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ot: which coupe?
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a car question, so if you've got high blood pressure, mark the thread
as read.
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You haven't even plumped for a new bike yet.
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oh, I have actually.
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I'd still like to slip her one. Dunno why, just would.
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Are you sure you can cope with this much decision making?
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yes. I've been on a course.
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Say you had around 15-20K to spend, and fancied a reasonably quick,
reasonably reliable non-convertible sporty coupe, which would you
choose from (in order of age you'd have to buy to get one at this
price):
Porsche 911 (964 model circa 1990)
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Hmm, prefer the 993 personally.
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Jaguar XK8 (98-99 approx.)
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Only if you've joined a golf club.
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Audi TT Coupe Quattro 3.2 V6 (99-01 approx.)
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I've driven the jag (both XK8 and XKR versions), and I don't think
they're very sporty. Only available with auto-boxes, I think, and tho
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well, I put "sporty" rather than "sportscar" for a reason.
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Oh - I had thought it odd that all the ones I'd looked at where Autos.
If there's no manual available that does rule it right out.
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If they ever were sold with a manual, I think almost no-one bought it,
so you'll have a real struggle to find one.
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billed as 'intelligent', they're not even as smart as Rope. And
they're a bit too big and heavy, too. Lovely cars, mind, and fast,
but not really sporty.
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Have you tried driving them?
I'm 6 foot and hated the boxster for comfort , presume the 911 will be
similar
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That's quite a presumption, what with them being utterly different
cars.
And I'm 5'11" and I thought the Boxster was just fine.
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The TT is similar, small & plastic
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heh....., methinks Darsy may need a booster seat then....
Sorry mate ;-)
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heh. I'm 5'7", I'll have you know...
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I thought the 3.2 DSG was a much newer model, around 04/05. Might be wrong
though.
Of the three, it'd be the Audi. But this is all theoretical anyway, right?
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or any other suggestions?
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Nissan 350Z? It's not bad.
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Toyota Soarer? I've been very happy with mine for the past six years.
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Are you a black gentleman, living in North Tottenham? - that's the
vehicle of choice for that demographic, AFAICS.
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Mazda RX8?
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I specfically want a 2 door. Anyway, if I were going to buy a modern
jap sportscar, it would definitely be a Nissan 350Z.
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BMW M6. I guess it's too new/expensive really, but IMO it blows the
rest out of the water on looks, image, and certainly sports ability.
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It's filthy ugly, and a 911 is way better.
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But it's a Porsche, and the M6 is a Beemer. We've done this before,
but there are still loads of people for whom the whole Porsche 'image'
is just plain wrong.
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Of those, probably the TT. But, I don't really like them...
So, how about a 2004 Monaro V8? (but ffs, put Holden badges back on it)
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I must admit I'm liking the Imported Nissan Skyline GT350.
RHD, stunning to look at (imo), well specced, different.
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Doesn't look evil enough for a Skyline, and it doesn't have the
straight six in it either - AFAIK it's the same lump as in the 350Z,
which isn't as tuneable as the RB lumps.
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Agreed, its no R34 GT-R, but I still think its prettier than the 350Z we get
in Europia.
Distinctive is what I'd call it, which I like.
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Around the right price bracket.
Not everyone's cup of tea.... but then I wouldn't want to be everyone.
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Lotus Elise?
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which bit of "fairly reliable" did you not read, or have Lotus
drastically changed their tune recently? And which bit of "non
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I was under the impression Lotus's weren't hugely unreliable.
And which bit of "non
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convertible" did you not get either?
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There are various versions, including the Exige (which is much more a
track car though).
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Was watching one of them on the high-speed oval at Millbrook last
week. It sounded nice.
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It's not an oval, there's nothing resembling a straight. It's almost
perfectly circular and I should know, I've done thousands of miles
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True. Sloppy description on my part.
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driving round it.
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And I've provided yet another opportunity for you to remind people of
it.
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You're a gent, to be sure.
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I wouldn't mind an Exige, but I don't trust Lotus on reliability[1]
[1] cue someone to tell me how unreliable Porsche, Jaguars and Audis
are.
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Just get a nice Golf.
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I think they are talking about desirable cars here, do keep up at the back.
That's a option based on the boring, practical side, only beaten in actual
practically stakes by buying the same car ....but cheaper = Skoda.
Actually, if you are talking that side of man on the street level
practicality and performance on a budget, I'd get an Octavia vRS.
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If reliability weren't an issue, the Jag every time. Otherwise, the Audi.
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I thought modern Jaguars were OK for reliability?
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IIRC there were some significant reliability issues with the Audi TT in
its early years?
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BMW 3-series coupe
Mazda RX8
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Sod the budget
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That's quite pretty. The front looks a bit Dino-ish. The new
Koenisegthingy is top of my list for looks though. There's something
about the roof-line that gives me a stiffy everytime I see it.
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Nissan 350Z ?
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yeah, I do like them, but - and call me a snob - no matter how
actually good they are, Japanese sportscars don't have the same cache
as European ones.
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I'm sure you can stuff a few more Gigs in somewhere.
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I didn't get the joke when I read this last night, and even now,
sober, I'm not convinced it's actually funny.
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Also, the look old, real quick. As in, name a 80s/early 90s jap
sportscar that still looks good today?
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Honda Prelude (but I'm biased)
Toyota MR2 (mk2)
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don't agree.
But then again, I didn't like either of those two cars when they were
new.
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FD series RX-7
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Yes, course.
Mazda's MX-5 has also changed very little over the years, that's still
a cheeky little looker.
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Sure I could think of more but must admit I'm struggling.
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What's that coupe Honda did? The NRX or something like that?
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I know what your saying but ... given the choice of the selection you
mentioned or the Z I reckon the Nissan would cream any of them on
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Maybe. Like I said above, it's purely a snobbish image thing. Plus the
fact I've fancied a TT for a while now.
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reliability/comfort/handling and performance..... most *definately* on
reliability.
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I'm not /too/ fussed on reliability, as it's purely going to be a toy,
but I don't want big bills. I accept that Nissans are probably cheaper
to run tha Porsches Audis and Jaguars; it's just that I don't want to
get into TVR territory.
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Good call. A good mate of mine had a 4.5 Cerbera (the one with a bit more
poke) - he reckons it cost him just over £1.50 per mile to run over the 18
months he ran it. When it was running properly though . . . . .
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Given my penchant for BMW's it's pretty obvious I like "old school" euro
badges, the 350Z would be the exception to that though, purely 'cos it's
such a great car.
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I don't know if I could stand to own a car made by the same people who
have brought to market the pink Micra convertible. I was at Hatfield
Galeria yesterday, and there was on on display there, it really is the
most hideous modern car I've ever seen.
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300ZX IMO. There's something about them that floats my boat.
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I loved the look too, but yes, you're right, although I still like the
look of them. Sods to drive on tighter UK roads, mind; too wide, and
visibility to certain areas is limited, to put it mildly. Took a mate's
twin-turbo for a drive once. Nice enough, in a big, floppy, speedy way;
a bit like a 3.0 Supra, but with slightly more precision.
But doesn't have the prestige factor you're looking for.
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Maserati 3200GT perhaps?
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I did think of those, yes.
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Review here:
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from that site:
"On any but the 2001 model year Maserati 3200GTs it is difficult to
objectively recommend one over a Jaguar XKR or Porsche 911. Wonderful
in some areas and frustratingly flawed in others"
which sums up the findings of my research into the viability of
Maserati ownership.
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Aye. I see the 2001 model year goes for £28,000+, the 2000 and prior for
around £20,000.
Maybe wait a year...
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Talking of which, did you see Fifth Gear last night? Tiff was testing
the new Z06 Vette, & absolutely loved it. Showed Aston & Jaguar the way
he reckoned. Plus it supposedly lapped the 'ring faster than a Zonda!
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seems to be a fair selection on autotrader
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The classic car place round the corner from me has the perfect car
It's so *you*
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the SO has a BMW allergy.
Also, it's not a real coupe. The only modern BMW I like the look of is
the Z4, but I don't want a softop. Or, really, a BMW.
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Go for a V8 GM Monaro mate. Cheap to service goes like stink. Excellent
smiles per mile especialy as they like to go sideways (a lot)
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And while he's at it, why doesn't he buy himself some white stilettos
and a shell suit?
Meaning that, while the Monaro is undoubtedly a lot of oomph for the
money, it's also about as posh and prestigious as a Morrisons checkout
chick. In short, it's a ChavWagon. In fact, I'm trying to think of any
GM car that could be called "prestigious" ... I had a GSi3000, so
they're out ... the VX220 manages to be even more common than the Elise,
which is a good trick ... they must make *something* with some kudos?
Ford had the Escort Cossie. And the MkI Granada 3.0l has a certain
earthy charm, and you *could* let the new GT in there, but it's cheating
a bit since it's a megabucks, low volume vehicle.
Not, you understand, that I GAF about that sort of thing myself, but
darsy did say he wanted something with some class. Although not til
later in the thread IIRC, so you're right for what you're saying there.
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if they had some more iron in their diet it'd be spurting.
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911.
The Jag's too fat, and the TT doesn't go as well as it looks.
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sounds about right. I've not driven a TT - but everyone I know that
has tells me I wouldn't like it.
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On the topic of cars, I was out monkeying with my 1963 MG B Roadster
at the weekend. Most satisfying.
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