If you're looking at a GT86 ... what about one of those new Ginetta things or for that matter, one of the GTM Libra things with a silly V6 in it. So much choice for the budget you have.


Why not spend a year renting whatever you fancy for a weekend here and there, if nothing else you'll have a laugh and probably not loose too much money overall and maybe find the car you really want to own next.

 

3 letters NSX

 

I can appreciate your sentiments. I don't like the looks of the Roadster, but to my eyes the Coupe looks like a very different car.

I also seriously thought about a TVR T350 targa. But as i use my car for daily driving the potential unreliability aspect put me off.

Otherwise its a stunning car.

 

TVRs are quick in a straight line, but even the most modern weren't that great handlers. Fun, in an 'eyeballs in the back of your skull' kind of way, but not a sophisticated driving machine and to me, the opposite of what you're looking for.

You seem to want a car that you can enjoy driving on Highland roads, unless you enjoy slow corners, big acceleration and hard on the brakes (which doesn't make for a relaxing drive) then I would suggest something with more finesse. There's no doubting a TVR is an event, but of the several I've driven, the novelty wears off pretty quickly.
They also do better if they're used regularly, the failure rate is in some respects down to the fact that a lot are used only occasionally and they don't respond well to long periods of inactivity, that given, the pre-speed 6 cars are relatively easy to work on, and a lot has been done to make the speed 6 engines a bit more reliable than they were when they came from the factory (like swapping them for an LS engine
If I were you I'd find one and try it.

 

At that mileage and on the roads you're talking about don't worry about left hand drive and buy one of these:

Walkers Garage a true icon...

 

Aston I think is stretching the budget a bit, and you are right about the practicality of the 340R (sadly )

The problem with 911s is where on earth to start - within my budget range there are hundreds of options - how do you decide what variant you want?

 

Easy, don't !

 

Mmmm - I certainly don't want something that is wearing to drive at speed for long periods on small highland roads - difficult to get much of an idea without spending an hour doing these kinds of roads which is not an option for test drives. As you say though, worth trying - there seems to be a good specialist in Dundee so no harm in me having a chat with them sometime.

 

Lovely, but I'd hate to ruin one by taking it through a scottish winter - there can't be many decent ones left.

Is this not the sort of classic that is growing in value and me not looking after it especially well plus putting on a few k miles a year will negate (as well as be high cost in normal maintenance)?

 

Knowing the sort of roads and locations that you like to drive I would avoid anything that has a reputation of being fragile. I wouldn't want to break down on some of those roads.

From the cars you initially listed I would have thought the Cayman (or S) would be a good compromise of fun, performance and getting home.

You always have the bike if you need to get somewhere in a hurry.