Dapster

Never tried them myself but interesting threads on pistonheads and the Porsche Club GB site (esp the SC register where they are having this debate at the moment) - http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=52918

You will see that they sell cheap cars and they don't BS you with smarm. If fact the complete opposite - brusque to the point of being arrogant and offensive. Probably because there are so many dreamers out there kicking 911 tyres that they assume the truly commited will battle through.

Seems like you need to go in with your eyes wide open.

Olly

The 5.0 V8 version of the SL is the one to go for. 300's/320's are tame and sluggish in comparison, and the V12 is way heavier and thirstier, yet barely quicker than the V8. One for the Yank market.

The V8 is touted as one of the most bulletproof engines ever made: you reputedly change the duplex cam chain every half million miles. Mine will probably blow up next week now I've said that.

As you can see, they are a real ***** magnet as well.



Did I mention that mine is for sale at a VERY reasonable price?

Jonathan Davies

Wicked photo! For sale: no, don't think you did... but I'm still making my mind up!

Loads of good info on this thread though - nice of everyone to reply to a newbie thread...

Cheers!

what would scooby do

I was sooooo close to buying a SL500 a few weeks ago, I think the only problem apart from fuel is that the parts prices are crazy still - compared to other Mercs of the same era..

If you do go for one, first thing to check is that all the interior trim is there and undamaged. The little lid for the drivers armrest is about £150 and they often go missing ??

I reckon the SL would be a fantastic weekend cruiser.. also do't forget, if it's over 10 years old you should pay less than £400 for classic car insurance

Olly

Sounds like you fancy one for exactly the same reasons as I bought one in the first place.

Off to Wales next weekend, top down, cant wait. The thing eats long A roads for breakfast, and the overtaking ability is awesome. When I collected it, CrisPDuk followed me home in our Bugeye: we had a bit of a "do" on the M62 from a rolling 60mph. THe Merc WASTED the the Subaru.

Insurance not bad for £280p/a fully comp either, the Scoob was nearly a grand.

the chosen one

what about a R33 GTR non v-spec

micared

My corrado VR6 for 5k, and keep the other 10 in your skyrocket?

dpb

new jag

matty01

The Honda civic type R is quick and looks really quite smart i think ,also has Honda reliability

Jonathan Davies

I'm not made of money! If I had 50 grand it wouldn't go on a new xjr, even though they're up to 400bhp now. Great value used though - mind the early v8 nikasil liners, but a late xjr6 can be yours for buttons. The S-type R is quite groovy I think - same supercharged v8 as the xj :-)

R33 GTR for 15? GTT I thought I might be able to reach, but not sure about the extra hassle of an import...

Corrado = sensible choice (financially!), nice though they are. Not sure I'm ready to be sensible yet...

My shortlist is getting quite long.

Dapster

And a few more.....

BMW 850 CSi (a bit "Essex nightclub" in the image dept ....)
Lotus Esprit V8 (ditto)
Merc E36/C36 AMG (getting into sensible territory)
Old shape M5 Beemer (your neighbours will think you're a drug dealer)
Alfa 156 V6 2.5 Sportwagon (not exactly German reliability)
TVR Chimera (legendary reliability)
Bently Turbo R from the early 80's (er.....)

Jonathan Davies

Interesting... the AMG is something I haven't thought about. Alfas look nice but... I suppose they're better than they were.

Turbo R! Even more oldschool than the Jag...

Tractor

Another vote for the E36 M3 Evo here..... about the best allrounder for your budget considering it is daftly quick one minute, and a comfy cruiser the next - plus four seats, big boot etc.. Be VERY careful when buying though and aim for one with a BMW warranty as said (this is extendable). Pay a lot less for one without. Check out www.bm3w.co.uk and ask some questions on there. £15k should get you one of the very best.

Off topic, Olly I PM'd you about the pug, did you get it?

micared

Nothing financially sensible about owning a Corrado VR6 mate, most expensive to run vehicle I've ever had, puts the Scoob in the shade in every respect with regard to money..... if you forget about fuel consumption, that is.
Thought about one of those weird looking BMWs, M3 engine, Z3 front end, bizzare, flarey arched back end?....can't remember what the hell they're called now, helpfully. Just seem to remember they're getting relatively cheap now, cos they're so plug ugly probably......Evo had one on long term, reckoned it was a cracking drive.
Drove an Alpina B10 a year or so ago, and thought it was sensational, maybe another one to consider?

Brendan Hughes

z3 MCoupe. You can just about scrape one for 15k, good ones are more like 18k plus I think. Never been in one, but got the impression they're more manic than comfy.

I have a soft spot for these. Where does one sell a kidney?

Dapster

http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=330809

Seems like you're not the only one thinking about one!

Jonathan Davies

Oof, bit of a hard sell on the Corrado there! Not sure I can resist after that.

I'm struggling a bit with the E36 evo idea. I've been looking at a few ads and, although there's lots of good things about them, I'm not really developing any desire to own one. Head - yes, but not heart at the mo.

I've seen a nice EVO 4 though. Other thoughts today are Celica GTS4 - oldie but goody - or s15 Silvia R spec... got a soft spot for Nissans.

Z3 coupes are wierd looking beasts. Not too keen... starting to think an E30 M3 is the only bimmer I could cope with, but I'm sure it'll pass.

Tractor

Having owned both, the M3 Evo is twice the car the Lancer Evo 4 is, in my humble opinion of course.

Seriously, try an M3, they're worth the price for the engine alone! (Assuming it's healthy of course )

For me, the majority of what we call 'character' comes down to a car's engine - the Scoob has it, the M3 Evo has it, Alfas have it..... the Lancer Evo does not. Sounds like a hair drier, unless you decat and stick a loud exhaust on, when it still won't sound as good as the others with the same mods.

micared

Hehe, yeah, thought that would make the Corrado nigh on irresistable to a man of your expensive tastes!!! . Used to work for Toyota, I'd thoroughly recommend looking at the last generation GT4, relatively expensive to buy now, given that they stopped making them in '96, but, providing you don't mod the bollox off them , bloody reliable fun, surprisingly quick, given how heavy they are.

Jonathan Davies

Mmm... toyota reliability is appealing - as long as its a good'un I suppose.

Maybe the M3 will grow on me! I love the straight six in the Jag... nice supercharger whine when the clog goes down too :-)

evo-n

a few more to consider:
escort rs cosworth
lotus carlton (the 'daddy' saloon 0-60 4.9secs 160mph monster)

Jonathan Davies

Hmm... brand issues for me there, sadly. I know it's daft, but I don't really want to spend a lot of money on a Ford (I know the Jag's a Ford really, but it's old enough to retain a few pre ford era features like the AJ16 straight 6).

Lotus carlton's an interesting one - didn't the old bill get worried that they'd never catch them when the came out? They're not cheap though, for an old car... hmmm.

Pondering.

evo-n

Go on mate be different they are awesome, you'll have no problem with golf clubs and passengers flipping huge machine and 6 speed for those mile munching journeys,
only drawbacks would be insurance(classic??) and running costs but as with most of the cars listed on this thread theres pro's and cons