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Thread: Car buying advice... weekend toy. Decision made!

  1. #51
    Master Kirk280's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ViperStripes View Post
    Lotus Exige V6 - won't depreciate much at all, if you can stretch to £50k then the LF1 variant. Has been holding price very well.
    https://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...dition/7520551

    Lotus Evora S - Been in the £30k to £40k range for several years now depending on age and mileage

    Cayman will depreciate like a stone over 5 years, just sold mine after 9 months, fantastic car though.

    R8 especially a manual and again if you can find another £10k then the V10. Lost just £500 after 5 months ownership of a V10 could easily have been a small profit if I had held out for a better offer.

    I've just bought a 2007 Lotus Europa - will hold it's value. An Elise with more sound insulation basically.
    Will Blackham (respected for his stock choice in the Lotus community) has a nice one here:
    https://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...y-rare/7778910

    Check the rest of his stock. The Sports Racer Elise - I used to own that model (only 50 built) and it's worth more now than I sold it for about 7 years ago.
    You and I have similar taste in cars! I love the Europa, it’s one of the most fun cars I’ve ever driven and hard to find nowadays. They look stunning in the flesh, but a bit weird in photos! Well done for getting one, you won’t lose money on it.

    OP test drive an Evora S.

  2. #52
    If you want weekend fun, then you should be thinking competition.*

    Get yourself a National Speed B license, read the blue book, settle on a discipline and take it from there.

    *trackdays ≠ competition

  3. #53
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    Quote Originally Posted by ditchvisitor View Post
    The 997 and Cayman are definitely out due to the bore scoring issues but I'm still very keen on the 996 Turbo, I think a good V8 Vantage might also tempt me. I think investment wise the CSL is the best bet financial but finding a decent one in good condition might be hard.

    https://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...6#/description
    The 2009 on dfi engines don't suffer bore scoring or Ims issues, the MA1 was a total redesign. It was for that reason I suggested a gen 2 997 above though a similarly equipped Cayman would also be a fine choice as suggested by others. I would personally avoid a 996, even in rocket ship turbo form since the interior has really dated and now feels its age.
    Last edited by Padders; 24th September 2017 at 10:04.

  4. #54
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    Last year I purchased an evo 5 rs for £12,500. A hoot to drive. I have had loadsa evos so know what to look for. But the prices are only going one way especially on rare models like mine. It's done 50k from new and been in Japan all its life. So no rot. I've spent a bit on it. Refurbing bits and bobs, at the end of the day it's 19 years old. But weighs 1350kg with 330bhp, so proper old school. Now getting a rare sight on out roads


  5. #55
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  6. #56
    Master ditchvisitor's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by forest172 View Post
    Last year I purchased an evo 5 rs for £12,500. A hoot to drive. I have had loadsa evos so know what to look for. But the prices are only going one way especially on rare models like mine. It's done 50k from new and been in Japan all its life. So no rot. I've spent a bit on it. Refurbing bits and bobs, at the end of the day it's 19 years old. But weighs 1350kg with 330bhp, so proper old school. Now getting a rare sight on out roads

    What's it worth now?

  7. #57
    Lancia Delta Integrale as a left field option

  8. #58
    Master mondie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chris_in_the_UK View Post
    Too many have been messed with and they have an image problem for me
    .
    Fair enough, it will take some work to find a good one especially a rust free example. As for the image problem blah, if you want the best weekend driving car for your budget this is it.

  9. #59
    Master mondie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by forest172 View Post
    Awesome Forest, homologation road cars are sadly a thing of the past. Your looks a minter!

  10. #60
    Master murkeywaters's Avatar
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    Reading your posts it seems investment outweighs performance so how about going for an 80's classic, climbing prices along with 40 something's that get all misty eyed over the cars of their teens..
    I have an E30 M3, they are around for you price and will increase over the next few years plus it's gets some great looks when driving it, others like MK1 Golf GTI's are doing well and great fun to drive..

  11. #61
    Master ditchvisitor's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by acg View Post
    Lancia Delta Integrale as a left field option
    Had an Evo 1 12 years ago! Rust was an issue then so it will be a massive problem now! Would love an 911 3.2 or an E30 M3 but it's the same rust issues that put me off.

  12. #62
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    Cheers guys. Stands me to about £15.5k now. I'd say it's now worth that, maybe a grand more. But will steadily increase in value/stay at least the same. But for me it's about owning it

    I think the image of these has gone past the boy racer days now. They're a cult classic. Sadly gone are these days!!!

  13. #63
    From your posts, it does sound like the investment return is going to be more important to you than the car itself. Unfortunately, you might be about to jump in at the wrong time.

    It looks like interest rates are finally going to rise after years of 0.5 or 0.25%. When this happens, lots of investors will start taking their money out of the classic car market. This will only have one effect on values and prices.

    Personally, I would buy a car to drive and enjoy it. If it goes up in value, that’s a bonus. If it doesn’t, then that’s just a cost of a hobby that I enjoy.

  14. #64
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    Can't understand the fascination with boring looking saloon cars, however many exhaust pipes they have.

    For my money, the most beautiful looking car, with unbelievable road holding, cheap to run, cheap to insure, surefire investment.......No, not a MX5......

    A 1974, Lotus Europa big valve.

  15. #65
    A lot of the suggestions - mostly great cars - don't fit the criteria of a break-even or small profit price?

    The E46 M3 CSL (only the CSL) may well do, modern Jags, Italians etc almost certainly won't? Some of the Porsches might be a good bet. Nothing diesel! Depending on your driving preferences, a (semi) classic might be a good bet - Escort/Sierra Cossie, Lotus Carlton- that sort of thing? Either fully restored or cheaper and spend the money to have it brought up to scratch.

    Maybe something from your past that you always wanted?

  16. #66
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    Instead of looking for one car to keep for 5 years hoping for at least a 100% return, why not tick off a few boxes on your car bucket list keeping each one for a year?

    Nissan GTR?

    It’s not pretty to look at, neither are they luxurious, but for me it’s a box I want to tick at some point.

    Merc SL550?

    The various Porsche’s mentioned?

    Caterhams? BMW M5 V10? Noble? Volvo P1800? Old Alfa’s?



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  17. #67
    Master ditchvisitor's Avatar
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    I think that 996 Turbo is out now, he's inflexible in the price and their ability to hit me some mega bills down the line has put me off somewhat. Im swaying towards the V8 Vantage, ticks all the boxes, looks and sound amazing, shouldn't lose any money and is relatively well priced to look after.

  18. #68
    Master Alex L's Avatar
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    I’d go for the Exige V6 over the supercharged Toyota, the performance gap is quite noticeable.

    A 2013 V6 should be achievable for £37k alternatively buy my 2015 car for not much more and have the comfort of another year of manufacturer warranty 😃

    http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...ighlight=Exige

  19. #69
    Quote Originally Posted by Alex L View Post
    ...and have the comfort of another year of manufacturer warranty 😃
    Wasn’t there an issue with the warranty (after your trip to Santa Pod)?

  20. #70
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    And you think a V8 Vantage might not hit you with the odd stingy bill?

  21. #71
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    It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than it is to drive a fast car slow.[/QUOTE]

    That reminds me of my old N plate Fiat Cinquecento Sporting. That was such a shed but I had such a hoot thrashing it everywhere.

  22. #72
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    Quote Originally Posted by ditchvisitor View Post
    I think that 996 Turbo is out now, he's inflexible in the price and their ability to hit me some mega bills down the line has put me off somewhat. Im swaying towards the V8 Vantage, ticks all the boxes, looks and sound amazing, shouldn't lose any money and is relatively well priced to look after.
    Forgot to say I also owned a V8 Vantage for a year. The N400 variant. Stunning to look at (but you can't see it when you're in it), sounds amazing. Large boot, for a sports car of it's type. For me it was a bit heavy, you could feel it's weight and traction control regularly kicked in.

    It's a sweeping A road car, not a twisty B road car, so it depends what you want. If you pick the right one, then again shouldn't lose you too much (lost £1000 on mine depreciation after a year, but because it came with brand new tyres and brakes, cost me nothing in consumables).

  23. #73
    Quote Originally Posted by Groundrush View Post

    It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than it is to drive a fast car slow.
    James Hunt's A35 van on bald cross plys, seems now everyone says he drove it as couldn't afford to keep his barge like 450 SEL on the road but i'm sure I read an interview with him saying
    he kept it as it was great to drive it at 100 percent on the road without getting into trouble (and to transport his Budgies in the back)

  24. #74
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    Quote Originally Posted by TBKBABAB View Post
    James Hunt's A35 van on bald cross plys, seems now everyone says he drove it as couldn't afford to keep his barge like 450 SEL on the road but i'm sure I read an interview with him saying
    he kept it as it was great to drive it at 100 percent on the road without getting into trouble (and to transport his Budgies in the back)
    James Hunt was a massive contrarian - he was an F1 champion who really didn't like cars that much (and who rode a bike around London), so he may have been truthful when he said he liked driving an A35 van. It's indisputable, however, that he couldn't afford to run his Mercedes 450SEL 6.9 - there's a reasonably famous picture of NLT 735V up on bricks outside his house!

  25. #75
    Craftsman maxwellwd's Avatar
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    What about a Lexus ISF? Very rare, can't see them dropping more in price

    Alternatively the C4S (996) keeps going up and up in value at the moment

  26. #76
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    Well no one has suggested it yet so I will.
    Honda NSX.
    Values are only going one way, super easy to use on a daily basis if you so choose and being a Honda it's going to be pretty reliable.
    Oh and the rareness on the road makes it a bit more special.

  27. #77
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    Quote Originally Posted by oldoakknives View Post
    Maserati Quattroporte, lot of fun for the money not so much to lose!
    Quote Originally Posted by Chris_in_the_UK View Post
    Very fragile and expensive to repair.
    Spend the change on krugerrands and they'll take care of the depreciation and leave you to enjoy the glorious howl.

    If it's purely for an investment Prudential might be better for you.
    Last edited by oldoakknives; 25th September 2017 at 17:01.

  28. #78
    Master Alex L's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bravo73 View Post
    Wasn’t there an issue with the warranty (after your trip to Santa Pod)?
    Well remembered, thankfully a hollow threat as I suggested Lotus interrogated the ECU to analyse the performance data stored. No "race starts" over over revs logged and data shows driven with mechanical sympathy (always warmed up) I was rather surprised the amount of data it stores!

  29. #79
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    Quote Originally Posted by Padders View Post
    The 2009 on dfi engines don't suffer bore scoring or Ims issues, the MA1 was a total redesign. It was for that reason I suggested a gen 2 997 above though a similarly equipped Cayman would also be a fine choice as suggested by others. I would personally avoid a 996, even in rocket ship turbo form since the interior has really dated and now feels its age.
    This. Although you'll be lucky to see even a ratty 997 GTS for much less than £60k, and 993's are now mental prices.

    As others have said, depends if you want a track car you can use on the road occasionally or a nice weekend GT for weekends to France. If the latter, the XKR's (x100) could be a good investment - xjr's are doing super well on price and these may follow. I had one and it was a lovely, proper GT. Wish I'd kept it.


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  30. #80
    Master yumma's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jaytip View Post
    Well no one has suggested it yet so I will.
    Honda NSX.
    Values are only going one way, super easy to use on a daily basis if you so choose and being a Honda it's going to be pretty reliable.
    Oh and the rareness on the road makes it a bit more special.
    ^^^^ This! Why didn'y I think of this. Possibly even a Skyline R34.

    Another leftfield option is that you may just get a Ferrari 348/355 for this money and I reckon they have hit rock bottom on cost. But heaven forbid any repair bills.

  31. #81
    I've read the thread start to finish and would agree with most options
    But I'll add ( just to open up the discussion)
    Lancia fulvia HF or Alfa Gt junior/GTV - reason being the lack of weight and throttle response....
    Escort RS of some sort- reasons as above
    OR...
    Merc amg coupe c63- reasoning being that cars like these are not made any more/ never will be so could be a good Choice over 5 years?
    Personally I'd go for an integrale

  32. #82
    Cayman R at top end of budget or MX5 mk3 for a budget option.

  33. #83
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    Get a drive in a decently powered Caterham. You won't lose money, they are not expensive to run and nothing will feel more exhilarating to drive.

    Or a Defender

  34. #84
    Quote Originally Posted by Culminator View Post
    Get a drive in a decently powered Caterham. You won't lose money, they are not expensive to run and nothing will feel more exhilarating to drive.

    Or a Defender
    Funny you should say that, I may know of one for sale

    https://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...rham-7/7764670

    [IMG]
    [IMG]

  35. #85
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    What about the new (ish) RHD Ford Mustang V8.... that has got to sound nice... Got one hired for a short trip in a few weeks when I am in the US ...

    And as a previous Caterham 7 owner, I concur they are excellent fun to drive, can be very fast, cheap to run, hold onto their value really well...

  36. #86
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    Quote Originally Posted by jamesnw View Post
    What about the new (ish) RHD Ford Mustang V8.... that has got to sound nice... Got one hired for a short trip in a few weeks when I am in the US ...
    I would think that with them being so new they will depreciate at a fair rate and the OP wants a car that will hold its value or possibly go up in value.

  37. #87
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    Quote Originally Posted by jaytip View Post
    I would think that with them being so new they will depreciate at a fair rate and the OP wants a car that will hold its value or possibly go up in value.
    That is probably true yes, although used prices on them so far still seem quite strong. But it is definitely not going up in value..

  38. #88
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    I'd go for the CSL, wish I'd bought one years ago when I bought the standard E46 M3. They were a half decent price back then. Would make a great weekend toy.

  39. #89
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  40. #90
    Craftsman Rolthai32's Avatar
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    MX 5

    I'll get my coat

  41. #91
    Boxster Spyder, V6 Exige or has been suggested, spend a bit less on a car & get a bike (ignore the wife).

    At a much lower price point, I'm absolutely loving my Clio Trophy.

    Look how much fun we had last weekend









    Last edited by andy tims; 29th September 2017 at 11:22.
    Andy

    Wanted - Damasko DC57

  42. #92
    I think a clean and late example of a 6.2L C63 AMG is a good way to go, these cars are a dying breed of large naturally aspirated engine that are already going obsolete.

    Sent from my Wileyfox Swift 2 Plus using Tapatalk

  43. #93
    Quote Originally Posted by simon-c View Post
    Funny you should say that, I may know of one for sale

    https://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...rham-7/7764670

    [IMG]
    [IMG]
    Awesome vehicles!

  44. #94
    Master ditchvisitor's Avatar
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    Oh dear, mission creep has set in and I've started looking at GT3's and 360's!!

  45. #95
    Quote Originally Posted by Tifa View Post
    I got a passenger ride in one of these last year. Not fast, not practical, not even particularly well made from what I can tell, but an epic grin factor. You would be forever picking flies out of your teeth..

    Cheers,

    Plug

  46. #96
    Master ditchvisitor's Avatar
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    http://www.911virgin.com/porscheforsale/1133/996GT3Mk1/

    Safe enough place for 2-3 years I reckon and one of my all time favourite cars, a friend had one 3 years ago and had the pleasure of driving it a few times.

  47. #97
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    Quote Originally Posted by FF_fan View Post
    I think a clean and late example of a 6.2L C63 AMG is a good way to go, these cars are a dying breed of large naturally aspirated engine that are already going obsolete.

    Sent from my Wileyfox Swift 2 Plus using Tapatalk
    A friend of mine at work has one and it's his pride and joy, a real head turner too.

  48. #98
    Grand Master Andyg's Avatar
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    The obvious answer is a 968 Sport, 968 Turbo or if you can find one a 968 Club Sport.

    I will gaurentee that that you will not lose money or be crippled by servicing and insurance costs. Unlike some of the rubbish identified about.

    Plus it will be hoot to drive.

    Failing that and a bit cheaper, how about a 944 Turbo (250bhp) and spend 25k on watches.

    Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
    Friedrich Nietzsche


  49. #99
    Master ditchvisitor's Avatar
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    Almost bought a 968 Clubsport about 7 years ago in blue!

  50. #100
    Grand Master Andyg's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ditchvisitor View Post
    Almost bought a 968 Clubsport about 7 years ago in blue!

    So did I in speed yellow, however the wife gave me the "one in one out" speech, which would have meant selling my 964.

    It was £7,5k - today a similar car would be over £28k - if you can find one. I still regret it.

    Great car especially in the twisties.

    Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
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