Classic car equivalent of MX-5?

[veevee]

Quite like the idea of an MX-5, but I don't think I could actually drive one. I wouldn't mind a classic roadster along the same lines though. Good handling, reliable(ish). Does that exist?

[Johnnytheboy]

Obvious answer is the original Lotus Elan.

[backwoodsman]

Johnnytheboy said:

Obvious answer is the original Lotus Elan.

Spot on.

[Dr Jekyll]

Reliable?

Yes, I'm sure it's perfectly acceptable if you know how to look after it etc etc. But it is fair to say it's more fragile than an MGB or TRn.

[swimd]

Johnnytheboy said:

Obvious answer is the original Lotus Elan.

End of thread.

[Mercury00]

Dr Jekyll said:

Reliable?

Yes, I'm sure it's perfectly acceptable if you know how to look after it etc etc. But it is fair to say it's more fragile than an MGB or TRn.

Are any classic cars reliable though?

[Johnnytheboy]

I meant obvious in the sense that it's the first thing most people would think of, given the connection.

Whether it is reliable, I have no idea. I sort of imagine no car is reliable at that age and initial unreliability becomes a less important factor.

[Frankthered]

While,by all accounts, the Elan was the inspiration for the MX5, I would have to observe that reliability would not be their string point!!

MGB might be a little dull in comparison, but would be a much better prospect in the reliability stakes.

Why wouldn't you see yourself in an MX5, OP?

[Pothole]

RWA Midget. Too simple to be unreliable, mostly fixable with a pair of Mole grips and a screwdriver. (and the standard Duck tape and WD40)

[veevee]

swimd said:

Johnnytheboy said:

Obvious answer is the original Lotus Elan.

End of thread.

Sorry, glaringly obvious. Forgot to add, budget ~£5k.

[ambuletz]

1989 mk1 MX-5 it is then.

[Sid's Dad]

MG Midget is your only option at that price point. Why couldn't you have an MX-5?

[Bonefish Blues]

Alfa Spider, perhaps?

[Fantuzzi]

backwoodsman said:

Johnnytheboy said:

Obvious answer is the original Lotus Elan.

Spot on.

Wouldn't the cheap as chips sports car equivalent be the frog eyed sprite, rather than the sportier elan?

Elan was pretty quick in the day - sprint versions are still quick, with 60 in the high 6s. The mx5 was hardly class leading performance wise, so cant really be compared to the elan in my eyes, despite other points of similarity.

Another option OP might be a spitfire, as I think the later gens are cheapish.

[Dr Jekyll]

How much was a new Elan in it's day?

[Johnnytheboy]

Dr Jekyll said:

How much was a new Elan in it's day?

From £1312 upwards to over £2.7k for the later, fancier ones.

[NNH]

Reliable, wind-in-the-hair motoring for 5k? 1999 Boxster!

Oh you mean an older car? Spitfire. Enjoy the wonderful steering, try not to find out what happens when the rear "suspension" runs out of travel.

[Robert Elise]

veevee said:

Quite like the idea of an MX-5, but I don't think I could actually drive one. I wouldn't mind a classic roadster along the same lines though. Good handling, reliable(ish). Does that exist?

why won't you drive an mx5? image?
Modern classic, fully adjustable double wishbones all round.
Mostly driven by girls and petrolheads.

[steviegunn]

Front engined, rear wheel drive, 2 seat convertible, pop-up headlights:

[kambites]

In terms of technical design the Elan is fairly close in some ways, but in terms of market position it was a completely different proposition; something like the MGB would probably be the closer, or perhaps the TR7.

I'd just buy an MX5 though or MR2, though.