Second fun car - Westfield? Something else?

[ApriliaFan]

Hi guys,

Life long lurker, first time poster! I thought my situation could really benefit from the input of a helpful bunch of petrol heads, so here's asking!

I'm after a second car; a fun car for the road, no practicality necessary, a few trackdays, a trip to Le Mans (in convoy, so there'll be a support vehicle)...and then I'll sell it. I'm intending for this to be a short-term use for some leftover money I have from buying my first house - I've been saving sensibly for 7 years - so this will be a blast for a while, then I'd like to recover as much of my funds as possible and buy something else. Maybe I can minimise the depreciation by buying in the winter, then selling in summer - that works to feed my motorbike habit.

Anyway, the must haves : -

• It's gotta be fun
• It can be as impractical as you like
• I'm not worried about picking the spanners up, so it could be a 'doer upper'
• Budget is £5k-£7k
• Cheap on insurance for a second car (so something someone like REIS will insure for peanuts)
• Something that will only depreciate a little would be good
• It must be less than around 6'2" wide (about 1.95m)

I've got a garage, but it's really narrow. Whatever I buy, I won't be able to drive it in the garage and open the doors. I'll have to climb out of the top, so a soft top is ideal.

My thoughts so far are either a Westfield, or an MX5, but I'm open to suggestions.

Anyone care to chuck their two-penneth in?

Cheers,
Chris

[Wacky Racer]

You should get a decent Westfield/Tiger for that kind of money..

Cheap insurance, low depreciation, big snag is sometimes low ground clearance over speed humps, depending on size of wheels fitted.

Great fun.

[Kolbenkopp]

Yup, no clue about Westfields what so ever, but I assume they are a decent 7 clone? If practicability isn't an issue, I'd say go for that. You newer know what *"§% laws the EU and our states have in store for us, so better try to experience somethnig as raw as a 7 as long as you are allowed.

The MX-5 (while much better all round) will be with us for a long, long, time. So many have been made, so you can always do that later...

[trackerjack]

I know I might get a kicking but here goes. A standard MX5 is just too slow hence not much fun (is a bloody good car though) a lightweight kit car is heaps of fun and genuinely fast.
I own a bargain basement Quantum 2+2 RS Turbo that I bought on here and it is fun and fast but lacks the "wow" factor that the 7 type cars enjoy.
With your budget I would get a 7 type with a better engine than the popular gas guzzling boat anchor Pinto.
V8 Westfield.

[EDLT]

Get something with a motorbike engine in it for extra madness:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3363124.htm

[g7jhp]

I'd go for a Caterham like this here.

Buy in December and sell in the summer.

[g7jhp]

I'd go for a Caterham like this here.

Buy in December and sell in the summer.

[ApriliaFan]

Hi chaps,

Thanks for all your input - I think that's a resounding 'Yes' for a Westfield or 7-type car!

EDLT said:

Get something with a motorbike engine in it for extra madness:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3363124.htm

I'd thought that at first, I'm attracted to a BEC for the fun factor (I'm a biker too!) the lightness, screaming engine, etc. has it's appeal...and something like an MK Indy can be found fairly cheaply...but then someone told me they're all noise and no go?

g7jhp said:

I'd go for a Caterham like this here.
Buy in December and sell in the summer.

Yes, something like that would be ideal, but I'd probably avoid the asthmatic Pinto or Crossflow and go for a Redtop, Duratec or Zetec engine? Something like this would be perfect: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3374358.htm. Am I right to avoid the 60's & 70's Cortina engines?

[insanojackson]

vx220

[Hark]

insanojackson said:

vx220

That was gonna be my suggestion. Pick up a NA for somewhere near middle to top en dof your budget. Supercharger kit is about £1.5k is you can fit yourself.

Westy also look alot of fun, never tried one though.