Sports car: The best bang for your buck??
Discussion
Hi folks
If you had, say, upto 5k (with some stretch for the right car
) to spend on a convertible, 2 seater sportscar...what would you go for?
First and foremost it needs to be reliable. It will be used for a very short commute (1mile each way) plus weekends away and an annual roadtrip on the Continent. So it will need some storage space for bags and Mrs O's shoe collection
Not too worried regarding age as long as its reliable.
What could my money get me?
Cheers in advance
If you had, say, upto 5k (with some stretch for the right car
) to spend on a convertible, 2 seater sportscar...what would you go for?First and foremost it needs to be reliable. It will be used for a very short commute (1mile each way) plus weekends away and an annual roadtrip on the Continent. So it will need some storage space for bags and Mrs O's shoe collection
Not too worried regarding age as long as its reliable.
What could my money get me?
Cheers in advance
Do you have any preference on performance, looks, make, country or construction.
How do you define "reliable", as it's rather arbitrary as a single statement.
Do you like to tinker on cars yourself?
For an only car of this type I'd personally be looking at a TVR of some kind. Either entry level Chim or a nice Wedge/S-Series.
Simple cars and easy to work on, so no reason they can't be reliable and dependable, although niggles a plenty.
If you want more modern then I like and can recommend the smart Roadster, although if it's your only car you might find it lacking in outright speed, if you have other ways of sating this, then it's not a problem.
Lotus Elan M100's are around this money too, maybe even an early VX220 2.2 or with some luck a C4 Corvette.
How do you define "reliable", as it's rather arbitrary as a single statement.
Do you like to tinker on cars yourself?
For an only car of this type I'd personally be looking at a TVR of some kind. Either entry level Chim or a nice Wedge/S-Series.
Simple cars and easy to work on, so no reason they can't be reliable and dependable, although niggles a plenty.
If you want more modern then I like and can recommend the smart Roadster, although if it's your only car you might find it lacking in outright speed, if you have other ways of sating this, then it's not a problem.
Lotus Elan M100's are around this money too, maybe even an early VX220 2.2 or with some luck a C4 Corvette.
In order of consideration:
My first thought is the mk3 MR2, which is certainly one of the best sports cars to drive for that money, but it has no boot. Weekends away are doable, but you'd both need to pack light.
The MX5 in my mind comes second in driving enjoyment, and you'll get plenty of choice for £5k. The boot is reasonable, but not huge.
The MGTF (the last generation MGF with springs and dampers rather than hydragas) has a huge boot, but I never found them that great to drive, and the driving position is so odd it needs the strangest steering wheel I've ever seen (egg shaped) to allow you to get your knees under it.
An S2000 would be quite long in the tooth at £5k wouldn't it? I suppose one of the last 200SXs from 2001 could be a goer, but most of them seem to be automatics from 2000/2001... Good to drive though - a nice balance and great at the GT things you'd throw at it
My first thought is the mk3 MR2, which is certainly one of the best sports cars to drive for that money, but it has no boot. Weekends away are doable, but you'd both need to pack light.
The MX5 in my mind comes second in driving enjoyment, and you'll get plenty of choice for £5k. The boot is reasonable, but not huge.
The MGTF (the last generation MGF with springs and dampers rather than hydragas) has a huge boot, but I never found them that great to drive, and the driving position is so odd it needs the strangest steering wheel I've ever seen (egg shaped) to allow you to get your knees under it.
An S2000 would be quite long in the tooth at £5k wouldn't it? I suppose one of the last 200SXs from 2001 could be a goer, but most of them seem to be automatics from 2000/2001... Good to drive though - a nice balance and great at the GT things you'd throw at it
Meoricin said:
Captain Muppet said:
A one mile commute? I'd buy a coat.
And I'd keep the MX5 turbo I already have for the weekends. Dunno what I'd do with the other three grand. Buy another motorbike? It's a nice situation to be in.
You'd spend 2k on a coat?And I'd keep the MX5 turbo I already have for the weekends. Dunno what I'd do with the other three grand. Buy another motorbike? It's a nice situation to be in.
I know winter's hanging around, but 2k seems excessive?
cocopop said:
Meoricin said:
Captain Muppet said:
A one mile commute? I'd buy a coat.
And I'd keep the MX5 turbo I already have for the weekends. Dunno what I'd do with the other three grand. Buy another motorbike? It's a nice situation to be in.
You'd spend 2k on a coat?And I'd keep the MX5 turbo I already have for the weekends. Dunno what I'd do with the other three grand. Buy another motorbike? It's a nice situation to be in.
I know winter's hanging around, but 2k seems excessive?
cocopop said:
Captain Muppet said:
£1995 is what the MX5 turbo cost. My coat cost a fiver.
Bargain, I wish mine cost that.MX5 that is.
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