Which car? Nat-asp, RWD, great handling.

[Long Arc Archie]

Hi folks,

I own an Impreza 'Hawkeye' STI with suspension mods, a car that I've had a lot of fun with, but would now like to trade for something naturally-aspirated and rear-wheel-drive.

Like the Scooby, I'll use the car mainly for fun on dry roads at weekends, so practicality isn't a big deal. For that reason I'm looking at two-seaters. Above all else the steering has to be sharp, the handling has to be composed and the car has to be involving to drive.

My current shortlist is, in order of preference:

1) Nissan 350Z

2) Honda S2000

3) Lotus Elise (would consider S1 or S2)

Max budget is about £16K, but I'd be willing to spend far less than that if I can get away with it!

I'd be very interested in hearing your collective opinions about why I should pursue or indeed avoid any of the above. Also open to suggestions for other cars.

Many thanks!



Edit: Has to be reasonably inexpensive to run (i.e. similar servicing costs to the Scoob or cheaper). Also I don't want any model of car that is known to have a high risk of developing an expensive-to-repair fault.

Edit: Looking for something with fewer than 30K miles on the clock.

Edited by Long Arc Archie on Tuesday 26th April 22:17

[kambites]

I'd add the Boxster and Z4 to your list. And maybe a Caterham if you're that way inclined.

In my opinion, the 350Z is big and heavy and feels it - more muscle car than sports car; the S2000 is an interesting car with a lovely engine, but its handling is out-classed at this price point; the Boxster is a great car but is slightly soft and numb for a weekend car; I suppose the Z4 is vaguely like the 350Z in character but quite a lot better at it (as long as it has a decent engine). To be honest, they're all just rather... sensible.

If it's a weekend car, I think you'd struggle to beat an Elise or Caterham; personally I'd probably go for a Caterham.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 26th April 18:57

[Baryonyx]

Spend an eighth of your budget and buy an MX5. Just as much fun as the other cars (if not more) in an extremely reasonably priced guise.

[gareth.e]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2683073.htm

[hondafanatic]

I have an S2000...I love 'em.

However, as it's a weekend car, I'd pick the Lotus out of that list. Great great cars and if you're into it, lots of forum support and lotus events to go along to at the weekend.

[wackojacko]

Caterham like posted above ? (my second choice)

Audi or honda engined elise S1 ?

Supercharged S2 Elise

TVR Tuscan (my 1st choice)
TVR Cerbera
TVR Chimeara

Z4M Roadster (My third choice)

[george h]

As above I would go with the TVR Tuscan

[wackojacko]

Having Driven 3 of the suggestions (S2000 a 350z and Tuscan) (on my profile) I can tell you that the S2000 doesn't lack in torque at all it just seems it when compared with the power step when the VTEC kicks in.
Rev tastic, LSD, good noise... not expensive to run.

350Z is a nice car but I found everything abit heavy and clumbersome (personal preferance) but has a great soundtrack.


For the Extra money the Tuscan is sensational ! just get one that has been rebuilt, So much power in any gear it just pulls like a train.
-great soundtrack
-fantastic driver feedback
-great brakes
-smooth power delivery
-Steering,gear changes etc I found very direct and accurate.
- drive it like a though and it will kill you ... it's a car that needs to be treated with respect (like all TVR's) (whereas the S2K and 350 can be chucked and thrown about with out much problem at all)
-Grip is phenominal although when the rear end breaks away at speed it snaps rather than a clean break away that can be controlled in a casual manor.

If you still want the Jap market in your life then I'd suggest a Tuned Supra or the S2K.

[ewenm]

gareth.e said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2683073.htm

So much purer than the other choices and/but much more raw too.

[Long Arc Archie]

Thanks for all the great replies, folks!

kambites – I looked into Boxsters before but came to the conclusion that the chances of facing an expensive engine rebuild were just too high (I should have added to that list of requirements – "must not be very prone to any fault that costs more than £1000 to fix").

Baryonx – I considered an MX-5, but I'm pretty sure I'd find it too lacking in grunt after the Scoob.

Interesting comments about the 350Z feeling big and heavy...I need to drive one, I guess.

TVR Tuscan would be great, but probably out of my budget.

Z4 – aaah! Now that's an interesting thought! Pretty sure my budget wouldn't stretch to an 'M', but the 3.0L looks like it should have enough ooomph – good suggestion!

And the Caterham... well, I'll bet they're immense fun, but I'm just not ready for something quite so... exposed. Need to work my way down gradually towards one of those!

Thanks again folks, much appreciated.

Edited by Long Arc Archie on Tuesday 26th April 21:24

[Jayho]

How important is the N/A bit? An RX-7 Twin Turbo Would be

Its rare, but you can see if you can find one with a V8 convesion? (Cant remember if thats the kind engine used for the conversions)

[adycav]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2344315.htm

Brimming with character. Pure, unadulterated driving pleasure.

[Long Arc Archie]

Jayho said:

How important is the N/A bit? An RX-7 Twin Turbo Would be

Its rare, but you can see if you can find one with a V8 convesion? (Cant remember if thats the kind engine used for the conversions)

Hi there.

My past three cars have had turbos, and I feel it's time for a change... something 'purer', for want of a better word (and I'm sure there must be a better word).

Also trying to keep expensive-to-fix bits to a minumum.

Cheers.

[Ved]

adycav said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2344315.htm

Brimming with character. Pure, unadulterated driving pleasure.

And it won't lose much if he fancies a change in a few years.

A winner.

[adycav]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2323894.htm

Women will throw themselves at you.

[adycav]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2760211.htm

Wild card?

[Ved]

adycav said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2760211.htm

Wild card?

Always liked these. Hope the belt service has been carried out as reading Evo today shows that to be £1100

[mike9009]

I know its turbocharged,but what about a vxr220. In such a light car, the lag is minimal. I have only driven a standard turbo and owned an NA. The owners site is fantastic and very supportive.

Mike

[wackojacko]

Long Arc Archie said:

Thanks for all the great replies, folks!

kambites – I looked into Boxsters before but came to the conclusion that the chances of facing an expensive engine rebuild were just too high (I should have added to that list of requirements – "must not be very prone to any fault that costs more than £1000 to fix").

Baryonx – I considered an MX-5, but I'm pretty sure I'd find it too lacking in grunt after the Scoob.

Interesting comments about the 350Z feeling big and heavy...I need to drive one, I guess.

TVR Tuscan would be great, but probably out of my budget.

Z4 – aaah! Now that's an interesting thought! Pretty sure my budget wouldn't stretch to an 'M', but the 3.0L looks like it should have enough ooomph – good suggestion!

And the Caterham... well, I'll bet they're immense fun, but I'm just not ready for something quite so... exposed. Need to work my way down gradually towards one of those!

Thanks again folks, much appreciated.

Edited by Long Arc Archie on Tuesday 26th April 21:24

Z4M 14K - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2440030.htm
or you can pick up a pristine 3.0 for circa 12K

Tuscan in good nick with hardly any miles - 15K http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2675225.htm

these 2 are worth the Extra over anyother sub 10k option suggested so far.

10K can buy you this sport 160 S1 (very nice indeed would be my next on my list.) http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2725300.htm

[wackojacko]

adycav said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2323894.htm

Women will throw themselves at you.

Yes but 10K per year to run the thing