19 June 2012
I am currently car less and I will be buying a new car in the next 2-3 months so I am trying to whittle down the possible contenders. I have a budget of £20k max, I only do 6k miles a year (currently in my other halfs 1.0 polo). I want something I can chuck about has good performance and if possible a convertible.
Previous car history includes Clio 197 cup, BMW 318 M sport coupe, 1 series. So I like something that can handle. Current options are boxster s, new z4, 3series, SLK 55 etc.
Thoughts would be appreciated.
19 December 2008
I think you need to decide if you want a sports car or not first. Boxter and Z4 are, 3 series is less so, and SLK whilst fast is surely a cruiser. If you want a car that handles well and is a soft top, get one that was designed that way from outset.
Assuming you go the sports car route, how about a Nissan 350/370Z. Nice engine, less common too. Or of course a new MX5. Not as flash as the others mentioned, but handling will delight, and the 2.0 isnt slow if not in the same league as the others. Perhaps there is more fun to be had in a car you can drive hard? Not something you will ever be able to do in an SLK55.
On the other hand if you want an automatic (very fast) cruiser the SLK is probably the best.
15 June 2012
I don't know how much you can pick an SLK55AMG up for now, but one of those would definitely be worth a look if within budget. They sound great and have the same engine as the SLR McLaren, albeit without the huge supercharger. It won't be frugal, unlike the new one which does 33.6mpg on the combined cycle, but it will be bloody quick and will provide a typical AMG soundtrack that can only be even better with the roof down.
22 March 2010
The fuel consumption doesnt bother me too much as the mileage isnt high enough to really worry me cost wise. I guess I am really looking for one final fling before the family comes along.
The baisc I am looking for is fast, good handling, good soundtrack and if possible an open top.
29 October 2007
Jees!, for £20K the car world is your Oyster!, Porsche,BMW,Mercedes and many others are attainable, involves a lot of searching, but it will be worth it, just remember to set aside a car only account,keep the car for the Summer, then sell it, by a shopper for Winter, nxt Summer, buy something interesting again, just a thought?
Peter Cavellini.
7 May 2010
Not sure if this is appealling for you or not, given your desription, I thought it was worth a punt..
Audi S4 soft top? There were some RS4's for around that price, but milage was a lot higher then the S4.. Handling may not be to taste, but the engine sounds amazing!
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201223474434204/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/22500/price-from/18000/body-type/convertible/model/s4/make/audi/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/brandnew/page/1/postcode/po36lg/radius/1500?logcode=p
5 October 2012
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