986 or mk3 mx5

[Loafers92]

johnwilliams77 said:

Reduced: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vaxuhall-vx220/33302203...

I really would love to but its out of budget love the color combination...

[Loafers92]

80sMatchbox said:

If they are UK cars it's worth checking their MOT history online for a good reflection of how it's been maintained.

https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

It's probably been the most useful tool so far

[Crispystork]

Some peopple mentioned bmw z4 above.. my dad had a Z4 35i.. the engine was great (as are most beamer straight 6s) in a straight line.. but the engine was so far out in front it was terrible round corners. Mid engined all the way mate.

[ATM]

Sold but a good example of z4 prices.

2004 3.0 manual
71000 miles
Looks tidy

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&...

[Bobtherallyfan]

Bit late to the party on this thread but have you considered a MK3 MR2? Prices seem stupidly low for a car that is such fun to drive without risking your licence.....I actually enjoy driving mine more than my 911 for short sharp blasts.

[ATM]

Bobtherallyfan said:

Bit late to the party on this thread but have you considered a MK3 MR2? Prices seem stupidly low for a car that is such fun to drive without risking your licence.....I actually enjoy driving mine more than my 911 for short sharp blasts.

Which 911 - details man details?

[Bobtherallyfan]

ATM said:

Which 911 - details man details?

2018 Carrera...gorgeous but needs a nice long run to really get into its stride whereas the MR2 is fun to go to the shops in....apart from the slight lack of a boot

[tr7v8]

Crispystork said:

Some peopple mentioned bmw z4 above.. my dad had a Z4 35i.. the engine was great (as are most beamer straight 6s) in a straight line.. but the engine was so far out in front it was terrible round corners. Mid engined all the way mate.

MX5 Mk3 is mid engined as well. Hence decent handling

[flyer0]

No MX5 is mid engined, they were designed around the layout of the Lotus Elan so there’s an engine at the front, a gearbox in the middle and an axle at the back, the Toyota MR2 is mid engined.

[ATM]

Bobtherallyfan said:

ATM said:

Which 911 - details man details?

2018 Carrera...gorgeous but needs a nice long run to really get into its stride whereas the MR2 is fun to go to the shops in....apart from the slight lack of a boot

Understand. I got bored of my new Porsche and bought an old 911. Dont get too excited its the cheapest and most unloved early 996 version.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Bobtherallyfan]

ATM said:

Understand. I got bored of my new Porsche and bought an old 911. Dont get too excited its the cheapest and most unloved early 996 version.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Very nice

[tr7v8]

flyer0 said:

No MX5 is mid engined, they were designed around the layout of the Lotus Elan so there’s an engine at the front, a gearbox in the middle and an axle at the back, the Toyota MR2 is mid engined.

Nope front of the engine is behind the front axle line. That makes it mid engine.

[ATM]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Get out

[braddo]

ATM said:

Understand. I got bored of my new Porsche and bought an old 911. Dont get too excited its the cheapest and most unloved early 996 version.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

That looks ace. Like that you've put on smaller diameter wheels? I haven't looked at your thread but some 10mm spacers all round (longer bolts?) would make that well 'ard.

[ATM]

braddo said:

ATM said:

Understand. I got bored of my new Porsche and bought an old 911. Dont get too excited its the cheapest and most unloved early 996 version.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

That looks ace. Like that you've put on smaller diameter wheels? I haven't looked at your thread but some 10mm spacers all round (longer bolts?) would make that well 'ard.

I bought a pair of 10 or 15mm. Will have to dig them out. Just bought another set of same 17 wheels too with near new ps2 tyres.

[Theone8181]

tr7v8 said:

Nope front of the engine is behind the front axle line. That makes it mid engine.

I had to google that as I didn't believe it. Guess that explains why the front wheels are so far forward, so what handles better, fmr or rmr?

[Loafers92]

ATM said:

I bought a pair of 10 or 15mm. Will have to dig them out. Just bought another set of same 17 wheels too with near new ps2 tyres.

ATM, your 996 looks gorgeous, perfect meaty tires and the rear lights make it look just right.


Updates: Almost bought a 986, I still think its almost perfect, but I cant find any without any need of some "tlc", at least where I come from. Someone I work with is selling a family members mx5 mk2.5 1.8 with an lsd, manifold, bc coilovers and big brake kit, with 45k miles and not a single spot of rust on it. Going to take a look this week and see what it feels like! I might buy it, sell it in the summer and get a 986 later in the year

Alternatively (I seriously need to stop adding cars to my list of candidates) I am also interested in a 130i. I've heard good things about it, and seems like it could be good fun *and* be used for long trips, since the added space is appealing.

[ATM]

Loafers92 said:

Almost bought a 986, I still think its almost perfect, but I cant find any without any need of some "tlc", at least where I come from.

Exactly

This is always a problem with these older Porsches. You could probably spend 3,4 or 5 grand on my 996 even though I think it's great. Where do you draw the line? Factor in for an engine rebuild and that's another 4 min or 17 if you go crazy. That's why I keep saying you really have to want one. Lots more cars make more sense. The Porsche may be the cream but the extra expense is disproportionate. In my view .. And I have 2....

Loafers92 said:

Someone I work with is selling a family members mx5 mk2.5 1.8 with an lsd, manifold, bc coilovers and big brake kit, with 45k miles and not a single spot of rust on it. Going to take a look this week and see what it feels like! I might buy it, sell it in the summer and get a 986 later in the year

I'm a sucker for buying cars with a good story. This sounds a screaming buy to me. I'm not too sure about the bad boy mods myself but if the car is sound and a good price then why not?

Loafers92 said:

Alternatively (I seriously need to stop adding cars to my list of candidates) I am also interested in a 130i. I've heard good things about it, and seems like it could be good fun *and* be used for long trips, since the added space is appealing.

No
Never stop adding cars to your list. I have recently been wanting all sorts. Latest craze for me has been a lupo gti. I like BMW. They're my go to brand if I want something or am recommending to less car crazed friends. Anything older than 10 years with a pokey engine should be good from them. The 130i gets lots of love but again for me attracts a premium price which elevates it into a territory price rise where it has a lot of competitors. The 330i seems a better choice if you want a bit if space and is probably cheaper IF you can find a manual. I'm a sucker for a BMW estate and would love an e39 or e36 but finding one which isn't tired is too complicated. For me a BMW is a more average car to sit alongside my Porsche. So for me auto etc are fine. If it was my fun car then maybe I'd be much more inclined to seek out a 130i but really if you want small and nimble a 130i is probably a bit chubby. Remember there are plenty of dads out there who need 4 seats and want nimble so they are willing to pay the 130i premium. In summary a great car but better than a z4 - or if you must have 4 seats there are various fwd cars like Renault sport clios ... And did I mention the ridiculously expensive Lupo gti already?

[DRH986]

Loafers92 said:

Someone I work with is selling a family members mx5 mk2.5 1.8 with an lsd, manifold, bc coilovers and big brake kit, with 45k miles and not a single spot of rust on it.

A few years ago my son had an unmodified MX5 Mk 2.5 1.8 Sport with LSD and about 146 BHP IIRC. I had a 986 Boxster S at the time but as somebody earlier said, the MX5 was much more fun to go to the shops or for a local hoon. It felt much more alive and go-kart like and you could chuck it about in a way that just isn't possible in the Boxster at relatively sane speeds. That said, I'd take the Porsche every time for a Euro trip.

I looked at getting one myself but came to the conclusion that finding a truly rust free car was virtually impossible. My son's looked ok superficially but sills, rear arches and front suspension mounts were getting close to MOT failure point. I recall having a conversation about the rust issues with a work colleague whose wife owned a Mk 2.5 from new, garaged and under 30k miles. When he had a good look underneath, he was horrified to find the sills were well on the way and sold the car.

[ATM]

DRH986 said:

A few years ago my son had an unmodified MX5 Mk 2.5 1.8 Sport with LSD and about 146 BHP IIRC. I had a 986 Boxster S at the time but as somebody earlier said, the MX5 was much more fun to go to the shops or for a local hoon. It felt much more alive and go-kart like and you could chuck it about in a way that just isn't possible in the Boxster at relatively sane speeds. That said, I'd take the Porsche every time for a Euro trip.

I think are a lot Porsche cars are over tyred. I'd be fitting skinnier tyres to a 986 ... if I ever get one.