Time for a Change

Road Trip

Member
Lancashire
After 5 great years my S2000 was replaced in 2008 with a BMW M Roadster; my first BMW after nearly 25yrs of driving. I’ve had the MR for just over 3yrs now, how time flies, and, like most petrolheads, have been thinking about what my next car might be for the past 12 months or so. Not that there anything wrong with the MR, it’s a fantastic car, the best I have ever owned and, this in itself makes the decision to change all the more difficult. A back to basics rear drive roadster with minimal driver aids and a multi award winning 340bhp, normally aspirated, straight six; what’s not to like. It also has all the luxuries like nav, cruise, heated seats, Bluetooth, etc. In the time I’ve had it I’ve had no problems whatsoever and covered 35k miles. The car is a weekend toy and is not used for commuting. My own “personalisation” consisted of fitting gloss black 18” E46 M3 alloys, black grills and a dirty great black stripe, right down the middle of the car. I love the look and it certainly turns heads wherever it goes.

I have always longed for a V8 and, my dream car is a Ferrari. Unfortunately, my finances don’t stretch to such heights, so the 430 was not an option, and other Ferrari models were too old/fragile for my needs. After looking at what alternatives were available for about £40k, I narrowed it down to 3 cars that I liked and would consider owning -

AMV8V
Jag XKR 4.2 Coupe
E92 M3 Coupe

In these uncertain economic times buying a V8 is probably not the wisest decision but, I figured if I don’t do it now, I probably never will.

Today I came a little closer to living the V8 dream :) .
 
gutted to see you leaving the z club but stick on the forum whatever you get- your pictures always inspire me to go on a roadtrip! Good luck with the search!
And :thumbsup: to aston
 
Z4_in_Norway said:
carl said:
I'm starting to think in the direction of Audi R8s...
Good choice! :wink:

OP, from your list I would definitely go for the AM. It's a beautiful car, one of the nicest in my opinion!
Problem is that I'd feel short-changed by a V8 and the V10s are $$$$ (or ££££ here).
 
carl said:
Z4_in_Norway said:
carl said:
I'm starting to think in the direction of Audi R8s...
Good choice! :wink:

OP, from your list I would definitely go for the AM. It's a beautiful car, one of the nicest in my opinion!
Problem is that I'd feel short-changed by a V8 and the V10s are $$$$ (or ££££ here).
There is a lot of power in the V8, trust me. I have never felt I need more! Worst case, slap a SC on it and beat all the V10s out there. ;-)
Also, sound is better in the V8 . :-D
 
R8 V8 is over OP's budget by about £15k

Whilst not a V8 OP have you considered a 996 GT3 or 996T or Nissan GTR, or if must be V8 C63AMG (those do sound v good)
 
Thanks for the responses folks.

Here's a bit more info for you

I have driven the E92 M3 before for about 6 laps, on a driving experience at Oulton Park. That car was DCT, which I had never used before, and didn't get on too well with it. I also thought the car felt big, heavy and understeery. Overall, quite disappointed.

I called at my local AM dealer and had a look around. They didn't have any cars in my budget but took my details and said they would contact me should something in my price range become available. A week or so later I was sniffing around the classifieds and noticed they had several cars I might be interested in; I'm still waiting for their call. To be honest I felt like a bit of a pauper in there, so maybe they felt I wasn't worthy of one of their cars? I certainly wasn't ringing them.

I found a lovely XKR in (off) white which I took for a test drive. A really nice car that sounded the business but, the experience of the car felt a bit lazy for me; the engine, the gearbox, etc. Kathryn also said I wasn't old enough for a Jag.

My criteria are -

Main dealer purchase
Warranty
PX my car
Cruise control (std on Jag and M3)
No dull/boring colours
2007 model or newer

I can honestly say I have no interest in "badges", unless it's a prancing horse. The vast majority of the decision will be made on the driving experience.
 
I think you need to take a GTR out for a drive... Forget all the media rubbish about it being a Nissan and how it's not a. Real drivers car as it does everything for you.... have a drive of one and make your own mind up :tu
 
Biscuits said:
I think you need to take a GTR out for a drive... Forget all the media rubbish about it being a Nissan and how it's not a. Real drivers car as it does everything for you.... have a drive of one and make your own mind up :tu

I second this....
 
daz05 said:
Biscuits said:
Real drivers car as it does everything for you....

Ermmmm!! :headbang:

Yeah great car though I would love one, running costs scare me though.
+1 I think your opinion on what makes a "driver's car" is contrary to most :?

I have had a hankering for a Noble lately...
 
playalistic said:
daz05 said:
Biscuits said:
Real drivers car as it does everything for you....

Ermmmm!! :headbang:

Yeah great car though I would love one, running costs scare me though.
+1 I think your opinion on what makes a "driver's car" is contrary to most :?

I have had a hankering for a Noble lately...

To be fair, if you both read Biscuit's post again you'll realise you've misunderstood him due to a rogue full stop! :wink:
 
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