I need to replace my S at some point this year, and aside from buying another S2000 (which it may well come down to in the end) I do have an opportunity to buy something a bit different for a change.

Had an S for almost 10 years, and only drove dull stuff before then so very limited experience of anything else.

Budget is 10-25 (maybe 30)k.

I will only do 2-3k miles pa, 5 at the most once I get the car.

2 seater is fine but ideally need reasonable out of sight luggage space.

Needs to at least keep up with a reasonably well driven S2000 on twisty, bumpy, sometimes poorly surfaced, unclassified and B roads.

Needs to be as fun (preferably more so) and as nimble as the S on the above roads, but (preferably) just as forgiving.

Bits must not fall off after doing the above sorts of roads periodically, and practical ground clearance will also need to be comparable to the S.

Doesn't have to be a soft-top of any kind.

Willing to deal with potentially large repair bills for older stuff provided offset to some extent by lower depreciation when compared to the modern stuff.

Ideally unmolested.

I'd be more interested to hear from anyone who has driven some of the stuff listed below (or close experience of) and can draw a comparison with the S (I know they will be vastly different in many cases, but the Honda is the only benchmark I have).

In no particular order:

Cayman
Cayman S
SLK 350 manual (rocking horse poo, but did see one locally recently)
911 (no idea of variant as so many, but always wanted one of some kind)
968
Original Audi Quattro
Esprit
Noble M12
Europa
Evora (out of budget at the moment though it appears)

Curious about TVR but I have never looked at the range much at all so unsure.
NSX so rare I doubt I would find a decent unmolested one.
Evo is left field choice, but always quite fancied one.

Discounted BMWs, Elise/Exige, Datsuns, TT already.

Any others I might have not considered?

 

none of the mention named are compareable to datsun GTR. There is one by the way forsale at 28-29k in Black with under 14k miles. For that spec and price I wouldn't even look at the rest

 

Sounds unreasonably cheap - GTR is not what I am looking for though.

 

Buying a GTR is one thing ... I think the servicing and on costs are another ...

 

Noble m12
Think sports bike exhileration but strip out the comfort and practicality and you are about there...
Electrics arnt good either.

 

out of interest, why?

 

R34 GTR skyline, less running costs then the new gtr with just as much performance and amazing looks

Some amazing examples out there ATM
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3306022.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3530106.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3465530.htm

Audi RS4 4 door with a big high revving V8, plenty out there so no need to post links,

BMW E46 M3 (possibly a CSL if budget allows)

Noble M12 is a great call, my friend had one with m400 turbo's and a titanium exhaust, god it was fast

 

Your answer lies in your subconscious.

 

I'm not a huge fan of the looks of the old Skyline, although appreciate the "bang for the buck". The "bang" might also be overkill for my purposes, and I'd want an unmolested car which seems to rule out most old Skylines I have seen - multitude of variances from the basic car just makes the buying process more complicated.

I'd rather something a bit different to look at on the drive, and for me an A4 or 3 series BMW are not that (however quick and good to drive they are).

It's more the handling of the Noble that would appeal - I wasn't aware they were that quick until I started doing some research - not likely to be easy to get a proper look at them though and I have only ever seen one in the flesh.

 

BBR Cosworth MX5 - everyone who has driven one seems to rave about it.

http://pistonheads.c...p?c=170&i=22960

or

http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=47&i=22923

I think you'll struggle to find something as much fun as either of those for the money.