[Drisser]

For me the 330d is really and truly the perfect car to drive every day and a great mile muncher, yet enough fun when in the mood, pretty cheap to run, fast enough, good looking.

So what goes with it out of this list to make the ultimate real world combination of something "special" enough and fun enough, to either take to work if you want or keep in the garage for the weekend..

I know, we all debated this before but its good fun !

Criteria -

Special enough but sensible ie not hyper exotic
Not too old to risk a big bill
Got to make you want to get it out of the garage to drive it on a Sunday
Practical enough for 2 people + luggage for a week away
New or approved used ie some kind of warranty security

Max £45k

Cayman / Boxster - probably AUC, last of the 6 cylinders
M2 - New
RS3 - New
Golf Gti Clubsport - New (ok different league but £15k cheaper)
Ford Mustang V8 - New
E92 M3
AUC current M3 ( too similar in looks etc to the 330d really ?)
Audi TTS
Merc C 63 AMG coupe (previous model)
911 (997)

Thoughts on the above ? Other possibles ?

[Chompers]

I'd buy a 1'M' these are only going to go in one direction value wise and that is ^ Followed by the Boxter and then possibly a sorted, well cared for Z4M Roadster which would leave you a nice sum of money to run both with.

[gr4z]

For me, it would be the 911. If well looked after, you will hardly lose much on it either.

[225]

Alfa 4c
997 turbo
one of the last ever tvrs
m5
Audi r8

you can get a lot for 45k these days!

[Drisser]

Hmm I forgot the 4C, saw one in the flesh yesterday, was gorgeous. I actually had a deposit on a 4C a few years back and then withdrew it..

Chompers, are you saying that about the 1M because you don't like the M2 ?! Only kidding mate.. I cant get in my head where the 1m will go value wise tbh, could be like the E46 M3 CSL which is going mental, or IF the M2 is really good that could undermine it.. depending on the volumes brought to the UK..

[stefan4]

Lotus evora s?

[Drisser]

How fragile are Lotus's these days ? I cant answer that, never owned one..

[Chompers]

Originally Posted by Drisser

Hmm I forgot the 4C, saw one in the flesh yesterday, was gorgeous. I actually had a deposit on a 4C a few years back and then withdrew it..

Chompers, are you saying that about the 1M because you don't like the M2 ?! Only kidding mate.. I cant get in my head where the 1m will go value wise tbh, could be like the E46 M3 CSL which is going mental, or IF the M2 is really good that could undermine it.. depending on the volumes brought to the UK..

Never said I didn't like the M2, just think there is a lot of hype around and until it is in the showroom and available for test drive on the UK roads, nobody actually knows what it'll be like + I genuinely think the M3/4 is a better option. Didn't mention this above because it's too close to the 330d. A 2nd car bought for fun should be just that and a little special + very different to your DD IMO. This rules out half your initial list. I think the 1'M' is a safe bet money wise, any car built in low volume is.

[Watsey]

911 and Boxster in that order.

[Chompers]

Originally Posted by Drisser

How fragile are Lotus's these days ? I cant answer that, never owned one..

Much, much better than they used to be. However they are too much money for what they are (Elise) I'd probably look at the Evora as a wild card if you need one. You can't beat a Lotus for the way the drive, they really are special and show up the likes of BMW in the chassis/suspension set up of their cars

[deebee]

Aston DB9

[mikeoz]

911.
Dealer service makes bmw look cheap however.

[Drisser]

Plenty of Aston Martin V8s around for £40k also.. seemingly more reliable than you think..

Chompers, only pulling your leg ! Agree about the hype.. I am excited as I have a build slot but genuinely not made up my mind yet because until the likes of Evo drive one properly on UK roads, the rest is nice info but not enough to go and order one..

[shej]

997 turbo s for me

[JustChris]

Focus RS + £15k for track days tyres and whatever takes your fancy?

[Chompers]

Originally Posted by Drisser

Plenty of Aston Martin V8s around for £40k also.. seemingly more reliable than you think..

Chompers, only pulling your leg ! Agree about the hype.. I am excited as I have a build slot but genuinely not made up my mind yet because until the likes of Evo drive one properly on UK roads, the rest is nice info but not enough to go and order one..

I know It's good to have some different opinions mixed with banter.

[Drisser]

Originally Posted by Chris10Bimmers

Focus RS + £15k for track days tyres and whatever takes your fancy?

I would stick the focus RS and Golf R in a boat and push them both out to sea to fight out the 0-60 bar talk arena they are competing in..

Neither of them really gets me remotely excited tbh, despite the fact I am sure they are both a very good steer.

Personally I get more excited about opening the garage to drive my £1900 Fiat which sounds 10 times better than a Golf R / Focus RS - the experience, the look, the fake sound, the interior... just not special in any way.. apart from the fact I am sure it can keep up with something exotic on a wet road... and I just cant get excited about Fords unfortunately - apart from maybe the 5.0 Mustang which I would have any day before the Focus RS..

[Tengocity]

Weekend/summer holidays to Alps/France/Italy shortlist:

911 (convertible would be ideal!)
Boxster
E90 M3
Vantage V8
XKR
M6

I'd like a soft top with a beautiful sounding engine for the above!

If it was more UK and track day usage:

911
Cayman
E90 M3
Lotus Exige


May be the new Alpine will be worth a look at.

Has to be

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Drisser

I would stick the focus RS and Golf R in a boat and push them both out to sea to fight out the 0-60 bar talk arena they are competing in..

Neither of them really gets me remotely excited tbh, despite the fact I am sure they are both a very good steer.

Personally I get more excited about opening the garage to drive my £1900 Fiat which sounds 10 times better than a Golf R / Focus RS - the experience, the look, the fake sound, the interior... just not special in any way.. apart from the fact I am sure it can keep up with something exotic on a wet road... and I just cant get excited about Fords unfortunately - apart from maybe the 5.0 Mustang which I would have any day before the Focus RS..

Rihhhty o. Just suggesting. If it's from your list then it's a 911 all day every day.

Best of luck getting a nice version for £45k though really? For anything to be special surely it needs to be of a GTS or turbo nature and you will need to drop back a few generations I guess.

If your Fiat is more special to drive than a Focus RS with a years waiting list on it and rave reviews, then why bother spending £45k you've already got your fun car.

[Chompers]

Originally Posted by Chris10Bimmers

Rihhhty o. Just suggesting. If it's from your list then it's a 911 all day every day.

Best of luck getting a nice version for £45k though really? For anything to be special surely it needs to be of a GTS or turbo nature and you will need to drop back a few generations I guess.

If your Fiat is more special to drive than a Focus RS with a years waiting list on it and rave reviews, then why bother spending £45k you've already got your fun car.

[Ham1]

Audi tts, I really love that car. However if u have 45k plus a lot more to bake it up then a 911

[Chunkv6]

This is what I bought last year to compliment my F31 330d