Best ~£15K Sports Car?

[Quail]

We've decided to invest in a new fun car for the fleet, and have about £15K to get something. You may remember we were looking at 1 series coupes recently, but my GF now has a new job so this has opened up our options further.

We are now doing minimal miles, and have a practical car should we need it, so the requirements for this one are fairly relaxed!

We'd like to tick these boxes:

- Coupe - convertibles also accepted, but coupe is preferable
- Powerful - Looking for sub 6.5 to 60
- Young(ish) - Looking for modern bodystyles with sub 75K mileage
- RWD - Pushed from the rear is preferred. 4WD also considered
- Reliable - Although the car won't be doing many miles, we still want something dependable.

Although these specifications seem pretty relaxed, only a few obvious choices appear (and they're both good choices from what I can ascertain).

- BMW Z4 3.0i (E89) - Autotrader Example
- Porsche Cayman 3.4 S (987) - Autotrader Example

Would love some help on this one!

[Actual_Ben_Taylor]

Z4M Coupe

[Quail]

^ Also being considered, but was waiting to see if anyone would suggest it! Chris Harris interestingly doesn't like them at all, much preferring the E46 M3, but I still think they're worth a shot.

[ben8000]

Ask arry.

[Quail]

No 911s I'm afraid.

Balls are too small.

[Zeldoz]

Got to be M powered surely?

[Quail]

M Powered not a necessity. Still got Nissan for fun stuff (should be back on the road next year).

[Evilchap]

135i?

[ben8000]

Looking for a future classic, something that will appreciate in value?

[zeppelin101]

Caymans are truly wonderous things to drive.

[Quail]

135i?

I did some reading up on these, and have heard some reliability horror stories on the owners club. Saying that, they are nice little cars.

The Z4 35is was also a consideration, but auto only it seems

Looking for a future classic, something that will appreciate in value?

Not necessarily, but I do like holding on to cars for as long as feasibly possible. As such, future classics get bonus points.

Does Z4M Coupe fall in to this category I wonder?

[MattyGee]

Im in this situation too, now the SX has gone id like a convertible, currently considering 3.4l Boxster S's Vs Z4MR's - looking at a Boxster this weekend.

[Quail]

There seems to be tonnes of Boxster out there at this pricepoint. You should find something quite nice!

[pdh 14a]

Audi S5? won't climb in value,but will stay pretty stable!

[BLAKTOOTH]

Cayman S

[arry]

If it's going to be kept clean and relatively low miles then a 911 or Z4M you can't really go wrong with.

Admittedly it could be a seasonal bump but I couldn't buy my car again for the money I've paid for it. I'd need another 2K ish. If you think about what you'd lose in depreciation on a 135I versus the way classic car pricing is going it makes more man maths sense than you'd realise

[ben8000]

Does Z4M Coupe fall in to this category I wonder?

Personally I would say no. Whilst there are and have been many great BMs I would say only a small handful have achieved true classic status. Their owners will disagree but I think they fall into the same category as SXs. Whilst good and loved they just aren't special enough to a true classic. My opinion though.

[Quail]

Audi S5? won't climb in value,but will stay pretty stable!

Having driven these and being an Audi fan, I do like them, but Jo considers them too lardy. Fast Audis seem to have horrendous maintenance costs too.

If it's going to be kept clean and relatively low miles then a 911 or Z4M you can't really go wrong with.

Admittedly it could be a seasonal bump but I couldn't buy my car again for the money I've paid for it. I'd need another 2K ish. If you think about what you'd lose in depreciation on a 135I versus the way classic car pricing is going it makes more man maths sense than you'd realise

Personally I would say no. Whilst there are and have been many great BMs I would say only a small handful have achieved true classic status. Their owners will disagree but I think they fall into the same category as SXs. Whilst good and loved they just aren't special enough to a true classic. My opinion though.

To be honest, appreciation isn't a major concern, just an added bonus. If it stays steady, I'll be extremely happy. The SX isn't a collectors car, but good ones are staying pretty damn steady!

[pdh 14a]

That's fair enough

[Clint]

Had a spin in Docwra's 135i M-Sport recently and can report it is a fcuking anti-christ.

Fully forged engine stock, with 400+ bhp & 500+lb/ft I believe he said. Nice place to sit too.