Is there an alternative to this car ?

[Pierscoe1]

It's been done before, but I'm ever on the lookout...

must be coupe, rwd, VERY good handling, modern-ish, reliable, not cost stupid money..

answers on a postcard...

(follows on from my RX7 thread.. as that's the only car that I can think of that's suitable!.. there MUST be others.. surely?)

the pic is of the new mx5 coupe btw

[Pierscoe1]

mids said:

Piers have you actually driven a rx-7 yet ? If not, go get it done and that'll make your mind up for you

tehe..
I'm sure it probably would..

interestingly, I am also seriously considering an S15.. did you drive one? opinions?

as to all the others.. good tries, but nothing origional

skylines are too box-ish, supras very good, but a bit too big, and too "all grip no handling" from what I've heard..

no beemers.

300zx a good suggestion, just not my cup of castrol-R.

200sx also v.good, but doesn't have the x-factor for me.. just a bit plain despite it's veritable talents.

944's a goodun too.. although I'd go for a 968CS if I could find one.. insurance for a 23-year-old on any porsche is just silly though! any parts prices scare me a little.. or am I wrong?

keep 'em coming if you can think or any others!

>> Edited by Pierscoe1 on Wednesday 12th May 13:10

[Pierscoe1]

benjc said:

Piers, does your mrs know what you are up to? My suggestion: Hard top and a fm2. job done.

Shush!!!

'tis tempting that.. but the cost of those two would be enough (on top of the sale price of my car) to buy a very solid RX7.. which is just a bit more special!!

plus I just prefer coupe's for some reason... hence why I'd very much like the car in the pic at the top!!

[Pierscoe1]

benjc said:

Why don't you import one then?

because you can't!

bloody government has seen to that..

post '96 cars require a model report in order to be SVA'able.. there isn't one for the MX5 coupe because it's so rare.. and would cost upwards of £8000 to get one done.. and may involve crash testing!! ouch



968CS would be great.. will do more research.. aren't thier prices actually going UP now though beacuse they're so sought after? Also they all seem to have done mega-miles.. which puts me off as another wheel-bearing/suspension-bush/oil-pump/steering-rack that needs replacing is always just round the corner with 100k+ cars...

G27 is not a coupe.. although there were rumours that they were making a coupe one.. which would be great.. but haven't heard anything for ages... anyone else know??

[Pierscoe1]

grahambell said:

Know they did a hardtop for the G20

there's a hardtop for the G27..
but I can get a hardtop for the MX5.. I want a proper coupe next.

grahambell said:

In is similar vein though, SSC are doing a coupe version of their Stylus

have seen the hardtop for that.. didn't know they were actually doing a coupe version.. interesting!

grahambell said:

Also surprised we haven't had ferg on here yet advocating the GTM Libra... Would be well worth a look actually.

The Libra is very nice... but second hand ones seem to go for, at the very least, £12k.
I'm not bashing kitcars (I had a GTM K3 before the mx5), but for that money I'd have an RX7 thanks!!

kitcars that cost the same as their production-car counterparts miss the point for me...
obviously there's the track-specials etc which are great.. but for a day-to-day car, a kitcar just MUST be cheaper than the production alternative to be a decent proposition if you ask me..

>> Edited by Pierscoe1 on Thursday 13th May 13:11

[Pierscoe1]

The Wiz said:

Get a normal MX-5 with a hardtop. Ditch the engine and put in a Rover V8.

Pierscoe1 said:

but I can get a hardtop for the MX5.. I want a proper coupe next.

plus all the work to fit the V8 wouldn't be worth it for me.. it would still be an mx5, and great as they are.. you don't get that special feeling of occasion when you open the garage door and get in, as you would with an RX7 / 968CS etc.

944turbo is nice.. but see earlier comments about massive mileages!

[Pierscoe1]

Gazboy said:

MR2 Turbo?

"REALLY good handling" ??

I think you said a while ago on a different thread..

"doesn't inspire confidence.. or feel planted in turns"

or something along those lines...

they are very tempting at times though.. specifically the 250bhp

but also fall into the "not-quite-special-enough" category along with the mx5+hardtop+turbo and 200SX

[Pierscoe1]

Having spent monday at Rotorstock, drroling all over the hundreds of RX7's there... there is no longer any question as to which car I must get...

as per the title of the thread, as the mx5 coupe is an impossibility thanks to crappy new import laws (thanks again crappy government.. yet another thing screwed up!!), there is no alternative

RX7

now just a matter of when/how..

first thoughts are re-mortgage the girlfriend and sell a kidney.. that ought to get me a bit



...nuff said.