Idle musings - a slow car to drive quickly
Discussion
All started by some recent posts about Lancia Fulvias.
Let's say 15k maximum
I live on the edge of the peak district so plenty of narrow twisty roads to have a bit of a blast
A Fulvia could work but then I think maybe an open car would be better
Have had a Mk 1 mx-5 and that would probably work, but seems a bit sensible
A tuned up Midget?
Wouldn't need to be practical
Doesn't need to be fast if it's fun
Any bright ideas?
Let's say 15k maximum
I live on the edge of the peak district so plenty of narrow twisty roads to have a bit of a blast
A Fulvia could work but then I think maybe an open car would be better
Have had a Mk 1 mx-5 and that would probably work, but seems a bit sensible
A tuned up Midget?
Wouldn't need to be practical
Doesn't need to be fast if it's fun
Any bright ideas?
Skodillac said:
I do like the look of them but a bit new for me.On the plus side my wife would drive it, although that could be a negative
Interesting thread.
As a current Fulvia Coupé owner I can wholeheartedly recommend them. Mine is a 1.3, which is all you really need for backroad fun (ignore people who say 'I'd have to have the 1.6') and don't be put off by LHD, which a good many are.
As a former SAAB 900 Convertible owner I also understand the appeal of a drop top (and for your budget you'd get a great 900 Convertible, BTW). But...
...you have to be prepared to enjoy the convertible in all weathers. In 21 years and over 50,000 miles of ownership, I think I drove about 500 miles with the roof up, including once in central France through a biblical hailstorm. For 3 years it was my only working car. Driving convertibles with the roof up is a miserable experience, and if you're the sort who doesn't enjoy bad-weather roof-down driving you're going to end up unhappy when the weather lets you down.
You may already be familiar with this through MX-5 ownership, but the UK seems to be full of people who've gone to the expense of buying a convertible, and the compromises they bestow on you, only to drive it round with the roof up on a sunny day. Bonkers!
As a current Fulvia Coupé owner I can wholeheartedly recommend them. Mine is a 1.3, which is all you really need for backroad fun (ignore people who say 'I'd have to have the 1.6') and don't be put off by LHD, which a good many are.
As a former SAAB 900 Convertible owner I also understand the appeal of a drop top (and for your budget you'd get a great 900 Convertible, BTW). But...
...you have to be prepared to enjoy the convertible in all weathers. In 21 years and over 50,000 miles of ownership, I think I drove about 500 miles with the roof up, including once in central France through a biblical hailstorm. For 3 years it was my only working car. Driving convertibles with the roof up is a miserable experience, and if you're the sort who doesn't enjoy bad-weather roof-down driving you're going to end up unhappy when the weather lets you down.
You may already be familiar with this through MX-5 ownership, but the UK seems to be full of people who've gone to the expense of buying a convertible, and the compromises they bestow on you, only to drive it round with the roof up on a sunny day. Bonkers!
I live on the edge of the Peak District too, my weapon of choice is this:
In it we've been all over the UK, literally from Land's End to John O'Groats. It's not too slow and within your budget could be given a decent turn of speed. Spend around £5-6K on a sound one and the rest tweaking it: MGB engine, disc brakes, telescopic dampers, comfortable seats etc and you'll have a riot of fun.
In it we've been all over the UK, literally from Land's End to John O'Groats. It's not too slow and within your budget could be given a decent turn of speed. Spend around £5-6K on a sound one and the rest tweaking it: MGB engine, disc brakes, telescopic dampers, comfortable seats etc and you'll have a riot of fun.
Turbobanana said:
Interesting thread.
As a current Fulvia Coupé owner I can wholeheartedly recommend them. Mine is a 1.3, which is all you really need for backroad fun (ignore people who say 'I'd have to have the 1.6') and don't be put off by LHD, which a good many are.
As a former SAAB 900 Convertible owner I also understand the appeal of a drop top (and for your budget you'd get a great 900 Convertible, BTW). But...
...you have to be prepared to enjoy the convertible in all weathers. In 21 years and over 50,000 miles of ownership, I think I drove about 500 miles with the roof up, including once in central France through a biblical hailstorm. For 3 years it was my only working car. Driving convertibles with the roof up is a miserable experience, and if you're the sort who doesn't enjoy bad-weather roof-down driving you're going to end up unhappy when the weather lets you down.
You may already be familiar with this through MX-5 ownership, but the UK seems to be full of people who've gone to the expense of buying a convertible, and the compromises they bestow on you, only to drive it round with the roof up on a sunny day. Bonkers!
Good point about lhd. It's pretty unlikely I'll be at the m6 toll booth in itAs a current Fulvia Coupé owner I can wholeheartedly recommend them. Mine is a 1.3, which is all you really need for backroad fun (ignore people who say 'I'd have to have the 1.6') and don't be put off by LHD, which a good many are.
As a former SAAB 900 Convertible owner I also understand the appeal of a drop top (and for your budget you'd get a great 900 Convertible, BTW). But...
...you have to be prepared to enjoy the convertible in all weathers. In 21 years and over 50,000 miles of ownership, I think I drove about 500 miles with the roof up, including once in central France through a biblical hailstorm. For 3 years it was my only working car. Driving convertibles with the roof up is a miserable experience, and if you're the sort who doesn't enjoy bad-weather roof-down driving you're going to end up unhappy when the weather lets you down.
You may already be familiar with this through MX-5 ownership, but the UK seems to be full of people who've gone to the expense of buying a convertible, and the compromises they bestow on you, only to drive it round with the roof up on a sunny day. Bonkers!
This would strictly be a car to mess around in and you are probably right about the weather. Maybe a convertible does limit the options too much
Rumdoodle said:
Austin 7?
This could definitely be interestingthis one even says it's nippy in the ad
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C2047928
Nicetobenice said:
This is quite a thing!
i was very tempted when it was up for auction earlier in the year - they are a hoot to drive - I have a sneaking feeling I nearly bought this very car some 30 years back as a fresh import in 1996 when it was painted white but the door shuts and under bonnet were still green. https://auctions.wbandsons.com/auction/lot/lot-106...
wjs1968 said:
i was very tempted when it was up for auction earlier in the year - they are a hoot to drive - I have a sneaking feeling I nearly bought this very car some 30 years back as a fresh import in 1996 when it was painted white but the door shuts and under bonnet were still green.
https://auctions.wbandsons.com/auction/lot/lot-106...
they also do a coupe version - if it was good enough for John Bolster....https://auctions.wbandsons.com/auction/lot/lot-106...
https://share.google/5gU9AdmrWdm7Co5kL
Nicetobenice said:
Turbobanana said:
Interesting thread.
As a current Fulvia Coupé owner I can wholeheartedly recommend them. Mine is a 1.3, which is all you really need for backroad fun (ignore people who say 'I'd have to have the 1.6') and don't be put off by LHD, which a good many are.
As a former SAAB 900 Convertible owner I also understand the appeal of a drop top (and for your budget you'd get a great 900 Convertible, BTW). But...
...you have to be prepared to enjoy the convertible in all weathers. In 21 years and over 50,000 miles of ownership, I think I drove about 500 miles with the roof up, including once in central France through a biblical hailstorm. For 3 years it was my only working car. Driving convertibles with the roof up is a miserable experience, and if you're the sort who doesn't enjoy bad-weather roof-down driving you're going to end up unhappy when the weather lets you down.
You may already be familiar with this through MX-5 ownership, but the UK seems to be full of people who've gone to the expense of buying a convertible, and the compromises they bestow on you, only to drive it round with the roof up on a sunny day. Bonkers!
Good point about lhd. It's pretty unlikely I'll be at the m6 toll booth in itAs a current Fulvia Coupé owner I can wholeheartedly recommend them. Mine is a 1.3, which is all you really need for backroad fun (ignore people who say 'I'd have to have the 1.6') and don't be put off by LHD, which a good many are.
As a former SAAB 900 Convertible owner I also understand the appeal of a drop top (and for your budget you'd get a great 900 Convertible, BTW). But...
...you have to be prepared to enjoy the convertible in all weathers. In 21 years and over 50,000 miles of ownership, I think I drove about 500 miles with the roof up, including once in central France through a biblical hailstorm. For 3 years it was my only working car. Driving convertibles with the roof up is a miserable experience, and if you're the sort who doesn't enjoy bad-weather roof-down driving you're going to end up unhappy when the weather lets you down.
You may already be familiar with this through MX-5 ownership, but the UK seems to be full of people who've gone to the expense of buying a convertible, and the compromises they bestow on you, only to drive it round with the roof up on a sunny day. Bonkers!
This would strictly be a car to mess around in and you are probably right about the weather. Maybe a convertible does limit the options too much
As long as its a fun toy only, LHD isn't as big a problem as some people would have you believe. I also wouldn't even entertain a rag top.
And if LHD isn't an issue, and a left field choice as someone mentioned Saab, what about a Sonnet?
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C2046995
aeropilot said:
Not many better options than a Fulvia 1.3 Coupe for a bit of country road fun in that budget bracket...
As long as its a fun toy only, LHD isn't as big a problem as some people would have you believe. I also wouldn't even entertain a rag top.
And if LHD isn't an issue, and a left field choice as someone mentioned Saab, what about a Sonnet?
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C2046995
I've been trying to ignore that Sonnet, aeropilot! You could rock up at pretty much any show and guarantee you'd be the only one there. Reliable, robust oily bits, solid FWD handling and a fibreglass body - you can't go wrong. Unless you don't like the look of it...As long as its a fun toy only, LHD isn't as big a problem as some people would have you believe. I also wouldn't even entertain a rag top.
And if LHD isn't an issue, and a left field choice as someone mentioned Saab, what about a Sonnet?
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C2046995
Fiat Barchetta?
But not this one, which is ridiculously overpriced and seems to have a had a shockingly poor respray.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19990433
But not this one, which is ridiculously overpriced and seems to have a had a shockingly poor respray.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19990433
Turbobanana said:
aeropilot said:
Not many better options than a Fulvia 1.3 Coupe for a bit of country road fun in that budget bracket...
As long as its a fun toy only, LHD isn't as big a problem as some people would have you believe. I also wouldn't even entertain a rag top.
And if LHD isn't an issue, and a left field choice as someone mentioned Saab, what about a Sonnet?
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C2046995
That's a beauty.
I've been trying to ignore that Sonnet, aeropilot! You could rock up at pretty much any show and guarantee you'd be the only one there. Reliable, robust oily bits, solid FWD handling and a fibreglass body - you can't go wrong. Unless you don't like the look of it...As long as its a fun toy only, LHD isn't as big a problem as some people would have you believe. I also wouldn't even entertain a rag top.
And if LHD isn't an issue, and a left field choice as someone mentioned Saab, what about a Sonnet?
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C2046995
That's a beauty.
Edited by Nicetobenice on Thursday 16th April 16:50
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