First car? Kind of...
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I'm a long time lurker, but now was the time to sign up!
Long story short, I'm 25 and held a provisional license since I was 17. Last year my partner got a new job which meant more driving, so we jointly bought a BMW 318i M Sport(E90), in the hope it would inspire me to drive. After slapping some L's on it, I was hooked and finally passed my test on the 30th of December.
Now I've passed, I want something just for me. We have a couple of kids, but in my eyes we already have a family car, so I'm after something fun, with little regard to the number of seats. I want to spend no more than £2K, just in case I wrap it around at tree. The driving experience is top of my list, but it also has to look a little bit good. Any ideas would be very welcome, but here's some ideas I have had, and the reasons why they might not be a goer at the moment:
Mazda MX5: How could this not be top of my list? Love the MK1 and MK2 and both within budget. The problem is, I'm 6ft 5, so would struggle in one! Also, insurance is well over a grand because I've had my license for 5 minutes.
MR2: Thinking of the MK3 here. The MK2 just looks a little dated to me. Same issues as the MX5 really. If I could choose one, I'd probably have the MX5.
Z3: Insurance is a nightmare on these. Not a good drive by all accounts (haven't drove one). I like the looks, though!
Alfa 147: I'd like to drive it a little bit. Haven't looked and insuring one of these, but I'm told I'll be pushing it everywhere.
So I'm open to any ideas/opinions on the above! I want something fun to drive with a little bit of looks. I was set on a 2 seater convertible to throw around, but insurance might be the killer to that. Also looked at the RX8, but I've read the wankle engine is likely to die. So yeah... If it exists, sporty fun for under £2K for a giant.
Thanks!
I'm a long time lurker, but now was the time to sign up!
Long story short, I'm 25 and held a provisional license since I was 17. Last year my partner got a new job which meant more driving, so we jointly bought a BMW 318i M Sport(E90), in the hope it would inspire me to drive. After slapping some L's on it, I was hooked and finally passed my test on the 30th of December.
Now I've passed, I want something just for me. We have a couple of kids, but in my eyes we already have a family car, so I'm after something fun, with little regard to the number of seats. I want to spend no more than £2K, just in case I wrap it around at tree. The driving experience is top of my list, but it also has to look a little bit good. Any ideas would be very welcome, but here's some ideas I have had, and the reasons why they might not be a goer at the moment:
Mazda MX5: How could this not be top of my list? Love the MK1 and MK2 and both within budget. The problem is, I'm 6ft 5, so would struggle in one! Also, insurance is well over a grand because I've had my license for 5 minutes.
MR2: Thinking of the MK3 here. The MK2 just looks a little dated to me. Same issues as the MX5 really. If I could choose one, I'd probably have the MX5.
Z3: Insurance is a nightmare on these. Not a good drive by all accounts (haven't drove one). I like the looks, though!
Alfa 147: I'd like to drive it a little bit. Haven't looked and insuring one of these, but I'm told I'll be pushing it everywhere.
So I'm open to any ideas/opinions on the above! I want something fun to drive with a little bit of looks. I was set on a 2 seater convertible to throw around, but insurance might be the killer to that. Also looked at the RX8, but I've read the wankle engine is likely to die. So yeah... If it exists, sporty fun for under £2K for a giant.
Thanks!
I really like the look of the MR2 MK3. I know a lot of people say it looks feminine and hairdressery, but I kind of like it. Particularly the interior.
What's the drive like compared to something like an MX-5?
Edit: What was the 147 like? I've read that you have to really take care of them so they stay running.
What's the drive like compared to something like an MX-5?
Edit: What was the 147 like? I've read that you have to really take care of them so they stay running.
Edited by Sam3773 on Wednesday 21st January 19:47
The MR2 is a convertible, and that's probably the only reason, like and MX5 it gets the hairdresser rep.
The handling is sharp, the mid-engine rear drive combo makes for really good turn in. To the point where I realised in other cars I was pre-empting the turn, turning in and then the car would go... which led to a few near misses in the MR2 where when you turn, it goes, no delay.
I've not driven an MX5, but I'd expect if drifing is what you want, the MX5 is better, as the engine is ahead, but I'd say there's just this "thing" about cornering in a mid-engine rear drive car that can't be beaten. To the extent that my MR2 replacement is another mid engine rear drive car.
The handling is sharp, the mid-engine rear drive combo makes for really good turn in. To the point where I realised in other cars I was pre-empting the turn, turning in and then the car would go... which led to a few near misses in the MR2 where when you turn, it goes, no delay.
I've not driven an MX5, but I'd expect if drifing is what you want, the MX5 is better, as the engine is ahead, but I'd say there's just this "thing" about cornering in a mid-engine rear drive car that can't be beaten. To the extent that my MR2 replacement is another mid engine rear drive car.
Well I've managed to bring the insurance down by adding my partner as a named driver, so I'll definitely have to go test a MR2 and an MX5 to see how they fit.
The MR2 just looks like it has something about it. I know the MX5's are "bullet proof" and there's a lot you can do with them, but there's just something drawing me to the MR2. Any other ideas? I've looked at things like the MG TF and even had a (short) look at the Crossfire.
The MR2 just looks like it has something about it. I know the MX5's are "bullet proof" and there's a lot you can do with them, but there's just something drawing me to the MR2. Any other ideas? I've looked at things like the MG TF and even had a (short) look at the Crossfire.
Sam3773 said:
I really like the look of the MR2 MK3. I know a lot of people say it looks feminine and hairdressery, but I kind of like it. Particularly the interior.
What's the drive like compared to something like an MX-5?
Edit: What was the 147 like? I've read that you have to really take care of them so they stay running.
Stick to the service schedule and it'll be fine. Go for a manual over the Selespeed to avoid any issues with that.What's the drive like compared to something like an MX-5?
Edit: What was the 147 like? I've read that you have to really take care of them so they stay running.
Edited by Sam3773 on Wednesday 21st January 19:47
Don't rule out the MGTF; they have a reputation for eating head gaskets, but it is possible to sort it out and you should be able to find a good one in your price range. They are great fun to drive, better than an Alfa, and insurance for me would have been just a bit more than an Alfa 156, which I suppose is similar to a 147.
Justin Case said:
Don't rule out the MGTF; they have a reputation for eating head gaskets, but it is possible to sort it out and you should be able to find a good one in your price range. They are great fun to drive, better than an Alfa, and insurance for me would have been just a bit more than an Alfa 156, which I suppose is similar to a 147.
The MGTF was tight for my mate at 6 ft tall, I think this chap at 6'5" would struggleI have been looking at the TF. I really like the interior styling on them. I thought out of the MX5, MR2 and TF the TF would have more room for someone vertically challenged. They just look a bit bigger.
Not that I want to spark the old MX5 Vs MR2 debate, but I think it's got to be between them. It might come down to what I can fit in, but I need to go test some, including the TF just in case I can squeeze in.
Is there much difference between the MK1 and MK2 MX5 in the driver's height department? I know you can do a foamectimy on them, but I've heard the MK1's are better but ideally I'd like a MK2.
Not that I want to spark the old MX5 Vs MR2 debate, but I think it's got to be between them. It might come down to what I can fit in, but I need to go test some, including the TF just in case I can squeeze in.
Is there much difference between the MK1 and MK2 MX5 in the driver's height department? I know you can do a foamectimy on them, but I've heard the MK1's are better but ideally I'd like a MK2.
My dads a tall chap and he had a 147. Brilliant little car. Looked after it gave him no issues whatsoever. It did break down the day he got it, but that was the garage he got it from doing a bodge job on a rad hose with the wrong sized clip. But the few miles he had done it didnt put him off and he loved it. Drives lots for his work. Only issue was it mad him a bit of an Alfa fan and now hes a bit of a car nut.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff