Advice on a "new" toy.

[Hellfire8]

Hello folks,

First time poster, long time reader. I am currently in the process of buying a new "toy".

I currently have a Mazda 6 Takuya (family car) and I adore it but I need something to give me some fun. I've narrowed it down to the following.

* Toyota MR2 Turbo
* Mazda 6 MPS
* Nissan 350Z

So, the Mazda 6 I know, a friend from the O/C owns one and it's nothing "new" but I know it can really perform. the MR2, a friend owns one and I have driven one (NON turbo)

I am leaning towards the MPS as I know the car inside and out, but it isn't that "sporty"

Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

[TREMAiNE]

When you say new toy, do you mean something fun for the weekends or an actual replacement for your current daily?

Of those 3 I rekcon you'd get the most fun out of the MR2. I'd take the MPS but realisitcally part of the fun of a new car is that its a different car... And an MPS is largely the same as your current car, bar performance and running costs.

The Z is a great car but I personally found them underwhelming. They seem very much an American car built by the Japanese.

[Hellfire8]

TREMAiNE said:

When you say new toy, do you mean something fun for the weekends or an actual replacement for your current daily?

Of those 3 I rekcon you'd get the most fun out of the MR2. I'd take the MPS but realisitcally part of the fun of a new car is that its a different car... And an MPS is largely the same as your current car, bar performance and running costs.

The Z is a great car but I personally found them underwhelming. They seem very much an American car built by the Japanese.

In addition to my current, I'd be used for the occasional commute (not far tbh, 10miles tops) and the weekend drive.

I was thinking MR2, but then got a insurance quote which is double that of the Z or the MPS.

I agree with the MPS, I know what the expect, but then I love driving my 6, I just wish it had more power, I'd put the money into modding it, if it could be modded.

[TREMAiNE]

Ok in that case as a second car I'd ditch the MPS. It really isn't special enough to have primarily for a bit of fun.

I'd still say the MR2 of those 3, bare in mind insurance may be double - but the cost of the car is considerably less than the Z.

A bias opinion, but what about an RX-7 or RX-8/?

Otherwise:
S2000
MX-5
Mk3 MR2

Are all good bets!

[Hellfire8]

Thanks, RX7/8 due to reliability. I don't fancy having to get compression tests etc or dealing with a lot of off the road time

I have a 5K budget, some lovely looking MR2 T's on here for that price.

[danjama]

You will get and insure a good mr2 turbo for well under £5k. Go with classicline for insurance too, limited mileage of 5k pa for peanuts.

And it will be special enough for any occasion.

[Hellfire8]

Cheers bud, Thinking MR2 deffo,

Was going to check Insurance with my current company (Adrian Flux) as they've been good to me this year, I have a non at fault as I got hit head on in Jan by some idiot on the wrong side of the road but they said it won't affect my premium too much, others nailed me for it.

[Hellfire8]

Just got a quote, £365 for the year, fully comp, Classic car 5k mileage, All mods declared, I am looking at this one

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

[danjama]

Hellfire8 said:

Just got a quote, £365 for the year, fully comp, Classic car 5k mileage, All mods declared, I am looking at this one

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

That does look clean but honestly maybe a little overpriced to me. You are paying a premium for a low mileage Rev 4. Be aware that those 17" alloys look amazing but are not great wheels for a 'fun drive'. I speak from experience that 17" wheels really ruin the ride on our roads. 16" is the way to go for a balance between comfort/handling and tyre choices. That said, the 17's are fine for cruising and showing off, if that's what you want.

All that said, the car is definitely worth a look. I'm sure you could get it down a bit. Can't tell from the pics/description if it's a hardtop or t-bar either. Oh and that mongoose exhaust is loud as fk!

[Hellfire8]

Yeah, I just used it as an example for a quote, I was shocked with the price, and then I found out I can get a discount from being a PH member with Flux, so will need to use that when I do buy.

Tbh, I'd probably offer around 4.5 for that car, maybe 4.6 for the mileage, it is a pristine example of a MR2 and there aren't many turbos up for sale.

[danjama]

You're right. I just had a look around too and there are not many for sale at the moment. A few weeks back there were quite a few!

Join the facebook groups too if you use facebook. A few gooduns for sale on there from time to time.

[Hellfire8]

Cheers, I will.

Tbh I am not looking to buy for a month or two tops. so we will see what comes up then.

[Red Devil]

Hellfire8 said:

the MR2, a friend owns one and I have driven one (NON turbo)

Trust me, a Mk2 MR2 n/a will not prepare you for the turbo version.

danjama said:

Hellfire8 said:

Just got a quote, £365 for the year, fully comp, Classic car 5k mileage, All mods declared, I am looking at this one

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

That does look clean but honestly maybe a little overpriced to me. You are paying a premium for a low mileage Rev 4. Be aware that those 17" alloys look amazing but are not great wheels for a 'fun drive'. I speak from experience that 17" wheels really ruin the ride on our roads. 16" is the way to go for a balance between comfort/handling and tyre choices. That said, the 17's are fine for cruising and showing off, if that's what you want.

All that said, the car is definitely worth a look. I'm sure you could get it down a bit. Can't tell from the pics/description if it's a hardtop or t-bar either. Oh and that mongoose exhaust is loud as fk!

That insurance quote is pretty good (although the precise degree of value for money does depend on your postcode).

62,000 on the clock needs clarifying. Is that all in km (62k is a decently low figure) or a mixture of km/miles (speedo conversion). If the latter what is the split? Even if the car has only done the equivalent of around 40k miles, the asking price of all but £5k for a Rev 4 with those mods is a bit steep imo. Conversely there aren't many Rev 4 turbos for sale at the moment. However it would need to be absolutely mint imo to achieve that figure. FWIW I paid a lot less than that for mine 4 years ago (granted it had done more km but not enough to warrant the price difference).

I take your point about 16" and 17" wheels, but the ride and handling depend as much, if not more, on how well the geo has been done. It needs someone who really understands suspension dynamics to get the best results. One advantage of 17s that might be relevant is a wider choice of tyres.

Dan you need to go to Specsavers. Look at the pics again. No way is it a T-bar!

[Hellfire8]

Well as I was at Japfest today and met some great MR2 owners I have learnt a bit.

Basically said the same as you guys.

Main points to look out for is one important as close to manufacture date as possible with full service history in UK, that way you know a lot about it.

Also suggested trying to get stock. Means it's not been "run" as hard.

After seeing them today I am deffo getting one

[mikey P 500]

Hellfire8 said:

Well as I was at Japfest today and met some great MR2 owners I have learnt a bit.

Basically said the same as you guys.

Main points to look out for is one important as close to manufacture date as possible with full service history in UK, that way you know a lot about it.

Also suggested trying to get stock. Means it's not been "run" as hard.

After seeing them today I am deffo getting one

Most want a fresh import as less time on salted roads and just because the history is in japanise. its normal for it to better looked after than the avarage british owner of this type of car. (Had 3 mr2s including 1 turbo, they really are fast and can be a handful depending on your driving experience. Have you considered a gt4 similar performance cheaper Insurance and a little more practical.

[Hellfire8]

I was looking at them at Japfest, I wasn't too impressed and I do have my heart set on a MR2

[Red Devil]

Hellfire8 said:

I do have my heart set on a MR2

Quite right too. PM sent.

[Daston]

Hellfire8 said:

Thanks, RX7/8 due to reliability. I don't fancy having to get compression tests etc or dealing with a lot of off the road time

I have a 5K budget, some lovely looking MR2 T's on here for that price.

Although with a £5k budget you would be able to get a running RX8 and have enough left over for an engine rebuild that will have 3 years warrenty. Could proably get some light porting done and other bits and bobs too.

[Hellfire8]

Daston said:

Although with a £5k budget you would be able to get a running RX8 and have enough left over for an engine rebuild that will have 3 years warrenty. Could proably get some light porting done and other bits and bobs too.

Hi, cheers. I again looked at that but too many worries about them. I think the insurance is a lot more too.

I like the fact that overall the MR2 is quite reliable

Red, I PMd you back.

[Fatrat]

Hellfire8 said:

Daston said:

Although with a £5k budget you would be able to get a running RX8 and have enough left over for an engine rebuild that will have 3 years warrenty. Could proably get some light porting done and other bits and bobs too.

Hi, cheers. I again looked at that but too many worries about them. I think the insurance is a lot more too.

I like the fact that overall the MR2 is quite reliable

Red, I PMd you back.

Have you thought about a turbo MX5! I had a supercharged one for a while and it was great fun