New Genuinely Sporty Car

hurfdurf · 4 Dec 2025 at 20:30

Made a thread like this a few years ago, ended up with an S2000 that missed nearly every bit of my criteria.

I need something as a daily, but I don't have kids of responsibilities. I do about 9k miles a year, mostly short journeys.

What I'm missing out on in the S2000 is some comfort and an autobox, when I bought it it was a second car, now its my only car. I want something that still puts a smile on my face but is more comfortable.

Budget £30k-35k

What I am looking at so far

BMW E82 M4 Comp pack coupe/convertible
BMW Z4 M40i
Jag 5.0 F type coupe/convertible
Mercedes C63 AMG convertible
Porsche Boxster S

What I would love but is too far out of budget

Mercedes AMG GT
Porsche 911
Lexus LC 500

Am I missing anything that I should be trying? Anyone got any thoughts?

Rroff · 4 Dec 2025 at 20:39

What I'm getting from your post is that you really want a grand tourer that leans more towards sporty - and IMO the only ones which will tick your boxes are the ones you can't afford like the 911.

I'm a little leery of suggesting it as the only people I know who have/had them the car has spent a good deal of time back with the dealer but maybe another possibility the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

tamzzy · 4 Dec 2025 at 20:43

is the 840i down to this sort of price range yet?

Nasher · 4 Dec 2025 at 20:47

tamzzy said:
is the 840i down to this sort of price range yet?

The bills would be ridiculous for what is quite a bland "supercar". Better off with a Z4 or Supra.

tamzzy · 4 Dec 2025 at 20:48

hurfdurf · 4 Dec 2025 at 21:09

Rroff said:
What I'm getting from your post is that you really want a grand tourer that leans more towards sporty - and IMO the only ones which will tick your boxes are the ones you can't afford like the 911.

I'm a little leery of suggesting it as the only people I know who have/had them the car has spent a good deal of time back with the dealer but maybe another possibility the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

I agree. I had the older E89 Z4 35iS and that was a lovely place to be as a daily, but it wasn't a good enough second car and the exact one I had was a tad problematic in a few annoying ways. It's one of the reasons the Z4 M40i is on the list.

hurfdurf · 4 Dec 2025 at 21:10

tamzzy said:
is the 840i down to this sort of price range yet?

I think that's too much of GT, too big, not fast enough.

Drangueos · 4 Dec 2025 at 21:18

Back in the day I was looking to buy a S2000, but ended up buying a Porsche Boxster, my only regret was selling it.

Now, since you do mostly short journeys I would avoid a Boxster or even a 911, Porsche boxer engines don't like short journeys.

I would probably go for a Jaguar 5.0 F type

mjt · 4 Dec 2025 at 21:21

Have you considered an F87 M2 (Comp)?

Howling · 4 Dec 2025 at 21:28

hurfdurf said:
mostly short journeys.

How short are we talking? Could well change what engines I'd recommend

Maccy · 4 Dec 2025 at 21:34

997 gen 2 911 could be doable if you’re willing to go a bit older?

Uther · 4 Dec 2025 at 21:43

Maccy said:
997 gen 2 911 could be doable if you’re willing to go a bit older?

Short journeys though (whatever is meant by 'short'...)

hurfdurf · 4 Dec 2025 at 21:52

Uther said:
Short journeys though (whatever is meant by 'short'...)

5 to 15ish minute drives through Bristol. Not long motorway journeys.

hurfdurf · 4 Dec 2025 at 21:55

mjt said:
Have you considered an F87 M2 (Comp)?

No, it might sound strange but they seem a bit too cheap inside and out. Like the A class to the C class. I don't like hatchback cars which is why the Golf R and things like that are not being considered.

Drangueos said:
I would probably go for a Jaguar 5.0 F type

Reliability is my main concern with one of these, plus I imagine they are insanely thirsty, even in comparison to an M4.

Hugest_UK · 4 Dec 2025 at 22:00

What about the petrol f-type v6s? not quite as epic as the V8 but still sounds pretty insane and plenty fast enough never been in another car as comfortable as my jag.

tom_nieto · 4 Dec 2025 at 23:04

The brief is a little confusing. Are you likely to go out on weekend drives, or are you slogging through Bristol traffic only?

A 911 would be great, but at £35k you’re looking at quite an old model. My 997.1 is fabulous, and definitely could be used as a daily, but I wouldn’t want to use it for short city journeys and the manual box is not set up for commuting through traffic.

A Mercedes AMG C Coupe would be a nice, comfortable place to be.

Grim5 · 4 Dec 2025 at 23:11

Mustang 5.0 coupe

MissChief · 4 Dec 2025 at 23:17

hurfdurf said:
No, it might sound strange but they seem a bit too cheap inside and out. Like the A class to the C class. I don't like hatchback cars which is why the Golf R and things like that are not being considered.

BMW wanted to inject a little bit of their midrange 3& 4 series into the 1 & 2 series. The only problem is, they made the 3/4 series look like the 1 series inside instead of the 1 series looking like the 3/4 series. It cheapened the 3/4 instead of lifting the 1/2 series.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509226537868 Z4? Auto, although not the last word in sportiness.

Jonnycoupe · 4 Dec 2025 at 23:18

hurfdurf said:
No, it might sound strange but they seem a bit too cheap inside and out. Like the A class to the C class. I don't like hatchback cars which is why the Golf R and things like that are not being considered.

Reliability is my main concern with one of these, plus I imagine they are insanely thirsty, even in comparison to an M4.

Reliable and good on fuel.

radderfire · 4 Dec 2025 at 23:45

Porsche Cayman