Advice please...

[khooni]

i'd consider a gen 1 cayman S.

lovely cars

[PeteGray]

I've clearly got time on my hands today so put together a few other options to consider;

Aston V8 Vantage - scrapes in at 30k plus.
DB9 - as above
Lotus Evora - an early lowish miles one
Maserati Gransport - You'd get a good one for the budget.
Noble M12 - proper wildcard.

£25-30k doesn't quite get you what it once did as not too long ago you'd have been able to get a nice Ferrari 355 or even a Testarossa if you felt very broad of shoulder.

Things for me that are frustratingly close are the Audi R8 and Ferrari 360.

From your original list I'd be very happy in a 997s but, thought the 996 Turbo was a good shout, although they are moving up in price now so you probably won't get an 996TTs (x50) as you would of 12 months ago.

Best value car out there at this level, or just above, has to be something called an M3 CSL..

[dave wilkinson]

I've clearly got time on my hands today so put together a few other options to consider;

Aston V8 Vantage - scrapes in at 30k plus.
DB9 - as above
Lotus Evora - an early lowish miles one
Maserati Gransport - You'd get a good one for the budget.
Noble M12 - proper wildcard.

£25-30k doesn't quite get you what it once did as not too long ago you'd have been able to get a nice Ferrari 355 or even a Testarossa if you felt very broad of shoulder.

Things for me that are frustratingly close are the Audi R8 and Ferrari 360.

From your original list I'd be very happy in a 997s but, thought the 996 Turbo was a good shout, although they are moving up in price now so you probably won't get an 996TTs (x50) as you would of 12 months ago.

Best value car out there at this level, or just above, has to be something called an M3 CSL..

That's the trouble. Wanted out of mine so test drove a few cars recently. Nothing comes close for the minute so can see another price correction soon to put them more in line with early gt3's. at present there not worth double a Csl :whistle:

[billyboysm3]

How about, keep your cash in the bank and do a lease deal on a C63 AMG.

[azrael]

e60 M5 or c63 amg

i wouldn't bother with the e9x m3, try one but no need to buy one just yet

[Roland]

E60 M5 would be (in your case incl. family) a great car. Great Engine.

Before i bought the 997GTS i thought about getting one of the last E90 M3 (like a Spengler Edition) or a Alpina GT3.

But in the end i'm really happy with the 997GTS.

[Rick H]

Is an E60 M5 a fun car - or just a sensible fast car? I nearly went for one before deciding on the visceral CSL. I read all the horror stories of the pre-facelift version and a friend who owned one said he was sick and tired of visiting the petrol station - although he was using it as a daily on short runs to be fair. Values dropped like stones too.

What about something more removed - like a Caterham, Atom or Radical? obviously not the best for family motoring but for fun and tracking, they have to be contenders?

Are the cars you mention THAT much different from the CSL to warrant the expense?

If I had a £30k "fun" budget then - e46 M3 track spec and trailer anything leftover would go on training and trackdays. Perhaps after a year or two moving to a Radical.

You pays your money . . .

[LeinsCSL]

E60 M5 would be (in your case incl. family) a great car. Great Engine.

Before i bought the 997GTS i thought about getting one of the last E90 M3 (like a Spengler Edition) or a Alpina GT3.

But in the end i'm really happy with the 997GTS.

Did you drive the Alpina Roland? If so, what was it like?

[s.mac]

A fun car Rob or family fun car. I wouldn't go for any in your list but depends on use.

[glendog74]

Thanks for the replies boys, there's too many nice cars out there that I'll never experience - just like women, lol!

A fun car Rob or family fun car. I wouldn't go for any in your list but depends on use.

I work shifts now so it would be a nice car for days out with the wife and littlest one whilst the older boys are at school.

The 997 is probably my favourite at the moment but perhaps a nice 997 or E93 cab would be nice for next summer... :gayfight:

[Rick H]

I work shifts now so it would be a nice car for days out with the wife and littlest one whilst the older boys are at school.

I probably wouldn't go for the Radical then.

You can pick up a Bentley GT for under £30k - great for GT'ing and pretty sturdy transport if you have your nearest & dearest on board.

[shimmy]

CSL?

[glendog74]

CSL?

Got one already. Somewhere...

[DazBlackCSL]

C63

^ This :whistle:

[DazBlackCSL]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201410258495123/sort/default/fuel-type/petrol/usedcars/postcode/rg415rf/page/1/make/mercedes-benz/price-to/35000/radius/1500/model/c_class/price-from/22500/onesearchad/used%2Cnew/engine-size-cars/5lplus?logcode=p