Which cheap 2 Seater to play with...

[russy01]

Good Afternoon,

Got a couple half decent dailies, but currently missing something to tinker with and tart up (not for profitable resale, just a project). Not giving you much here, just interested to see if you have any feedback or suggestions?

Criteria:

£4000 with low/reasonable running costs (not concerned about fuel consumption)
Convertible only - preferably a 2 seater
Decent steer & RWD
Strong engine with a bit of grunt (no basic 4pot)
Age/Mileage not a big concern - happy to go classic or modern.
Potential to track it, but unlikely in short term.

Considered quite a few:

S2000 - Owned one before, out of budget for what Id want
Z4 3.0 - Lots of choice, modern, quick, but concerned it will still cost quite a bit to run (expensive parts) as only 10yrs old?
Z3 2.8 - Similar price to Z4 3.0, quite like that its older. 192hp S6, lighter but not as quick as Z4 3.0.
Z3 3.0 - Fits the bill nicely, but rare at my price point. But has the potential to appreciate in value…
MX5 - Just doesn’t interest me in any guise.
350z Roadster - bit ropey at my budget, but great performance, solid engine. Concerned expensive parts, i.e brembo consumables etc.
Audi TT - Numb, not my cup of tea although the 3.2 V6 is a nice motor
986 Boxster - Little underpowered, great steer but potential of porsche bills.
E46 330 - Nope.
Alfa GTV Spider - Not a fan.

Any feedback from you lot?

Thanks.

[Over over under steer]

watching this one with interest as it's something I've been considering too to run alongside the Elise as something to tinker with & use as a track hack. I was getting stuck on the exact list you have, and had ruled out the TT for the same reasons you have. I'm currently stuck between 350Z, Z4 3.0, leggy 135i (not for you I know).

[battered]

Does the Mk3 MR2 do anything for you or is that too much of a "basic 4 pot?"

[MorganP104]

How about a Mazda RX-8?

"Project" cars are criminally cheap, and even good ones are conspicuously good value.

[russy01]

Over over under steer said:

watching this one with interest as it's something I've been considering too to run alongside the Elise as something to tinker with & use as a track hack. I was getting stuck on the exact list you have, and had ruled out the TT for the same reasons you have. I'm currently stuck between 350Z, Z4 3.0, leggy 135i (not for you I know).

135i - looked at these in the past, but looking for a convertible now. Not an easy decision...

battered said:

Does the Mk3 MR2 do anything for you or is that too much of a "basic 4 pot?"

Whilst all these cars are hairdresser, I find the MR2 more so and it does nothing for me. Cheers for your suggestion though...

MorganP104 said:

How about a Mazda RX-8?

Roof doesnt come off, plus whilst I like the idea of a bit of a project, I would like the engine to be relatively straight forward - awesome value for money though. My Bro in law has done it to death too...

[DMN]

I'm in a similarish boat.

I bought an RX8 as a track/sunday blast car this time last year. However since then my wife has changed jobs and her new one has no company car. So she promptly took over my daily, leaving me with the RX8 to get to work in. Now its fine to live with, however it all honestly 20mpg at best isn't ideal. That said, it is great handling car, thats been a lot of fun.

So I'm thinking about moving on. The one car I keep coming back to is an NC MX5 (the mk3). Twice the mpg from a car that shares the same chassis as the RX8 is what appeals. Lighter than the RX8 and with a bit more torque from the engine. It should be just as capable on track, with the added ability to get the top down in the sun.

I keep looking at some of the others you've mentioned. But I think the cheaper running costs of the MX5 will outweight the straight line speed of the others.

[russy01]

DMN said:

I'm in a similarish boat.

I bought an RX8 as a track/sunday blast car this time last year. However since then my wife has changed jobs and her new one has no company car. So she promptly took over my daily, leaving me with the RX8 to get to work in. Now its fine to live with, however it all honestly 20mpg at best isn't ideal. That said, it is great handling car, thats been a lot of fun.

So I'm thinking about moving on. The one car I keep coming back to is an NC MX5 (the mk3). Twice the mpg from a car that shares the same chassis as the RX8 is what appeals. Lighter than the RX8 and with a bit more torque from the engine. It should be just as capable on track, with the added ability to get the top down in the sun.

I keep looking at some of the others you've mentioned. But I think the cheaper running costs of the MX5 will outweight the straight line speed of the others.

Ultimately providing the car is in good shape when purchased the running costs aren't too important, as Ill only be doing a few thousand miles a year pottering around in the sunshine. BUT, since its a purchase purely for fun - I want to keep it cheap so it doesn't become a burden. i.e if something breaks it would be nice to be able to grab the parts and fix it myself or stick it in the local - not have to spend out on expensive parts from the Manufacturer.

However a big part of me wants to have the performance that the 350z and Z4 3.0 offer...

[ZX10R NIN]

It looks like it's the Z4 for you then

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

You can get a 350Z but it won't be a convertible.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...