New Tour mobile! but what......

[Sods Law]

Ok then Phn peeps,

Following the demise of the mighty diseasel Im looking at a new toy/tour car.

The spec
Budget £/€12-15kish
RWD
Quick on the motorway/Autoroute,
Fantastic on the twisties
Good to "play" in
Either sounds good or can be made to sound very nice.
Manual
Covertible preffered
Reliable, dont want to be missing tours waiting for parts to be shipped in.
I am an " enthusiastic" driver so the car will be pushed very hard at times

I have a few months to decide but so far I have,

E46 M3 Cab with Brake and Exchaust upg (poss suspension aswell)
ummm....

I'm not keen on elises etc, and my S3 was fast but lacking in driver involvment, the current temp car is a 172 Clio that is a hoot but front wheel drive!

What are your thoughts recomendations,

Dave

[Tazio]

A few ideas,

Nissan 350Z GT Roadster -- Job done.
Caterham 21
Z4 alpina - slightly above budget but ummm..

:) Good Luck

[verysideways]

I'd be leaning towards an E46 M3 coupé on 18's, then working out what you need to do about the brakes.
Stock brakes, with DS2500 pads and braided hoses and DOT 5 fluid will do a remarkably good job...

E39 M5 is a cracker too.

Although something designed from the outset as a convertible can still be a good drivers car - along the lines of a Boxster S, S2000, or Z4 for example.

In fact i'd bet a Boxster S would pretty much run rings around the rest of this stuff... but you'd have to live with the image.

EDIT: Z4 Alpina would be a great choice, as above, but you'll struggle to find one within budget.

[spiritof'76]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1162273.htm

or, little over budget, but haggle hard :)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1254363.htm

[Dan H]

How about an S2000 then add a supercharger :)

I've not done the supercharger bit, but those who did the April MBV tour will no doubt confirm that in can certainly hold its own in the twisties - ask Amit ;)

The supercharger would then make for effortless normal progress too.

The downside as I see it, is because it revs to 9k rpm, when sitting on the motorway at say 85 (oops, I mean 70) you'll be revving at around 5k rpm.

[verysideways]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1162273.htm

or, little over budget, but haggle hard :)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1254363.htm

SLK350? Wash your mouth out!! :)

[Harsh]

mustow loves his......and it's kept up with everything on the tours so far.........

i rather like them!

but i think E46 cab is the way to go

[Dan H]

The M3 will really push the budget though, especially if you want to do the upgrades too. . .

[spiritof'76]

SLK350? Wash your mouth out!! :)

Yes i know it's Auto :( with one, possibly even two too many gears but i had a go in one and found it generally very competent :)

Manual would be best but i think they are a little rare........

[Sods Law]

The M3 will really push the budget though, especially if you want to do the upgrades too. . .


Upgrades can be treated outside the main budget as the car is the main thing,

S2000, not my cuppa been out in a few never sold, especially in Red there a "GIRLS" car...
SLK - Auto and again never sold unless its a 55

Boxster - Enough said already, great car but would rather finance a Caymen or 911 ( the later ones are better.)

Z4 Sounds interesting, and budgets are a guideline..... but is it worth it over the M3 Cab...?

M5 has a roof, but I like them allot!

Some interesting suggestions there.... any more Top Trumps

[Harsh]

as an all rounder, you cant beat an M3....adding the upgrades will make it exceptional.

ask anyone that has driven mine.

you get the four seats too!

I'm not sure where mine is at the moment, but i'm sure Nancy will take you out in it if you ask her nicely

[Brahman]

I'm not sure where mine is at the moment

Er, it's still at mine :)

Needs a valet before it's returned to wherever it needs to go though. Planning on doing that Saturday.....

[spiritof'76]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1155345.htm

Again a little over budget :( But try and convince the seller 'it's a buyers market' lol :)


Failing that it could well be M3 cab time....... and no mention of the D word !


Worrying about depreciation is for sissies anyway :blush5:

[Harsh]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1155345.htm

Again a little over budget :( But try and convince the seller 'it's a buyers market' lol :)


Failing that it could well be M3 cab time....... and no mention of the D word !


Worrying about depreciation is for sissies anyway :blush5:

Isn't that front wheel drive though?

[spiritof'76]

Isn't that front wheel drive though?

Oops ! I've lost the plot :rolleyes:

Thought it was pretty enough to compensate !!

There is a 4x4 variant i think ............ but that doesn't really help does it :(

[Sods Law]

Well its looks like an M3 Cab has it for allround ability, would need to be a classic Alpha spider for me.

Harsh, I followed Nancy in Scotland and passengered a bit, its what put the M3 Cab on my list however the 320D did very well so more power on that platform will be awesom!


the Mods would be
Brakes AP 6
Exhaust H&S
Suspension maybe, at least new dampers
Delimited
Champaign and Guiness chiller :cheers2:
GPS Snooper hidden
Laser Diffuser
Horn system as per Paul at the Ace!
Additional "Pace car lighting" circuit

That should cover it.... now just need to wait and see if its a lefty or a righty....

cheers guys, and keep the suggestions comming!

D

[TheStoat]

If you're not keen on an Elise what about a VX220 Turbo? Very capable car in the right hands, soft top and goes like stink with a remap :)

[verysideways]

Indeed - VX220T is a cracker. To be fair, even the stock VX220 is a great little car.

[Tazio]

Had another thought - how about an ac cobra rep.

I underdstand the Gardner Douglas has a track pedigree and if it is over 8 years old could go on a low cost classic insurance policy.

www.pistonheads.com/sales/1229024.htm

I agree for an every day performance car you cannot beat an M3 although the same spec Alpina should cost less leaving more for those upgrades.:)

[Sods Law]

If you're not keen on an Elise what about a VX220 Turbo? Very capable car in the right hands, soft top and goes like stink with a remap :)

hmmm nice but not quite there, good idea though....

Had another thought - how about an ac cobra rep.

I underdstand the Gardner Douglas has a track pedigree and if it is over 8 years old could go on a low cost classic insurance policy.

www.pistonheads.com/sales/1229024.htm

I agree for an every day performance car you cannot beat an M3 although the same spec Alpina should cost less leaving more for those upgrades.:)

I love that the AC is a dream car however on long trips its got me thinking whats gonna break... Good point on the alpina option and a bit more unique, kudos!

I think the M3 has it with a few notes chucked at it for good measure

Cheers guys...

[Dizeee]

Z3M Roadster, to be different, or even a coupe. That should give you enough change to buy some decent upgrades.

[verysideways]

Mmmm, Z3M coupe, aka "The Breadvan".
You know it makes sense. Amazing car.

[Sods Law]

Z3M look awesome, but the convertible is a bit too soft looking.

[WillCarter]

Jaguar XKR Convertible? 4.0 Supercharged, all mod cons.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1155382.htm

[Sods Law]

Jaguar XKR Convertible? 4.0 Supercharged, all mod cons.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1155382.htm

Good off piste call but i think these are a bit to soft more cruise than drivers car... also Auto