£20k 'fun' car suggestions

Simon said:
Had my s2000 and e92 m3 together for 3 years. Hardly drove the S2000 as the M3 is basically a S4000 with 4 seats, comfort and an amazing gearbox.

Hard to see why spend £20k on one when you can get a e92 m3 which is much better and less rust prone. Sadly as I loved my S2000s
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I appreciate they're both great cars, but an M3 is almost 400kg heavier than an S2000. They're completely different prospects in my opinion.
 
kaku said:
I appreciate they're both great cars, but an M3 is almost 400kg heavier than an S2000. They're completely different prospects in my opinion.
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Ignore stats. They aren’t that different to drive as both revvy engines

The op was considering a E46 convertible so that’s why I said it. £20k gets you a lot of car anyway
 
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There is a wild variation in what you're looking at here. £20k is serious car money if you also have the running costs to support it.

If you've never had one, I'd be looking at the best early 996 C2 Manual coupe you can find with a rebuilt engine.
 
Kamakazie! said:
S2000 or MX5 are probably what I should get, but just don't fancy at the moment.
Can't get excited about the Boxster either.

Always fancied an Elise but are they practical enough for regular use? Expected them to be on the very firm side of things.
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I dailied one for a while. The boot size is about the same as an MX-5 but it's more awkward to get stuff in to.

The main issues are noise, it's not a quiet car (you need ear plugs for a long trip) and they are expensive to maintain or repair. If things like certain relays or hoses break, you need to take clams off to reach them. So 6-7 hours labour if you pay a specialist, to replace a part costing a few £. Other than that they are suprisingly cheap to run and insure.

It will ruin other cars for you though, especially modern ones with electronic everything. They will feel heavy and annoyingly un-responsive afterwards.
 
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Armageus said:
The op was also considering ancient slow golfs as well, so not sure that has much weight :D

The op also wanted reliability, I'm not sure any old BMW really delivers that.
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A mk1 or 16v mk2 golf isn’t ’an old golf’ it’s a car enthusiast option.

Well I’m talking from experience. The S2000 is a noisy rattly car that’s now pretty slow. I had both parked next to each other and I was surprised how little interest I had in driving the Honda

Both are equally reliable. Honda has its Chain tensioners and suspension adjusters.
Old BMW is no different to an old Honda. At least the BMW won’t rust.

£20k is a lot of money. The Honda isn’t special enough for that in today’s world in my experience. Engine amazing but so is a 4l V8 revving to 8.5k. It’s like two s2000 engines stuck together. Then bolted to a DCT box

But that’s fine. We will stick to a forum approach where people critique suggestions rather than provide any themselves…
 
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He also said 4 seats useful and doesn’t fancy an s2000 but less gloss over that. Decent reliability is subjective too

Hence my suggestion
 
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A decent suggestion based on what he’s looking for.

Yeh the golf isn’t my cup of tea either. Back in the day a guy near me had a mk2 with a 2.9 VR6 supercharged. Sounded epic. I think cars always need a special engine to be something that appeals to me.
 
Thanks for the suggestions, a few things to look at and think about.

Not many fans of 80s cars here or are all the good ones well over budget or major upkeep?

I realise the brief leaves things pretty broad but I'm not settled on anything specific, I just like good drivers cars.
I think what's put me of some of the 2 seaters to date is I wonder if I just wish I'd bitten the reliability bullet and got the TVR I always wanted
 
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Kamakazie! said:
Thanks for the suggestions, a few things to look at and think about.

Not many fans of 80s cars here or are all the good ones well over budget or major upkeep?

I realise the brief leaves things pretty broad but I'm not settled on anything specific, I just like good drivers cars.
I think what's put me of some of the 2 seaters to date is I wonder if I just wish I'd bitten the reliability bullet and got the TVR I always wanted
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https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18928704 Just sayin'.
 
Kamakazie! said:
Thanks for the suggestions, a few things to look at and think about.

Not many fans of 80s cars here or are all the good ones well over budget or major upkeep?

I realise the brief leaves things pretty broad but I'm not settled on anything specific, I just like good drivers cars.
I think what's put me of some of the 2 seaters to date is I wonder if I just wish I'd bitten the reliability bullet and got the TVR I always wanted
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I know someone selling a Chimaera 500 which needs a bit of work.

They look and sound great, but if you want to drive it hard it's scary and dangerous. I wouldn't want to daily one.
 
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