 is a bit grown up. I'd *love* a Noble, but I reckon it might cost more than a TVR to keep on the road...
I'd be going Caterham/similar just for a fun car - don't take it out in the wet though - or so I've heard.
Renault Clio V6.
A most awesome car.
One that Clarkson said would have in his top ten of all time garage.
They are superb. The noise, the drive, on a twisty road they are fabulous. I'm comapring them against recent Lotus, Nissan, and Merc 'Sunday Best' cars that I have used.
SB
EDIT - Oh yeah. Limited Edition. Practically handbuilt. If you look after it and don't trash it, it will be an investment.
rx-7. awesome cars.
Why are people suggesting RS4's and other similarly dull cars. Get something badass
Why are people suggesting RS4's and other similarly dull cars. Get something badass
Errrm... I mean, I really don't care so much about looks but I definitely wouldn't want to be seen in one of those [i]modifieds[/i] with corrupted handling and nonsense ornamental pseudo "aero" battens!
500bhp is all good, but what is it good for when the rest is just bling? Heavy bling as such?!
It's cruel! An Impreza wants to be kept in an adequate free-range way.
It might even get muddy once in a while! 😯
People are calling MX5s and Boxsters etc girly cars but for me these pimped beauty queens are the real automotive tarts .
EDIT Sorry for the outburst. Just my personal [s]opinion[/s] taste. But really... how can they... 😥
David, I do hope your tongue is firmly in your cheek because that really is one helluva collection of chavmobiles.
THIS CAR SOUNDS LIKE THUNDER!! AND IT ATTRACTS MORE ATTENTION THAN A FERRARI ENZO.
Yeah - from people laughing at how big a cock you look.
Comparing any of those with an RS4 is plainly infantile.
If its just a fun/weekend car go for something that the top comes off..makes a day of driving so much more fun than being sat in a tin box
and its not all about how fast a car goes, some are fun to drive some are not.
happy shopping !!
Actually gen II Renault Clio V6 would be a very good call and if looked after will probably appreciate in value.
For some reason I have got a thing about some of the big American muscle cars at the moment too...
It's cos you have the brain of a 12 year old boy.
Luckily for me I have that brain too - old American muscle cars rock.
TFO
Coming from a slightly different angle, whatever new toy you choose you will end up going to club meetings or tunnel runs as it becomes a hobby and interest.
Worth checking out local clubs, meetings and runs. Meeting up with other owners can be useful for sharing info, suppliers, servicing, just like singletrack really. I am not a club person but the odd run out with other owners is good fun.
Pistonheads forums for the make of car and your area give an idea of whats happening.
I think you need to decide whether you want a sports car (to be driven quickly on road) sports car (to be driven quickly on track) or essentially a grand tourer, and whether you want it to be literally a car for taking out for a drive or a car you can use to get from A-B.
If you want a car that is fun for the road and to take out for a drive I'd look at MX5 Mk 1 or 2 (yes I know well below budget but still drive better than most cars) or Elise/Catherham/Westfield etc.
Things like TVR's/Porches/M3's etc are a bit more grown up still a blast on the road, but you can certainly not exploit their full potential on the road. However you then get a car that can be used every day.
i ran a chimaera for a good while every day. for tvr i'd look seriously at the t350t. very civilised when you want it to be, and an absolute rocket when you want it, with handling to match. cerbie and even the tuscan a bit old tech, and if the engine does let go, you'll want to take a bath with an electric fire. on any of the tvrs and caterhams look carefully at the chassis would be my advice.
boxster s is a very good shout. mate has one at work and i'd seriously consider one if i wasn't running a 4-bed semi these days! lovely car with all the show and the go to match. my mate does proper miles in his, used every day, and from what he's told me he hasn't had any major shocks or problems.
IMHO forget the jap stuff with the exception of the s2000 ( i would have thought long and hard about one of those if i'd wanted to replace the chim and do the same jobs with it - marginally more manageable day to day and much greater service intervals! ), but the rest are just a bit naff, again, IMO.
just remember that the more things you want the car to do, the more it's going to cost. if i had the opportunity now i'd go caterham without question.
nice choices to make - have fun! 😀
Some nice cars mentioned,
however an E30M3 will be beyond your budget now (at least for something not needing some/lots of work) with pristine examples @ £40k plus
similar is true of the E46M3CSL, £30k plus whereas an M3CS of a similar age may be in your price range of around £18k.
I would say [u]LOTS[/u] of test drives are in order, hope you find something that works for you.