Sports car advice, need ideas

[natalienewname]

I’m very luckily about to come into some extra cash and fancy buying a sports car. Probably a midlife crisis but the appeal is there nonetheless.

The Porsche 911 is currently the top contender. We’ve had one before, it was such a fun car but we sold it when babies came along. I also want to consider any alternatives. Would anyone have any suggestions?

Criteria are:

• must be sporty and fun to drive
• 4 seats (bucket back seats are fine, the kids are small and their comfort isn’t my top priority in this car)
• second hand at £50-60k max
• automatic
• not an Audi

Any ideas? I wondered about a Tesla, would it give me the slight thrill I’m looking for or feel like a bit more mediocre?

If you're a proper petrolhead it's simple, a Nissan GT-R. Pound for pound the best car on the road by a country mile. It ticks all your boxes and more besides. It'll put a smile on your face every time you drive it. Plus, it has the bonus of the fact that everyone will admire you for it, rather than them assuming you're a pretentious twat in a common BMW/Audi/Mercedes cockmobile.

Yes this.

This is the car that I would love to own and whenever I see or hear one it puts a smile on my face.

I own a small sports car which is very old now - the pleasure I get from looking at it or driving it is immense.

I don't think that you would get the same thrill with a Tesla (although I don't own one) although they will be very quick pulling away.

I don't care what Barry from Bradford says - we (DH and I) have had many BMWs and loved them all, and I can assure you we are not pretentious at all!

I currently drive a Z4 but it's a 2 seater. Previously I had an M4 convertible with 4 seats and it was a fabulous car. Absolutely loved it.

MrsIrene has a Tesla and it has fantastic pick-up and is very fun to drive.

That may be the case but if I was going to spend up to £60K on a car I'd want something that's special and rare. The fact is that BMWs, Audis and Mercs are so common they all blend in with each other. I wouldn't want to spend so much money just to look like most of the others on the road.

Teslas are clever and have good initial acceleration - but they really lack any character or sports car feel...

£50k-£60k gets you into lots of very interesting cars:

• a 911 is a superb car - but be very cautious about engine issues (e.g. bore scoring etc.) - check model you buy and have it inspected first to help reduce issues
• jaguar f-type (ditch the kids - only 2 seats!)
• Aston DB11 (more of a GT than sports but pretty amazing car to drive)
• Audi R8 - probably the best supercar you will get for your budget (but also 2 seats!) - yes it is an Audi, but what an Audi!
• live life dangerously and you can get a McLaren 12C
• A ferrari Califronia is in budget - and has 4 seats!

if you want real power (0-60 below 4 seconds) then there are 200+ cars on Autotrader:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertising-location=at_cars&fuel-type=Petrol&postcode=sw1a%200aa&price-from=50000&price-to=60000&seats_values=4&sort=relevance&transmission=Automatic&zero-to-60=TO_4

bring the acceleration back to under 0-60 in 6 seconds (still very fast) and you have over 500 results:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertising-location=at_cars&fuel-type=Petrol&postcode=sw1a%200aa&price-from=50000&price-to=60000&seats_values=4&sort=relevance&transmission=Automatic&zero-to-60=TO_4&zero-to-60=4_TO_6

have fun - lots of amazing cars

@BarryFromBradford

Thank you, that’s an interesting idea. Can I ask what makes it so special?

I’m not a petrol head however, I’m just a late 30s woman who wants to smile when I drive (and yes I want that oomph of acceleration that throws you back into your seat that I used to get). My other car is hugely sensible and boring.

Do you think it’s school run-able and good for the Tesco carpark? I don’t really want to be looked at, no need to hugely stand out. Is it a bit ‘boy-racer’ and muscular for boring old me?

@akkakk

Thank you, very comprehensive.

i had no idea on engine issues, will consider that certainly.

I do need 4 seats sadly.

That Ferrari is a thing of absolute beauty, gosh. Trying to imagine doing the school run in it, might be a bit attention grabbing and what would DH say when I came home with it. Tempting just for the look of pure envy 😄 Might look into that.

Teslas are, indeed, a bit soulless. If you are happy to consider electric, then I would highly recommend the Jaguar iPace. Serious acceleration and a joy to drive. We passed ours on to our son who said he had one word to describe it... "addictive". The only reason we got rid of it is that where we live is mainly 50mph limits so..

Saab do a four seater convertible. Everyone who drives them seems to love them.

You're very welcome.

Well, it has four seats, four wheel drive, a proper boot and acceleration and performance that only much more expensive cars can match, yet it's a car you can use every day if you wanted to.

It's absolutely fine for the school run and trips to the supermarket. Most importantly of all, it will DEFINITELY put a smile on your face!

The problem is that we live generally in a world of boring SUVs / hatchbacks / EVs etc. - so anything nice will stand out in the school car park - you just have to own it 😁

I have owned fast jags (including an f-type) - an M5 - 2 seaters / and have driven most cars on the market - there will be a car which also calls to you in terms of feel and looks - if it is a treat, then enjoy the treat and buy what works for you - don't worry about what some people wrongly think it says!

I was asked a number of times with some of my cars whether I was having a mid-life crisis - I simply replied no, because if I was it started in my early 20s!

And remember that you can pay more for those traditional 'mummy-wagons' a Discovery / XC90 than your budget - so enjoy a car that is more fun and possibly cheaper than many other boring ones!

Enjoy!

s

Decent list. Of those I’d say the 911 is a decent shout. At your price point you’d be looking at a v good 987 or a decent 991 so bore score not an issue. I love mine and have kept it while other cats have been moved on

I rated the r8 but you’d be looking at a bit older there, and whilst it looks and drives like something special it’s still an audi

aston Martin vantage?
maserati gran tourismo or gran cabrio?
go mad and get a Gallardo?

I'm a petrol head, favourite car in the world is Focus RS. So my choice is a bit mental, even for me. But I've had the pleasure of driving lots of stunning cars the last few years for work. So I wouldn't get an EV, agree as fast as they are they just don't put that smile on your face. All my original ideas are 2 seaters (Hionda S2000 would be my choice) , but with your budget and with 4 seats, how about something absolutely pretentious like a convertible Bentley? I drove one about that price range for a day, and yes I felt like an absolute tit, it was too big for car parking spaces, and everyone stared at me, also thinking I was a tit .........but it was so luxurious and like floating on air I didn't care. I got out of it feeling a million dollars! I didn't 'get' them before but now I absolutely love them.

A GR Yaris. So much fun to drive. Soooo much fun.

The problem with electric cars is that they sound like milk floats.
I went to a classic sports car rally in Spain and it was amazing, lots of revving to start with and lots of 911s that looked & sounded great.

Classic Merc, Jag or Aston Martin for me please.

No everyone will just think you're a 22 year old rude boy....

If you want the Porsche get the Porsche.
As you want more seats/space for kids look at the C class coupe or convertible though. Or even the E.

Maserati Granturismo

www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17075362

I would plump for an American Muscle car of the late 60's to early 70's.

And it will increase in value...

FERRARI CALIFORNIA
In a subtle colour

www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14942424

"No everyone will just think you're a 22 year old rude boy"
No, everyone will think you're a proper car enthusiast and don't follow the crowd.

"As you want more seats/space for kids look at the C class coupe or convertible though. Or even the E."
They're just German sheepmobiles. Everyone will just assume you have no imagination.

I think of myself as a proper car enthusiast. I’ve had a few that have been mentioned on this thread.

I wouldn’t have a gt-r. Each to their own but they don’t do it for me. I wouldn’t insult anyone else’s choice and make out that makes them not into cars though…

Are the back seats in some of your choices usable for the dc? My dh was considering a sports car and the back seats were useless, especially by the time the drivers seat had been adjusted.

Out of the choices mentioned, I'd probably choose a Porsche or a gtr. Or an Aston Martin.

What about a Mustang? They have rear seats.

Or an Abarth? They look fun . Bit cheaper than some of your choices .