It's time to down grade and sell the Tvr

[V40TC]

Alexdaredevilz said:

What next?

Rwd preferred

Budget 3-4k max

So far on my short list

Smart roadster coupe (mapped to 115)
Mx5 mk2 1.8
Porsche 944
Cooper S (love the sc noise)

Suggestions would be great

Thanks

Porsche 944
A mate has a very very nice one in his garage unused
I'm sure it would fall well within your budget
PM me if you would like to know more.

[em177]

I'm on Mx5 number 4..... Can't recommend them enough:

[V8Triumph]

Triumph GT6? Much, much more fun than the others mentioned.

Also perhaps -

BMW Z3 2.8i
Porsche 944's are good I've had a few but for the most pure driving experience go for an early square dash. Don't think it'll really compare to a TVR though.
Porsche 928 if you fancy a big V8 but in a civilised body You should get an early one for 4K
MGB Roadster perhaps, seen as you're thinking of an MX5
MG Midget, they are really great fun
Triumph Spitfire

[wst]

V8Triumph said:

Triumph GT6? Much, much more fun than the others mentioned.

Excellent call. As long as you avoid the Mk1. There's fun, then there's fun (not a proposition)

[Alexdaredevilz]

I's rather a reliable car tbh

I have skills and tools needed to maintain any car but It can get tiresome after a while,

The 928 with my budget would probably be a dog and a money pit

The 944 worries me with the rust, but then again there's alot of enthusiasts out there that keep them very clean,

Also same issue with Mx5's I've worked on hundred's over the years and seen some very badly rusted models. Can some one tell me the main difference between the import and uk model, I cant seem to find a 6 speed any where!

No votes for the cooper s or smart roadster?

Thanks

[Major Fallout]

The imports normally have air-con and a LSD as standard.

[bicycleshorts]

Alexdaredevilz said:

Rwd preferred
...
Mx5 mk2 1.8
Cooper S (love the sc noise)

Supercharged MX5? Best of both worlds.

Alexdaredevilz said:

Can some one tell me the main difference between the import and uk model, I cant seem to find a 6 speed any where!

The eunos tended to be a higher spec. You'll get power steering and electric windows in all of them. The 1.6 was replaced by the 1.8 in '93 in Japan but in the UK they kept both but detuned the 1.6 to 90bhp. If you want a LSD you'll have to look hard, not all imports have them contrary to popular belief. The earlier 1.6 also have a viscous type rather than a more solid torsen. As a general rule, if it's got yellow bilsteins (s-spec based), it'll have a LSD but there are exceptions. Supposedly while it wasn't an option itself, it was part of some 'pack' at purchase time. Easiest way to check is to boot it out of a slippy junction on the test drive

The easiest way to find one is to look for a square plate, but some UK cars have JDM plates fitted and vice versa. Other differences: Split sun visors with japanese writing (again, can be changed). It'll be a Eunos on the logbook and have an import date. And in my case a weird looking Japanese bug under the carpet...

Edited by bicycleshorts on Tuesday 20th March 10:32

[Alexdaredevilz]

Thanks Majorfallout

bicycleshorts said:

Supercharged MX5? Best of both worlds.

I can't seem to find a reasonably priced kit

[bicycleshorts]

Alexdaredevilz said:

I can't seem to find a reasonably priced kit

If you want a charged one, I'd advise getting one which has already been done (google mx5nutz and check out the for sale section). The easiest way is to get a kit from TR Lane and a charger from a Mini Cooper S (ebay). You'll still need a piggy back ECU (emanage blue), or standalone (megasquirt). It'll cost a fair bit to build up if you're not doing it, and the same again to map it properly. If you want more power still you can fit a smaller pulley but then you're into the realms of intercoolers and you'll lose some of the pressure you've gained.

[harryowl]

mk1 mx5 with turbo/spuercharger

[CaptainSlow]

bicycleshorts said:

The eunos tended to be a higher spec. You'll get power steering and electric windows in all of them. The 1.6 was replaced by the 1.8 in '93 in Japan but in the UK they kept both but detuned the 1.6 to 90bhp. If you want a LSD you'll have to look hard, not all imports have them contrary to popular belief. The earlier 1.6 also have a viscous type rather than a more solid torsen. As a general rule, if it's got yellow bilsteins (s-spec based), it'll have a LSD but there are exceptions. Supposedly while it wasn't an option itself, it was part of some 'pack' at purchase time. Easiest way to check is to boot it out of a slippy junction on the test drive

The easiest way to find one is to look for a square plate, but some UK cars have JDM plates fitted and vice versa. Other differences: Split sun visors with japanese writing (again, can be changed). It'll be a Eunos on the logbook and have an import date. And in my case a weird looking Japanese bug under the carpet...

Edited by bicycleshorts on Tuesday 20th March 10:32

...and the flare, don't forget the flare!

[Alexdaredevilz]

Would this be a winner>?

http://www.goodwoodsportscars.co.uk/gallery_440931...

[300bhp/ton]

Alexdaredevilz said:

What next?

Rwd preferred

Budget 3-4k max

So far on my short list

Smart roadster coupe (mapped to 115)
Mx5 mk2 1.8
Porsche 944
Cooper S (love the sc noise)

Suggestions would be great

Thanks

A normal 80PS Roadster won't map easily to 115hp, you'll need a Brabus for that or a turbo swap on an 80.

As to the question, guess it depends what you are after. I personally feel from your list that the smart Roadster is the biggest sense of occasion vehicle and probably the most grin inducing. It'll feel special.

The MX-5 is capable and very good, but maybe a little sterile and mass produced, it just won't feel as special to be.

Porsche 944 will have older school charms, although I think they are know for not being overly dramatic. But I think the classic side of its design would help this point.

Cooper S (R53) I really like, but s/c noise aside I think it'll feel the most modern and most "normal". When you are enjoying it, I'm sure you'll love it. However I suspect there would be times when you'd say "why didn't I buy a sports car".



If you are wanting TVR sensations, then how about a Wedge shaped TVR? Or even a TR7 V8. They both can go well and make all the right noises. A few mods and they can even handle rather well too.

[300bhp/ton]

Alexdaredevilz said:

Rx8 is a shed

Alexdaredevilz said:

And Mr2 looks dated

???

[300bhp/ton]

topless_mx5 said:

Alexdaredevilz said:

What next?
Mx5 mk2 1.8

I would save yourself a couple of grand and get a Mk1, much lighter and a better drivers car in my opinion.

Early MK1's are lighter because they have a floppy chassis. Extra bracing added later brought the weight up and I think MK2's weight the same as these later MK1's.

[300bhp/ton]

nagsheadwarrior said:

Not the Smart surely, took one in swap at work so borrowed it for a week and absolutely hated it,that awful gearbox,Euuurgh!

And I bet you fought it non stop didn't you.

[Risotto]

Alexdaredevilz said:

I cant seem to find a 6 speed any where!

Thanks

The first 6-speed models were introduced when the Mk2 was in production. The import-only 'RS' was a 6 speed, as was the UK '10th Anniversary Edition' (commonly referred to as the '10AE') and the 'S-VT'.

Edited by Risotto on Tuesday 20th March 10:57

[300bhp/ton]

Alexdaredevilz said:

I's rather a reliable car tbh

I have skills and tools needed to maintain any car but It can get tiresome after a while,

The 928 with my budget would probably be a dog and a money pit

The 944 worries me with the rust, but then again there's alot of enthusiasts out there that keep them very clean,

Also same issue with Mx5's I've worked on hundred's over the years and seen some very badly rusted models. Can some one tell me the main difference between the import and uk model, I cant seem to find a 6 speed any where!

No votes for the cooper s or smart roadster?

Thanks

Depends what you want. The smart will not be winning drag races, although once mapped the in gear performance is quite acceptable and their point to point cross country ability is very high.

But it all comes down to sense of occasion, a smart Roadster is a lot smaller and lighter than an MX-5 and an MX-5 will feel tall, bloated, wide and wobble by comparison. The smart also has quite a charm about it's entire design and that lovely 3 cylinder noise it makes.

The gearbox isn't to everyones liking, although it amazes me how so many struggle with it. It really isn't difficult to use and I think it enhances the cars fun factor more than anything.

[Twincam16]

How about a Nissan 200SX? You could get a really good one for that budget, it'll be very reliable and it seems to tick all your boxes. The only drawback I can think of is the really dull-looking interior:



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

£1500



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

£3495

[CaptainSlow]

Alexdaredevilz said:

Would this be a winner>?

http://www.goodwoodsportscars.co.uk/gallery_440931...

I have one of those in 1.6 form.