If you had £8k or so to spend on a car ...

[Watchcame430]

Lancia delta Integrale 2.0 16v Turbo 4WD red 77k LHD | eBay

Its got a dodgy looking exhaust, but I have an original twin exit system for this car!

Or

Porsche 928 Series 4 FH Auto 5.0 Metallic Blue/Cream Leather Interior, 20 Stamps | eBay

The Lancia is nice, iconic but never really been into them unfortunately.
I have owned a 928 already (thats a nice on though)

I am thinking about looking at this ...
Maserati GHIBLI GT | eBay

 

[Watchcame430]

Probably not a popular choice but it would be an old Land Rover Defender with a galvanised chassis.
No limit to the customisation and NOBODY pulls out in front of you.
A V8 is a storming laugh but a chipped diesel comes close and is easier on the fuel.

This is a good idea and do appreciate them but I already have a 4.6 2002 P38 so I am all 4wd up at the moment.
You can do a lot of cool things with a defender ..

 

[Watchcame430]

I had a similar dilemma 3 years ago but didn't want the MX5 as it feels like everyone has one.
I ended up with an Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0 Twin Spark (916 model) on an 03 plate. They are relatively cheap to buy and great fun to own and drive.
I have had a smile on my face ever since !!!!

I have this in mind too ... Been keeping an eye on whats for sale at the mo. I am partial to an Alfa.. Not ever owned one (so far)

Will have another probe on these now. They are nice ..

 

[Watchcame430]

Might be interesting to go about it another way, rather than setting a max budget.
See how much performance or how much fun you can get for the lowest price! Like a top gear challenge almost!

You can take a risk on something with huge mileage or no history if its throw away money and just scrap it if/when it blows up or fails the mot!

Fine with this its a bit of fun!

 

[Watchcame430]

^^. Obviously 560 if you find a good one...

Like them for sure but a few cars already appeal more (especially the SL) also looking at CL500

 

[Watchcame430]

That money gets you quite a lot of RX8 which is a bit of a performance bargain in a slightly different way from the 350z which has already been mentioned.

Actually test drove one at that price point today though a bit nervous about issues with the ****el engine.

While I like the RX8 my issue has always been its a car that need not have such high fuel consumption. Its like Mazda just wont let the vankel engine fade into history.
No issue with low mpg if it has a huge engine but that thing was designed to burn copious fuel just to prove a perverse point of engineering (my view anyway!)

 

[Watchcame430]

Funny how you can't say vvankel!

As for the car, I'd be very tempted by one of these CLK55s...

Mercedes-Benz CLK CLK55 2dr Tip Auto 5.4

Very nice and that looks a good example compared to others on the market. Tempting ...

 

[Dieselman]

That money gets you quite a lot of RX8 which is a bit of a performance bargain in a slightly different way from the 350z which has already been mentioned.

Actually test drove one at that price point today though a bit nervous about issues with the ****el engine.

There is no way I would pay £8k for an RX8. The engine will go pop.

 

[Dieselman]

While I like the RX8 my issue has always been its a car that need not have such high fuel consumption. Its like Mazda just wont let the vankel engine fade into history.
No issue with low mpg if it has a huge engine but that thing was designed to burn copious fuel just to prove a perverse point of engineering (my view anyway!)

It burns a lot of fuel to make the oil consumption appear less expensive.

 

[BigSilverEstate]

There is no way I would pay £8k for an RX8. The engine will go pop.

Inclined to agree - took this one for a test drive to get a sense for whether I liked the car (which I did although the lightweight interior materials and some naff design features don't help perceived quality), but even if you get a goodun the depreciation is going to be terrifying and £8k is not throwaway money for me!

Probably better to find a slightly older one with decent compression results at a price where you could afford to bin the car if it went pop. Or maybe one that's just had an engine rebuild which is covered by a warranty. Or just get a 350z and have done with it

 

[500E]

E46 M3. Performance is awesome and running costs are sensible

Here is mine but it'll cost you more than £8k to buy...




Cheers
Bill

 

[RKC-benz]

Roulette. Go red with your £8k. Win.

Now go shopping for two cars. Choosing will then be easier.

 

[jamesfuller]

The Lancia is nice, iconic but never really been into them unfortunately.
I have owned a 928 already (thats a nice on though)

I am thinking about looking at this ...
Maserati GHIBLI GT | eBay

The Ghibli looks very nice, I think they are better looking than the bit overdone Shamal.

I'm pretty sure I went to this place to look at an 850R a couple of years back. Not far from me either so if you want me to give it a once over drop me a pm.

 

[Dieselman]

Inclined to agree - took this one for a test drive to get a sense for whether I liked the car (which I did although the lightweight interior materials and some naff design features don't help perceived quality), but even if you get a goodun the depreciation is going to be terrifying and £8k is not throwaway money for me!

Probably better to find a slightly older one with decent compression results at a price where you could afford to bin the car if it went pop. Or maybe one that's just had an engine rebuild which is covered by a warranty. Or just get a 350z and have done with it

Get one with a knackered engine (nearly all of them), then either fit something else, or convert it to electric.

The problem with the engine is fundamental and can't be stopped from happening. The rotor starts to run off true due to very slight wear of the journal, the rotor tips then wear and it chews the metal off the cylinder wall.

 

[Watchcame430]

E46 M3. Performance is awesome and running costs are sensible

Here is mine but it'll cost you more than £8k to buy...




Cheers
Bill

I do like them and have owned a couple of E36, so do have an M3 thing to a point.
Had been keeping an eye on this ..
BMW E46 M3 convertible smg2 53000 miles & hard top FBSH & private plate | eBay
And
BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE VERY LOW MILES | eBay

 

[Watchcame430]

Get one with a knackered engine (nearly all of them), then either fit something else, or convert it to electric.

The problem with the engine is fundamental and can't be stopped from happening. The rotor starts to run off true due to very slight wear of the journal, the rotor tips then wear and it chews the metal off the cylinder wall.

There is a reason we are not all driving these vank things!
Engine swaps etc not m thing on one of those. Not that keen to justify

 

[John]

The E46 M3 is a good suggestion. Not sure what you would get for your budget but a cracking car for the money.

Not sure I would choose an SMGII though - especially now the youngest M3 is at least 8 years old.

I had an E36 M3 Evo in Estoril Blue from 3 years old and it was amazing.

However, I found it was nearly as good as an E46 M3 which is why I didn't bother with an E46.

Not keen on Phoenix Yellow as pictured - I think Estoril looks cracking on the E46.

 

[500E]

Phoenix Yellow really is an acquired taste but it is a real classic now and 100% original examples like mine are coming back into demand now. They;ve also done the new M4 in PY! Plus mine had 38k miles with a single owner from brand new and FSH from the same BMW dealer since new so I couldn't say no - it was stunning inside and out

As said above, Estoril Blue is stunning. There are a few individual colours too, some of them are very nice.

Inspection II service is about £900 from a main dealer but it is pretty comprehensive. A set of discs, pads and sensors all around is £675 from the main dealer and a job which can be done at home.

Subframes are weak on M3's so have it checked at a main dealer. Luckily mine was given the all clear.

If you want any advice please let me know. Mine is an SMGII - it is a fab driving experience

Cheers
Bill

 

[DSB SL AMG]

don't forget high oil consumption with this engine as well...(tip lubrication)

While I like the RX8 my issue has always been its a car that need not have such high fuel consumption. Its like Mazda just wont let the vankel engine fade into history.
No issue with low mpg if it has a huge engine but that thing was designed to burn copious fuel just to prove a perverse point of engineering (my view anyway!)

 

[John]

Inspection II service is about £900 from a main dealer but it is pretty comprehensive.

That's about what it was - Inspection II (Mercedes B service) was around £800 for the E36 Evo...