Happy election day.
To make you feel slightly better and in response to enormous reader demand (2.5 emails) today we list the five top value performance cars for 2016.
This list is my personal opinion so no use writing in with your favourites or asking why Volvo, VW (the $20bn refund company, unless you live in Australia), BMW, Mahindra, Great Wall, Haval, Ssangyong or Tesla aren’t mentioned. Also value is relative to the Australian market. That is, at the top end, carmakers will shove their hand down your pocket until you scream loudly enough or as economists say “they price the cars according to what the market will bear”.
1. Porsche 718 Cayman. Unless you have small children or love tradition, there’s no longer any need to buy a 911. The basic Cayman ($73,000 in the US) is $115,000 cheaper at $124,201 than the basic 911 in Australia and just as quick and is a better balanced car. Unfortunately, the VW-owned company has dropped the six-cylinder engine for a four but boosted the horsepower.
I rented last year’s Cayman S from Hertz at Melbourne airport to drive to a track day at Phillip Island (no Mr Hertz, it was a Radical not a Porsche day) and I loved it so much I wanted to take it home. As a current 911 driver and past owner of six Carreras let me make two points. One, there is no such thing as drive away, no more to pay, when you buy a Porsche. I think the steering wheel is an optional extra. Second, in all the years I have owned Porsches I have never had a salesperson ring me trying to sell me a new model. Business must be sensational. Breaking my own rules, I would buy a used, pre-718 Cayman, particularly if you can get your hands on a GTS, to get the real Porsche experience.
2. Mercedes A45 AMG. So how much do you expect to pay for a speed machine that is faster nought to 100km/h than a Porsche, Aston Martin, Audi R8 Spyder and BMW M3? For $77,000 you get a very edgy, sometimes frightening, road sticky little beast with both a Mercedes and AMG badge. Get over the fact that you can buy the same looking body for $38,000. Like the Nissan GTR, the Merc engine is autographed by the mechanic who built it. Strangely enough, this little car steers better the faster you drive it. Which could be around 140km/h.
3. HSV Clubsport R8 Track Edition. If you have large children or even friends and you’re not too late to get one of the 150 Track Editions HSV are making, then for $70,000 this is not only a super road car, it will probably be a good investment. You get the same power as a Cayman S but with a 6.2-litre V8, trick wheels and racing brakes.
If you missed out, then for a bargain $55,000 you can pick up a 6.2-litre V8 Holden SS V Redline. This a big car that drives like a real Grand Tourer. It really is a driver’s car. Don’t let the fact that it’s a Holden put you off. And the parts and servicing are cheap.
4. Ford Mustang GT Fastback. Soon everyone will have one and so they should. For $58,000 (the price will jump soon) you get a 5-litre V8, two-doors, crap interior, great handling and super “look at me” looks. But the plain colours are not great. Pay extra for the racing stripes and pretend you’re Steve McQueen.
5. Toyota 86/Mazda MX5. These are both descendants of the MGAs and Bs, the Sprites, the Spitfires, the TRs. In other words, cars that put a big smile on your face as you head off to work. And they both start at around $30,000. What else can you buy for $30,000 these days? Look, which one you choose comes down to convertible or coupe.
This is a shortened version of the original article. Read the rest at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/motoring/motoring-speed-machines-that-put-a-smile-on-your-face/news-story/ac00eaec9512281ee6ce89658a697fe6?login=1
