350Z/370Z and Boxster/Cayman are going to have the highest maintenance costs.
GT86 does everything an MX5 does but for more money, the MX5 is a bit of an uninspired choice though.
TTS will do everything that you want, whether it puts a smile on your face whilst doing so is another thing.
That leaves the MR2, S2000 and Z4. All are great, all are reasonable to run, and all will feel special as a weekend car. If it was my money I'd be looking at an S2000 or 3.0 Z4 out of those, or blowing the bank with a 370Z or Cayman.
Edit: I'll throw in a wildcard, if you could find a reasonably unmolested manual 300ZX in that price range it'd be cool and an appreciating asset.
It’s going to be a 987.1 for this price. Go look at forums/facebook/reddit on the amount of money people spend on these things at this age, everything needs a refresh, which costs many thousands. Fairly simple things can throw £500 bills. You need to go in with your eyes open.
I’ve been templated to get one, and have been scared off by the costs I’ve been reading about.
It can be scary, but it’s not horrific - I have a 987.1 Cayman.
I have a higher mileage example, so things have already been replaced as time goes on. Consumables aren’t dreadfully expensive, although you’ll naturally want better tyres and to take it to a reputable specialist for a service.
Oddly, the insurance is relatively low and they hold their value well. My logic is that whilst the maintenance will be moderately higher than a run of the mill car, the lower depreciation balances the cost of ownership.
Having owned a used e92 335i that thankfully came with BMW warranty, I know first hand they are not very reliable. They are however, very fast and sound great.
Or for something a bit more fun, an e82 135i coupe, maybe even a 125i. Smaller, lighter and more fun to drive out of the box. A later one will have the n54 too so less mechanical worries with the turbos.
Edit: n55 not n54
I’ve had the 335i. It’s not that sporty, but it is fast. Wouldn’t spend £10k on one, I bought an 8 year old one for £6.8k back in 2014… to spend £10k today on a 12 year old one is nuts.
Can get a good 350 for under 10k, that'd be my vote. Although I am a bit biased, as I recently picked up one myself. They won't be super cheap to run due to age and rarity and thirstiness, but they're considered to be pretty reliable, and definitely are fun, cool and fast. Insurance will depend on your personal circumstances, and if you can find a completely stock car.
I probably wouldn't go for a 10k 370, it'd likely be an early one with super high miles and/or questionable history.
Although if you do go that route, one thing to be aware of is 370's until late 2012/2013 suffered from the same oil gallery gasket issue as the HR 350's. However Nissan removed the oil pressure gauge in the 370 so you can't actually tell if your gaskets are going unless you connect a gauge yourself.
I'm not as familiar with the others on your list, although I looked at GT86's before buying the 350, and couldn't find many I'd want for below 10k
I didn’t have anything major issues-wise, but it being French you know that won’t be the case for everyone. However, saying that I absolutely love ‘hot’ French cars. They just get it. Not over-the-top with power and great fun on A-roads.
Personally, I never warmed to the newer models when they switched to the Turbo / Paddle Shift. Not my thing, and I feel that setup took away a lot of the fun you got from previous models. We had an FN2 Type R, and as brilliant as that new car obviously is, I’m not sure I’d want to really own one. for me there was no better feeling than being high up in VTEC range. Those earlier Clios have that same feeling. Rev the bollocks off it.
(P.S - I’m not a yobbo)
Z4 is my daily and love it genuine smile on my face any time I get to drive it, I have the 3.0l and great sound, which can be improved even further with custom exhaust if wanted to. Roof going down whenever suns out is always a lot of fun, first car I’ve owned where I get regular compliments from people (although I have it in yellow which I think helps with that).
Also do regular long trips in it 400+ miles in a day there and back combined and always have felt very comfortable doing so. For reference I’m 6’3 and overweight but still fit easily in there.
Only advice is to get one with iDrive installed already, the box to make it CarPlay or android is only £150 and pretty simple to install. Without iDrive it has a small sunglasses cupboard and installing the full screen +iDrive thing is about £800 and I believe a lot more complicated.
MX5 - Great option, limited luggage. Obvious choice though and not the most refined for long distances.
Z4 - most well rounded of the cars you've chosen. Higher maintenance costs though and not a easy to push to the limit as MX5 or GT86. Would have to be the 3.0 for me though.
MR2 - Cheap and still fun, but I'd always be thinking when I got in that I could have had a nicer sports car than this.
TTS - Very practical and relatively refined, with huge boot space when the rear "seats" are down. Would probably feel the least special of the options though. This is likely to be one of the fastest cars, but it would actually feel like the slowest as there is little feedback from the car.
350Z - None of the Z cars would be my choice. They are GT cars through and through. Heavy, expensive to run, and very different driving experience to an MX5 for example. They have got decent boot space for a big road trip. Highest tax bracket just to keep it parked on the road.
S2K - Great fun and the best gear box in any car for the money. For a decent one though, this would be at the low end budget wise. I daily drove mine, so it's practical enough. A bigger and more refined MX5. Depending on the year you get, TAX is high. Very different driving experience though. You might be the kind of person who prefers an S2K or a 350Z as their sports car. To me, these are 2 poles of the spectrum in driving sensation.
GT86 - Great option. Still fun to drive and will be fun to push to the limit of the car. Not fast, but will feel fast. Practical with great boot space. Very easy to run as a daily. I'd want to spend money to mod one though, rather than leave it stock.
Cayman - If you can afford one, go for it. Easily best option of them all, but you'd be buying at the bottom end of the options. I'd look at a Booster also as an option.
Z4 Coupe - you'd get a decent one for £10K, they're quite rare to see (so it might take you a while to find the right one!). N52 is a great engine, assuming the water pump has been changed it should be pretty reliable. Really great looking cars, with a fantastic driving position and an oddly big boot! The engine is happy to rev out, but also has the torque to potter about in high gears quite easily.
I've previously had an S2000 and a TTS as well. The S2000 was brilliant to drive on a blast but annoying at motorway speeds. I'd be worried about rust at this point, as well as the geometry bushes being seized. The TTS was a super do it all, but probably not fun enough to have as a second interesting car. Just very composed, a bit devoid of feeling and overall a bit clinical. A totally different kettle of fish to the Z4 & S2000.
What's ropey about a 370Z? Probably the most reliable car on that list. I had one as a daily for 3 years and it was bulletproof. Built better than the 350 as well.
More interesting than all the others, sounds better, faster, and overall you can get more car for your money than the others. It'd be my choice.
I wouldn't get a convertible in the UK. RX-8, the maintenance is like any other car as long as you drive it regularly. Might look at Dodge Avenger, Hyundai Coupe, or a Subaru BRZ/Impreza. Old Mustangs are floating about for cheap if you can deal with left hookers. Mitsubishi Lancer's a rugged and reliable sporty car.
Honestly I'd cross the boxter/cayman off the list for that money they're likely to have issues if not develop some, and the maintenence/servicing costs along with insurance are going to be high, unless you work on it yourself but even then porsche parts aren't cheap think I paid ~200 for a used supposedly low mileage boxter/996 fuel pump and it was 400-600 new
Absolutely love my 350Z.
I got mine this year and it was £8k, which gets you a decent example. Unfortunately I don’t think you can get a decent S2000 for under £10k.
350Zs don’t have any particular maintenance costs, no common repairs, other than rust, which hopefully you can avoid when buying one. Very reliable cars. To be fair from your list only the Boxster is known for maintenance costs, the others are all fairly reliable cars.
Really good fun to drive, gearbox is fab to use, and they have a great soundtrack when you put your foot down.
Got to be a straight 6 Z4, the E85s are quite easy to work on if you're handy with tools and the whole setup is pretty reliable. Parts are cheap enough too and the community behind them means you'll always have someone willing to help you out.
350Z/370Z and Boxster/Cayman are going to have the highest maintenance costs. GT86 does everything an MX5 does but for more money, the MX5 is a bit of an uninspired choice though. TTS will do everything that you want, whether it puts a smile on your face whilst doing so is another thing. That leaves the MR2, S2000 and Z4. All are great, all are reasonable to run, and all will feel special as a weekend car. If it was my money I'd be looking at an S2000 or 3.0 Z4 out of those, or blowing the bank with a 370Z or Cayman. Edit: I'll throw in a wildcard, if you could find a reasonably unmolested manual 300ZX in that price range it'd be cool and an appreciating asset.
VX220
Boxster. In this price range it’s always Boxster.
It’s going to be a 987.1 for this price. Go look at forums/facebook/reddit on the amount of money people spend on these things at this age, everything needs a refresh, which costs many thousands. Fairly simple things can throw £500 bills. You need to go in with your eyes open. I’ve been templated to get one, and have been scared off by the costs I’ve been reading about.
It can be scary, but it’s not horrific - I have a 987.1 Cayman. I have a higher mileage example, so things have already been replaced as time goes on. Consumables aren’t dreadfully expensive, although you’ll naturally want better tyres and to take it to a reputable specialist for a service. Oddly, the insurance is relatively low and they hold their value well. My logic is that whilst the maintenance will be moderately higher than a run of the mill car, the lower depreciation balances the cost of ownership.
E92 335i. Budget would get you a great example, very fast, sound good, very well built and there is an enormous aftermarket upgrade support.
Having owned a used e92 335i that thankfully came with BMW warranty, I know first hand they are not very reliable. They are however, very fast and sound great.
I had one for a couple of years and it never missed a beat. Even with a remap.
Or for something a bit more fun, an e82 135i coupe, maybe even a 125i. Smaller, lighter and more fun to drive out of the box. A later one will have the n54 too so less mechanical worries with the turbos. Edit: n55 not n54
N55 is the less troublesome twin scroll single turbo unit, N54 is the earlier twin turbo.
Yep you’re right, thanks!
I’ve had the 335i. It’s not that sporty, but it is fast. Wouldn’t spend £10k on one, I bought an 8 year old one for £6.8k back in 2014… to spend £10k today on a 12 year old one is nuts.
OP could wisely consider spending less than his entire budget.
Can get a good 350 for under 10k, that'd be my vote. Although I am a bit biased, as I recently picked up one myself. They won't be super cheap to run due to age and rarity and thirstiness, but they're considered to be pretty reliable, and definitely are fun, cool and fast. Insurance will depend on your personal circumstances, and if you can find a completely stock car. I probably wouldn't go for a 10k 370, it'd likely be an early one with super high miles and/or questionable history. Although if you do go that route, one thing to be aware of is 370's until late 2012/2013 suffered from the same oil gallery gasket issue as the HR 350's. However Nissan removed the oil pressure gauge in the 370 so you can't actually tell if your gaskets are going unless you connect a gauge yourself. I'm not as familiar with the others on your list, although I looked at GT86's before buying the 350, and couldn't find many I'd want for below 10k
Being a Renault Sport fan myself and thoroughly enjoying the revvy engine note and how they handle on our roads, Clio RS Cup as a choice.
How reliable are the sport Renaults? I really like the look of newer Renaults but I don't want a ticking bomb in my hands.
I didn’t have anything major issues-wise, but it being French you know that won’t be the case for everyone. However, saying that I absolutely love ‘hot’ French cars. They just get it. Not over-the-top with power and great fun on A-roads. Personally, I never warmed to the newer models when they switched to the Turbo / Paddle Shift. Not my thing, and I feel that setup took away a lot of the fun you got from previous models. We had an FN2 Type R, and as brilliant as that new car obviously is, I’m not sure I’d want to really own one. for me there was no better feeling than being high up in VTEC range. Those earlier Clios have that same feeling. Rev the bollocks off it. (P.S - I’m not a yobbo)
Z4 is my daily and love it genuine smile on my face any time I get to drive it, I have the 3.0l and great sound, which can be improved even further with custom exhaust if wanted to. Roof going down whenever suns out is always a lot of fun, first car I’ve owned where I get regular compliments from people (although I have it in yellow which I think helps with that). Also do regular long trips in it 400+ miles in a day there and back combined and always have felt very comfortable doing so. For reference I’m 6’3 and overweight but still fit easily in there. Only advice is to get one with iDrive installed already, the box to make it CarPlay or android is only £150 and pretty simple to install. Without iDrive it has a small sunglasses cupboard and installing the full screen +iDrive thing is about £800 and I believe a lot more complicated.
MX5 - Great option, limited luggage. Obvious choice though and not the most refined for long distances. Z4 - most well rounded of the cars you've chosen. Higher maintenance costs though and not a easy to push to the limit as MX5 or GT86. Would have to be the 3.0 for me though. MR2 - Cheap and still fun, but I'd always be thinking when I got in that I could have had a nicer sports car than this. TTS - Very practical and relatively refined, with huge boot space when the rear "seats" are down. Would probably feel the least special of the options though. This is likely to be one of the fastest cars, but it would actually feel like the slowest as there is little feedback from the car. 350Z - None of the Z cars would be my choice. They are GT cars through and through. Heavy, expensive to run, and very different driving experience to an MX5 for example. They have got decent boot space for a big road trip. Highest tax bracket just to keep it parked on the road. S2K - Great fun and the best gear box in any car for the money. For a decent one though, this would be at the low end budget wise. I daily drove mine, so it's practical enough. A bigger and more refined MX5. Depending on the year you get, TAX is high. Very different driving experience though. You might be the kind of person who prefers an S2K or a 350Z as their sports car. To me, these are 2 poles of the spectrum in driving sensation. GT86 - Great option. Still fun to drive and will be fun to push to the limit of the car. Not fast, but will feel fast. Practical with great boot space. Very easy to run as a daily. I'd want to spend money to mod one though, rather than leave it stock. Cayman - If you can afford one, go for it. Easily best option of them all, but you'd be buying at the bottom end of the options. I'd look at a Booster also as an option.
Z4 Coupe - you'd get a decent one for £10K, they're quite rare to see (so it might take you a while to find the right one!). N52 is a great engine, assuming the water pump has been changed it should be pretty reliable. Really great looking cars, with a fantastic driving position and an oddly big boot! The engine is happy to rev out, but also has the torque to potter about in high gears quite easily. I've previously had an S2000 and a TTS as well. The S2000 was brilliant to drive on a blast but annoying at motorway speeds. I'd be worried about rust at this point, as well as the geometry bushes being seized. The TTS was a super do it all, but probably not fun enough to have as a second interesting car. Just very composed, a bit devoid of feeling and overall a bit clinical. A totally different kettle of fish to the Z4 & S2000.
Considered a Honda Integra Type R DC5? I have one as well an MX5 and GT86. It’s my favourite of the three despite being FWD.
I’d wait 6 months and see if you still want a toy
What's ropey about a 370Z? Probably the most reliable car on that list. I had one as a daily for 3 years and it was bulletproof. Built better than the 350 as well. More interesting than all the others, sounds better, faster, and overall you can get more car for your money than the others. It'd be my choice.
135i
335i or Megan RS
I wouldn't get a convertible in the UK. RX-8, the maintenance is like any other car as long as you drive it regularly. Might look at Dodge Avenger, Hyundai Coupe, or a Subaru BRZ/Impreza. Old Mustangs are floating about for cheap if you can deal with left hookers. Mitsubishi Lancer's a rugged and reliable sporty car.
This response absolutely fascinates me.
I feel like I’m dreaming reading it. A dodge avenger?
I'm sorry, what?
Honestly I'd cross the boxter/cayman off the list for that money they're likely to have issues if not develop some, and the maintenence/servicing costs along with insurance are going to be high, unless you work on it yourself but even then porsche parts aren't cheap think I paid ~200 for a used supposedly low mileage boxter/996 fuel pump and it was 400-600 new
Absolutely love my 350Z. I got mine this year and it was £8k, which gets you a decent example. Unfortunately I don’t think you can get a decent S2000 for under £10k. 350Zs don’t have any particular maintenance costs, no common repairs, other than rust, which hopefully you can avoid when buying one. Very reliable cars. To be fair from your list only the Boxster is known for maintenance costs, the others are all fairly reliable cars. Really good fun to drive, gearbox is fab to use, and they have a great soundtrack when you put your foot down.
Boxsters are good but I think they're really ugly cars. A TTS is a lovely looking car and can be quite fun.
Honda civic type R EP3, Subaru Impreza WRX
Got to be a straight 6 Z4, the E85s are quite easy to work on if you're handy with tools and the whole setup is pretty reliable. Parts are cheap enough too and the community behind them means you'll always have someone willing to help you out.