Looking for a new exciting car

I understand the principles of buying older cars. I just had to set the bar somewhere for the sake of this discussion and my reasoning brought me there. I'm happy to relax the parameters and will consider more broadly since that is opinion here. I'm not too dumb to take advice!
 
I was recently in your situation and have test driven the following in recent months

GT86
Golf R
370Z

After much test driving, I went and purchased a brand new 370Z GT Edition for £28,900, £7k off RRP. There were a few deals cropping up at the time, not sure of the motive (boost end of year sales) or if they are still available.

I can elaborate further if necessary but I would recomend the 370Z highly based on price / performance / looks and grin factor.

Mike
 
alex24 said:
I understand the principles of buying older cars. I just had to set the bar somewhere for the sake of this discussion and my reasoning brought me there. I'm happy to relax the parameters and will consider more broadly since that is opinion here. I'm not too dumb to take advice!
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You cant be so rigid when buying a car - arbitrary limits on stuff like age and mileage just complicate things for no reason. Nobody is suggesting buying a 10 year old car but just don't be so fixed on age and you'll end up with a better car for it
 
alex24 said:
I understand the principles of buying older cars. I just had to set the bar somewhere for the sake of this discussion and my reasoning brought me there. I'm happy to relax the parameters and will consider more broadly since that is opinion here. I'm not too dumb to take advice!
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Fair play.

I had a horrible feeling you were of the new = good, 3+ years older = disaster waiting to happen brigade, which, in this day & age - with careful buying - it certainly isn't.

I don't envy you, just about anything mentioned here or on your initial list is going to feel like one hell of an upgrade after the fiesta!

Enjoy the test drives! :)
 
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alex24 said:
I understand the principles of buying older cars. I just had to set the bar somewhere for the sake of this discussion and my reasoning brought me there. I'm happy to relax the parameters and will consider more broadly since that is opinion here. I'm not too dumb to take advice!
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No I agree, I think the idea for you would be to aim for 2011, but maybe go to 2010 or 2009 if you think the right car warranted it. And to be fair, until you've driven a few - you won't know any more. Start with a shortlist, and go from there.

GT86
M3
M135i
Z4
370Z
Jag XK (probaby looking at a 2008/2009 though?)
Cayman
Boxster
...
 
Thanks all. I edited the list and suggested the Jag XK to my dad :p

I'll also be taking the IAM test to help bulk up my driving expertise on the roads. I thought it would be a good idea to brush up on my skills if I'm going for something with more power and most likely less visibility etc. My employer agreed to fund it so nothing lost...

Anything else anyone can suggest in that regard?

Out of interest, I inquired and the insurance for the Toyota is only slightly more than the Fiesta (about £30 a year). The M3 is around twice as much though! Z4 and 1 series about 50% more. 370Z is 60-70% more.
 
how about you spend a little less and get a E93 335i and remap it to 375 bhp.

Its not too expensive to run, quick, fun and the Hardtop cab will be nice in the summer.

EDIT: I have not read the whole thread on the OP

EDIT: what about a Z4 35i
 
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I know you wanted "new", but I have expanded a little by using 2007 onwards, up to 40k miles and between £20k-£30k... Here's my list:

BMW - I agree with the BMW M3 mentioned (V8), but how about an E46 CSL? Considered to be a great driver's car and will probably not depreciate, more likely appreciate. Probably too old and will be hard/expensive to get a low mileage example.
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e46-m3-00-06/m3-csl-14500-miles/931377
£38,000 (really?) but you get the idea.

Lotus - 2009 Exige (more practical than an Elise?)
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/...xige-s2/lotus-exige-s-sports-plus-2009/894344
I have no idea what is the best variant for comfort etc.

Lexus - IS F? Perhaps too big and will be a few years old for < 30k
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/...-f-saloon-5-0-v8-is-f-4dr-sunroof-auto/892990

Others have mentioned the Boxster/Cayman

If it must be 2011 or newer I think a 370z, M135i or GT86 would probably be the best option (although personally the lack of power in the GT86 would irritate me eventually). I'd prefer a 370z over the M135i, but it depends if you're bothered about the badge or not.

Slightly older and my money would go on the V8 M3, older than that then there are numerous choices but it would be a CSL.
IF practicality on your commute isn't an issue it would be an S2 Exige.

Z4 35i I'd add to your budget too - although I'm not sure how much they are and there is a new model coming out next year which may affect prices.
 
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tom_nieto said:
Read the OP, he wants RWD :mad:
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I made my sensible post a page or so back. For me, it's got to be an M135i but then again I do have a soft spot for that car. I was just thinking out of the box and throwing a stupid suggestion out there that fits with the OPs budget. What can go wrong with a 911 Turbo anyway? :D
 
alex24 said:
Thanks - there are speed bumps around the corner so that could be a pain in the backside. It is a bit in my current car tbh. Elise may be too raw as a daily for me then...



Thanks also - you're certainly not alone in that opinion so I have to respect that. I'm opening my options a bit, but I'm not going too old for the same 'stupid' reasons mentioned.
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No one is saying go for a 20 year old classic, but if you look for slightly older cars, like this M3:

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/...mw/e90-m3-post-08/bmw-3-series-m3-2007/970250


I'm not saying go for this one, but it opens up more options and BMW's warranty is excellent.
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet... get a Z4M Coupe... you'll get one of the best examples for about 17k... very fast, rorty, very obviously rear wheel drive (!)... looking over the long bonnet with probably the worlds best straight 6 engine snarling away is always an experience (much more so than in an E46 M3). :D
 
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I'm another one in the E90 M3 camp. If I had £25K to spend right now i'd be looking at one of those (probably with DCT too).

It's just on another level to pretty much anything else on your list.
 
hilly said:
Get rid of the stupid 11 plate requirement, it cuts down a lot of options. You can get perfectly conditioned, low mileage, older cars with comprehensive warranties.

Just my 2p.
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This.

Out of those on your list I'd choose either the M135i or Cayman.

If I were you I'd set aside a day or two and test drive all of them or as many as you can.
 
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