MegaSack DRAW - 6pm Christmas Eve - LIVE on our YouTube Channel
Used car up to say 10 years old
But would prefer low mileage say less than 30K which probably rules out much more than 5 years old
Doesn't need to be practical - but does need to have some character, either in looks, how it drives, engine - preferably all 3
Ideas so far - M4, F-type, Boxster, some kind of fast Audi
Cayman > Boxster.
agreed but quite like the soft top experience
Oooh a little bit over but how about An Alfa 4C for something a bit different.
Caterham or Elise?
Vauxhall Cascada...go on, just try to resist it:
Boom - https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1189808
Or, a more sensible option - https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1248446
Those Mercs are horrific, wouldn’t pay £2k never mind £20k.
some kind of fast Audi
That's what I did.
Not an overly popular choice on here when I bought it, but it's an absolutely bonkers luxury high performance car, that you can actually drive in the wet without ending up in a ditch (BMW M3/4, Merc C63)
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50212124192_22dfd2ed35_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50212124192_22dfd2ed35_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2jv5gab ]2020-08-10_10-24-26[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr
Recently asked myself a similar question, although could stretch the budget due to an early inheritance gift from my parents
Pick this up on Friday
Boxster gts manual
Wanted a boxster ever since the 981 shape came out and finally have the chance for a really nice example. I’m a bit excited 😁
Alfa?
Boxsters are a good shout especially that the ones in your price bracket should get a DFI engine and avoid the engine issues. Good to drive. An Elise is more fun but definitely less practical.
Ooooo - I know this one!
My new favourite youtube review obsession - Kia Stinger 3.3 V6
Boxters- yeeesh! How old are you guys!
think outside the BOX 😜
Those two mercs flashy posted are his - currently under tarps in his barn.
I picked up Audi A8L 4.2 V8, 8 years old, 18750 miles for £18.5k.
Air suspension, double glazed, Bose
Long journeys - fantastic; other than that, totally impractical but, you know...
Ford Mustang
Kia Stinger
Maserati Ghibli
Nissan 370Z
Mercedes SL
Mercedes CLS
Oh an interesting thread !
Kind of my price range, but waiting until autumn/winter for cheaper pricing.
Porsche Boxter/Cayman S 981 or BMW M2
981 because it’s the gorgeous flat 6 engine. Test drive a Cayman a few weeks back and was gorgeous
M2 because it’s practical and better drive than M3/M4
For me Boxter wins at the minute, you can’t beat having a roof down and a howling flat 6.
Manual gearbox in either car, but that’s rare in a Porsche
Oh and strangely insurance for the Porsche and M2 has come back cheaper than my ‘normal’ 3 series
My new favourite youtube review obsession – Kia Stinger 3.3 V6
I reckon they'll date really quickly, the interior is horrendous, the styling verging on tacky and a warm saloon rather than a hot one - that said, I actually quite like them 😂
Alpina B3 or B5? Our neighbor has a D3 and it's both subtle and very distinctive. Not quite a sleeper but much nicer than the M cars imo.
Also love the Kia Stinger idea.
Alfa Giulia?
Alfa. Best looking cars on the road by many miles.
Half a T5 van?
😜
Alfa. Best looking cars on the road by many miles.
Which Alfa are you buying with your £25k though?
Half a T5 van?
😂😂😂
Have you seen the price of some of the Leighton Vans stuff - why would you?
"Doesn’t need to be practical – but does need to have some character, either in looks, how it drives, engine – preferably all 3"
Make your mind up! do you want to pull the birds, or enjoy driving it in a bobble hat?
A later Porsche Cayman is probably what you want. A gorgeous looking car and de-clawed lest it embarrasses the precious 911.
Claws grow back...
Citroen 2CV - ticks all your boxes and lots of change too!
Ffs. Another tempting thread. So my old company share price has rocketed by 300% in the last few days, leaving me the option with selling them - roughly £6k after they are taxed. Mrs K says leave them as a retirement injection for something, but I quite like the idea of putting that and my 320d down as a deposit on a Guila.
Thing is, it’d be throwing money away until I’d be looking for a car in three years, so I’m looking at The Artists option, or a £350 remap for the 320d to turn it into a 230bhp 450nm stealth Dad Rocket. Although I don’t understand impact in insurance, gear boxes and such like as yet.
Do I really want to sell a £12k 3yo for a 5-8yo toy?
Quite envious of the simple option this kind of decision brings for some, I wish I had space for a 3rd car for the weekend .
Looks like early Audi R8’s have started to drop below £30k now. No idea what they’d be like to own/live with, but still.
so I’m looking at The Artists option
An RS5? I know quite a bit about them, so let me know if you go down that route
Looks like early Audi R8’s have started to drop below £30k now. No idea what they’d be like to own/live with, but still.
Do not get an early R8 auto, it's a horrendous gearbox. Manual is supposed to be ok - they aren't supercar quick though
Unimog.
You know it makes sense.
Personally I dont think Audi make great drivers cars. They make very rapid planted cars but not drivers cars.
Missed the doesnt have to be practical bit.... anything then - Lotus of whatever flavour you prefer, or Caterham. People rave about the Jaguar F Type but just doesnt do it for me.
Having driven a fast (ish) BMW saloon car for the last 4 years it still is very dull compared to something that is actually designed from the ground up to be fun.
You can probably buy a latest generation Cayman/Boxter (4 cyclinder) for less than an older 981. But that would be just daft. My stupid notion is that if I buy a 981 it will appreciate in value.
Will also get you an Aston Martin. Not sure I would want one of that vintage though
The best Porsche Boxter/Caymen you can find...
If practicality not an issue then Caterham 7. Interesting, very different from any mainstream car and great fun at any speed. And before anyone says they are only for the odd day I used was as my daily car for 3 years.
Any mention of BMW, Jaguar, Porsche etc,. and you should remove the word "interesting" from the title...
An RS5? I know quite a bit about them, so let me know if you go down that route
Thanks, although probably an RS4 as I need to get a bike in.
Having driven a fast (ish) BMW saloon car for the last 4 years it still is very dull compared to something that is actually designed from the ground up to be fun.
For me this is the paradox; owning a 320d Touring auto is perfect for (pre covid) work travel and long distance bike events. Its calm, efficient, torque on the right place for motorways and is easy to live with and relatively quicker with a remap. So thats all good, but the real option becomes to own a weekend car. With Mrs K also needing a family car while I'm away that quickly gets to three cars, one very expensive one only being used at weekends and only then when I can get out in it e.g. very limited use. Hence I'm thinking of RS4 for a little fun in the lesser miles Covid era, going back to sensible in a couple of years.
She's due a new car, maybe I should get her a G Wagon C63 for the school runs 😀
Anyway, will watch the rest of the OP's thread with interest.
Thanks, although probably an RS4 as I need to get a bike in.
The same car virtually, different body, but identical running gear and options list.
Yes, some might find them dull compared to a pure drivers car, but anyone that's been in mine has been left wanting one. The engine is sublime. It is a far quicker point to point car than my mates Mustang - especially on damp roads.
11mpg/160 miles to a tank if you drive it properly though....
A Cayman is my dream car, but if you want a convertible a Boxster is hardly a hardship. I didn't realise the Cayman is actually cheaper (new) than a Boxster. I doubt there's much in it.
If you buy a good one, make friends with a good Indie specialist they shouldn't ruin you to run either. Supposedly a lot more reliable than 911s which, despite owners being a bit coy about, quite often break down which I was surprised by.
The only think that might put you off, early ones are getting really cheap now partly because they're old and will never been collectable like a 911 and partly because of engine fears, the 'wrong' kind of people are buying them, painting the wheels black and wrapping them in stupid colours and basically driving like dicks.
Don’t get an old Porsche, you’ll regret it when the bills start piling up.
My car if choice for that budget is the Alfa Gulia Veloce
Lovely drivers car, carries the family & will outdo most of those older mlc cars.
I did a version of this thread with £20k, now got a deposit on a Toyota GR4 Yaris with circuit pack for del November.😶
From videos on YouTube it looks bonkers.
I also live in Wales and recon they'll be nothing from the big boys to touch it, can't wait to get stuck in traffic.🤣😁
If you have a garage an Elise or if you can stretch budget an Exige. If you care less about 'prestige' a VX220 turbo but it isn't as refined.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/dealer/675380
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/dealer/611325
You haven't mentioned running costs but in my experience owning an Audi 'S' model is tantamount to letting Audi shaft you once a year, same with BMW 'M' cars. Even going to a specialist doesn't get you away from the fact that parts are eye-wateringly expensive and that the Audi 'S' cars are far from bombproof.
Doesn't this thread highlight that cars are just ****ing dull nowadays no matter how much you spend.
Someone needs to build a cheap, simple, reliable sportscar.
Twinwa4ll
you had a test drive yet?
Doesn’t this thread highlight that cars are just **** dull nowadays no matter how much you spend.
I suppose that depends on what you find to be dull Tim 😉
Doesn’t this thread highlight that cars are just **** dull nowadays no matter how much you spend.
Someone needs to build a cheap, simple, reliable sportscar.
Agree in part, the problem is partly regulations (which are obviously important) if you saw the recent Video Gordon Murray made about his new T.50, he had to in a huge amount of work to make all the compliance stuff lighter, but it's neither simple nor cheap.
I think mostly though we still buy cars based on on-paper stats and even the Motoring Journos are obsessed with figures and outright speed. The latest Cayman HAS to be faster than the last one, I think my mates RS6 has about 700bhp and if you remove the limiter will do 200mph, to try to make all that usable you have to give it more grip, more braking etc and we've ended up with car that are so powerful and so capable that all you can do on the actual road with actual people on it is drive at 10% or risk a huge fine, or at worse killing someone by using more of it. It's very exciting to drive and be a passenger in when it's really moving, but mostly it's just pootles around.
I think Toyota / Subaru did a great job with the GT86 / BRZ, it's cheap enough, reliable and fairly simple. It's makes a decent amount of power but you have to really tear the arse out of it to do so, they even fitted tyres from a Prius so it didn't have too much grip for a perfect balance, if you're into that sort of thing you can go off to a quite B-Road far from other people and push the limits of it.
Of course the likes of Piston Heads HATED it (which is odd because they love an MX-5 which is dam near the same thing) "needs at least 100bhp more to be interesting" they said, needs more cylinders or a turbo etc, which would make it more like a 370Z I guess, the car Nissan can't give away anymore.
Cheap simple reliable sports car. I think you mean the MX5. Maybe with something like a BBR tune to make it more fun.
This thread just goes to show what everyone’s idea of fun is can be very different. As long as the driver is enjoying a drive the car can be somewhat immaterial.
I suppose that depends on what you find to be dull Tim 😉
Dunno! I'd find spending thousands a year on routine servicing extremely dull 🙂
I'm in the position soon where I don't need a big car anymore and could fund a fun 25k car (on PCP) - can't see past a nearly new GT86 or MX5. Or chuck £6k at a 10 plate MX5, or even go lower and chuck 3k on a very clean MG TF.
Not interested in hot-hatches, TTs, Corrados, BMWs.
After a 2 seater soft-top or coupe (or 2+2) - power not the main focus.
Thinking back my old original Mini was great fun - just loved ragging the arse off it everywhere!
Doesn’t this thread highlight that cars are just **** dull nowadays no matter how much you spend.
Something with a load of power, automatic gearbox and 4wd. Just point and shoot and in not a lot of time you'll be where you wanted to be.
Interesting - mk1 MX5 with a turbo conversion and £15k for fuel. Mini Clubman JCW. Mini GP#. A friend had an M4 for a while and it was undeniably lovely. F series M3 actually looks better IMHO and is more practical. No idea how much they are.
In fact I've just checked - Maserati Granturismo. Can be had for under £25k and IMHO are one of the most beautiful looking cars ever made.
No Andy, test drives are starting in October.
I usually buy my cars on eBay so it'll be an expensive culture shock.
Something with a load of power, automatic gearbox and 4wd. Just point and shoot and in not a lot of time you’ll be where you wanted to be.
I really don't get why 'drivers' get so hung up about having a manual box.
4wd vs RWD I get, but still, I'd rather be able to go round a corner on rails, than sideways on a public road at least. On a track, yes, I'll take RWD
<£25k
Interesting
Not under 10 years old
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1251547
/blockquote>F'inell, that's nice - surprised it's not worth more tbh
If I had a garage to house it in, I'd be doing a bit more research and warming the credit card up
Define "interesting"
Been going through something similar, though no where near that budget".
I've come to the conclusion of something small, light and i can thrash the s#$t out of without reaching light speed in the process, fun handling.
So my conclustion was either st170 or fiesta st150 and a second hand nissan leaf to get to work and back in silence. Plus some left over to play grand tourismo in real life and "upgrade". (Though i do like fixing cars at times).
Or for sirs budget scare yourself silly untill the first bend with this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2014-DAX-Rush-HAYABUSA-TURBO-Petrol-Manual/202897660100?hash=item2f3da498c4:g:zcgAAOSwGTReY9Wa
Bit more interesting than an MX-5? If it was me I'd opt for an Abarth 124 Spider.
If I had £25k then it'd be a Honda Civic Type R FK8 above anything listed above, likely faster than everything listed so far bar the Caterham 7. Bikes easily slide in the huge boot, pussycat in comfort mode, hot hatch in sport mode, track day car in R+ mode.
My mate is selling his Merc C63 AMG for £21,500. It's a well looked after car too!
If I had £25k then it’d be a Honda Civic Type R FK8 above anything listed above, likely faster than everything listed so far bar the Caterham 7. Bikes easily slide in the huge boot, pussycat in comfort mode, hot hatch in sport mode, track day car in R+ mode.
Could you bear to look at it every day though?
I would class my m135 interesting to drive, just sub 5 0-60 with the auto gearbox according to the internet, albeit impossible without spinning out in reality.
Don’t think I’ve ever red-lined it, does about 80 in 1st gear before getting to 8k revs, so that might count against it in interest stakes.
Could get an average one for half the budget then spend the rest on coke and hookers.
Hehe, I'm in the minority but I think Civic Type R FK8s looks stupidly OTT great, the suggestion was for special cars, CTR FK8 certainly not normal!
Don’t think I’ve ever red-lined it, does about 80 in 1st gear before getting to 8k revs, so that might count against it in interest stakes.
The M135i is a great car, but those figures are nonsense
60 not 80 STR, you are correct.
I like the fast Audi's but I wouldn't say they have character unless it really was special (RS2, Quattro, R8), maybe the V8 RS4 slips in there too
For interesting and character I'd be looking for something manual. Have a little browse on the collecting cars platform, lots above your price bracket but some very interesting ones in there too
Porsche is a good shout. Don't know how much M2s are these days, manual one of them would be a good shout.
4 door Skyline for £10k. Cheaper and more interesting (to me) than the equiv. Audi
60 not 80 STR, you are correct.
Not even close - 34 for a 2016 and 41 for a 2008 says the internet
And your redline is 7k, not 8k, unless youve had it mapped out 😉
My Audi, however - 8250rpm and I redline it every time I go out 😉
Will do these speeds in each gear
1st Gear redline - 41.5 MPH
2nd - 68.4
3rd - 98.2
4th - 130.3
5th - 167.3
6th - 205.5 (theoretical) limited to 155 as a standard car, 174 deristricted, but read they are actually good for 190
I like the fast Audi’s but I wouldn’t say they have character unless it really was special (RS2, Quattro, R8), maybe the V8 RS4 slips in there too
Agreed, no-one would say my car has character, but the grip is phenomenal and when you have a chopped down Lambo engine screaming at you, it sort of adds to the character 😉
For 25k I'd be looking for an Exige S2 or just a nice Elise 111R with cash left over.
So my conclustion was either st170
Or absolutely anything else - they are shite
Jaguar xkr 5.0 plus supercharger
Over 500bhp, i think they did an rs version with 575bhp
All autos though but look good on the drive, cant speak for the reliability
W c a had a merc cabrio with silly horsepower but it became unreliable
M3 cabrio not float your boat?
I'd put the GR Yaris against the Type R, it'll be interesting to see a head to head on a twisty track,the Yaris would certainly kick ass on a wet track.
And your redline is 7k, not 8k, unless youve had it mapped out 😉
7.2K according to the internet, looks much closer to 8k on the dial. You’ve got quiet a high opinion of yours for what is still quite a cheap Audi. I wouldn’t downgrade to a 6 speed personally, I can still get 40mpg on the M1 if I want to.
You will also get most of your money or more back on these two. Since I think that a convertible is more fun and what the OP was looking for, Elise!
For 25k I’d be looking for an Exige S2 or just a nice Elise 111R with cash left over
You’ve got quiet a high opinion of yours for what is still quite a cheap Audi. I wouldn’t downgrade to a 6 speed personally, I can still get 40mpg on the M1 if I want to.
I posted the wrong figures - it's 7 speed
Cheap? It was nearly £70k new with the options?
So my conclustion was either st170
Or absolutely anything else – they are shite
Really, thought they got good reviews?
Hmmm scrap that then, have to carry on with the ST capri build might actually finish it this decade 😁
Personally I would say that an M4, F-type, Boxster, or some kind of fast Audi are in no way interesting at all. Kinda the Specialized or Trek's of the car world.
Personally I would say that an M4, F-type, Boxster, or some kind of fast Audi are in no way interesting at all.
I know what you mean monkeyboy and others. A more extreme lotus/ Caterham/ Morgan/tvr/etc would be a great fun car but there are always other considerations.
For me, boxster is something that also appeals to my wife and excites her. That matters a lot when it comes down to it!
I’ve also been doing this and strangely am likely to go for a Tesla, all the petrol performance stuff is actually not that fast Anymore and aren’t likely to be the cheapest to maintain and run.
BTW Just sorting the fuel pump in my Boxster, I think they’re possibly the best bang per buck but you either need to be able to spanner or have a good indie.
I do like my smart convertible thou possibly more for arsing about.
Three cars ago was a 135i: loved it, but handling was a bit low rent. Changed if for a Golf R: rapid, but zero enjoyment in driving it, too capable. Currently in a 340: rapid, but feels like a big heavy bus in the corners.
£25k to spend without any consideration towards practicalities would steer me away from anything heavy like I’ve had above (or elsewhere on the thread). I’d be buying a Cayman. Everytime.
I have spent some time on a track in a CTR though, and it’s astoundingly good for a practical, family car. Also quite like how gopping it looks.
Edit. Test drive a Tesla 3P yesterday. Stupidily quick, too quick really, and it cornered very flat and rode very well - I was really impressed. Can’t disguise the weight though, it feels like the big heavy car it is. It’s brilliant, but you wouldn’t call it a drivers car.
Some great cars mentioned but all seem very sensible in comparison to the original request 'not practical, character, fast' etc.
Huge power, creature comforts and lots of smiles are no doubt evident with 90% of cars mentioned so far but character and 'non euro box' (I know that wasn't one of the criteria) they certainly aren't.
Think I'd be looking towards Caterham or even Westfield (not sure how good they are nowadays) for something with character.
Completely out performed by most but I also like the big V8s, Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang.
Just different whilst being fast enough to scare you occasionally.
Or dial down the character a bit and bring in M2, RS4 etc etc - assuming the OP can cope with running costs.
I think I've suggested it before on similar threads, but find the cleanest mx-5 MK1 or 2 possible and put a rocketeer V6 kit in it. Don't think you can get much more character for the money. Admittedly much older than 10 years ...
Or absolutely anything else – they are shite
I didn't think so, thought mine was great, especially for the remit the poster suggested. I guess you drive a Audi though so...... 😉
