I have a black with black fetish. According to a few mates in the trade it's the easiest colour combo to resell any car in. Honestly, that XKR was perfect for me. I'm gutted.  Past (too many to list, but a few favs)...
2007 Porsche 997 C2S Coupe
2007 FFRR 4.2 S/C
2012 Jag XKR 5.0 S/C
2014 Merc SL500 AMG 4.7 V8 BiTurbo (remapped to 560BHP)
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE - Overfinch Conversion
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
2018 AMG C63S Estate
2015 Mercedes GLE63S
2017 Maserati Levante Diesel
2017 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 Black Edition

For some real power the Jag V8 and the SL500 are the best options for me. Had them both, the Jag interior was really down and out at 140 k kilometers. I am only 78 kilo but could feel the bits below the seats. Build quality of the Merc is great. Mine ( a 2003) did 100 k km when I sold her, but nothing to complain. Great cars. I do like the interior of the 944, but it is another league. Why don't you buy an open version. For B road cruising it's great fun.

I have never been a real 944 fan, much more a 928 fan !! I'd love to get one of those in my classics section of the hopefully future garage !!!

Mercs of that era are usually rock solid cars and cheap to own and run, so they are good bets, if you like the looks. I have never been a great fan of them, apart from the SL and the 500 SEC

In the higher price range it would be an Aston for me and going even higher a Murcielago Spyder.

Anyway, have a look at the 928 iso the 944 etc.  MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

Yes a 928! So fast, good sound, and so nice on the road, great car, pitty it never made it. Was supposed to be the new porche, but the 911 kept on going. The porche marketeers understood what the Jag (ford) marketeers did not.

Forget the Alfa, Get a nice 20vt with good exhaust setup on it and maybe a GT28Rs and you'll be in love....


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Coupe-20v-T...4173be0d38

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-Fiat-Coupe-...4d0d55042a
Or how about that for a project? Get an engine dropped in with the bigger turbo and FMIC on it and you'll be away

These things seriously shift with even light mods as in standard form do the 60 sprint 6.3secs and with good tyres even the standard one can bring that down to 6 or under  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

Something completely different, I don't know how midlife you are, but it certainly is not a charming sight to see someone of a certain age crawling on all 4 out of his sportscar. Getting in is easy, you just drop your a.. Behind in the seat pull in your both leggs with your hands and get started. Arriving, pulling yourself out by the roofrim (so a convertible is out of the question) or bend over to the sidewalk and fall out of the car on your hands to get up with a back problem is not a healing element for your midlife crisis.

Practical, pretty reliable but a bit more expensive for a good one. Mine comes back after some general fettling this week and can't wait.

Click image to enlarge

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated

I know the Fiat Coupes are great cars Kingpleb, but just a personal thing, can't get excited about them.

The 944 is so underrated - not the prettiest car that Porsche have ever made, but in S2 and Turbo guise seriously good fun.

I've just found an absolutely belting Turbo - typically over budget - but could probably stretch to it if the guy would consider an offer.

I'm not really middle aged - I'm "only" 36 - just having my crisis and need for a sports car early I guess!  Past (too many to list, but a few favs)...
2007 Porsche 997 C2S Coupe
2007 FFRR 4.2 S/C
2012 Jag XKR 5.0 S/C
2014 Merc SL500 AMG 4.7 V8 BiTurbo (remapped to 560BHP)
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE - Overfinch Conversion
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
2018 AMG C63S Estate
2015 Mercedes GLE63S
2017 Maserati Levante Diesel
2017 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 Black Edition

Stunning Jon.

But like you say, I'm not quite in the right place budget wise. I have seen a 1979 SL that I could get into, but cloth interior and probably buying heaps of trouble.

I think I want a 944 S2 or Turbo or an XKR.

I also think I might have to up the budget a bit!  Past (too many to list, but a few favs)...
2007 Porsche 997 C2S Coupe
2007 FFRR 4.2 S/C
2012 Jag XKR 5.0 S/C
2014 Merc SL500 AMG 4.7 V8 BiTurbo (remapped to 560BHP)
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE - Overfinch Conversion
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
2018 AMG C63S Estate
2015 Mercedes GLE63S
2017 Maserati Levante Diesel
2017 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 Black Edition

I was in a 924 last Thursday night. He paid under 2k for it and it is in fantastic condition. It had perfect guards red paintwork. Hard to believe it was a 25 year old car.... There are good ones out there for much cheapness !  Previously..
Vogue SE TD6
Defender 90 2.4
Defender 110 TD5
Vogue 3.5 EFI

jfb1977 wrote:

Stunning Jon.

But like you say, I'm not quite in the right place budget wise. I have seen a 1979 SL that I could get into, but cloth interior and probably buying heaps of trouble.

I think I want a 944 S2 or Turbo or an XKR.

I also think I might have to up the budget a bit!

yuppietastic; pinstriped cloth seats!

For that budget for a fun car though, I might try an XK8, just make sure no Nikasil affected engine!
Other options:

M3 Convertible
BMW Z4M: a brilliantly chuckable, funky looking car.
SLK: not quick, but an ok cruiser.
A scrappy Bentley Turbo R: Drifting like a sir!

will think of some more/find egs later

Currently lusting after this one (assuming I can get the owner to budge a bit on the asking price) -

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C387531

Bit nervous about sharing the link as I'm now convinced you're all going to rush out and gazzump me (hopefully not)!

 Past (too many to list, but a few favs)...
2007 Porsche 997 C2S Coupe
2007 FFRR 4.2 S/C
2012 Jag XKR 5.0 S/C
2014 Merc SL500 AMG 4.7 V8 BiTurbo (remapped to 560BHP)
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE - Overfinch Conversion
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
2018 AMG C63S Estate
2015 Mercedes GLE63S
2017 Maserati Levante Diesel
2017 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 Black Edition

Love that 944

Black Turbo has gone.  Past (too many to list, but a few favs)...
2007 Porsche 997 C2S Coupe
2007 FFRR 4.2 S/C
2012 Jag XKR 5.0 S/C
2014 Merc SL500 AMG 4.7 V8 BiTurbo (remapped to 560BHP)
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE - Overfinch Conversion
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
2018 AMG C63S Estate
2015 Mercedes GLE63S
2017 Maserati Levante Diesel
2017 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 Black Edition