Mmmmmm... very interesting. May need to have a closer look at a standard MX5 to see how it measures up, horses aside.

 

If it was my money ... i'd go for the new shape but with the folding hard top. Best of both worlds, Suzybee has one ( a standard one) and had a Turbo 1.6 Mk1 before that as well as still having an S2000 so she'd be very well placed to comment. You'd lose the cost of either in depreciation in 2 years on a new 40k + car ... and i'm not sure you'd get more enjoyment given what you seem to be asking for?

 

Maybe worth waiting for the GT-86 to come out?

 

TVR is an itch I would like to scratch and with your budget and requirement, possibly something like this

http://www.racinggre...ed-Six/4456.htm or http://www.racinggre...d-Six-/4448.htm

or

this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3063552.htm

or

http://www.pistonhea...les/3480713.htm

 

Given the anticipated light mileage, albeit it will be driven on Highland roads, why not just give in to your inner pipe and slippers and get yourself something historical?

The search and buying process will have to be more thorough, but why not a restored classic like either of these TR6s? £11,990p or £17,995)



Or you could even pester the bearded one for some advice and delve into the world of Stags.



I suspect like me you have neither the workshop facilities or indeed the inclination to indulge in serious DIY servicing and maintenance, which limits you to a restored car. It's just a case of paying the right price for the right car and accepting that the seller has trousered a bob or two.

If I had your budget, I'd go for something with plenty of character and a burbly exhaust and then head off and enjoy the admiring looks and waves from my fellow, discerning, Highland hooners ...

 

kind of what I was getting at

 

If you're after a modern car, this would seem to be a good bet.

I have a Mk 1 MX5 for Dales driving (Highlands lite ) and it ticks the boxes you seem to want ticked - cheap too. Newer MX5s seem like a good idea too, but I don't have a lot of experience so I can't comment.

 

Yeah, MX-5 = stupid money for the car. And unlike most other classics, it's not a shonky drive.

Or the BRZ next year if you want a new one and are prepared to take the risk with FREDs.

Most other cars seem pointless.

 

You say you've discounted anything BMW, but i had a similar dilemma and someone on here suggested a BMW Z4M coupe.

I looked at one, drove one and bought one shortly after.

As a S2000 replacement/upgrade it has proved to be an excellent choice and i'm very pleased with it. It fulfils pretty much all of your criteria.

BMW didn't make many (~800) so there aren't that many around. I've yet to see another on the roads.

If you're interested, i can elaborate on why i like it. But no point if you've written off anything BMW

 

TVR is tempting, but I always imagined they might be overly brutal and lack the finesse of some of the other cars mentioned above - happy if someone can confirm otherwise though.

I have definitely given the classic option serious consideration, but I have more fun driving in company with others, and none of them have pulled on their slippers (yet....). The car also has to be used all year round, particularly when the bike is off the road in the winter due to snow and ice - I couldn't buy a decent classic and then subject it to a scottish winter. Modern stuff I am not bothered about in this respect.

GT-86 yes, I should have added that to the list before, depending on if it arrives in time - will certainly be testing it anyway.

The reason for the Z4M Coupe being off the list is the looks - it's a personal opinion, and my views are not always conventional (I would have put an Alfa SZ at the top of my list had it been available in RHD ............. ), but unfortunately it is enough to put me off having one sitting on the drive.