smb1

forget the SLK unless yer a hairdresser or at the very least, looking to have a sex change in the near future!

Porsche boxster 98/99 2.5 is the likely affordable on your budget, but if you could stretch it then the boxster S.

[Edited by smb1 - 12/2/2003 9:11:56 AM]

iDLe*

Anyone help me here?

Bored of my Subaru WRX already and looking for something else, anyone had any of these 2 seaters, if so can you give me any advice etc on what they are like to drive and own?

TVR Gary

I must admit I quite fancy a VX220 turbo. Not driven one but i'm gonna try and sort a test drive out

whiteyisback

get a vx220 turbo..........such a laugh, sideways action on tap at any speed.

Gubbins

iDLe* - driven an S2000 (used to own a Honda Prelude 2.2 VTI and looked into S2000 upgrade - before the kids) - too frustrating to drive though. Quick - when you thrape it, but coming out of slow, sharp bends it's too easy to drop out of the VTEC range and end up bogging down. VX220Turbo would be great I'm sure, but not so keen on styling. What about 350Z? (not two seats I know, but a much beefier engine)

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

The VX turbo would also lap faster than most Scoobs IMHO

Tony

iDLe*

Not keen on the 350, would go for the RX8 over it as its cheaper and more interesting IMO.

So VX220 is looking good, I need to look into the specs a little more but I might be keen.....never ever never thought I'd buy a Vauxhall tho!!

iDLe*

Ok checked out the VX220 and it would have the be the turbo model which I can't afford so I guess thats outta of the question for a while.

Feedback and advice needed on the best cars for under 20K - looking at low mileage only so no point in saying a 91 M3 or something !

Gubbins

What's the main criteria? Speed/looks/handling/depreciation???

Charliep

how about a TVR cerbera (think i spelt it right) can get themn cheap enough now and have the prestige and performance factor plus its BRITISH!!!*

*(will probably break regularly)

Adam M

I have access to my dad's S2000, and I never [pass up the opportunity to drive it.

It feels great, it looks nice (though not really my thing), its very quick, and is challenging to drive.

I haven't really got anything bad to say about it. (despite ours being a rogue which has eaten a new headgasket only to find out it was the cylinder head which was the problem.

JamesS

Lots of S2000 have had head / gasket problems................

iDLe*

Ok here's the deal...

Must be fast and good to drive, maybe not as fast or good as my Scoob but it will balance out as I need a bit more from the car..

Got to be low mileage and fairly new, looking for something that will hold its value fairly well obviosly but exceptions can be made for the right car.

So far cars that I like...

M3

330 Coupe Ci

VX220 but would have to be Turbo (If I got non I'd only be upset and look to get a T model) - also never planned on owning a Vaux ever in my life so that would be a strange decsision!

Lotus Elise - Was seriosuly looking before the scoobs but realised its really only good for a 2ND car in weather like this!

Honda S2000 - still in the lead - well built, tricks and toys like starter button and inside it feels really nice, low and the seats hug ya and it goes well enough.

Car must be enjoyable for me but accetable to business associates, I want them to think flash git must be doing ok etc rather than freakin hell he's a nut, did you see them flames when we went sideways round the bend

iDLe*

Some bird at work just came over and said she loves the SLK 230 Kompressor, checked em out and they pretty cheap too!

Is this a little bit too much of a hairdressers car?

S2000 V SLK 230 Kompressor!!! Which one and why!

Scoob99

iTrader: (1)

Calling Dave T-S he will tell you!!!!

smb1

4 yr old porsche boxster 2.5!! not as quick as scoob i know

whiteyisback

my business partner has had his S2000 for a year now and we often swap motors for the odd wkend........we both agree that the s2000 is a gr8 car but it's just too frustrating to drive everyday, the engine is fantastic at anything above 5k revs......below that you're better off getting out and walking ! Our other company car (new wrx) is easily quicker on the road in nearly all situations, on the track though the honda is quicker (I know as i've done a few track days in both). I personally would NOT buy an S2000, or an old M3 (very dated now and not at all focused as a proper sports car) or a 330ci (had one before and it just sent me to sleep - not a sports car) or any TVR (I had a Griff 500 and it NEVER ran properly). If I had around £17-£18k (which I guess is your budget) then I'd have a Porsche Boxster as it'll never let you down, handle like a dream on the track yet get you there and back in relative comfort. They are a gr8, proper sports car - oh and did i mention you'll get about between £15k and £17k back on it after having owned and driven it hard for 2 years. Also worth a mention although definately 2nd on my list would be a Z3M in either coupe or cabriolet as they're just such good fun to drive - 321bhp through the rear tyres.

iDLe*

Nice pointers!

Right on the budget but still not convinced but may have another look at the Boxsters, any model I should look out for especially or more importantly anything I should not consider?

Anyone got anything to tell me about the SLK?

iDLe*

I agree on the Merc, just would love to own my first Merc and the Kompressor spec is quite nice, is a tarts car tho

Ok gonna do some serious Porka research!

smb1

If yer that keen on a merc, wot about the CLK rather than the SLK?
at 20k, could probably find one with some AMG kit on. Obviously not a two seater though, i mention it coz a mates got one and it's a fairly sweet car when in AMG form.

ASH2003

VX220!!!

Car mags performance car of the year!!

out of about 36 cars ( I think), which included just about every performance car you can think off!
FQ300 Evo8 was second, and 911 third!

VX220 for me - every time!!

smb1

VX220 !!! Rate it very highly myself, boils downs to snob factor really.
'Hi i'm john and i own a Vauxhall' orrrrrr 'Hi i'm john and i own a porsche' without sounding too corny!

whiteyisback

I'd only get the vx220 turbo, forget the vx220 otherwise, and if u really must have a 2 seater normally aspirated motor then get an elise.
Forget anything Merc do unless your thinking about spending £50k upwards, they just dont make "real" sports cars for less. SLK's and CLK's at any spec arent really sports orientated.
Trust me, get a boxster and you wont regret it, dont take my word for it read any review and they just lavish praise on the handling and build quality. As you're buying 2nd hand you wont know how hard the previous owner has pushed the car and thats when you want to be buying a solid, reliable, well built motor.

Maddy

I Also Rate the VX220 turbo it has a certain wow factor , but could'nt live with it as my one and only car.

Maddy

Stealth

iTrader: (4)

Merc SLK = Very girly hair dressers car

MERC SL = Very nice car you should get a 320 version, easily obtainable for 16K with low miles and spotless

you can get an E-class E55 AMG for around the 20K mark and this will easily keep with the other cars listed, it has all the toys, all the luxury and Horsepower@rpm 349@5500 Torque ft-lb@rpm 391@3000 lots of power

VX220 = if you are over 5'6" they are a real bugger to get in and out, engine sat on your shoulder, and the wind noise is horrid... oh and it's very twitchy at high speeds.

Honda S2000 = this V-tec engine has NEVER failed! (according to Top gear stats) look very nice and have lots of toys

Type R

I have driven all 3, 2 test drives in the VX220 Turbo, S2000, and Elise most extensively, ended up with the Elise.

Loved all three, but went for the Elise, S2000 is the most comfortable, got all the toys, and is ultra reliable, can be a bit scary when damp, but very quick car. VX200 Turbo me and Lou just didnt like the look of it, I wasnt overlly fond of the steering and brakes, very quick all thou I expected it to be quicker, more power from cheaper tuning IIRC. The Elise brakes are worse, but then I was used to ABS and over sensitive brakes, improved with Pagids, but its a better looking car, the handling is dahn near perfect, mine has been reliable with no issues.

Dracoro

JamesS - Where did you get this info????

I'm a regular on s2ki (largest S2000 community about) and don't think I've EVER recalled seeing a thread or otherwise about 'head gasket problems'.