Track & summer toy - £2500
Discussion
Hey folks
As the title says. I've had 2 Mx5s, both have died very rusty deaths, but where perfect for my purposes as a summer tourer and track slag.
Looking for something with the same kind of capability and running costs, but less susceptible to tin rot as I do not have a garage. A proper roof would be ideal too, always found the convertible to be more hassle than it's worth. A bit more straight line speed wouldnt go a miss either.
I have a wee 4x4 as well so have no real need for practicality.
Options I've examined so far are:
Suck it up and get another mx5: allows me to keep my coilovers, wheels, tyres, hard top etc etc, they appear to be appreciating now so cleaning up an mk1 might be worth the effort. Know the mechanics well.
Clio 172/182:
Driven a friends and know them to be fun, similar running costs to the MX5, but FWD.
Cooper S R53:
Keep coming back to these, I know they are more pricey to run and heavier than the clio and Mx5 but I've found their supercharged engine note to be absolutely addictive. Not sure how easy they are to work on, have worked on an R56 prince motor and they are a nightmare.
That's what I've looked into, I know all 3 options are popular on here so would love to hear any comparisons. Also interested if anyone has any recommendations for more left of field options.
Cheers
CAE.
As the title says. I've had 2 Mx5s, both have died very rusty deaths, but where perfect for my purposes as a summer tourer and track slag.
Looking for something with the same kind of capability and running costs, but less susceptible to tin rot as I do not have a garage. A proper roof would be ideal too, always found the convertible to be more hassle than it's worth. A bit more straight line speed wouldnt go a miss either.
I have a wee 4x4 as well so have no real need for practicality.
Options I've examined so far are:
Suck it up and get another mx5: allows me to keep my coilovers, wheels, tyres, hard top etc etc, they appear to be appreciating now so cleaning up an mk1 might be worth the effort. Know the mechanics well.
Clio 172/182:
Driven a friends and know them to be fun, similar running costs to the MX5, but FWD.
Cooper S R53:
Keep coming back to these, I know they are more pricey to run and heavier than the clio and Mx5 but I've found their supercharged engine note to be absolutely addictive. Not sure how easy they are to work on, have worked on an R56 prince motor and they are a nightmare.
That's what I've looked into, I know all 3 options are popular on here so would love to hear any comparisons. Also interested if anyone has any recommendations for more left of field options.
Cheers
CAE.
I'd go for the Clio. Great cars straight out of the bag. I know what you mean about the supercharger whine on the Cooper S, it's a great sound. I don't think they're particularly great on the reliability front and the little Renault will be much better suited on the track. They're generally solid cars, the Clio's.
Angpozzuto said:
Any gen mr2 would suit your requirements
Ooo, entirely forgot about those, love the mk2s. Prefer that 'style' of car to a hot hatch if I am honest, love the feeling of practically sitting on the ground and being cocooned in with a low roof. The 'dream' would be a Caterham. 
I do love the Clios though, had a few spirited laps in one around Knockhill, even in the wet it was pointy and just went where you wanted it to, I agree much better out of the box than anything else I've tried (MX5 included which NEEDS a set of good coilovers to stop it rolling about). I can't see the cup models depreciating either, especially with where the Trophy models are going.
That being said, my heart is still saying try for my 3rd time to get an MX5 that won't fall apart on me within 6 months.
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