Scottish Elises

I am counting down the days until my car is picked up by its new owner and taken from me forever however, this has obviously meant that I have been out window shopping for something new. Obviously I enjoyed the Elise and will be sad to see it go but I dont think I will be replacing it with another one at the moment. I think that when all is done need something a bit less brutal for motorway driving since work now has me out and about a bit.

My budget is 22.5K and I am looking for something 2 seats (maybe 4 at a push) that can be driven at the weekend as a bit of fun but still drive to manchester without me needing pysio at the other end of it.

My current thoughts are for a 2006/07 plate Cayman (not the S as I refuse to pay 435 on car tax...arrgghh). There seems to be loads around for the money I am looking to spend, but i thought I would bounce the idea up here (as so many before me) just to see if I have missed anything... Also if anyone has any views on the cayman I am really interested. I know its more detatched from the road and no where near as much fun as the elise was, but I think it ticks the boxes for me at this moment in time. Any thoughts welcome.

I think you may be disappointed with the performance of the Cayman. The two I've driven were lovely cars but felt no quicker than my Jag S Type.

The Cayman S is a much better proposition and £400 road tax is nothing compared to other running costs.

/2p

Dab

996 Carrera?
Europa?
SLK55 AMG?
SL55 AMG
XKR
M3
T350/Tamora
m5
m6

My wifes mint Boxster S is about to go up for sale? Cracking car, and I've hardly driven it

Dan,
Running costs are certainly something I guess I will have to live with. The Elise when all said and done costs almost nothing to run.

Thoughts on the below.

996 Carrera? - I did give this a lot of thought... but looking at 2002 for my money and I am worried of something going badly wrong..
Europa - Too close to the Elise. At least for the moment as I am sure I will be back.
SLK55 AMG? - Not a fan of Merc to be honest.. Not realy sure why, but just not me.
XKR - Did think about it.. but its the physical size of the beast that put me off.. too long for the garage...
M3 - If going to 3 series route I was thinking more the 335 coupe.. still not 100% off this idea. the wife prefers it as it comes with 4 seats.
T350/Tamora - Reliability worries... nice though.
m5 - Definately was on the list but took it off for some reason.. think it could be back on and will go have another poke about to see whats out there...
m6 - Prefer the M5

My mates has a new boxster s and I do like the way it pulls through the revs... Not sure if I want a soft top though. The cayman certainly gives you slightly more storage space though.

I'm going to disagree with Dab, I had a Cayman S and anytime I had the 2.7 courtesy car from the OPC it always made me think I had bought the wrong car. It felt sweeter, more 'right' and never underpowered. Unless you're chasing lap records on the Nordschleife I think the 2.7 is a sweeter road car.

Although on saying that, looking at Cayman v Boxster residuals, I'd save a few K and go for a Boxster. Slightly softer due to the less rigid chassis but you gain open top motoring and save a few k into the bargain.

If you go for a pre 06 plate S you will avoid the £400+ road tax but my money would be on a later 2.7 with the 245hp Cayman engine. And when you say "no where near as much fun as the elise was", I think if you run one for a couple of years you might revise that opinion.

Regards,

Jeremy

From what I have seen there is little difference in what you get for my money between a Boxster and a Cayman. From my limited knowledge it seems the boxster is cheaper to buy new but holds its money better.

SLk55 AMG is AWESOME!
I was close to buying one. Well put together and sounds terrific.

Z4M? Pick them up for £18k-£20k now...
Black with some CSL's....
Or Imola Red like mine?

Gareth wrote:Or Imola Red like mine?

I think that was the nicest car youve owned.

Yeah, kinda miss it Scotty.

Why did that one go Gareth? Quite like them myself, the Z3M Coupe is looking a little dated now.

Mike Scib wrote:Why did that one go Gareth? Quite like them myself, the Z3M Coupe is looking a little dated now.

Dash Rattle driving me bonkers.
£650 for a Insp 1, Insp 2 was £1k (servicing)
Rear seats.
Road Tax £420

I looked at the BMW Z4, also the 350Z... To be honest if the 370Z was in my price range then that would be a tough one up against the cayman...

BMW = Big Money Worries (I was once told)...

Gareth wrote:

Mike Scib wrote:Why did that one go Gareth? Quite like them myself, the Z3M Coupe is looking a little dated now.

Dash Rattle driving me bonkers.
£650 for a Insp 1, Insp 2 was £1k (servicing)
Rear seats.
Road Tax £420

LOL

That was a great car, loved it, but if those were the reasons for selling mate, you should stop going on about buying a V8V on the other thread. Those prices above are small tatties in comparison.

dlogan wrote:

Gareth wrote:

Mike Scib wrote:Why did that one go Gareth? Quite like them myself, the Z3M Coupe is looking a little dated now.

Dash Rattle driving me bonkers.
£650 for a Insp 1, Insp 2 was £1k (servicing)
Rear seats.
Road Tax £420

LOL

That was a great car, loved it, but if those were the reasons for selling mate, you should stop going on about buying a V8V on the other thread. Those prices above are small tatties in comparison.

I wasn't in love with it to spend that £.
V8V however...different story.....it will happen soon enough

Good good, look fwd to being able to make a comparison