Decisions decisions!

[AlecG]

Hello!

I am looking for advice on this little dilemma- at the moment I've a low mileage facelift mk3 Toyota mr2 which is brilliant fun, returns good mpg, has 7 months left on the warranty, all the factory b-s bits all very nice etc etc.

However, I'm thinking I can have most of this and some cash in my ISA with a mk1 mx5?! Also I miss having the option of tinkering/playing...

So can the PH massive give me their thoughts? I'm open to other, cheaper say £2.5k max options.

My car history includes a mk1 golf gti, e30 318is, and some snotters...

[300bhp/ton]

AlecG said:

Hello!

I am looking for advice on this little dilemma- at the moment I've a low mileage facelift mk3 Toyota mr2 which is brilliant fun, returns good mpg, has 7 months left on the warranty, all the factory b-s bits all very nice etc etc.

However, I'm thinking I can have most of this and some cash in my ISA with a mk1 mx5?! Also I miss having the option of tinkering/playing...

So can the PH massive give me their thoughts? I'm open to other, cheaper say £2.5k max options.

My car history includes a mk1 golf gti, e30 318is, and some snotters...

Not exactly sure what question you are asking, is it should you swap the MR2 for an MX-5, or is it about a utility car?

Personally I think the MX-5 is quite a sorted little car. But one very different to a MR2, especially the MK3 variant. Apart from being a soft top, there is little in common with how they go and drive.

If you want to replicate the MR2 handling style on a budget then I think you'd be better off looking at a tidy MK1 MR2 or maybe even a MGF.


Only you can really make such a decision though, and I'd have though a test drive would be sensible.

Watch for rust on the MX-5 and MR2 MK1. And check the HG on the F.

[AlecG]

Haha - I've tidied it up a bit in the hope to make more sense?!

The question is should I chop in the mr2 for something cheaper, and if so what?!

Mg-f's are a big no though - I've had 3 in my family with a total of 5 head gasket failures and a blown engine!

Edited by AlecG on Wednesday 28th September 11:20

[300bhp/ton]

AlecG said:

Haha! The question is should I chop in the mr2 for something cheaper, and if so what?!

Mg-f's are a big no though - I've had 3 in my family with a total of 5 head gasket failures and a blown engine!

Shame, although the changes that can be made to them make them much more resilient. And it's worth remembering, fixing a HG costs no more than doing a cambelt on a V6 Pug, and a HG failure won't as a rule wreck an engine or make the car a write off. Terminal rust (MK1 MX-5 and MK1 MR2) is much harder and sometimes impossible to fix and usually far more costly.

That said, what traits are you after?

A MK1 MX-5 won't be as quick as a MK3 MR2 (not stock) and will likely feel rather outdated by comparison. Also they are heavier and have a much more floppy chassis. So won't feel as sharp nor as finely balanced.

They are however very chuckable and controllable and easy to get sideways. So probably more of a hooligans car than the more finely balanced MK3 MR2.


A MK1 MR2 will also feel older, but is more likely to have a similar handling feel to the MK3 MR2. Although you lose out on the full open top convertible with only a targa roof.

So I suppose, what attributes would you like in a newer cheaper sports car?

Even a budget up to £2k gives you a fairly broad choice of cars. I think the ones I've mentioned so far are probably a pretty close match up though, but if you are wanting to try something different, rather than trying to get the same for less money, then there are many other options you could consider.

[AlecG]

Thanks for your help!

It's not necessarily a sports car I'm after, rwd for sure which narrows things down!

I miss the hooligan element of my lsd'd and tickled 318is, I liked the arse out option if you wanted it! The mr2 stories of pushing it and ending up backwards in a bush and it being the most expensive car I've owned put me off pushing too far!

I should also add my mr2 has uprated, lower springs, improved aftermarket bracing and a hardtop, so handles nicely!

I think I'm writing out thoughts in my head which is why it's a touch muddled - I want something cheaper, rwd, which isn't too shabby on mpg, for around £2-£3k!

Edited by AlecG on Wednesday 28th September 11:43

[300bhp/ton]

AlecG said:

Thanks for your help!

It's not necessarily a sports car I'm after, rwd for sure which narrows things down!

I miss the hooligan element of my lsd'd and tickled 318is, I liked the arse out option if you wanted it! The mr2 stories of pushing it and ending up backwards in a bush and it being the most expensive car I've owned put me off pushing too far!

I should also add my mr2 has uprated, lower springs, improved aftermarket bracing and a hardtop, so handles nicely!

I think I'm writing out thoughts in my head which is why it's a touch muddled - I want something cheaper, rwd, which isn't too shabby on mpg, for around £2-£3k!

Edited by AlecG on Wednesday 28th September 11:43

Ok, well that changes things slightly.

Pretty much no m/r sports car in this budget is going to be a good hooligans car. Yes it is possible to slide them and get tailout action, but it's harder, more risky and more likely to end in disaster.

That said, I think very few, if anything will offer the same balance and handling ability of your modified MK3 MR2 for this money. Almost everything else at this price weighs more and/or isn't going to be as sharp.


MPG - do you have any expectations on this?

The MX-5 might only have a small engine, but economy isn't one of their trump cards. I'd personally budget 25-28mpg if you enjoy driving it. It might be possible to get better, but as a true average you'd have to drive it in a non sports car fashion.


The only good thing about this is, if you accept mid 20's mpg, then it does potentially open the floor up to some alternatives. Namely car like these:


-Nissan 200SX s13 (maybe s14). Stock suspension not as sporty as an MX-5. But more practical and a lotfaster, LSD and RWD make for a lot of fun, easy tuning potential too.

-Nissan 300ZX Z31. Quite rare these days, bigger and maybe more GT, but old school and plenty of tailout action.

-Gen 1 RX-7. The smallest and lightest of the RX-7's and my personal favourite. I'd pick one over an MX-5. Same size (but option +2 seating) and just as light, but arguably more interesting. Suspect a stiffer chassis too, but tin top only.

-Gen 2 RX-7. Rust prone, but actually quite a capable sports car. Soft tops likely not as good a drive as the coupes though.

-TR7 Sprint or V8. More old school than the MX-5, but a proven race and rally car. Loads of parts and tuning in the UK for these. V8's make a great TVR on a budget type of car. With a mild suspension upgrade they make a good everyday classic sports car. Spints are revvy and fun. MPG similar to the MX-5, even with the V8.

-MGB. More old school than the TR7, but pretty looks and lots of fun. Slow in standard trim though.

-Mazda RX-8, yes modern and they are down to this sort of price range. Do your research first though, huge amount of urban myth. But MPG does suck, although if you aren't doing a huge annual mileage it might not matter too much. Quite practical too and great handling.

[AlecG]

For some reason i like the thought of a 328i BMW, perhaps touring, what mpg do they offer?!

I want to avoid stupidly low mpg as my mr2 is good regardless of how you drive it!

I guess I'll have to go and try a few cars out and do some research! I'm liking some of your suggestions!

[300bhp/ton]

AlecG said:

For some reason i like the thought of a 328i BMW, perhaps touring, what mpg do they offer?!

I want to avoid stupidly low mpg as my mr2 is good regardless of how you drive it!

I guess I'll have to go and try a few cars out and do some research! I'm liking some of your suggestions!

Many claim very good mpg from a 328i, also as it's a bit bigger displacement I think you don't need to drive it as hard, so it's easier to drive it in a more economical manner. Some claim 36mpg is possible, I suspect it is. But depending on driving style and the type of roads you drive on I'd be more inclined to budget for 28-30mpg with 30+ available with ease should you want to cruise more. That said, I suspect low 20's are also fairly easily achievable too

Either way, I'd say it is likely to be better on fuel than a MK1 MX-5.

[Frances The Mute]

I have a 328 touring and I've averaged 32.7mpg year to date. That's including one major weekend hoon in Wales and a weekend at the 'ring.

My typical commute of 50 miles a day has realised 28.4mpg at its worst and 36.5mpg at its best over a full tank.

[AlecG]

Wow, that mpg is pretty good! Now I'm goig to look for a 328 touring...

[chris7676]

Get a cheaper MR2 mk3, don't they start at £2k? MX5 drives different.

[bicycleshorts]

AlecG said:

However, I'm thinking I can have most of this and some cash in my ISA with a mk1 mx5?! Also I miss having the option of tinkering/playing...

So can the PH massive give me their thoughts? I'm open to other, cheaper say £2.5k max options.

Strictly speaking Mx5s -
UK models:
- Cheaper to insure, the 1.6 was detuned to 90bhp around 1992 and should be avoided.
Eunos:
- Most are higher spec than UK models, easier to find a rust free one, lots of special editions about, LSD comes with any S-special based model or any car with 'uprated electronics pack' - see silver surrounded door speakers.

1.6:
- Supposedly a 'free-er' revving engine, 115bhp, LSD (if there) was viscous and probably useless (as in open) by now.
1.8:
- LSD is torsen, extra bracing, bigger brakes.

They are fine in the snow, lowered ones will have trouble clearing anything (speedbumps, multi-story ramps etc.), hard to find a water-tight roof so you might get wet in monsoons Scottish rain.

Lots are now available for under £1k. Big tuning scene if you want to spend a bit more and get a modded one/charged one.

People on here always bang on about alignment being out if you find the drive to be crap.

[300bhp/ton]

AlecG said:

Wow, that mpg is pretty good! Now I'm goig to look for a 328 touring...

The Touring is an estate.

No LSD apart from the some M Sport 328i's I think. Pretty sure it was optional, although you can fit aftermarket. Sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong though.

[AlecG]

Actually scrub the Mr2 and mx5 ideas off - I need something which I can throw my bikes and dogs in the back of! The OH has a smart car, and my car is only practical if she's not coming with me, and her car is practical if we're just taking the dogs somewhere, and not planning to stay...

So, able to fit 2 bikes, 2 people, and 2 dogs in, rwd, and powerful enough to be a hooligan in, whilst not too awful on fuel!

Thanks!

[mnkiboy]

T5?

As above, you won't get anything fast AND economical. They're mutually exclusive at £2.5K

Best I can think of is an Audi A6 with the 1.9TDi engine plus a remap. Still don't think you could be much of a hooligan in it.

[300bhp/ton]

AlecG said:

Actually scrub the Mr2 and mx5 ideas off - I need something which I can throw my bikes and dogs in the back of! The OH has a smart car, and my car is only practical if she's not coming with me, and her car is practical if we're just taking the dogs somewhere, and not planning to stay...

So, able to fit 2 bikes, 2 people, and 2 dogs in, rwd, and powerful enough to be a hooligan in, whilst not too awful on fuel!

Thanks!

I agree with doogz, for your budget and requirements you are leaving very little real world choice. Suspect a BMW of some kind is likely your best bet to fit all the stuff in, rwd and ok on fuel. Most other cars will fail at one or more of these.

You might be lucky and find a Jaguar X-Type in budget, but that's AWD as are all the Subaru options, and then you start to get a bit more boarder line on the fuel side of things.

If you really need it this practical and to carry dogs, I think if I'm honest I'd actually be looking at a decent fwd hatch or hatch style coupe and a Halfords bike rack.

£2k would get you something like a MG ZS180 2.5 V6 hatchback. 28-33mpg ability, 5 seats, boot big enough to put the dogs in (or fold the seats down) and the ability to fit a bike rack.

It's not a RWD sports car, but it'd do the other things you are asking for a lot better.

[300bhp/ton]

doogz said:

Trips up on the RWD requirement though.

E36 328i touring.

Wait, was it here i read that earlier? Durrr...

Rover 75 V8? Don't suppose they're that cheap, are they? Auto only as well iirc. Could convert one i suppose.

MG ZT260/75 V8 are probably double the OPs budget. I thought they where all manual. The 260 I drove certainly was, but maybe they did auto's too.

Not the speediest of cars, but a highly sorted chassis. Handled very well and was a total hooligans car. Rubbish on fuel though, 18-20mpg tops.

[OlberJ]

300bhp/ton said:

A MK1 MX-5 won't be as quick as a MK3 MR2 (not stock) and will likely feel rather outdated by comparison. Also they are heavier and have a much more floppy chassis. So won't feel as sharp nor as finely balanced.

Eh? Mk1 Mx5 is 800 odds Mk3 Mr2 is 1050 since it's a facelift he's got.

The Mk3 is also quite floppy really without proper underbody bracing.

Given the choice i'd take the Mk1 Mx5.

[AlecG]

I think I'll be looking at the BMW route.. Perhaps not a touring!

I do have a bigger than £2.5k budget, up to £5k is available...

Edited by AlecG on Wednesday 28th September 16:26

[300bhp/ton]

OlberJ said:

Eh? Mk1 Mx5 is 800 odds Mk3 Mr2 is 1050 since it's a facelift he's got.

The Mk3 is also quite floppy really without proper underbody bracing.

Given the choice i'd take the Mk1 Mx5.

A very early 1989 MK1 MX-5 weighed in at around 970kg, however latter ones with the bracing are more like 1025kg.

Although I do admit I got the weight wrong for the MR2, I was thinking they where near 800kg. On checking I'm finding figures varying from 996kg to 1030kg.


As for floppy, I don't know the stats for the MR2 MK3, but my expectation is it'd be better than the MX-5. As you can in terms of chassis stiffness the MGF and especially TF are quite a way a ahead.