OV9

Matty wrote: Sat May 30, 2026 9:17 pm 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.

Zonda_ wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 5:54 pm

Matty wrote: Sat May 30, 2026 9:17 pm 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 wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 6:56 pm

Zonda_ wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 5:54 pm

Matty wrote: Sat May 30, 2026 9:17 pm 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_ wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 7:05 pm

Rich B wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 6:56 pm

Zonda_ wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 5:54 pm

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.

16vCento wrote: Sat May 30, 2026 9:04 pm 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.

Matty wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 10:35 pm 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 wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 12:08 pm £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).

Zonda_ wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 5:54 pm

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+

integrale_evo wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 6:18 pm

Zonda_ wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 5:54 pm

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!

nuttinnew wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 8:40 pm https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... eage=10000

Zonda_ wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 9:03 pm

nuttinnew wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 8:40 pm https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... eage=10000

Christ that interior is horrific!

Carlos wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 8:42 pm A Tiptronic M97 would be pretty low down on the list even though that looks great

Zonda_ wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 9:03 pm

nuttinnew wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 8:40 pm https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... eage=10000

Christ that interior is horrific!

Rich B wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 7:18 pm

Zonda_ wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 7:05 pm

Rich B wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 6:56 pm
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!