£25k - one car or two
 

Its getting to that time again when I start thinking about my next car.

I currently have an RX8 which I have had for 9 months and really love, but will be looking to change early next year.

Having been unfortunate enough to buy a new UK300 and STi7 and loose heavily on resale, Im not looking to get back into scoob ownership, or Evo for that matter.

Two seats/convertible is OK, but need to have one eye on residual values as well.

I have around £25k for either a car I can use every day to do around 20k miles a year, or say £8k for a decent runabout and £17k for a toy.

My current shortlist is:

New/nearly new S2000 - driven it, loved it, almost bought one last year
New/nearly new 350Z - need to drive it, waiting list so residuals should be ok
Used Boxster/Boxster S - Really would prefer the S but not many I can afford
Elise S2/VX200 + Runabout - prefer elise but VX cheaper
TVR + Runabout - a bit scared of horror stories

Dont want a Caterham/Westie as Ive already done that!

What else should be on the shortlist for testdrives?

Boxster S, for me it would be no contest.

If you change that often, why not buy (say) a used '02 or '03 STI and keep the rest in the bank? £20k should get you an immaculate car that won't depreciate anything like a new one.

I certainly wouldn't be running two cars - you've got two lots of tax, depreciation, servicing and insurance to worry about, plus you don't get to drive the toy most of the time. I thought about doing the same myself, but I know I'd just be tempted to drive the toy all the time. Seeing both in the garage every morning, I'm just not that disciplined :D

I reckon the 350z will start to fall when the convertible is out

Waiting list as far as I am told is about the same as most new cars....

I've done this (run 2 cars) on a MUCH lower budget, but if I were in this lucky position I think I'd either go for the S2000 or Boxster - both don't seem to lose much money and are (apparently) great to drive.

Dunno if you could get a VX220 Turbo + runabout, awesome performance..

Others:

BMW 5 Series - M5?? maybe 540i
AMG Merc / Merc SL (old shape)
Jag XJ/KR (the supercharged one, mmmmmm!)
Audi RS (probably out of budget)
Golf R32?? - I always liked the look of 'em, might be a bit slow after your Scoob/Evo experience

Whatever you choose - Enjoy!!

Mmmmm...I have thought about that one and would love it but the runabout would most likely end up being a £2k banger at best with current prices.

For 2K you could get some decent stuff - Mondeo (perfectly OK if you're just using as a runaround).. 2K is also enough for a Legacy Turbo (OK, an old one - but still good fun, I've got one!)

Depends on your definition of banger I guess!! Still, for the kind of performance available from a VXT I'd be tempted...

Or go the other way as I did. I have a 3.0 SE X-Type Jag for to-and-from work, and I have an MR2 Turbo T-Bar for weekends\trackdays.

The MR2 can be as impractical as I like (read coilovers, lowered, LOUD, fast, and maybe a little unreliable - my fault entirely as it's now over 350bhp). And I use the comfy, fully loaded Jag for everything else.

MR2 costs me less than £400 a year to insure as it's on a classic, mileage limited policy - bargain !!!


Matt

I thought about the TVR, but you're right about the horror stories!

I looked at Elises and the VX220, but have you tried getting in and out of one, even with the roof off! Imagine trying to do that with the roof on!! :eek:

The 350Z does not appeal to me, and they don't look as nimble as some of the other cars on your list.

I was fortunate enough to drive a Boxster S around a track and I would it twitchy especially on the apex on a bend. The 996 C2 I drove was much more solid and stable! Bearing in mind it was a damp track, drying out quickly!

I also got a passenger lap the same day in an S2000, and I was very impressed!

From that list I would without a doubt get the S2000!

but do you want to constantly have to wring the thing to get power out ?

i had a smaller budget, but same dilemna (sp?)

ended up with a MRoadster :)

Are Z4s out of your price range?

MarkWRX - Just out of interest, if you love the RX8 then why sell up?

In your situation, I'd go for the VX turbo and a few grand left over for a mileater - Go for mondeo, vectra, omega etc. Loads of car for the money so great value and relatively cheap running costs and great for motorway miles (esp the omega). You'll be able to easily get one with all the toys too.

Agree about the impracticality of Elise/VX, but if its a second car then does it matter that much.

I'm keen on the VX220T idea if the prices come down a bit over the next 6 months, provided I can get a decent runabout as that is what I will be spending most of my time in. Two cars will duplicate a lot of costs though as pointed out.

Z4 - Not keen, would have to be the 3L but its expensive, reviews have not been good, particularly on the suspension - above all its a Beemer.

I do love the RX and it is a great compromise car as it doesnt excel at any one thing, but as an overall package for price, looks, performance, handling, spec, comfort etc it is fantastic. Downside is that fuel consumption is poor for the performance you get out of it, even if this is offset by the other factors.
Resale prices seem good at the moment due to waiting lists so the next 6 months could be a good time to change.

I dont mind wringing the power out, as I call that driving :) but I may wait and see if there are any changes for MY05 to the S2000.

Anyway, its a good excuse to get a few test drives sorted in the nice weather!