MX5 to... what?! £5-7k
Discussion
Dracoro said:
As I say, you need to look at TOTAL cost of ownership, not just one factor. I'll bet a Tuscan would cost a lot more than the S2000 to run (insurance costs included!).
I er, know that. It's just to put it in perspective.I dislike throwing £2500 on insurance as it's a cost I get nothing back for. A lot of these cars will not lose me huge amounts of cash if I keep them for a year and then sell up. £2500 is a lot of cash I'd never get back.
Grodecki said:
Dracoro said:
As I say, you need to look at TOTAL cost of ownership, not just one factor. I'll bet a Tuscan would cost a lot more than the S2000 to run (nsurance costs included!).
I er, know that. It's just to put it in perspective.I dislike throwing £2500 on insurance as it's a cost I get nothing back for. A lot of these cars will not lose me huge amounts of cash if I keep them for a year and then sell up. £2500 is a lot of cash I'd never get back.
Doesn't help your predicament though.Quite a lot of your "other" running costs you won't get back either.
I also suspect a lot of other suggestions in this thread will be quite costly to insure too (Tuscans for one!
)Despite the poor fuel economy, I think the RX8s (chosen well mind!) are a bit of a bargain (not sure what insurance is like). It appears you can spend £4k or so and get a good one, the money saved should make up for the dire economy (relative to the performance). They'll also be relatively new - a lot of suggestions on this thread are for cars 10-20 years old! I suspect the RX8 will need less maintenance than these "classics" for that reason.
Dracoro said:
Despite the poor fuel economy, I think the RX8s (chosen well mind!) are a bit of a bargain (not sure what insurance is like). It appears you can spend £4k or so and get a good one, the money saved should make up for the dire economy (relative to the performance). They'll also be relatively new - a lot of suggestions on this thread are for cars 10-20 years old! I suspect the RX8 will need less maintenance than these "classics" for that reason.
I keep coming back to the idea of buying a dead one, having it trailered to a good rebuilder, getting a rebuild done and having a warrentied, fun, newish coupe for about 5-6k all in.zcacogp said:
Chris71 said:
What about a front-engined Porsche of some description? Way down on the passion scale compared to the TVRs ...
Very subjective comment. I have never wanted a TVR of any form, but love my 944 S2. Oli.
There's something very evocative about dramatic styling and barely silenced V8s that make the ground tremble beneath your feet. The quality, precision and sheer ability of most Porsches is equally compelling in its own way I'd say, but it's far more subtle.
I'd be surprised if a majority of petrolheads didn't agree with me on that level. We're not talking daily use or real world ownership here, but how many people would honestly choose a 924 over a Griffith 500 for a bedroom wall poster?
Maybe I should have used the word theatre rather than passion, but the things that tend to draw people to both marques are different. There are plenty of people who have owned both and I don't think they would have done so if they assessed them on the same criteria, because they're just so different. The appeal of TVRs certainly doesn't come from all-round finesse, engineering excellence or polished dynamics, so it has to be something else. I'd say that's the way they appeal to the big kid inside most of us.
Edited by Chris71 on Tuesday 31st July 14:28
From your list I would go with the 350z. After test driving one a while back when the missus was looking to buy, it's a car I'd love to own one day.
What about.... a Nissan 200sx S14a. I say that as the S15 will be over your budget. Bear with me.... a nice specced up S14a that has been well modified should come in within your budget. You just need to wade through the s
t examples out there. Standard ones are very underwhelming but with a few choice modifications they are very fun and capable cars with great looks imo.
What about.... a Nissan 200sx S14a. I say that as the S15 will be over your budget. Bear with me.... a nice specced up S14a that has been well modified should come in within your budget. You just need to wade through the s
t examples out there. Standard ones are very underwhelming but with a few choice modifications they are very fun and capable cars with great looks imo. 
Grodecki said:
I've never really liked Porsches, with the exception of the 964 and the Boxter; TVR has a much, much greater appeal, but I'm aware it is not at all suitable at this budget, really.
At the risk of being pedantic, it's not the budget but the usage. A 4-litre Chimaera could quite realistically be found for the upper end of that budget. And for a few thousand weekend and evening miles a year - which is all most people do in them - it wouldn't cost too much to run either. But as an all-weather daily driver things could be rather different.
They do respond well to daily use, I'm told, but there's only so many miles the average motorist can justify at sub-20 mpg these days and only so many hours you want to spend rust-proofing your chassis rails.
While I do stand by the comments above I think a 944 S2 would be a great choice for these requirements.
Speaking from experience, T or S'charging a Mk1 MX5 should make it different enough to give a couple more years' interest. Can be done well for less than £1k. Is an interesting challenge if you like spannering.
Don't know effect on insurance at your age (but I was 29 when I did mine, premium went up ~40%).
Don't know effect on insurance at your age (but I was 29 when I did mine, premium went up ~40%).
T S Magnum said:
Speaking from experience, T or S'charging a Mk1 MX5 should make it different enough to give a couple more years' interest. Can be done well for less than £1k. Is an interesting challenge if you like spannering.
Don't know effect on insurance at your age (but I was 29 when I did mine, premium went up ~40%).
Problem with doing a turbo conversion on my '5 is that I can only borrow a friends garage, I can't leave it sitting there for ages as I do it week by week.... I don't really want to turbo it to be honest, it's a lovely little car as it is and it's purely the itch for a change that is making me look into new things. I suppose if I spent a few quid doing up the 5, replace the roof where it was broken into and get the drivers seat refurbed it'd be pretty much perfect, I might be happy. Could just save till I finish uni and get something that I really, really want.Don't know effect on insurance at your age (but I was 29 when I did mine, premium went up ~40%).
I was looking around the same kind of cars in the same price bracket a few months ago and I ended up with a BMW Z4 purely because I personally felt at home it it after sitting in it and taking it for a drive even if it feels a little twitchy.
Having previously owned a 350Z I wasn't keen on re-visiting an old flame but I loved it and a few weeks ago helped a friend to find a really nice UK GT for £7300 so a little saving and a good look should see you really enjoying that 3.5L V6.
I think I made the right choice for me at the moment but now that the OH has decided driving my car is much better than her MINI it looks like I will be choosing another car when she gets out of her horrible finance contract and then I might consider getting into another 350Z.
Having previously owned a 350Z I wasn't keen on re-visiting an old flame but I loved it and a few weeks ago helped a friend to find a really nice UK GT for £7300 so a little saving and a good look should see you really enjoying that 3.5L V6.
I think I made the right choice for me at the moment but now that the OH has decided driving my car is much better than her MINI it looks like I will be choosing another car when she gets out of her horrible finance contract and then I might consider getting into another 350Z.
I have owned a couple of the cars you are talking about:
MX5 - Great car, would have another
350Z - Does everything it should, but I found it really dull after a while
S2000 - I know you say it's bokers insurance, but the engine and gearbox are second to none, really liked mine, would have another.
Boxster - Seriously considering getting one of these, lot of car for the money, some real bargains out there including the 'S'
MX5 - Great car, would have another
350Z - Does everything it should, but I found it really dull after a while
S2000 - I know you say it's bokers insurance, but the engine and gearbox are second to none, really liked mine, would have another.
Boxster - Seriously considering getting one of these, lot of car for the money, some real bargains out there including the 'S'
Dakkon said:
I have owned a couple of the cars you are talking about:
MX5 - Great car, would have another
350Z - Does everything it should, but I found it really dull after a while
S2000 - I know you say it's bokers insurance, but the engine and gearbox are second to none, really liked mine, would have another.
Boxster - Seriously considering getting one of these, lot of car for the money, some real bargains out there including the 'S'
Cheers, much appreciated. I really would like an S2k but I cannot stomach paying £2500 for insurance. If I'm doing 4000miles a year, that's more than 50p a mile on insurance.MX5 - Great car, would have another
350Z - Does everything it should, but I found it really dull after a while
S2000 - I know you say it's bokers insurance, but the engine and gearbox are second to none, really liked mine, would have another.
Boxster - Seriously considering getting one of these, lot of car for the money, some real bargains out there including the 'S'
Boxter is also £1700 for insurance, so out of contention really.
RX8/350Z are my two big picks at the moment.. going to keep exploring other things posted in this thread.
I love this stage of looking for cars... just constantly looking at different adverts and forums on the net. I'm a right saddo.
Grodecki said:
I keep coming back to the idea of buying a dead one, having it trailered to a good rebuilder, getting a rebuild done and having a warrentied, fun, newish coupe for about 5-6k all in.
Do this. 2 or 3 year warrantied engine. Endless smiles. Great cars if you can get past the mpg and perceived unreliability of the engines (and with your situation you can).I am, of course, biased.
Grodecki said:
T S Magnum said:
Speaking from experience, T or S'charging a Mk1 MX5 should make it different enough to give a couple more years' interest. Can be done well for less than £1k. Is an interesting challenge if you like spannering.
Don't know effect on insurance at your age (but I was 29 when I did mine, premium went up ~40%).
Problem with doing a turbo conversion on my '5 is that I can only borrow a friends garage, I can't leave it sitting there for ages as I do it week by week.... I don't really want to turbo it to be honest, it's a lovely little car as it is and it's purely the itch for a change that is making me look into new things. I suppose if I spent a few quid doing up the 5, replace the roof where it was broken into and get the drivers seat refurbed it'd be pretty much perfect, I might be happy. Could just save till I finish uni and get something that I really, really want.Don't know effect on insurance at your age (but I was 29 when I did mine, premium went up ~40%).
You get the car you love but with a serious amount of power to make it fun and it will see off most of the cars you've been discussing above but maintaining the air of a 'sleeper'
TBH, if the BBR offering had been around when i swapped my 1.6 S special for an S2000 i probably would've gone with the conversion! For me personally it was the looks of the S2000 that did it (plus the gearbox and engine) and it was my fantasy car from 16!
crispyshark said:
Grodecki said:
T S Magnum said:
Speaking from experience, T or S'charging a Mk1 MX5 should make it different enough to give a couple more years' interest. Can be done well for less than £1k. Is an interesting challenge if you like spannering.
Don't know effect on insurance at your age (but I was 29 when I did mine, premium went up ~40%).
Problem with doing a turbo conversion on my '5 is that I can only borrow a friends garage, I can't leave it sitting there for ages as I do it week by week.... I don't really want to turbo it to be honest, it's a lovely little car as it is and it's purely the itch for a change that is making me look into new things. I suppose if I spent a few quid doing up the 5, replace the roof where it was broken into and get the drivers seat refurbed it'd be pretty much perfect, I might be happy. Could just save till I finish uni and get something that I really, really want.Don't know effect on insurance at your age (but I was 29 when I did mine, premium went up ~40%).
You get the car you love but with a serious amount of power to make it fun and it will see off most of the cars you've been discussing above but maintaining the air of a 'sleeper'
TBH, if the BBR offering had been around when i swapped my 1.6 S special for an S2000 i probably would've gone with the conversion! For me personally it was the looks of the S2000 that did it (plus the gearbox and engine) and it was my fantasy car from 16!
If it ever dies I'll sell the turbo kit on for the same money. It's not only the most performance per £ mod I've ever done, but it's depreciation proof too. Money very well spent.
zcacogp said:
This. You won't look back.
Make sure you drive a good one as ropey ones abound, but a well-kept one with a good history will tick every box you mentioned above, with money to spare.
Check my profile for costs on a daily-driver non-garage-queen 944 S2, and the costs of a (newer) 968 will be similar. The 944 Turbo will be more expensive in every way (to buy, to insure, to maintain) but some argue they are better and worth the money.
Oli.
I've had a RX8 (231)and although I liked a lot about it (ride, handling, practicality), the lack of thrust, mpg and fear over engine issues (mine had a Mazda Warranty) did sour the experience. However, if you’re keen on one, the ‘buying a low compression one, and taking it to Haywards (or similar) for a re-build, is a good idea.Make sure you drive a good one as ropey ones abound, but a well-kept one with a good history will tick every box you mentioned above, with money to spare.
Check my profile for costs on a daily-driver non-garage-queen 944 S2, and the costs of a (newer) 968 will be similar. The 944 Turbo will be more expensive in every way (to buy, to insure, to maintain) but some argue they are better and worth the money.
Oli.
But I’d have a good look at 968’s as I had one also and loved it. You see some great deals if you don’t mind high mileage. I suspect they’re on pretty much flat depreciation now, where I suspect even a good RX8 with a rebuild won’t be worth much going forward.
And well done for working your nads off to afford such a car at your age.
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