[Wills2]

Budget creep but the DBS Superleggera are around £130k now huge pace and would make a fantastic car for a European jaunt.

[DaveA]

Late to the party as I am only an “occasional” nowadays…

I’d have thought the main consideration for anything esoteric is not really the buying costs, but the annual running costs… Plenty of these sorts of cars will rack up big (some huge) annual bills for maintenance and whatnot even if you are only doing a few thousand miles per year… or less…

Also, watch out for the cost of parts that you will need but cannot now actually readily buy… A set of OEM ceramic brakes for that McLaren Mercedes thing from a few years ago could be £100/200k now…

(and, no, I did not mistype that…they’d now have to make them specially for you…)…

I know if I had a chunk of money right now I’d be looking for a pre 2011 GT3 of some sort but I’d not be looking for one with ceramic brakes … Ideally a 997.2 GT3 RS (white with red wheels.decals)… but that’s likely more than £100k…

I would not care in the slightest if some considered it not to be a supercar, it’ll still probably outdrive just about all of them anyway… and probably hold its value unless you pile on a shed load of miles…

Why the 997 Gen 2..? The last of the Hans Metzger engine line that was derived from the original GT1 engines from ’97… designed and built strong for racing… Things changed next model onwards (IIRC)

[Pond]

Interesting replies, so thanks all.

One suggestion that got me thinking (which I hadn't thought about) was the Lotus Emira V6.

It looks like a supercar, it's very new and it's got some pedigree. It's also £30k under the magic 'ton'. Toyota engine, which will be reliable. Servicing wouldn't be as much as the 'exotics'.

[XAlp]

Personally I think the Emiras look rather brilliant.
Probably for me the racing green with a saddle interior, please…

[XAlp]

Too left field?

https://www.pistonheads.com//buy/listing/16393163

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by XAlp

Personally I think the Emiras look rather brilliant.
Probably for me the racing green with a saddle interior, please…

Have to say, I'd agree... Is the V6 better than the 2.0 heavily blown 4 though? I know Petrol Ped has a manual V6 on long term loan so he can compare against his Boxster GTS....

[Pond]

Originally Posted by XAlp

Personally I think the Emiras look rather brilliant.
Probably for me the racing green

I am not usually a fan of green cars but as it's dark and the car is 'British' then it does look good IMO.
I have a soft spot for 'pretty' cars with pretty lines. The Emira, to me, is a very pretty car.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Pond

I am not usually a fan of green cars but as it's dark and the car is 'British' then it does look good IMO.

Looks like a british supercar to me... That and an Eletre would be quite the garage...

Although I am quite happy with my ICE / EV combo...

[Pond]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Have to say, I'd agree... Is the V6 better than the 2.0 heavily blown 4 though?

Yes, as the Merc 4 pot only comes in a stupid auto. I would want a manual; a Lotus should be a manual (even though the gearstick is the ugliest thing about the car).

[Pond]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Looks like a british supercar to me... That and an Eletre would be quite the garage...

Although I am quite happy with my ICE / EV combo...

In one review I read earlier, it said if you asked anybody how much that car was, they would pretty much universally say £150k plus. I would agree if I didn't know.

It's almost new and is half that!

[Pond]

Originally Posted by XAlp

Too left field?

https://www.pistonheads.com//buy/listing/16393163

Yes much too left field!

I can't see where the £110K price tag is in that. It has a Ford Ecoboost engine (from the ST Focus/ Mustang). I have had that engine before in a Focus and it was not the best TBH.

It has no windscreen and no bodywork. I am in my late 50s, I need a windscreen as a minimum.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Pond

Yes, as the Merc 4 pot only comes in a stupid auto. I would want a manual; a Lotus should be a manual (even though the gearstick is the ugliest thing about the car).

Hadnt realised that. Then yes, V6 manual. Us oldies need to relive our youth with a gearstick (even if its ugly..)

[Wills2]

I think the Lotus is a good shout, I've seen two on the road recently a black one and a deep red and both looked every inch their money (and more) very supercar scaled down by 20% if you like.

Harry M rates his, FWIW there are a few going through trade sales from Lotus direct into the trade @ mid 50's so there is a bit of spread on the asks you see vs bids so I'd keep that in mind when buying one (a deal to be done)

V6 manual has to be the choice, I like the open gate lever myself adds a bit of theatre, a tan interior plus the colour of your preference would be smashing.

[JD6]

The Emira does look great. I’d also be going for a V6 manual in green and tan.

The fact that it doesn’t have supercar pace makes very little difference on the road. In many ways it’s nicer to be able to use most of its power, rather than driving a 700hp car at 4 tenths.

[XAlp]

Minor thing but I think I prefer less shouty brake callipers
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401235813007

[un1eash]

Always wanted to own a yellow car at some point so Hethel Yellow Emira for me.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by XAlp

Minor thing but I think I prefer less shouty brake callipers
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401235813007

That's the car, lovely spec but as a private sale he's dreaming at that price.

[gangzoom]

Originally Posted by Wills2

That's the car, lovely spec but as a private sale he's dreaming at that price.

1400 miles in a year of ownership, I've done more miles last month alone. Its almost a shame having such a nice car but to never drive it....but I suppose I can say the same for some of my pedal bikes .

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Wills2

I think the Lotus is a good shout, I've seen two on the road recently a black one and a deep red and both looked every inch their money (and more) very supercar scaled down by 20% if you like.

Harry M rates his, FWIW there are a few going through trade sales from Lotus direct into the trade @ mid 50's so there is a bit of spread on the asks you see vs bids so I'd keep that in mind when buying one (a deal to be done)

V6 manual has to be the choice, I like the open gate lever myself adds a bit of theatre, a tan interior plus the colour of your preference would be smashing.

The deep red with tan interior does it for me....and I can live with shouty or non shouty brakes!

[boba-fett]

As many as people are saying yeah get one, good shout, I will say come to your senses. How many people do you know have one or have bought one in the past over other offerings? Its easy when its someone else's money.

They are better than they used to be for sure, but for me they are still and overpriced kit car, pulling on the older British heart strings and you have to be a die hard fan to join!

[un1eash]

Originally Posted by gangzoom

1400 miles in a year of ownership, I've done more miles last month alone. Its almost a shame having such a nice car but to never drive it....but I suppose I can say the same for some of my pedal bikes .

This is the very reason I don't have another Elise sat in the garage, I did 1400 miles in the daily last year. If I had a weekend toy that would be even less and I wouldn't find much time to drive the Elise.

[Wills2]

Harry's 4500 mile review, he knows his onions and compares it to a GT3 touring and Roma high praise indeed.

This thread has got me thinking about my next car I can't get a sports car as I can't afford to run more than 2 cars but I've started thinking about getting back in an M car again and the F82 M4CS appeals they were silly money when new but now look better value.