Sub £20k Sports Car
Discussion
As I've said before, anyone who has owned a Mercedes 107 (most Mercedes models come to that) knows they aren't sports cars and especially not the 107. It is a cruiser, no more, and as tiring as any other convertible on a long run, just like any other rag top. The seats are planks and uncomfortable after a while, the accelerator is heavy and cruise control a must unless you change feet as I used to do, the gearbox is slow and cumbersome and kick down requires a hefty push on the accelerator, and anyway, apart from all that, getting a good one with no serious rust problems for under £20K is sheer fantasy. If it is to be a poser's pub car, all well and good, but a sports car? Dream on.
These are prettier, the older you go but I saw a 70s one with black plastic addenda, in the Canaries and it still looked sweet. Bit archaic but a nice 2.0 DOHC Alfa mill.
Others to consider are the Fiat 124 Spider
Dare I mention the soluble Lancia Beta Spider?
There is also the classic C3 Corvette
Others to consider are the Fiat 124 Spider
Dare I mention the soluble Lancia Beta Spider?
There is also the classic C3 Corvette
lowdrag said:
As I've said before, anyone who has owned a Mercedes 107 (most Mercedes models come to that) knows they aren't sports cars and especially not the 107. It is a cruiser, no more, and as tiring as any other convertible on a long run, just like any other rag top. The seats are planks and uncomfortable after a while, the accelerator is heavy and cruise control a must unless you change feet as I used to do, the gearbox is slow and cumbersome and kick down requires a hefty push on the accelerator, and anyway, apart from all that, getting a good one with no serious rust problems for under £20K is sheer fantasy. If it is to be a poser's pub car, all well and good, but a sports car? Dream on.
I agree with all you've said about the 107 but the 129 500 with the m119 engine is a rocket ship in comparison particularly with the 5 speed boxThey are far from tiring to drive, I have driven mine on many a long run and it covers distances very rapidly and very comfortably. It might not be a true sports car, but it will easily outperform many cars that claim to be one.
Mercky said:
lowdrag said:
As I've said before, anyone who has owned a Mercedes 107 (most Mercedes models come to that) knows they aren't sports cars and especially not the 107. It is a cruiser, no more, and as tiring as any other convertible on a long run, just like any other rag top. The seats are planks and uncomfortable after a while, the accelerator is heavy and cruise control a must unless you change feet as I used to do, the gearbox is slow and cumbersome and kick down requires a hefty push on the accelerator, and anyway, apart from all that, getting a good one with no serious rust problems for under £20K is sheer fantasy. If it is to be a poser's pub car, all well and good, but a sports car? Dream on.
I agree with all you've said about the 107 but the 129 500 with the m119 engine is a rocket ship in comparison particularly with the 5 speed boxThey are far from tiring to drive, I have driven mine on many a long run and it covers distances very rapidly and very comfortably. It might not be a true sports car, but it will easily outperform many cars that claim to be one.
Yertis said:
I'm going to weigh in with my new fascination - the Nissan 280zx. Plenty of change from £20k, and in the developing spirit of the thread, 'not a proper sportscar'.
Has to be a convertible.With all the good suggestions I've had to lie in a darkened room for the last few days, thinking.
I've made an offer on the TR6, which has been refused. The seller has other interested parties so it's in the balance and it's not ruled out yet.
Mercedes are not the type of car I'm looking for.
Some of the "modern classics" that I initially ruled out are also starting to look more interesting.
As a complete change of direction I've even thought of trading my modern car for a Jaguar XKR and getting a cheaper car for daily use.
In short I'm more confused than ever.
mph said:
Has to be a convertible.
With all the good suggestions I've had to lie in a darkened room for the last few days, thinking.
I've made an offer on the TR6, which has been refused. The seller has other interested parties so it's in the balance and it's not ruled out yet.
Mercedes are not the type of car I'm looking for.
Some of the "modern classics" that I initially ruled out are also starting to look more interesting.
As a complete change of direction I've even thought of trading my modern car for a Jaguar XKR and getting a cheaper car for daily use.
In short I'm more confused than ever.
What's the spec of the TR? PI? Suspension upgrades? Bosch fuel pump at the very least if PI? I wouldn't touch a TR6 without those things, or the intention to fit then.With all the good suggestions I've had to lie in a darkened room for the last few days, thinking.
I've made an offer on the TR6, which has been refused. The seller has other interested parties so it's in the balance and it's not ruled out yet.
Mercedes are not the type of car I'm looking for.
Some of the "modern classics" that I initially ruled out are also starting to look more interesting.
As a complete change of direction I've even thought of trading my modern car for a Jaguar XKR and getting a cheaper car for daily use.
In short I'm more confused than ever.
Yertis said:
What's the spec of the TR? PI? Suspension upgrades? Bosch fuel pump at the very least if PI? I wouldn't touch a TR6 without those things, or the intention to fit then.
Car has PI and Bosch fuel pump. Believe it or not I haven't even seen it yet, it's not local to me and the owner is overseas.I'm buying (or at least trying to) on the strength of a friend in the trade who's known it for years and advises that it's an exceptional example.
Said friend is well qualified to assess. He's a car restorer and looks after some high end classic racing cars.
If I'm successful I'll be straight back on this forum asking for advice on the recommended modifications.
Sits a bit high maybe?
The TR6 is a riot but hardly a sports car when it comes down to performance. A period Alfa Spider will out gun it. Proper tires are key! When you loose it it will go. Mate had Falkens fitted and it transformed the car.
Gearbox: keep an eye on that.
Car looks nice. I like 'em for their late 50s feel.
The TR6 is a riot but hardly a sports car when it comes down to performance. A period Alfa Spider will out gun it. Proper tires are key! When you loose it it will go. Mate had Falkens fitted and it transformed the car.
Gearbox: keep an eye on that.
Car looks nice. I like 'em for their late 50s feel.
Collected the car today and drove it 160 miles back to base, mostly in the pouring rain.
It's in lovely condition, perhaps even better than I expected. The wipers worked and the hood didn't leak a drop so that's something.
I haven't driven one for a very long time and I'd forgotten how primitive they are, but I think that's part of the charm in a way.
I'll see how I get on with it when the sun shines.
It's in lovely condition, perhaps even better than I expected. The wipers worked and the hood didn't leak a drop so that's something.
I haven't driven one for a very long time and I'd forgotten how primitive they are, but I think that's part of the charm in a way.
I'll see how I get on with it when the sun shines.
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