What car for back to basics fun?

[ImpossiblyDaft]

Yes, its another of these "what car should I buy?" threads, sorry about that.

My current car is an Alfa 156 V6, and its a lovely car. But its not all that fun to drive, weirdly - the engine is fantastic, but if anything its too good. I've been driving a shonky old Citroen Saxo around a bit recently and I've come to the conclusion that I could do with replacing the Alfa with something a bit more back-to-basics.

The 156 is an odd one in that its like someone in their late 20s that's just beginning to settle down - it feels like it wants to be fun, but its too refined and grown up to be able to do it like they used to. The steering is overassisted and the car is quick, but because the engine basically revs really smoothly, has a fair amount of torque and picks up from anywhere, there's no pressure to "get it right". Not quite so fun to drive as the 155 which I used to have, which just drove like the stretched out hot-hatch it really was.

I'm also quite fancying the idea of going RWD, as everything I've had to date has been FWD. That's not really a set-in-stone thing, though - I just want something that feels like it rewards proper driving rather than simply rewarding a heavy right foot.

Budget-wise, I'd ideally not like to spend too much and I'd like to get something with fairly low running costs, but I can be fairly flexible on one of these (ie, cheap to buy, as much as the Alfa to run, or say £4-5k to buy but cheaper to run).

So, low power. RWD. Back-to-basics. Affordable...
Yes, yes, I know, I know.

I've been putting together a shortlist for both the FWD and RWD options and I've come up with;

FWD
Citroen Saxo / Peugeot 106 GTI
Honda Integra Type R (DC2) - how much are these to run & am I likely to be looking at money pits for this budget? I'm thinking the insurance could be a bit of a killer, given I'm not likely to end up with much change from the purchase costs.

RWD
Toyota MR2 mk1 - A friend of mine did the whole sideways into a lamp-post thing in an early mk2, are the mk1s like that too or are they a bit more forgiving?
Toyota AE86 - bit expensive, but is it really worth pushing my budget for one or are they just popular 'cause they were on telly?
Mazda MX5 - I'm guessing there's good deals to be had this time of year?



Is there anything I've missed off that list & anyone have any opinions on the MR2 vs. AE86 vs. MX5?

[Pints]

AE86 is an interesting consideration, although possibly too bloated for what you're after.
There's a very good reason the MX-5 is trotted out each time this question is asked though. Easy to have fun in yet forgivable.

[GravelBen]

Pints said:

There's a very good reason the MX-5 is trotted out each time this question is asked though.

+1

Every time they're mentioned I feel like buying one again.

Mk1 MR2s are fun too, but a different type of fun - MR2 is precise mid-engined fun, MX5 is playful front-engined fun.

Edited by GravelBen on Friday 23 November 05:33

[ImpossiblyDaft]

Thanks for the thoughts, I guess I'll have to give them all a go & see. Am I right in thinking that rust aside, they're all pretty low-fuss cars to run?

[r1ch]

106 rallye is a back to basics drivers car. Series 1 in red

[kambites]

Mk3 MR2.

95% of the fun of the mk1, without the rust.

[markcoopers]

I just picked up a Mk1 MX5 for not much more than peanuts as a cheap fun RWD car. For a fraction of your budget i can not find anything as much fun.

[Scootersp]

I loved my MK1 Mr2 but they can be rust prone.

If you can handle the style and it being more a GT car than a sports car how about a non turbo Mkiv supra, these can be cheap and are very reliable....lots of tired and modded ones but some lovely standard and clean ones around from time to time.

[exgtt]

172 Cup - 1000od kg, no abs, plenty of rattles, basic interior. Small car big engine fun.

+ 5* NCAP rating for when it goes wrong - would not fancy an off in a 106/saxo!

[Major Fallout]

Pints said:

There's a very good reason the MX-5 is trotted out each time this question is asked though. Easy to have fun in yet forgivable.

Forget its an mx5, look at it this way.

Strong unburstable twin-cam engine thats easy to work on. Tough 5 speed gearbox (apparently it can take double the torque), and an LSD.
In that order with space to work on.

Independent double wishbone suspension front and back.

Sports 2 seater body.

Controls that are well thought out perfect for heal toe, with a gearbox with a slick gear change.

Plus a very balanced chassis.


Its lists like a racing car but with an easily removable waterproof hood, a radio, a heater, cheap tyres, and a bullet proof engine. All for less than £2k


The truth is racing cars are st to drive on anything other than a track. I have never driven a racing car with a nice gear change yet, as I'm sure the rest of PH will agree.

[s m]

Pints said:

AE86 is an interesting consideration, although possibly too bloated for what you're after.
There's a very good reason the MX-5 is trotted out each time this question is asked though. Easy to have fun in yet forgivable.

Too bloated? In what respect? Too long a car? Not much weight difference and the Toyota has a smidge more poke than a Mk1 MX5

Edited by s m on Friday 23 November 22:31