The impossible question

[mrlizard]

I am looking at getting another fun car, something that wont depreciate too hard over the next 5 years, ideally something I could work on but the killer question is, something MrsLizard/The Doris would enjoy.

My requirements are:

Manual
Relatively quick (doesn't need to be ballistic though)
Under 40k (ideally under 26k but would be willing to finance a little bit on top)
Fun on a b road
less than 70k miles
Fairly Reliable

Her requirements are:

Looks aggressive
An unknown requirement that carries random veto's that make no sense to me and change on an hourly basis

So far the list:

Mustang 350 (2016 on)
Focus RS mk2 or 3
Audi R8 (worried about maintenance a little)
Porsche 996/7 c2/c4
Porsche 944 t (no idea if this is a dont meet your hero deal tho)
Toyota Yaris GR

Anything else I should be considering or looking at? does anyone think the prices of these cars will rise/fall this year, I cant decide whether to wait til sep/oct or not. HELP!

 

[mrlizard]

Does it have to be comfy?

Caterham as a wild card, 26k will get something very nice. Aggressive looks subjective....

We have had a number of Atom's and she views anything like that as definitely not a car she would want to drive (in fact last time we went to Anglesey she went in the Volvo)
Doesn't 'have' to be comfy though

The best S2000 you can find. It will never let you down and meets all of your requirements. Buy it well and you will lose £0 over the course of your ownership.

I've only ever been driven in one of these, not driven myself, I do like the looks - could be worth considering.

OG M2 LCI would be top of the list with your requirements.

MrsLizard doesn't like BMW's she cant tell you or I why...

Not many Mrs going to be happy in a Caterham

What's wrong with an M2/3, TTRS, S2000, Z4, 135i? etc.

We did have an M2comp (she wasn't a fan) - TTRS, S2000 both viable - is a TTRS fun down a country road?

 

[mrlizard]

Mini JCW - Ticks the fun on a B Road, Relatively quick and will give you plenty of change from your £26k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509086153590

Do quite like these too, again though never driven one - my only experience was a neighbour who would regularly complain about his ONE rusting, whilst at the same time leaving it outside and never cleaning it.

 

[mrlizard]

The Porsche 997 is a fine machine. It’s easy to drive to the shops and back but also plenty fast enough on a B road.

The S2000 is a slightly less grown up proposition in comparison but extremely good fun. The S2000 gearshift and chasing the redline is addictive, but the 997 steering is sublime (and it’s faster).

Do you need 4 seats and a fixed roof?

No, doesn't need to be 4 seats, roof optional. I would like a 997 in an interesting colour but slightly worried about engine issues (rightly or wrongly) and this would be right at the top of budget

 

[mrlizard]

Jaguar F-Type

Cayman not a bad shout but the other 2 are auto only i think

 

[mrlizard]

If we're just picking random cars then I'd go for a Volvo 850R

my neighbour has a yellow 850r and it is glorious - not sure that is quite what the doris is after though

 

[mrlizard]

You can get a manual F-Type V6. The gearbox isn't the most inspiring thing by all accounts and there are exactly 3 for sale in the entire country right now.

hadnt realised that, she loves the shape of the Ftype - and I like jaaaaaags generally

 

[mrlizard]

DB9 can't fail on female appeal

I did briefly consider this but not sure it's really a B road weapon and my experience with fixing Aston's is not cheap...

 

[mrlizard]

No way! That's a rare beast!

yep - he doesn't use it much though, kept in the garage - sounds lovely though

 

[mrlizard]

Link

other than being a BMW and an Auto - that's ideal

 

[mrlizard]

Bloody hell at this rate it sounds like it’ll be easier to find another mrslizard

that is something I hadn't considered.... interesting suggestion