Advice please...

[derek]

Originally Posted by glendog74

I was thinking that too, lol!



Hmm... A fast Datsun?

It's great having a Datsun faster than a 458 34mph-204mph in one gear. Enjoy picking your new car I just went to the Datsun garage one Sunday because i was bored now had two.

[mattCSLnut]

Originally Posted by glendog74

Selling a house in the new year and plan to use some of the equity to buy another fun car which I have not had the pleasure of owning to date.

My budget will be around £25-30k and I have narrowed my choice down to the following:

1. Porsche 997 Carrera S
2. BMW E60 M5 ('07 on facelift model)
3. BMW E90 M3 ('08 on facelift model)

Any thoughts or wild card ideas appreciated!

Have you thought about a late (2003-2004) 996 Turbo / Turbo S ? (wild card) as the 997 Carrera S is relatively slow, even by comparison to the CSL.
As for the other 2 "M" cars you mention, they are both currently depreciating like a lead brick wrapped in lead The E60 M5 is a "Big Ol' Bus" ( just like the X5 you already have ) and while the V10 is a great engine, it only comes alive at the top of the revs which IMHO just doesn't suit the 4 door nature of the car on the UK congested roads. It becomes quite tiring, very quickly. Also the build quality of the E60 is questionable and not a patch on the previous generation (E39) M5.
With your budget you could buy the very best E39 probably with an EVOLVE Supercharger which is a proper "Sleeper"
I too discount the E9x M3 as you already have the Cecil

[Clubber]

I don't know about the prices over there but how about a 996.2 GT3 ? Or even an RS ?

[MCSL]

Originally Posted by Clubber

I don't know about the prices over there but how about a 996.2 GT3 ? Or even an RS ?

[Clubber]

Originally Posted by MCSL

hahahaha. How about 996 gen I gt3 ?

[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]

Originally Posted by 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..

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

[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