Mx5 vs mr2.. Or other options below 1.6cc's

[welshjohn]

Missis has decided she wants a little soft top sports car.with a maximum 2 k budget she has decided on either a mx 5 or a mr2.apparently Audi tt's are to girly.
So with that in mind which is the better car?.. I'm open to other suggestions to.one other thing though she's a fairly new driver so a max of 1.6 cc if possible...

Cheers all

[LasseV]

Well, i'm not sure is a MR2 good choice for novice driver....

[DrTre]

cappuccino

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C573370

[welshjohn]

Cappuccino says turbo so probably not very insurance friendly.any reason why the mr2 would not be novice friendly?

[Butter Face]

MR2's are bigger than 1.6CC anyway?

Mk2's are 2.0 and Mk3's are 1.8.

An MG TF is a great first convertible. Cheaper than an MX5 too. They do a 1.6 or a 1.8 in those.

[SonicShadow]

Butter Face said:

MR2's are bigger than 1.6CC anyway?

Mk2's are 2.0 and Mk3's are 1.8.

Mk1's are 1600cc.

OP states soft top so they must be looking at Mk3's (ignoring the very uncommon Mk2 convertible).

[Butter Face]

SonicShadow said:

Butter Face said:

MR2's are bigger than 1.6CC anyway?

Mk2's are 2.0 and Mk3's are 1.8.

Mk1's are 1600cc.

OP states soft top so they must be looking at Mk3's (ignoring the very uncommon Mk2 convertible).

I was discounting the MK1 anyway as I imagine they're pretty rare now and doubtful they'd be the first choice of any female

But you are right about the engine size!

[welshjohn]

I think when she says soft top.she probably means something the roo comesf off ...the suggestion of a mgf might be worth a look

[BritishRacinGrin]

Fiat Barchetta

[DrTre]

BritishRacinGrin said:

Fiat Barchetta

Ace car but fairly new driver and LHD only?

[Butter Face]

welshjohn said:

I think when she says soft top.she probably means something the roo comesf off ...the suggestion of a mgf might be worth a look

Get a later TF rather than an F, check the head gasket has been done and enjoy. They are great cars IMO but as a new driver make sure she is wary of anything RWD...

[Captain Muppet]

DrTre said:

BritishRacinGrin said:

Fiat Barchetta

Ace car but fairly new driver and LHD only?

FWD though, hence novice friendly.

Although the first RWD car I had was an MR2 (mk1), and I didn't die once. So she'll only crash if she's an idiot.

So in summary, whatever car she wants is the right one. It's massively sexist to assume a woman won't be able to choose her own car, and besides if you choose it for her it'll be your fault when it goes wrong and you have to fix it for her*.



* I'm only willing to discuss how sexist this assumption is with any woman who've ever changed a clutch on her own.

[poing]

The default choice is the MX5 or MR2.
Early MX5's rust, especially the mk2.
The MR2 has zero luggage space, not even enough for a weeks shopping. The people saying not suitable for a novice are saying that because it's mid engine which means a bit snappier if the rear end lets go.
Both really good cars though so either would suit.

There was a Peugeot 206CC which was folding hard top, the 1.6 isn't fast but it will bring a smile on a sunny day. The roof mechanism can be a bit of a problem.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[Captain Muppet]

poing said:

The MR2 has zero luggage space, not even enough for a weeks shopping.

The bins behind the seats can fit in more food than the two of us eat in a week. They are smaller than the boot in the MX5, but then you won't fit much in there either.

[poing]

Captain Muppet said:

poing said:

The MR2 has zero luggage space, not even enough for a weeks shopping.

The bins behind the seats can fit in more food than the two of us eat in a week. They are smaller than the boot in the MX5, but then you won't fit much in there either.

To be fair I'm probably fatter than you

[BritishRacinGrin]

Captain Muppet said:

DrTre said:

BritishRacinGrin said:

Fiat Barchetta

Ace car but fairly new driver and LHD only?

FWD though, hence novice friendly.

Although the first RWD car I had was an MR2 (mk1), and I didn't die once. So she'll only crash if she's an idiot.

So in summary, whatever car she wants is the right one. It's massively sexist to assume a woman won't be able to choose her own car, and besides if you choose it for her it'll be your fault when it goes wrong and you have to fix it for her*.



* I'm only willing to discuss how sexist this assumption is with any woman who've ever changed a clutch on her own.

Indeed. To be honest I only suggested it because women love the way they look and as you say it's just a punto really so unlikely to spring any surprises handling-wise. Didn't realise they were all left hand drive.
Alfa Spider? Daihatsu Copen? Smart Roadster?

[billzeebub]

MX5. MR2 is a great car, but as a mid engined RWD it isn't. A great choice for the inexperienced. It also has next to no luggage space. If your determined to go mid engined the MGTF is also a good little car and cheap. It would be an MX5 for me with your requirments

[danjama]

For a woman...MX5.

What are people going on about no luggage space in a MR2 though? The boots are huge!

[welshjohn]

We did look at the pug cc she didn't like the interior..funny enough tho we have just done a quote on a 2.0 Volvo c70 cab and it works out about £100 cheaper than a mx5..

[kambites]

danjama said:

For a woman...MX5.

What are people going on about no luggage space in a MR2 though? The boots are huge!

They're talking about the mk3, since the mk2 isn't available as a convertible (or rather is but is exceptionally rare).

As much as I hate to say it, if she's not particularly into driving I'd go front engined FWD. Something like a 206CC or Tigra will probably be much cheaper to insure than a sports car.