Cheap roadster?
Discussion
Cheap roadsters
MX5
MR2 mk3
MGF
Fiat barchetta
Z3 6 cylinder will have similar running costs to normal larger BMW (not ridiculous but more than the others on the list).
I have had an MX5 mk 1.8 uk spec which was good but very slow in a straight line and despite having a boot the storage options were not great and it wasn't as good on fuel as you expect, around 29 to 33mpg.
I have recently picked up a mk3 MR2 and put a luggage rack on the boot and combined with the front boot and the storage pods space is easily equal to an MX5, its faster and more modern inside and way better on fuel. Also its better for me as a taller chap..
Depends if you want purely cheap, a bit more power, a more exciting drive or a nice mixture! Have a go in a few and don't get sucked in to thinking an MX5 or MR2 is better than the other just down to fanboys - they are both great little cars but are really quite different to each other and both very easy to live with everyday!
MX5
MR2 mk3
MGF
Fiat barchetta
Z3 6 cylinder will have similar running costs to normal larger BMW (not ridiculous but more than the others on the list).
I have had an MX5 mk 1.8 uk spec which was good but very slow in a straight line and despite having a boot the storage options were not great and it wasn't as good on fuel as you expect, around 29 to 33mpg.
I have recently picked up a mk3 MR2 and put a luggage rack on the boot and combined with the front boot and the storage pods space is easily equal to an MX5, its faster and more modern inside and way better on fuel. Also its better for me as a taller chap..
Depends if you want purely cheap, a bit more power, a more exciting drive or a nice mixture! Have a go in a few and don't get sucked in to thinking an MX5 or MR2 is better than the other just down to fanboys - they are both great little cars but are really quite different to each other and both very easy to live with everyday!
doogz said:
Yup, I'll sell you my '02 Mk3 MR2 for £2k 
Really though, IMO a better drive than the others you've listed, which is why I bought one.
Sorry to hijack the thread, but what are these things like. I have owned a few mk2's but never even sat in a mk3. However recently been thinking I need another mr2
Really though, IMO a better drive than the others you've listed, which is why I bought one.
our 51 plate Mk3 mr2 was brilliant but not without fault.
Best go for the facelift cars post 2003, it can be false economy otherwise as you end up spending more on an early car. If the Engine actually fails you may as well scrap it...... or stick a v6 in it
I've had S2000, Boxster s 986 facelift, Z4 3.0, and apart from the Porsche the MR2 was probably best to drive.
Best go for the facelift cars post 2003, it can be false economy otherwise as you end up spending more on an early car. If the Engine actually fails you may as well scrap it...... or stick a v6 in it

I've had S2000, Boxster s 986 facelift, Z4 3.0, and apart from the Porsche the MR2 was probably best to drive.
Edited by nottyash on Saturday 28th June 10:21
doogz said:
I absolutely love mine.
Most fun road car I've ever had. They're not particularly fast, but they're light, mid engined, equipped with a LSD, tyres aren't too wide, the handling is tremendous. Cheap to run too. On the work run it'll do 40mpg, I just put a set of rear tyres on it on Friday, cost me under £150 for a pair of the ones I wanted.
The seating position isn't amazing, the seat doesn't quite go low enough for my liking, and the steering wheel does have any reach adjustment, I'd rather it was a bit closer to me.
Em, what else. Traction is immense, I've hillclimbed in mine a couple of times, a tuned V8 Morgan driving passenger was shocked at how quick I could get to the first corner. Can be a little bit snappy in the wet, the LSD keeping the back end in check well, til it snaps. Only really at lower speeds though, roundabouts and the like, on track in the wet you have to turn in a bit on the brakes or you're in for a world of understeer, but it really is the most fun, as well as one of the slowest, cars I've punted around knockhill.
I can't decide what to do with mine. We're buying a couple of newer cars and clearing out the stuff we have, but I can't decide if i should sell the MR2, given how little it's worth, and how much fun I have in it, along with how little it costs to run.
Interesting, like the colour of your one, let me know if you do decide to sellMost fun road car I've ever had. They're not particularly fast, but they're light, mid engined, equipped with a LSD, tyres aren't too wide, the handling is tremendous. Cheap to run too. On the work run it'll do 40mpg, I just put a set of rear tyres on it on Friday, cost me under £150 for a pair of the ones I wanted.
The seating position isn't amazing, the seat doesn't quite go low enough for my liking, and the steering wheel does have any reach adjustment, I'd rather it was a bit closer to me.
Em, what else. Traction is immense, I've hillclimbed in mine a couple of times, a tuned V8 Morgan driving passenger was shocked at how quick I could get to the first corner. Can be a little bit snappy in the wet, the LSD keeping the back end in check well, til it snaps. Only really at lower speeds though, roundabouts and the like, on track in the wet you have to turn in a bit on the brakes or you're in for a world of understeer, but it really is the most fun, as well as one of the slowest, cars I've punted around knockhill.
I can't decide what to do with mine. We're buying a couple of newer cars and clearing out the stuff we have, but I can't decide if i should sell the MR2, given how little it's worth, and how much fun I have in it, along with how little it costs to run.
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