Audi TT, any comments?

[MikeB]

What’s the budget, Graham?

[MikeB]

Toyota doing some promotion on the new GR86

https://www.toyota.co.uk/buy-online/gr8 ... mR8ihuMNfM

[911hillclimber]

Budget is really what the Boxster is worth, so about 12 to 13k...

[alastairp]

Have you considered a historic single seater?

https://nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/vehi ... -model-70/

[911hillclimber]

You obviously know how old I am!

As with all sports cars, I want one, but don't actually need one.
Have a single seater already, bit quicker than the carriage above!

[Gary71]

Budget is really what the Boxster is worth, so about 12 to 13k...

Which is top end for a MK2 and bottom end for a MK3. An annoying middle ground!

I went out looking for a 9k TTS and came back with a 6k 3.2. 3k to offset the tax and fuel

[alfacat]

FWIW if you really want a sports car (and it's as you say 'hard to justify') rather than a small two seat GT, then I'd suggest looking at an S2 (or latter) Elise.
After GM's involvement with the VX220/Opel Speedster build quality and reliability improved in 'leaps & bounds'.
With a hard top fitted they make a surprisingly useable proposition and with the exception of a Caterham there isn't a more rewarding car to drive on 'give & take' roads...
The negatives are, luggage space is not great (but better than you think) and getting in and out takes practice!
My choice would be the 135R but the S2 SC with the super charged Toyota engine and 6 speed box is a better handling usability compromise.

If your not convinced you could live with one don't drive one as they can be a little addictive!

All the best
Ian F.

[hot66]

Budget is really what the Boxster is worth, so about 12 to 13k...

To be honest, with that budget and without going full Classic your in the best sports car at that price point .

[Anta]

Not driven one since the older shape but a Z4M? Might just creep out of budget…… from memory decentish boot and engine….

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1584518

[911hillclimber]

We had a Z4 before the Boxster, the model after the above, not an M but M suspension.
Hated the whole car, the only car I've ever bought in my life without seeing or during first.
Ride was truly bad.
Lasted a full 5 months with it and p/x it against my Boxster at PCT in Coventry.

James is probably correct, my 987.2 is probably the best sports car in the price bracket, but there is a new problem every 2 to 3 months this year.
Tiring.

[Sam]

The GT86 is a really sweet little thing. Lots of storage space but really small on the road, definitely feels lighter to steer around than a Boxster. In a good way.

Loses on cylinder count and glamour but that means it’s cheaper to own and run.

[Hugo 356]

Thought about the GT85 but that flat 4 non turbo engine is not the best, had the 2 litre version in my old Legacey, what a boring engine.

The GT86 has 1/3 more power than the Legacy and weighs 1/5 less so could be worth a test drive

If that bores, sell the Boxster, drive the 911, use the funds to swap the Lola transaxle with someone building a 2wd backdate from a C4, engineer a solution to the gearbox being the wrong way round, whack a turbo on the twin plug engine, win Pikes Peak

[Disco]

Mind if I ask why you’re falling out of love with the booster please? Thinking about trying to find a decent example, that is post 2003 (ULEZ) so am interested in your views !

Disco

[911hillclimber]

Mods to the Lola? Not a cat in hell's chance.
TOOO much lavished on it recently in the £10,000 engine mods, it will stay as it is until I pack it all in.

Toyota
My petrol headded daughter tried one, an auto (!) some years back, did not gell with it all.
Now on here 5th MX5, punctuated by a short spell with a VW Up! Gti

However, still worth a look i agree.

Boxster?
Bought in 20016, a 987.2 2.9 2009 car @ 36K back then. Used as a daily driver by a lady.
Have done about 5 Eurotours, Scotland runs and much more, about 5K / year.
Great when working well!

Had a string of issues:
A/C radiators rotten, £400 DIY repair
Several cooling pipes at the front, rotten, and also a DIY affair to avoid the £800 bill quoted, £1200 at an OPC
White cold start smoke. Haunted me for 2 years, 2 AOS swaps (pain to do) and advised to drop the engine oil level (no dipstick) and this had 99% fixed it. Belches a cloud every now and then. Drove me nuts.
Front brakes, easy DIY but expensive.
2 sets of 19" tyres which may be the root of the current problem with the car. These are N rated, and expensive.
Exhaust bolts to car converters and other silencer bolts, had them done by indie Zuffenhaus, a real pain. Not cheap.
6 coil packs...
Lots of services at Zuffenhaus, great indie imho in south Birmingham. This has ensured it has a full service history.
Driver's window regulator failed one cold icy morning, DIY, £60 and a pain to do.

So, above is the bad stuff, and maybe what is expected.





The good bits are:
Fabulous flexible engine and 6 speed manual box, dare I say 35/36 mpg cruising.
Runs on E10 (!) every bit as good as E5. Done this for 3 years now after advice from one-who-knows.
Will swallow all luggage and junk needed for Euro tours with ease.
An absolute mile eater of a car with strong performance and docile in towns
Sounds fabulous at about 6500 and more.
Suspension totally silent, rare at this mileage which has just turned 80K yesterday while in Scotland.

My advice is to buy a second generation 987, you are free of IMS and seal worries, the 2.7/2.9 engines have no bore score issues, only the big engined Boxsters may suffer in S form.
Leather seats are very cold in winter, so heated option is good.

They are not particularly fast nowadays, EV's are a pain, but they are small on the road, steer really well and have nice progressive brakes.
Paint stone chips easy...

Hope this helps.

[Sam]

I’d say for 7 years of driving a 160mph car 35,000 miles all over Europe those repair bills are pretty bloody good.