MX5 (to) 350Z (to) Elise (to) ? - With Pics!

[Ryan_T]

Me, mid/late 20's. GF, house, driveway (no garage), engineer so tackle most jobs but have never welded or rebuilt an engine etc..

First car was a Mk2 MX5, I had this for 4 years, it ended up being fairly well sorted and after doing multiple track days and learning to spanner on it I absolutely loved it. I got rid of it because I was a fresh graduate commuting 60 miles a day. Selling this is a massive regret.



What next? A 350Z, which I kept for 2 years. It was fantastic and a great all-rounder, but didn't excel at any given thing. If only it was a few hundred KG lighter and was as lively in the dry as it was in the wet it'd be a keeper. So much car for the money.



I then moved much closer to work and bought myself a V70 shed to daily, which suddenly opened up my options...



Enter the Elise 111R, manic engine and every drive is exhilarating.



However I find I'm not using it enough and it's never properly got under my skin even though I do adore it. Some of you might just say to use it more, but I work a shift pattern either starting at 0500 or finishing at 1000 and in both those cases I'm tired and weary so wafting along in the V70 with the heated seat blasting is hard to ignore...

I've also realised I enjoy working on cars as much as I do driving them, and there really isn't anything to do on the Lotus as it's so sorted.

So -

I think I'm going to stick with the 2 car thing - It would be nice to free up some cash, some of which may be spent on getting a nicer daily barge.

So where does that leave me? My dream requirements -

- Something special enough to justify being a 2nd car (pref front engine, rwd).
- Feels alive & doesn't have to be trashed to be exciting, but could handle a road trip with the GF.
- Something I can modify and work on myself without ruining the resale. I'd love to have something I can constantly tinker with.
- I don't want the thought of the potential for a big bill creeping into my head every time I grace the red-line.

I haven't thought much about budget, sub £10k perhaps?

The obvious answer here is another MX5, but my memories are probably through rose-tinted glasses. Plus they say you should never get back together with an ex....

(Also I know S2000's seem like the perfect compromise between an Elise, 350Z & MX5 but they annoyingly just don't push my buttons).

I'm currently thinking some sort of classic car is my answer, it'd give me the excuse to tinker while being a joy to drive at sensible speeds. 240/60/80Z anyone?

Apologies for my rambling, but you can see I've managed to talk myself in circles with this. Any insight into people who've been through similar welcome!

[jassihayre]

Have you considered a kit car of the Caterham type? Would be light, nimble great steer as per MX5 and Elise but proper performance to go with it.Certainly an event to drive.

If that's too hardcore then may be a Boxster or Chimera if you want to spend time tinkering?

[UberMeister]

A Chimera is a good suggestion, and they can be reliable. Not sure how well one for fair being kept outside all year round though.

Other thing that springs to mind would be something like a Merc 190E Cosworth, E30 325IS or even a E36 M3.

[CABC]

reading your journey i'd suggest another mx5.
you like feelsome cars and love spannering, so 5s offer so much choice on which direction to take. Apart from suspension, earlier models are greatly enhanced with chassis bracing. Then you can up the power and change the character with either FI or NA tuning. Cheapish, reliable and flexible. The other option that came to mind reading your post was a GT86, again because of the mods that are easily obtained. out of budget though. My own track car is now a ratty old 5 that's been on a 3 yr development cycle. truly the most fun and involving car, despite looking like a wreck, eardrum splitting and uncomfortable. The mod journey all part of the fun and learning curve.

[culpz]

Since you tried a MK2 MX5 in the past, why not give a MK1 or even a MK3 a go? At least then it's not exactly the same as what you've had previously.