porsche

it can do a track day then cover big miles at high speed on a nurburgring trip.

its an all rounder

Out of the list it would be the lotus but I'd like a go in the Lamborghini Gallardo superleggera <spelling?  Looks awesome and I like the raw appeal of lambo's as opposed to the playboy image of Ferrari's!

Of course a lotto win would have to fund such a project but I can dream can't I?

Mike

As a week-end/track-day car the Lotus Elise or Exige would be my choice.

Everytime I one of these Lotus' i can help thinking how much fun it would be to have one. It's a little too "hard-core' for everyday use and therefore the perfect second car.

As an everyday car, from the list above, I would pick the NSX (even if it is Japanese).

Edit: Why does it say: "Poll question E46 M3" above the choices? If the E46 M3 had been one of the choices I would have picked that over the NSX as an everyday performance car.

How about the Ariel Atom as an alternative. Very fine pedigree, having been designed by the mighty Gordon Murray.

Also the Caterham Super Seven ticks all the "week-end car" boxes for me.

Edit: Just to correct myself; it was, of course, the LCC Rocket that was designed by the above mentioned GM. So there's another one to consider.

If it was just a track car I would look at a Westfield, Radical, Atom....

Car needs to be dual purpose, but daily commute is not a factor that needs to be considered.

My suggestion

A cheap van and a transporter to tow a decent single seater

i.e. something quicker than my Fvee

For example this

http://www.thphoto.net/g2/main.php?g2_itemId=6983 - Reynard 90D with 395bhp 4.5 V8 (Rover based from TVR challenge) weight about 550kg that would provide a person with a big jump in power to weight compared to a M5. This car has been around Mondello National in 54.444s. Between Mondello,Kirkistown and Phoenix Park racing and test days you can get plenty of mileage

gjoconnor92 wrote: My suggestion A cheap van and a transporter to tow a decent single seater i.e. something quicker than my Fvee For example this http://www.thphoto.net/g2/main.php?g2_itemId=6983 - Reynard 90D with 395bhp 4.5 V8 (Rover based from TVR challenge) weight about 550kg that would provide a person with a big jump in power to weight compared to a M5. This car has been around Mondello National in 54.444s. Between Mondello,Kirkistown and Phoenix Park racing and test days you can get plenty of mileage

It is not going to be a track car, I have to be able to sit one 5'10 model beside me at least.

Kin Mak wrote: It is not going to be a track car, I have to be able to sit one 5'10 model beside me at least.

Focus WRC

Remember it was quicker than Veyron in the Phoenix Park and a quarter of the price.

The Focus did that that demo lap only a second slower than the single seater in my previous example

Or a lower cost option would be a Group N spec Impreza or Evo. 80 miles on an Irish rally would have that 5'10 model ready for anything

I'd go NSX. A mate of mine has the one below, and it's quite practical, fab to look at, reliable, refined on the open road and relatively hassle-free to run.

It also goes like stink, sounds epic with the exhaust system he has, has a legendary chassis etc etc... the only weak point is the interior which ordinary enough, but the driving position, seats, gearchange, pedals & and un-power-assisted steering are fantastic, so if you get over heating controls that look like they came out of a Civic you'll have a mint motor.

S2k is also great. And a 996 would be a serious challenger, but like the S2k, they aren't as rare as an NSX on Irish roads.

The Elise/Exige is something you've already owned, so while you know they're fab, you might as well get something fresh. 350Z is old school fun, but I have to say having been in one (it was an auto), the engine didn't inspire me in any way. It felt slow to rev, and never had any 'kick' to it - it just did the job. Very disappointing. Also, the doors clang when you shut them, & elements of the interior feel really cheap. And it's murder on juice, but you're used to that.

 

 

-------------
Mazda 6 MPS
S1 Elise 135 Sport
Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon
http://www.bmwcarclubireland.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-3254">

Formerly E39 TDS, E36 M3, E36 328i, E34 525i, E34 518i

I was in that NSX in Mondello... where is he? I would not mind having a go in it to decide.

Damn the E46 M3 was meant to be one of the choices, Killian can you change it and replace the 350Z with the E46 M3 please.

NSX.

I probably would have gone Lotus if I was smaller, and, as TJ said, you've already had one.  Had one blitz past me earlier on today.

Sporty1 wrote: If your budget will allow a 964 RS or if you can stretch it further a 993RS.... both zero depreciation cars infact they are both going up in money, a friend brought a 993RS in March '07 from H&S cost £43K plus picking it up and registering it in UK, last week he was offered £50K by a German buyer unseen..... best bit, both cars are track ready.

Bit more than I want to spend, and I will be sh*tting it on a track as I would not want to crash it.

NSX - you won't park next to another in a car park unless its a club meet.  A great balance of capabilities and a a car that could be driven every day as well as on track.

A local chap down here has an early one (part of a fleet incl Maser 4 door, RS4 Conv, etc.).  Have always loved to hear it on the move.

The S2k is rare and a bit special but you'd need to keep a run around.  I've had a run in a friends one and to me it just doesn't feel right to rev a car to 9k but it does fly like poo off a shovel when you press on a bit.

Kin Mak wrote: Sporty1 wrote: If your budget will allow a 964 RS or if you can stretch it further a 993RS.... both zero depreciation cars infact they are both going up in money, a friend brought a 993RS in March '07 from H&S cost £43K plus picking it up and registering it in UK, last week he was offered £50K by a German buyer unseen..... best bit, both cars are track ready. Bit more than I want to spend, and I will be sh*tting it on a track as I would not want to crash it.

In which case my vote goes to NSX.

Edit......in the absense of E30 M3.

how about a different route

Monaro?

green-blood wrote: how about a different route Monaro?

I was looking at one that Plum Tyndall had as a press car recently.

Impressive in a big sort of way, you could sit one Elise on the bonnet and another on the boot

gjoconnor92 wrote: green-blood wrote: how about a different route Monaro? I was looking at one that Plum Tyndall had as a press car recently. Impressive in a big sort of way, you could sit one Elise on the bonnet and another on the boot

I got rid of the M5 to get a smaller car... so the Monaro is out.

Kin Mak wrote: gjoconnor92 wrote: green-blood wrote: how about a different route Monaro? I was looking at one that Plum Tyndall had as a press car recently. Impressive in a big sort of way, you could sit one Elise on the bonnet and another on the boot I got rid of the M5 to get a smaller car... so the Monaro is out.

well its only got 2 doors

Hi Kin, i would be asking myself am i going to be just doing mondello? if so something like a lotus or an E46 would be best bet

mind you the lotus is not forgiving!

if your doing more high speed tracks consider the nsx, but i think its prob too big for mondello

From what I figure  your criteria seems to be, personally from your list the NSX would be my first choice but another to consider would be a Z3/4 M Coupe. Always comes out fairly well on track tests and is a nice weekend car with room for the 5.10 model.  

Plus you can still go to BMW meets 

A MkII Clio V6 would also figure heavily in here I think.

Or a TVR? Or a Noble?

FWD is a no no...

It is now down to a Porsche 911 or BMW E46 M3 SMG, Porsche with no modding(yeah right) or BMW and I get to mod it.

I'm well impressed by everyones support of the NSX! Such a pity more people didn't see beyond the Honda badge day 1... but there's alot of serious metal for the stg£60k it cost new.

And if in Kins position, given the money......  .... I'd be torn! 996 is such a sweet motor too.

I expected at least one TVR to calve on the BMI video! NSX-R destroyed them.... what a motor

spokey wrote: CSL. Always.

Mark's one gave me a scare...

larzyh wrote: (insert whatever emoticon that indicates that I mean my last remark in the friendliest way possible).

How about this one...

HaHa - now now Kin, I didn't mean like that...

It looks like it's a toss-up between the NSX, Exige and 996; what are you leaning towards?

635CSi wrote: Kin Mak wrote: E46 M3 SMG... I wanted to see what people would choose. In the end all good advice but I am going to go with the car I want. Why not go for a manual?? The SMG is less than perfect from what I hear.

Manual is better if you are driving on the roads as you can modulate the shifting better, SMG is better for the track. Just want to give it a go, I have always liked it when I have driven one. It is definately not to everyones taste but I am the exception.

spokey wrote: The CSL SMG is much better than the M3 SMG.

And the Golf one is better than either...

People voting for the Elise/Exige are on the ball .... I've just spent a sunny weekend zipping around some good roads, trips to the beach etc in mine and it's been heaven.

My ONLY issue with SMG and similar is that after spending so much time practicing heeling & toeing and trying to get it smooth on road & track (I stress trying - some days I'm cursing myself), it's an integral part of driving enjoyment for me. I'd resent SMG for robbing me of that.

I agree with Kin though - it's fun on track. And I reckon in a very powerful car (F430 for eg) it'd let you concentrate on your Stelvio hairpins braking, apex, and exit rather than trying to nail a gearchange.

I am going to miss heel toeing alright, but now I am going to start practicing left foot braking.

Gave my car one last blast earlier on today, I am going to miss that noise, power and handling. Yes my new car will have better handling but I will never get back the noise of that V8.

When I parked the car I actually let out a little sigh, I know I am never going to be able to do that again... well, the night is young I guess.

"Some day I will own an M3 some day I will own an M3 someday I will own an M3..." has become my mantra!

Yeah I do.

Shifter
Full suspension
Bottom Front grill
Black Kidney Grill
Full front Brakes with SS Brake lines
OEM Quad exhaust