[ChrisB]

I am thinking of parting company with my Anni PD (standard, black, 14000 miles, new wheels, decent but discreet install, very good condition if anyone is interested) but I am unsure of what to replace it with.

I am really fancying the idea of a very impractical 2 seater sports such as a Lotus Elise S2, Vauxhall VX220, early Boxster, S2000 etc. for my shortish commute to work and having a blast at weekends - also think it would be great for the the summer. What ever I buy has to offer a great driving experience. I test drove a VX220 na (aged 22 the insurance is too high on a turbo) last week and thought it was a great car - has anyone heard any horror stories or have any comments on this car?

Also what would others do in my position? What other cars would you consider around the £20k mark or should I save some money and be a little more practical (and hairdressery!) and buy an MR2??

Anyones advice and reccomendations greatly accepted

 

[Foxy]

I think it's your call, but I hear good reports of some Jap sports cars - Mazda and Honda seem to be discussed a fair bit.

Can't get to like the VX at all myself.

What about an Audi TT?

 

[ChrisB]

I think the TT is pretty cool but there are a fair few of them getting around and I am not too sure if they are really that much fun to drive (and that wasn't meant as a criticism) - maybe somebody can comment? Mind you I am sure that they can be made a little more fun with AMD one-click and a Milltek!!

Another car i was considering is a Porsche 968CS. Superb looking car with power and handling to boot!!

 

[Foxy]

In that case, screw it and have a real Porker.......a 911.

£20k should get you an L plater?

 

[unikarl]

I agree with Foxy. You just cant beat a 911! I love em. On the other hand, I would be willing to do you a straight swap for my 99 V5. Now theres a deal for ya!

 

[Felix]

I reckon you should swap it for a 130 PD, Ill do you a straight swap if you like. [B)]

 

[ChrisB]

I have seriously thought about a 911 and have considered buying a 964 Carrera. I have thought about a 993 as I love the sound of that old air cooled engine but the prices are geting silly due to the fcat that they were the last of the air cooled - you can pick up early 996s cheaper than late 993s!!

My old man got bitten by the 911 bug several years ago and he is now on Porsche number 4 (964 C4, 993 C4s, 996, 996T) and I am worried that if I buy one i will end up with a similar disease!! Still, could think of worse things to catch!!!

Am not really into the idea of swapping the Anni but I am open to offers ;-)

 

[coupe-sport]

[^] - thinking of doing the same, Need the cash for another house too, so selling the Anni and getting a 2 seater sports. Probably an Mx5. Want to take a look at the VX220 too, but worried that it may be a bit crap for long journeys []

James.

 

[ChrisB]

Was worried about that too but when I test drove that one last week it was not too bad in 5th cruising at 70+. It was however a little noisey but it did have the sports exhaust. The salesman was using a VX220 turbo as his daily runabout and when I asked him what he used before he told me he had a VX220 na. Lived with it for a couple of years and covered nearly 30k in it, including a motorway commute each day. He was still walking and didn't appear to have any spinal problems so I guess it is not too bad on long journeys!!

The worst problem with it was the quality of the finish. I know it is hand built but the panel gaps were a little dodgy and apparently the darker paint finishes are not lacquered so are prone to scratches. Still, could well be worth putting up with these little niggles for all the fun I think this little car would be!!

 

[ChrisB]

Just seen this on autotrader (please excuse uppercase) can't post pic as imagestation down.

2000 LOTUS Exige 2dr Roadster

X REG, SILVER, BLUE ALANCATARA TRIM, SPOTLIGHTS, RADIO FITTING KIT, ALARM & IMMOBILIER, TAX & MOT, I OWNER FROM NEW, FLSH, PRICED FOR QUICK SALE. 30000 miles. £16000.

Insurance is do-able at £1600 a year and thats the first quote I have looked at!!

 

[mags]

I looked at all the cars you have mentioned but settled on the TT Roadster mostly as it was the most practical car out of the lot and since getting it I haven't regretted getting rid of the Anni It is cheaper to insure and I have found it more economical to run although this will not be your primary concern. I came very close with putting an order in for an S2000 but was put off by the fact that many insurers wouldn't touch me and the cheapest quote that came in was + £2000. test drove the Elise as I have always liked them but was put off by a colleague who had one and had nothing but trouble which I know is not a reason not to get one but it did put me off when I checked the build quality of a couple. I am sure that anyone of these cars will be great in the summer I have had the roof down a couple of times in mine already in january and it makes a massive difference to the feel good factor.

 

[MOB]

Test drive an S2000 - the engines are incredible and if you are after a fun car it may fit the bill

Dont buy a TT if you want a "drivers car" - they are superb, safe predictable cars but not huge fun IMO

What about a Ford Racing Puma?? Race car for the road [^]

 

[RussB]

I'm still feeling my way round the forum as a new member but I thought I'd put my two penneth in anyway as we've (me and the doris) have had a few soft top type sporsters in the family fold. She currently drives a Street Ka which I'm not recommending as a red blooded male even if it does handle very well.

I can recommend for little budget MX5, Barchetta (Fiat), Elise and Smart Roadster. All available for (relatively) little dollars. The fiat has recently been revamped and was selling new for 11k. They've all been sold I think now as there wasn't a massive allocation for the uk but they are a cracking drive and didn't lose as much money as people think.

Boxsters are also V-Good (statement of the obvious really) and far better than a TTR. Not driven a S2000 but I've heard they're good.

Right I'll shut up as that's more than 2 penneth!

Cheers

 

[ChrisB]

Am really fancying an Exige now!!

 

[Geeba]

911 at 22? hope you have deep pockets... its not buying a 911 its running it... keeping an all important Porsche history.... I used to service/repair/race them for a living and the cost can be huge especially if you bend/break them! insurance too! ouch!

 

[spanner]

I was in a similar position to you. I wanteed to buy something impractical and was aiming for an S2000 GT. Loved the car.....

....however didn't love it as much as an R32 which I ended up buying.

If i'd had more money, I'd have gone for a 350Z - gorgeous, hugely capable, big-cube V6, great noise and 2 seats. Just 28 grand was a bit much for me.

 

[Reflex TDI]

Quote: posted by 25th_Anniversary on 18/02/2004 16:22:55

Am really fancying an Exige now!!

Chris those highly-strung 190bhp K-series engines will provide bills, bills, bills. The car really is a trackday special and will really be compromised in daily use. Would love one myself all the same, but maybe with your Anni PD as a daily driver[]

You should have bought Phil's mate's S2000 now he has an RS4 but I'm pretty sure the deal has gone through.

Looks like you'll have fun whatever you chose. I'd offer to buy your Anni but I'd miss the OEM options on my car[]

 

[ChrisB]

There were 2 real reasons why I haven't bitten the bullet and bought a 911 yet - firstly there is the fact that they do cost a fortune to run and that the insurance is a little bit silly for me at the minute (£3200 on an early 996 C2) but my main reason is that I would quite like to save buying a 911 for a little bit later in life - sort of like a reward toy for doing a couple more years hard work!! I would love to do it properly and get an early 996 GT3 as I think those things are amazing. Maybe after the next purchase in a couple of years!

At the minute I am really likeing the idea of an Lotus Exige - Ok it would be very impractical for everyday use (the thought of approaching a speed hump in one of those things makes me cringe) but I think I could live with that for the looks of that car and the 'racer for the road' feel. Went and looked at one at a dealers in Taplow and thought it was superb - also JCT600 Brooklands in Leeds did have an organge one for sale a short while back so I may go and have a look at that this weekend!!

I do like the S2000 but does it not get a little bit boring driving round at 12000rpm!?!

 

[Reflex TDI]

Quote: posted by 25th_Anniversary on 19/02/2004 07:57:51

I do like the S2000 but does it not get a little bit boring driving round at 12000rpm!?!

The only reason I mentioned it at all was you put it on your wish list. I agree it would be hard to get used to after a PD! All a bit too frenetic.

 

[ChrisB]

Sorry James, think I was writing my reply as you wrote yours. It was Phils Integra that kind of made me wonder do I really want to drive everywhere at such high rpm. Aren't S2000s quite high insurance group too?

Maybe I am just going to have to buy something silly for the summer (like an Elise) run it for 6 months until I get tired of it and then buy something sensible again come winter time.

What OEM stuff would you miss so much to put you off an anni?