What car? 2k...Summer fun!

[ironictwist]

Mk1 MX5
300ZX
MR2
GTO TT

Anything I'm missing? Discuss

[Al Wyn]

How much of the folding stuff do you have to play with? and any must haves spec wise, power wise and any definate no no cars etc?

[patmahe]

I'd imagine you were right first time with the MX5

Also consider a Mk2 MR2 T-bar for wind in the hair stuff. Not sure if they did this on the Mk1

[ironictwist]

Must be:

RWD
Convertible/Targa
Comfy...Has to handle 65 miles each day to & from work. 10 Miles = M/way style A-Roads, 20~ = Country Lanes
Great fun to drive!
It NEEDS a bit of grunt, I do alot of overtaking along the commute & the minimal time spent on the other side of the road, the better.
Reliability would be a nice change

Can stretch up to 3k if I REALLY want to.
Insurance = No issue.

[Al Wyn]

Get the cash sorted and sweet talk them down to £3k http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/932248.htm job done

[Neil.D]

If you're feeling brave?

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/930277.htm

Take out the front drive shafts and you've got RWD

[OllieWinchester]

Its got be a Mk1 MX5, no car I have ever owned (And there have been lots!) has got its claws in to me quite as succesfully as my little Eunos. I used to change my cars more often than my underwear, and I've had the thing nearly two years now and genuinely can't think of anything anywhere near to it in price that would push the same buttons. My advice is to get a ratty Jap Mk1 (Slippy diff, less rust, only downside is more expensive insurance) for £1000-£1500 and spend the change on some FI fun. They really are bulletproof little things, mine gets beaten around every day and gives me no problems at all....

Have a browse in the MX5 section, lots of good info in there. FYI, mine was significantly under £1k and all I've done is cambelt and oil changes and it just feels solid. Looks very ratty though, will get round to smartening it up one day. Parts are ridiculously cheap for the, I think front discs are c.£25 for example, and I weighed mine when I got it and it was under a ton.

[ironictwist]

OllieWinchester said:

Its got be a Mk1 MX5, no car I have ever owned (And there have been lots!) has got its claws in to me quite as succesfully as my little Eunos. I used to change my cars more often than my underwear, and I've had the thing nearly two years now and genuinely can't think of anything anywhere near to it in price that would push the same buttons. My advice is to get a ratty Jap Mk1 (Slippy diff, less rust, only downside is more expensive insurance) for £1000-£1500 and spend the change on some FI fun. They really are bulletproof little things, mine gets beaten around every day and gives me no problems at all....

Have a browse in the MX5 section, lots of good info in there. FYI, mine was significantly under £1k and all I've done is cambelt and oil changes and it just feels solid. Looks very ratty though, will get round to smartening it up one day. Parts are ridiculously cheap for the, I think front discs are c.£25 for example, and I weighed mine when I got it and it was under a ton.

Sounds like you nabbed one hell of a bargain Ollie, that's what I'm half hoping I'll manage but I keep getting the nigly feeling that a 1.6/1.8 just won't cut it...Tell me I'm wrong

[LukeBird]

Don't be gay.
Sell something and buy the Tiv!

[OllieWinchester]

You are wrong! Remember they weigh under a ton, so whilst performance is never going to set your pants on fire you can really hustle them along because you need to really drive them to get the best out of them, eg keeping the revs between 4k and 7k. Bear in mind power to weight is probably similar to Mk1 Golf GTi as standard. They are extremely involving, and feel faster than they are because you are low down, wind in your hair, all that malarkey. Rifle bolt gearchange, and so easy to get (And hold) sideways in the wet. I find myself going out of my way when conditions are damp to encounter more roundabouts. Cabins are well laid out and durable, and more power is easy to get if you do go FI, think 100% more than standard without taking the engine apart. I love mine to pieces, but you can probably already tell that!

[ironictwist]

LukeBird said:

Don't be gay.
Sell something and buy the Tiv!

I'm not that hardcore...Well I am but everyone at my work will want me dead if I do. Especially my boss! I went looking at a few cars yesterday after work with my mechanic & she stated categorically "Make sure he comes back with something economical & sensible" & it was just talk of typical junior repmobile's ...Golf TDi's an the like. I tried not to say anything, I really did. I didn't even know what to say, all I could hear them say was "economy blah blah economy reliable blah blah reliable & econimal" & so on :boxeidn:

[minimatt1967]

LukeBird said:

Don't be gay. Sell something and buy the Tiv!

You don't need 2 Kidneys!
MR2 Turbo or maybe even MGF VVC? Or for some lairy fun how about a 2.8 capri, sod the sun it rains most of the time

[OllieWinchester]

You can still drive with the roof down in the rain. I went all round central London and back to Winchester down the M3 last Saturday night in the pissing rain and not a drop came in. My girlfriend even managed to fall asleep on the way back!

[Al Wyn]

Nothing wrong with a MK4 Golf GTTDI get it chipped up dropped a bit and some BBS CHs on and youve got a cracking little motor...personally id be look for a Seat Leon Cupra 180hp straight from the factory get it chipped to 210/225hp really understated and stealthly and a really nice one can be had for the top end your budget

[OllieWinchester]

Can't see a ropey old* diesel Golf really being a candidate for some 'summer fun' myself.

• Ropey and old due to OP's budget....

[diablo_pete]

MX5 that would be my choice. very nice to drive, roof off radio on wind in the hair the girls will love you Mind if you dumped all the cars and got that bloody TIV you'd be well away.....................

Chrissy

Edited by diablo_pete on Thursday 12th March 20:54

[minimatt1967]

diablo_pete said:

MX5 that would be my choice. very nice to drive, roof off radio on wind in the hair the girls will love you Mind if you dumped all the cars and got that bloody TIV you wouldn't be quite so gay.....................

EFA

[Thejimreaper]

ironictwist said:

LukeBird said:

Don't be gay.
Sell something and buy the Tiv!

I'm not that hardcore...Well I am but everyone at my work will want me dead if I do. Especially my boss! I went looking at a few cars yesterday after work with my mechanic & she stated categorically "Make sure he comes back with something economical & sensible" & it was just talk of typical junior repmobile's ...Golf TDi's an the like. I tried not to say anything, I really did. I didn't even know what to say, all I could hear them say was "economy blah blah economy reliable blah blah reliable & econimal" & so on :boxeidn:

No wonder all your cars keep breaking down!!

[Al Wyn]

TVR now thought budget was £3k max...id love to see that little gem am i reading between the lines correctly that the phase `reality check` might be relevant? or have i got it wrong?

Edited by Al Wyn on Thursday 12th March 21:12

[chr55y]

minimatt1967 said:

chr55y said:

MX5 that would be my choice. very nice to drive, roof off radio on wind in the hair the girls will love you Mind if you dumped all the cars and got that bloody TIV you wouldn't be quite so gay.....................

EFA