[moonshine]

OK, I'm having trouble persuading Mrs Moonshine that I should buy a sports car
I've currently got a 2016 Merc S205 C250d estate Premium Plus Pack with 30k on the clock.... Very functional, but not exactly inspiring to drive!
The problem is the company pay for this and I need to keep below 130gCO2/km to keep the car allowance., plus dog means the estate has to stay.

Mrs Moonshine has a 2019 F56 Mini Cooper S and we have a Ducato Campervan. All vehicles are bought and paid for. No mortgage.

I'm struggling with justifying 4 vehicles between the two of us, especially since we have driven the square root of FA in the last 18 months!

I don't have a garage (but do have a driveway)

I'm looking for a recommendation for a petrol sports car, sub 20k( got cash), maybe convertible.

I could afford more. Was (am) looking at 981 Cayman / Boxters) but they are priced that I would probably need to sell the MB)

I've previously had a F31 335d, E89 Z4, mk 3.5 MX5, looking for some petrol throttle response and would like a lovely noise (v8?)

Suggestions please!!!

[isleaiw1]

I am with Mrs M, 4 cars is ridiculous when there are only 2 of you. The Merc seems the one that is not needed, you can get a dog in an F56 mini or campervan. Is the Mini below the CO2 emissions limit so you could claim that as your complying motor.

Then get a Cayman 4.0 GTS. YOLO.

[JustChris]

The real answer is obviously MX5 but not sure that's off the list?

Cayman GTS 4.0 is that for the options an deposit 🤔

[NotGotABimmer23]

Z4 35is is within ur budget, I'd probably go for that if the Porsches are too expensive.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by JustChris

The real answer is obviously MX5 but not sure that's off the list?

Cayman GTS 4.0 is that for the options an deposit ��

I was selling the Merc (current market bonkers pricing) and added a bit for forum creep....

Alternatively swap the Mini for a JCW convertible and have great fun in the wife's car.... and give her the diesel Merc!

PS I'm actually more interested in the campervan....

[moonshine]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

I am with Mrs M, 4 cars is ridiculous when there are only 2 of you. The Merc seems the one that is not needed, you can get a dog in an F56 mini or campervan. Is the Mini below the CO2 emissions limit so you could claim that as your complying motor.

Then get a Cayman 4.0 GTS. YOLO.

Ha! No the MCS is >130gCO2, so no dice plus Mrs M needs an Auto due to Post chemo neuropathy

I know 4 vehicles is overkill. It's no fun being sensible!!!

[moonshine]

Originally Posted by kylemacca01

Z4 35is is within ur budget, I'd probably go for that if the Porsches are too expensive.

I've had a E89 Z4, albeit a lowly 2.3l IL6, But with awesome spec.. 35i would be a great engine

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by moonshine

Ha! No the MCS is >130gCO2, so no dice plus Mrs M needs an Auto due to Post chemo neuropathy

I know 4 vehicles is overkill. It's no fun being sensible!!!

Ok so merc in for the Cayman GTS and then swap Mrs car for one that qualifies under the scheme - maybe the electric one and your conscience will be clear when you drive the Porsche?

Caterham 7 160 dips below 130 g/km, by the way....

[Tengocity]

You wouldn't have 4 cars. You'd have a 3 cars and a van.

How about you get rid of the Mini and buy a 981 Boxster with pdk, amd the wife can use that?

[moonshine]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

I was selling the Merc (current market bonkers pricing) and added a bit for forum creep....

Alternatively swap the Mini for a JCW convertible and have great fun in the wife's car.... and give her the diesel Merc!

PS I'm actually more interested in the campervan....

Here is "Tess" our campervan, self imported new from Germany in Jan 17, (full UK spec, RHD) 18k Miles in her

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by moonshine

I've had a E89 Z4, albeit a lowly 2.3l IL6, But with awesome spec.. 35i would be a great engine

We also had an E89 Z4, but the 3 litre one. Loved it once I got rid of the run flats, and thought it was a much better car than the reviews would have you believe.

[moonshine]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Ok so merc in for the Cayman GTS and then swap Mrs car for one that qualifies under the scheme - maybe the electric one and your conscience will be clear when you drive the Porsche?

Caterham 7 160 dips below 130 g/km, by the way....

Mrs M loves her Mini, and no garage for a Caterham 😢

[JustChris]

How about a Z4M? Aka bread van. RSV Chester have one for for this kind budget.

[moonshine]

Originally Posted by JustChris

The real answer is obviously MX5 but not sure that's off the list?

Cayman GTS 4.0 is that for the options an deposit 🤔

Had an MX5, great fun.
Neighbour has had a Mk3 MX5 since new as a toy ( he has a SQ5 as his Daily Driver, and he chopped in the MX5 this week for an Arbarth 124, which sounds lovely... But cannot go there for obvs reasons!

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by moonshine

Here is "Tess" our campervan, self imported new from Germany in Jan 17, (full UK spec, RHD) 18k Miles in her

Just use that more and stuff another car.

Trying to convince myself that when I get two extra parking spaces next year (and a few extra rooms for me...) I might get one of those for me and the dog... when you do hotels for a living sometimes the simple life appeals

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

.... 4 cars is ridiculous when there are only 2 of you.........

Shhh, don't let Tengo hear you say that.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Shhh, don't let Tengo hear you say that.

He only has 3. I was talking to myself, I have three (although one is off road and being saved for a project, one day...) and daughter and son in law have one each so 5 at our house, and I want a camper....

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

He only has 3. I was talking to myself, I have three (although one is off road and being saved for a project, one day...) and daughter and son in law have one each so 5 at our house, and I want a camper....

Oh, I thought he has a 340i, 335d, M4 and the Porsche! Or maybe he's selling one and getting the other.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Oh, I thought he has a 340i, 335d, M4 and the Porsche! Or maybe he's selling one and getting the other.

We don't have the 335d back yet, probably mid August. The M4 will be sold around then, so it will just be 3 cars.
I'd love to have more than 3 but I wouldn't really have the space or time to look after them properly, or use them all. Perhaps once I'm retired!

[Bryans69]

In a slightly similar situation, although no car allowance / co2 to take into account. The 540 was supposed to be the long term keeper, but the California has replaced that role. We don't have a dog, but two kids, and can 'manage' with just one car.

The California is a bit smaller than your van, and can be used as daily, so the 540 has gone, thanks to silly prices at the moment. Plan is the have the van for long journeys, smaller something as a run about, then sports car as number three (forgetting the MGB in the garage, in a million pieces)

I picked up an MGF last week for under £1k which will be used as a runabout for now, and once the second hand market calms down, probably going for a MK 7.5 Golf R, and then eventually replace the MGF with a V8 Vantage.

Maybe you could swap mini and merc for a Golf GTE or similar, then spend the rest on a sports car? Boxster / Cayman the obvious choice, but for me, having had one, wouldn't do it again. Great cars, but never had that 'special' feeling.

Enough for an Emira?

[JustChris]

PS5
Man Cave
Driving Rig

£12k including new outdoor home pod

[Misschief]

S2000? Might be difficult top get a good one now though. TVR? Elise?