What car-aargh!

[carreauchompeur]

Right, I know people hate these threads however I am in a quandary.

Recently moved from 2 cars (A8 and MX5) to one- The MX5. But it's a bit ropey and I need something that's a bit more civilised/socially acceptable on a daily basis. But is a decent "driver's" car. MPG not a real issue as only do about 5000 miles pa.

I did have my heart on an S2000, but circumstances are starting to conspire against me- I've lost my undercover parking space so it may have to be parked on the road, I'm therefore starting to lean away from "flash" convertibles.

Something a little less rapey to insure than an S2000 would also be good.

I'm wildly swinging between S2000s and ilk, Mini Cooper S's and BMW 330 coupes.

Absolute maximum budget is £6000. Probably nearer £5000 if from a private seller.

Help!

[Otter Smacker]

Seat Leon Cupra R?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2859648.htm

[carreauchompeur]

Not a bad shout, hadn't considered one but it doesn't really feel "special" enough- Plus I am determined to get something relatively impractical- 3 doors or 2 seats

[carreauchompeur]

I'm wondering if this is A Bad Idea...

Alfa GT

[Otter Smacker]

carreauchompeur said:

I'm wondering if this is A Bad Idea...

Alfa GT

Blimey! That's alot of car for the money!

The noise these things make with this exhaust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD8o7eMAr04 - GT sounds just as good.

[carreauchompeur]

Ooosh! I like!

[Otter Smacker]

Slightly over budget, but what about one of these?...


http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2850170.htm

[carreauchompeur]

I've been looking at that exact car for weeks, so it is a good call. Primarily a Chimaera at the cheapest end of the Market concerns me for chucking up huge bills, but also it would concern me parking something like that on the street... Very tempted though

[MudSkipper]

Sam you can't sell the MX5, that car is great!

[robsco]

carreauchompeur said:

I'm wondering if this is A Bad Idea...

Alfa GT

I looked at that exact car the other day and was very impressed. The thing is, as the last Alfa coupe ever to use the Arese V6, they probably don't have a great deal of depreciating left to do. The engines are bulletproof, too.

[ensignia]

Mazda RX-8? Much, much cheaper to buy than an S2000 and reasonable insurance. Fuel economy is, erm, atrocious, but apart from that it's a great car. And I'm not selling one I promise

[carreauchompeur]

ensignia said:

Mazda RX-8? Much, much cheaper to buy than an S2000 and reasonable insurance. Fuel economy is, erm, atrocious, but apart from that it's a great car. And I'm not selling one I promise

Had considered one, but it would utterly kill me to drive something less economical than the lovely silky A8 V8 I've given up... Have heard bad things about the early Cooper S liking a drink too...

[ensignia]

For what it's worth, I only do around 5,000 miles per annum so the economy isn't a massive issue, but I commend Mazda in designing a compact 1.3 with the fuel consumption of a 5.0 V8 Chevy from the 60s.

[carreauchompeur]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

OP

Have you tried an S2K.
I was left enthralled by flat out foot down acceleration, but numb by the drive.

I have heard that, waiting for one to come up nearby to permit a test drive...

[Wadeski]

Recommending the same car twice in one hour...do i win a prize?

[carreauchompeur]

I'm waiting to clarify my rather complicated parking situation in the next week or so, which should provide some clarity- It's entirely possible this could make a convertible untenable, which would help narrow the choices.

I'd never, ever considered a convertible before, but since my first day drive back from Sussex in the MX5, in blazing sunshine across Salisbury Plain, I've been smitten with roof down motoring.