£15k to £20k non depreciating impractical fun car?

Invertigo said:
I regularly see someone commuting into Manchester in a Series 1 Elise. I drive the same roads in a Z4 and find them jarring, so christ knows what communing in an Elise daily is like!
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The stock suspension in the Elise is a more comfortable ride than you're getting. Its set up specifically for the bumpy roads in the UK :)

The S2 has pretty good Billstein coilovers as standard. Which are even better.
 
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The Porsche 997 launched in 2004 with a Carrera, complete with a 321bhp 3.6-litre version of the flat-six used in its predecessor the 996, and a Carrera S that boasted a 3.8-litre version of the same engine capable of generating 355bhp. Both were available with a six-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed Tiptronic auto. These early cars have proved reliable and used 997s enjoy a first-time MoT pass rate in excess of 85% (with minor headlight problems the most common cause of failure).
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I think you really have to love 911’s to buy one at this end of the market. The same would be said for an E46 M3 for example. They’re as reliable as any 15-20 year old car is likely to be, with the usual 911 foibles. Most can be pre-empted with a pre purchase inspection. They’re a very different prospect to an Elise, drive both and see what you want. An early K series Elise is not without perceived engine troubles and again, any older performance car will need money spending on it to keep it in fine fettle. A well sorted 996 is as fast a car as you’ll ever need on the road and will handle beautifully. It’ll also be comfortable over long distances and the M96 is a fantastically responsive engine. The 997 above looks like a bargain.

If however you’re not that fussed about owning a 911, I’d look elsewhere for your fun.

What about a Jag XKR?
 
Hades said:
An E30 325i Sport has also been suggested by my brother (who loves BMW's).

@Nasher Out of interest why did you go for an S2 rather than S1?
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Need to pay quite a bit more for an S1 in good condition. The ones I looked at all needed work. Engine problems, gearbox problems, leaking roof, rusted suspension, etc.

But also they arent as good to use regularly. The Toyota engined S2s are much more dailyable. If you can do an MR2, you can do an S2.
 
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adam cool dude said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233475847405

Supercar performance for fag packet money :p.
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Sadly doesn't seem to be road legal (no plates).

Nasher said:
Need to pay quite a bit more for an S1 in good condition. The ones I looked at all needed work. Engine problems, gearbox problems, leaking roof, rusted suspension, etc.

But also they arent as good to use regularly. The Toyota engined S2s are much more dailyable. If you can do an MR2, you can do an S2.
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Thanks. From your experience what budget would get a good S1 and what budget would get a good S2?
 
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Hades said:
Sadly doesn't seem to be road legal (no plates).


Thanks. From your experience what budget would get a good S1 and what budget would get a good S2?
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Pristine S1s probably around 20k, S2s are a few 1000 less still. Cheaper ones will pretty much all have cosmetic scuffs and maybe some minor fixes need doing.

As long as its mechanically ok and the fiberglass body isnt smashed, most things are quite cheap to do.
 
Nasher said:
Pristine S1s probably around 20k, S2s are a few 1000 less still. Cheaper ones will pretty much all have cosmetic scuffs and maybe some minor fixes need doing.

As long as its mechanically ok and the fiberglass body isnt smashed, most things are quite cheap to do.
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20K will get you a sub 10K mile example of an S1. No need to spend that amount to get a good one.
 
Alibaba99 said:
20K will get you a sub 10K mile example of an S1. No need to spend that amount to get a good one.
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Yea but if you want one in show car condition that is what you need to spend.

If you want to use it properly then one with some mileage on it is probably going to be around 13-16k. Don't be scared of high mileage on them, just make sure the chassis hasn't been damaged and the suspension is ok (as well as the mount points). It's hard to find one which hasn't been tracked at some point.
 
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Later (2003+) Boxster S, easily get a 987 is that budget bracket or save money and get a peach of a 986.

Spend the money saved on a Carnewal exhaust, CoG setup and just get out enjoying the thing.
 
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