Top Second-Hand Buys for Under £10,000

2001 Porsche Boxster

Considered by many as the definitive roadster, Porsche's mostly mis-conceived entry level sports car has a lot going for it. Excellent build quality, reliability and a badge to be proud of are just several reasons why Boxster ownership is rated so highly. The 3.2 litre flat six 250hp motor in the 'S' is the one to go for, but all engines perform well. Gearboxes, brakes, and suspension are all top quality items, whilst the electrics and fabric hood require careful inspection at purchase. The driving experience, especially the handling, roadholding and balance are in a class of their own for this sector.

Pistonheads Classified: 2001 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S £9,995

BMW Z3 M Coupe

The BMW Z3 M Coupe has always been a favourite of mine and with prices now beginning to dip below ten grand, almost all of the depreciation has been suffered. The striking 'bread wagon' appearance did not appeal to everyone but you couldn't ignore the muscular rear arches, increased rigidity over the Roadster and practical boot. Sold in the UK with the E36 M3's 3.2 litre straight six, the little two seater coupe had 315hp to play with.

Pistonheads Classified: 2000 BMW Z3 M Coupe £10,000

ROAD TEST: 2010 Kawasaki Versys

Mark Forsyth from Visordown rides the latest offering from Kawasaki, the 600cc twin with big travel, big ugly looks and with even bigger ambitions.

Basically a jacked up ER-6 the Versys is exactly what it says on the tin, a versatile, comfortable everyday hack and there's nothing wrong with that.

Read the full road test at Visordown.

A Very British Motor Show At Goodwood

Goodwood is to host the 2010 British Motor Show according to reliable sources. Petrolhead Lord March has apparently agreed to hold the previously cancelled event just one day before the Festival of Speed. Quick to respond, featured brand Alfa Romeo also plan to debut the Giulietta at the highly secretive event.

It is not yet decided whether public tickets will be available, but most prominent manufacturers will no doubt be fighting for invites, much unlike the last British Motor Show then.

What this new show will do though is glamourise Goodwood's hallowed driveway as prospective customers are rumoured to be allowed to test drive new cars on the famous stretch of tarmac.
Source: Autocar

Schumacher Back On F1 Track

Michael Schumacher is fighting fit for his return to Formula One racing in 2010. The seven time world champion completed testing in a GP2 car at Jerez and suffered no problems related with his neck injury caused by his motorcycle racing accident.

Driving for Brawn Mercedes in 2010, the German is clearly very excited about his return to top end motorsport. "It really is as if my batteries were fully loaded. My energy is back completely. I really notice how the prickle is coming, how motivated I am because I so much look forward to this competition. It is about time to start this whole thing."

The 2010 season is shaping up to be a real thriller with McLaren England v Brawn Germany and Button v Hamilton!!

ROAD TEST: 1996 HONDA VFR 750

The iconic V4 from Honda has been described as many things from 'as good as it gets' to 'positively sterile', but a certain Ron Haslam has his own point of view. Rocket Ron, who had misplaced his race bike, took on a field of factory race machines from the back of the grid, on a brand new VFR750 and came fourth! Incidentally, sales of these bikes over the years has been staggering, in 2006 Honda sold nearly 200 in January alone, this is the same story ever since its original release in 1986.

Once on the road this 13 year old albeit low mileage VFR is quick to impress. Finish and build quality are clearly attributes Honda understood in 1996, the classic black and white dials complementing excellent panel fit and precise controls. The NACA duct on the side of the fairing is fully functional, whilst also hinting at its racing pedigree, gives off an almost Ferrari vibe. Rifle-bolt gear changes encourage sporty riding styles although this pre-VTEC edition was the last of the carburettor fueled models and provides ample reserve for instinctive overtakes with no noticeable flat spots or peaks.

Smooth, torquey and with a seemingly endless power band, it just begs to be ridden and rewards smooth inputs. Sporting 105hp, the bike can reach 150mph with handling to match thanks to a clever single arm rear set-up and the low positioning of the engine. The crafted aluminium frame that cradles the compact V4 motor is very well made and once the tank is removed provides excellent access for maintenance.

The comfortable seat with removable pillion cover and effective wind protection suggest realistic touring capabilities and reliability of the V4 has been repeatedly impressive. The bike has an ability to simply lend itself to your mood at the time. Not a Jack of all trades but a master of many. What Honda have created is the perfect compromise for a keen rider who requires an accomplished speed machine, but needs to commute during the week, keep up with modern sports bikes at the weekend and visit the South of France for their holidays.

Bimota DB8 Biposto

Exotic Italian motorcycle manufacturer Bimota edge one step closer to the mainstream with the new DB8. Famous for matching existing power plants with innovative and industry leading chassis design, Bimota have done something very different with the Biposto.

Now sporting a pillion seat, although you'd have to be Kylie-sized to want to use it, Bimota have managed to retain the exciting chassis and bodywork design and blended in an Espresso of practicality.

Cradling an 170hp 1198 Ducati V-Twin motor, the Biposto (meaning seats two) uses cheaper chromoly materials for the frame rather than carbon fibre as used on the exquisite DB7. This in hand brings prices down to a more reasonable £20,000! I know, it's still not exactly cheap but Bimota ownership just got that tinchy bit closer. Now for Kylie..

Motorbike Near Misses- Be Careful Out There!

Riding a BMW GS on the motorway, what could be safer?



Early mornings are no excuse, see and be seen!



Just because you're in the big orange bus lane, doesn't mean people wont cross you..



This guy should have just simply played the lottery and gambled his house that day!



A comedy of errors, but the rider is half comedian too..

The Next-Gen Pagani Zonda C9

An updated version of the hair raising Pagani Zonda will storm onto the supercar stage later this year boasting over 3700 new parts, a power output of 700hp and an increase in torque to over 1000Nm.

Dubbed the C9 the latest Zonda will retain the 7.o litre Mercedes V12 but speculation is looming on whether any forced induction will be included. The new C9 will meet US crash safety standards and California's strict emission laws. Mr Schwarzenegger, breath a sigh of relief.

None of this seems that important to me however, because Horacio Pagani himself has confirmed the use of an ultra sexy carbon-titanium chassis. Materials like that ought to be illegal!

Source: Worldcarfans

Corvette Engined BMW E30!

Yes you read correctly, it's an old, very lightweight Beamer E30 carrying a 5.7 litre Chevrolet V8. This retro faced two door saloon was always a fine drive and the thought of over 350hp on tap, sends genuine shivers.

Not only has this American father and son combo fitted the whole LS1 motor and transmission into the old rep-mobile themselves, they've produced a video explaining exactly how you do it! Get in! Visit BimmerForums for all the details.

We've all heard the long winded reasons why this sort of umph in this little BMW shouldn't work, but come on, you would..

Stills in Motion- Gallery of Motorsport

For more great images go to Speedhunters.com

TechArt GT Street RS

TechArt are no strangers to producing biblically fast 911s and here we have another of the German uber-tuners' offerings. The GT Street RS started life as a Porsche GT2- no slouch already let's be honest, but with an extra 160hp over the standard car the Street RS has the brawn to back up those slightly scary looks.

The lap record around the Sachsenring track was previuosly held by an angry looking Lamborghini Murcielago LP-640 SV, posting a time of 1.36.29. TechArt's Street RS has recently smashed that time by nearly five seconds clocking a 1.31.94 for the 3671 metre circuit.

Just to show off, those sausage loving TechArt guys then posted a 3.5 second 0-100kmh time in the Street RS. Apparently all this showing off proves their in-built ethos of "High Speed, Pace and Uniqueness". How very German.
Source: Worldcarfans.com

Prodrive Launches Subaru N2010

Prodrive, British famed WRC and Le Mans preparation specialists have taken the covers off their latest rally-racer the N2010. Available to entrants at £120,000 the Group N Spec Imprezza packs a 2 litre flat four motor with twin scroll turbocharging. Rolling on Ohlins shocks and AP Racing brakes the latest customer, rally prepared car packs an extra 20hp than the standard model.

The addition of a rollcage and three seperate differentials ensure that the N2010 is more competitive than a Super 2000 spec machine and at nearly half the price, say Prodrive.

All the more significant is that Subaru have pulled out of the WRC this year but with Prodrive producing the N2010, they believe there is still life left in the previously rally branded marque.