Weekend toy £25k

[Zonda_]

Probably just me, but I bulk at the idea of spending £800 a year on road tax for a second car.

I could probably justify if I was buying a single, all-rounder, but paying £1500/year for tax and insurance for a car that's only for weekends before you get to fuel and servicing rubs me the wrong way. Especially if you buy some uber, gas-guzzling 3 ton motor after 2017 and you pay £200.

If you can put up with an Elise and it's usability shortcomings, that one everyday. Solid residuals, the most fun, pennies to own/run.
If you can't, then an MX5 or Abarth and good middle grounds.
Otherwise, you want more comfort, then usual Evora/Jag/Porker (in that order, IMO). Just be aware the running costs start to stack, and it depends how much you'll use them to justify it....at least with an Elise the £/Mile stays very low even if not used.

Whatever I get will be my only car. An Elise is high on the list, not been in one since MarkBT52s Exige so don’t know what they’re like getting in and out of at 50+

[Rich B]

Probably just me, but I bulk at the idea of spending £800 a year on road tax for a second car.

I could probably justify if I was buying a single, all-rounder, but paying £1500/year for tax and insurance for a car that's only for weekends before you get to fuel and servicing rubs me the wrong way. Especially if you buy some uber, gas-guzzling 3 ton motor after 2017 and you pay £200.

If you can put up with an Elise and it's usability shortcomings, that one everyday. Solid residuals, the most fun, pennies to own/run.
If you can't, then an MX5 or Abarth and good middle grounds.
Otherwise, you want more comfort, then usual Evora/Jag/Porker (in that order, IMO). Just be aware the running costs start to stack, and it depends how much you'll use them to justify it....at least with an Elise the £/Mile stays very low even if not used.

Whatever I get will be my only car. An Elise is high on the list, not been in one since MarkBT52s Exige so don’t know what they’re like getting in and out of at 50+

Hilarious. There’s no graceful way, but you do get better at doing it quickly so no one notices how daft you look.

i drove it to and from work for a week the other day, its fine if the weather is ok - but i wouldn’t want to use it every day in the winter.

[Zonda_]

Probably just me, but I bulk at the idea of spending £800 a year on road tax for a second car.

I could probably justify if I was buying a single, all-rounder, but paying £1500/year for tax and insurance for a car that's only for weekends before you get to fuel and servicing rubs me the wrong way. Especially if you buy some uber, gas-guzzling 3 ton motor after 2017 and you pay £200.

If you can put up with an Elise and it's usability shortcomings, that one everyday. Solid residuals, the most fun, pennies to own/run.
If you can't, then an MX5 or Abarth and good middle grounds.
Otherwise, you want more comfort, then usual Evora/Jag/Porker (in that order, IMO). Just be aware the running costs start to stack, and it depends how much you'll use them to justify it....at least with an Elise the £/Mile stays very low even if not used.

Whatever I get will be my only car. An Elise is high on the list, not been in one since MarkBT52s Exige so don’t know what they’re like getting in and out of at 50+

Hilarious. There’s no graceful way, but you do get better at doing it quickly so no one notices how daft you look.

i drove it to and from work for a week the other day, its fine if the weather is ok - but i wouldn’t want to use it every day in the winter.

I thought as much, I seem to remember you to sort of throw your leg in Marks then let the rest of you fall in! Like I say, it will be a pure toy, if it’s bad weather it won’t be going out.

[Rich B]

Whatever I get will be my only car. An Elise is high on the list, not been in one since MarkBT52s Exige so don’t know what they’re like getting in and out of at 50+

Hilarious. There’s no graceful way, but you do get better at doing it quickly so no one notices how daft you look.

i drove it to and from work for a week the other day, its fine if the weather is ok - but i wouldn’t want to use it every day in the winter.

I thought as much, I seem to remember you to sort of throw your leg in Marks then let the rest of you fall in! Like I say, it will be a pure toy, if it’s bad weather it won’t be going out.

yep, getting in isn’t too bad, but getting out is definitely trickier!

[John]

Try getting out of a Caterham with a red hot exhaust in the way, in shorts. I don't think anyone noticed me flinch

[Zonda_]

I don't think I could ever get an F Type over an XK.

Same platform, just without rear seats, which although aren't great seats, do fit a load of stuff should you go away and take a decent amount of luggage/dogs etcs.

You'd also get a proper XKR 5.0 SC cheaper than any F Type R, and you'd notice no performance difference.

XK rides and handles better on our roads than the F Type, and the late ones can be had with al kind sofa packs, carbon bucket seats, what ever you fancy.

I think I'd be tempted by a Mustang though now over them both, just as you don't see many, they're quite cool looking and you have a decent aftermarket if you want to play with it.

The XK looks do nothing for me.

[Matty]

Age, height, weight - all are a factor for ease of entry in an Elise. If you're old, tall and chonky then there's no graceful way unfortunately you do eventually get the knack of doing it eventually. Alternatively, just only use it when the weathers nice and always keep the roof off.

Anyway, it's passengers getting/in out that used to stress me out more. The amount of times you have to yell "Don't use the window to pull yourself out!"

[Delphi]

£25K will get you into a nice 981 generation Boxster. Stick with the 2.7 and you have zero bore score worries or issues. Whilst an Elise is ultimately a more focused driving machine a Boxster gives a much better balance of driving and comfort/practicality. Hell, you can easily do a European driving tour in a Boxster or daily it. They're remarkably practical (having 2 boots).

[GG.]

Age, height, weight - all are a factor for ease of entry in an Elise. If you're old, tall and chonky then there's no graceful way unfortunately you do eventually get the knack of doing it eventually. Alternatively, just only use it when the weathers nice and always keep the roof off.

Anyway, it's passengers getting/in out that used to stress me out more. The amount of times you have to yell "Don't use the window to pull yourself out!"

Yes I sat in Duncs the other weekend and whilst it actually wasn't as bad as I expected (the last one I sat in prior to that was a girlfriend's uncle's car back when they'd just came out (I was maybe 18?) so I was a bit more lithe back then...), jumping in the 911 feels like getting into an armchair by comparison

[Jobbo]

£25K will get you into a nice 981 generation Boxster. Stick with the 2.7 and you have zero bore score worries or issues. Whilst an Elise is ultimately a more focused driving machine a Boxster gives a much better balance of driving and comfort/practicality. Hell, you can easily do a European driving tour in a Boxster or daily it. They're remarkably practical (having 2 boots).

Isn’t it amazing how little 981s have depreciated compared to a 986 or 987 past 10 years old. I bet they never go below £20k.

[Carlos]

Even the MA1 engined 987.2 Boxster seem much more desirable and void of the M96/97 issues.

[integrale_evo]

Whatever I get will be my only car. An Elise is high on the list, not been in one since MarkBT52s Exige so don’t know what they’re like getting in and out of at 50+

S1 with a roof on parked next to another vehicle is definitely a skill!

S2 and onwards have a noticeably lower sill which makes quite a difference. Still not exactly graceful unless you’re a 20yo racing snake, but a lot easier!

[Zonda_]

Whatever I get will be my only car. An Elise is high on the list, not been in one since MarkBT52s Exige so don’t know what they’re like getting in and out of at 50+

S1 with a roof on parked next to another vehicle is definitely a skill!

S2 and onwards have a noticeably lower sill which makes quite a difference. Still not exactly graceful unless you’re a 20yo racing snake, but a lot easier!

I wouldn’t say racing snake but I’m 5ft 10 and just under 11 stone so pretty thin! I think I’m currently leaning towards a Boxster though. Some of the ones I’ve seen would look current today no number plate to age them.

[nuttinnew]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... eage=10000

[Carlos]

A Tiptronic M97 would be pretty low down on the list even though that looks great

[Zonda_]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... eage=10000

Christ that interior is horrific!

[GG.]

And are they giving those "R8" LED DRLs away as a bulk buy discount or something - cease and desist!

[nuttinnew]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... eage=10000

Christ that interior is horrific!

I only posted it because I like the colour scheme

A Tiptronic M97 would be pretty low down on the list even though that looks great

Oops, missed the Tip

[Rich B]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... eage=10000

Christ that interior is horrific!

Very woomy.

[scotta]

Hilarious. There’s no graceful way, but you do get better at doing it quickly so no one notices how daft you look.

i drove it to and from work for a week the other day, its fine if the weather is ok - but i wouldn’t want to use it every day in the winter.

I thought as much, I seem to remember you to sort of throw your leg in Marks then let the rest of you fall in! Like I say, it will be a pure toy, if it’s bad weather it won’t be going out.

yep, getting in isn’t too bad, but getting out is definitely trickier!

There is a definite technique. Right leg out, Arse up on to the sill (left hand pushing up on the seat), Duck head round roof, Left leg out and stand-up in one movement.

I remember the disappointment on @mik 's face when i easily jumped into his Evora using the same technique.