133 replies to this topic

[carts60]

Having owned a mini for the past 4 years since passing my test, the time is coming close to taking it off the road. Turbo engine build is in the pipeline and half done, and the car needs a bit of a revamp in general.

Having put a few pence away I'm now looking for my first 'modern' car (Under £10K) to buy before this summer. Something with real grunt, comfort and style are the guidelines i'v layed out.

A convertible isn't a necessity but it would be nice in the summer.

The contenders I have in mind at the moment are:
350z
Z4
Boxster
911
Audi TT

It's a close run race in my mind so some guidance from owners with experience would be perfect.

[Ivor Badger]

Most of them for under 10K?

[Beej123]

I drove the top 4 on a track day a couple of years ago as a gift from the parents. The 911 and the 350z were the most fun (the 350z takes it for me personally) closely followed by the Boxter. The BMW was a bit 'boring'.

That's all the help I can give though because at 18 in a car like that, I wasn't looking for air conditioning or ride comfort (although I do remember the Nissan was a bit hard)

[GTIAlex06]

mx5

[conlad]

dad used to have a boxster and all i can remember was the speed and the fact that when you drove faster the music got louder hahaha, was an awesome car, even though some people call it the ''poor mans porsche''....

[sledgehammer]

I would talk to insurers first

sadly they will want a fair bit of that £10,000

unless you have a trick up your sleeve

[conlad]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm lush

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item53e91cec31

[sledgehammer]

I'm surprised how cheap the 350z's are

with the Elise's that have been lowered , watch for wheel arch cracks , especially on track cars

Edited by sledgehammer, 30 December 2011 - 12:21 PM.

[conlad]

TVR's? They sound like heaven

[ANON]

xkr jag, you can get them on a classic policy so cheap insurance and a standard one will wipe the boards with just about any of your choices ;) cheap and easy to get more power from them as well.

plus you have the street cred of driving round in a jag.

[conlad]

xkr jag, you can get them on a classic policy so cheap insurance and a standard one will wipe the boards with just about any of your choices ;) cheap and easy to get more power from them as well.

plus you have the street cred of driving round in a jag.

thats not a bad point at all, they are machines, my girlfriends dad has a v6 s type ( not convertible i know ) and that flies

[Klevdo2202]

Cmon guys, your doing it all wrong, MG Midget of course!

[carts60]

Hot dog! I didn't expect such a response!

Firstly, insurance wise, the comparison sites reckon its going to cost about £1.5k to insure me on most of them, less for others - just over a grand for a TT.

MX5 was a thought, but from memory, its only a 1.8 which smacks of being underpowered. Granted its also very light but its looks also don't suit my taste.

Jag wise - no way! I'm 22, not 62 and there is no way in my right mind I want to be seen in one let alone to be owning one!

I did also contemplate the Elise, but its just a bit too niche and its looks haven't changed in however long its been in prouction so I'm not too keen on one. On top of the fact it has no boot space and would probably be unconmfortable and very loud.

For me, its really down to the two Porkers and the 350z. Both have pros and cons.

The 350z is beautiful but drinks petrol and is made cheaply. Plastic dash and buttons make for a cheap feel but it would however run forever without breaking down - such is its excellent reliability.

The Porkers on the other hand and a brand unto themselves. No real comparison between a Porsche and a Nissan. Reliability wise they're fine, but when they go wrong, they go badly wrong and it costs serious dosh to put right. Apparently both the 911 and Boxsters have some issue with a pair of bearings which just split apart on a whim and there is nothing you can do to either predict r stop it happening - in the case the bearing does go to pot, a new engine or full rebuild is the remedy.

I don't really get why its a poor mans porsche when you can get a 911 for a grand or so more. They drive excellently, and a porsche is a porsche - at least thats how i look at it.

And at 22 - being told its a 'poor mans porsche' is hardly going to kill me when the other person will more than likely be older and driving something off less distinction.

[j-b_2009]

s2000 everytime... can get a decent one for £6000

[George929]

DO NOT GET A BOXTER THERE JUST WRONG



s2k is a good shout

Edited by George929, 30 December 2011 - 01:02 PM.