Small cheap sports car - £2k
Discussion
Mx5.
/thread
So yeah, made this same thread about 8months ago, decided then was the right time for an MX5, so I went out and bought myself one, a local mk2.5, a bit crusty round the edges but otherwise clean.
Long story short, bubbles have gradually grown up the arches over the last 6 months or so, I believe the sill may have been filled with water after sitting on the dealers forecourt with a blocked roof drain. Jacked it up today and was pretty shocked to have an entire ~10x3cm chunk of outer sill come off in my hand. So it is booked in at a local classic car restorer for a sill replacement quote, I am well aware that it is going to be an amount which I really cannot afford, to say I have buyers remorse isn't likely a correct term, I love the motor, it is fantastic fun, however I am beginning to reassess whether it is an appropriate car for me to daily through the Scottish winter.
So basically I am looking for a similar vehicle to an Mx5, which suffers less from tin rot, if it exists, aspects of the 5 which are important to me are:
-lightness, I like to track my cars, but I'm on a students budget, light cars = cheap consumables, not interested in 1.5ton German pig iron really.
-modability , I'm one of those 'council' folk who likes personalising my car, mod community matters to me.
-Handling, I'm coming from a Mx5.
-efficientish, any less than 30mpg or so is going to cause me grief
So far options I am examining are:
-fixing my Mx5 and just getting on with it, not cheap and to be honest I've lost a lot of faith in the amount of rust present on my 12 year old example
-Another Mx5, as above, I really don't have a lot of faith in them as a Scottish daily.
-Mitsubishi FTO, Don't know much about them but small, light with a baby V6 has always attracted me, FWD though
-Mazda RX8, I know the running costs will kill me
-Honda Prelude, same as the FTO, don't know much about them, have heard they are rather boring though.
-MG TF, all the old K series have been fixed by now I'd imagine, doesn't have the goofy suspension of the F.
-Mr2, I'd be afraid of it killing me, and I'd always kick myself for not being able to afford a turbo.
-Alfa GTV, I seem to have good luck with Alfas, but as with the MR2, I can't afford a Busso since the price has shot up, and I'd hate myself for getting a twinspark.
-Clio RS 172/182, seems an obvious option, if I'm honest I don't like the look of them though, and my girlfriend has a Clio 1.2 of the same era... His and her Renaults really isn't a good look
Really open to suggestions and options, my Mx5 still has a 4month MOT ticket on it, so I think Id be able to filler up the rust and shift it on for ok money, I do love it but haven't really had it long enough to develop enough sentimental attachment to invest ~80% of its value getting it fixed, the fact you can practically hear them rusting as you drive has somewhat put me off another one.
Not a big fan of convertibles if I'm honest, would take a coupe in a heartbeat.
/thread
So yeah, made this same thread about 8months ago, decided then was the right time for an MX5, so I went out and bought myself one, a local mk2.5, a bit crusty round the edges but otherwise clean.
Long story short, bubbles have gradually grown up the arches over the last 6 months or so, I believe the sill may have been filled with water after sitting on the dealers forecourt with a blocked roof drain. Jacked it up today and was pretty shocked to have an entire ~10x3cm chunk of outer sill come off in my hand. So it is booked in at a local classic car restorer for a sill replacement quote, I am well aware that it is going to be an amount which I really cannot afford, to say I have buyers remorse isn't likely a correct term, I love the motor, it is fantastic fun, however I am beginning to reassess whether it is an appropriate car for me to daily through the Scottish winter.
So basically I am looking for a similar vehicle to an Mx5, which suffers less from tin rot, if it exists, aspects of the 5 which are important to me are:
-lightness, I like to track my cars, but I'm on a students budget, light cars = cheap consumables, not interested in 1.5ton German pig iron really.
-modability , I'm one of those 'council' folk who likes personalising my car, mod community matters to me.
-Handling, I'm coming from a Mx5.
-efficientish, any less than 30mpg or so is going to cause me grief
So far options I am examining are:
-fixing my Mx5 and just getting on with it, not cheap and to be honest I've lost a lot of faith in the amount of rust present on my 12 year old example
-Another Mx5, as above, I really don't have a lot of faith in them as a Scottish daily.
-Mitsubishi FTO, Don't know much about them but small, light with a baby V6 has always attracted me, FWD though
-Mazda RX8, I know the running costs will kill me
-Honda Prelude, same as the FTO, don't know much about them, have heard they are rather boring though.
-MG TF, all the old K series have been fixed by now I'd imagine, doesn't have the goofy suspension of the F.
-Mr2, I'd be afraid of it killing me, and I'd always kick myself for not being able to afford a turbo.
-Alfa GTV, I seem to have good luck with Alfas, but as with the MR2, I can't afford a Busso since the price has shot up, and I'd hate myself for getting a twinspark.
-Clio RS 172/182, seems an obvious option, if I'm honest I don't like the look of them though, and my girlfriend has a Clio 1.2 of the same era... His and her Renaults really isn't a good look
Really open to suggestions and options, my Mx5 still has a 4month MOT ticket on it, so I think Id be able to filler up the rust and shift it on for ok money, I do love it but haven't really had it long enough to develop enough sentimental attachment to invest ~80% of its value getting it fixed, the fact you can practically hear them rusting as you drive has somewhat put me off another one.
Not a big fan of convertibles if I'm honest, would take a coupe in a heartbeat.
Edited by caelite on Wednesday 2nd August 02:50
This is what really puts me off MX5's to be honest. I've never really fancied one but i'm coming round to the idea of them now. It's just the rust though. I can deal with little niggles here and there, but the rust on these is the stuff of nightmares and always ends in a 4 figure bill when it really sets in. It seems there's always an imminent countdown, even after some extensive work, as to when the next time it'll creep up on you.
I know it's not a sports car and obviously a hot-hatch but i'd try and get a drive of a Clio 172/182 if you can. No rust to worry about really an the only expensive thing on them is the cambelt/aux belt/dephaser job, which is around £700. They're quick, usable, competent and make great dailies if required. You've also got a decent scope on modifying them to suit your ideal set-up. The seating position and FWD could be an issue though.
I know it's not a sports car and obviously a hot-hatch but i'd try and get a drive of a Clio 172/182 if you can. No rust to worry about really an the only expensive thing on them is the cambelt/aux belt/dephaser job, which is around £700. They're quick, usable, competent and make great dailies if required. You've also got a decent scope on modifying them to suit your ideal set-up. The seating position and FWD could be an issue though.
MX5, but buy wisely next time? cared for NAs last better than NBs. sounds like you bought a rusty one in the first place! Get one that's been treated before and learn what to look for.
MX5/Clio/MR2 are all great cars. Clios can throw other bills more frequently than MX5s, but rust is the 5s achilles. Std Clio seats are far from sporty and too high imo.
Driving them is quite different, I'd make it a plan to run all 3 at some point in your life.
MX5/Clio/MR2 are all great cars. Clios can throw other bills more frequently than MX5s, but rust is the 5s achilles. Std Clio seats are far from sporty and too high imo.
Driving them is quite different, I'd make it a plan to run all 3 at some point in your life.
james_gt3rs said:
If a rust free MX5 you can actually buy exists... how long until the rust is a problem again? Assuming a good repair of course.
the life of the car if you get a proper job done and keep on top of undersealing it.There are two types of mx5, those that need rust repair, and those that have had it.
Tbf my mk2.5 wasn't too bad, the chassis legs were ok, and I only had one sill repaired in my ownership, the arches were all fine.
You've got to shop around, a lot. Mechanically everything is cheap and easy to sort, new gearbox? £90...engine blown up? £200.
Rust is the expensive bit, so if i ever buy another (which I won't, they're far too slow)... i'd look for one that has had a good amount of money spent on the sills, and doesn't have a spot of rust. they do exist.
Well I've just bought my second MR2 Roadster and I can't recommended them highly enough.
I think they look better than any MX-5, they seem to be a fair bit more economical, they fall into a cheaper VED bracket, are relatively rare and are regarded as none too expensive to fix. (Not that anything ever went wrong on my first one).
They're pretty much unaffected by rust too.
Negatives? Well the big one is lack of storage space I suppose, meaning it might not work as the only car in a household. They lack a bit of power, but lots of owners put the 2ZZ engine in them. Not for me though.
My '53 reg car cost just £1850, I'm the 3rd owner and it's got an excellent history. It's also in extremely good condition. I did consider an MX-5, and having a boot appealed, but as a sub £2k toy I couldn't find anything similar that wasn't rusting away or hadn't had 5+ owners.
I think they look better than any MX-5, they seem to be a fair bit more economical, they fall into a cheaper VED bracket, are relatively rare and are regarded as none too expensive to fix. (Not that anything ever went wrong on my first one).
They're pretty much unaffected by rust too.
Negatives? Well the big one is lack of storage space I suppose, meaning it might not work as the only car in a household. They lack a bit of power, but lots of owners put the 2ZZ engine in them. Not for me though.
My '53 reg car cost just £1850, I'm the 3rd owner and it's got an excellent history. It's also in extremely good condition. I did consider an MX-5, and having a boot appealed, but as a sub £2k toy I couldn't find anything similar that wasn't rusting away or hadn't had 5+ owners.
MR2 is pretty tempting actually, I was looking at the old mk2 coupes as they are my favourite generation. But as you say the mk3s are supposed to be great, bar the rather girly styling.
My mx5 is definetly going, had a quote today from preserve and protect in Johnston, the guy was great but £500 a side for sills & he recommeded the chassis legs needed done sometime in the next few years, the guy himself claimed it might be best to just enjoy the rest of the summer in it then sell it, and to be honest I am really put off another one. It just seems like a given that they are going to be rusted to f
k unless you spent fairly outrageous amounts nowadays, a good cheap garaged summer toy but as a winter daily just too fragile.
I'll have a peak at an MR2, toying with looking at Clio RS 1*2 as I know they are fairly solid, feel I've kind of grown out of hot hatches though after having a good half dozen of them over the last few years. Alfa GTV, I know the twin spark is a fairly decent motor, I had one in my 147, nice sounding, if a bit sluggish low down, it just pales massively in comparison to the V6 powered torpedo versions, which have suffered massive price inflation. Never realised the FTO's had rust issues, I suppose it would explain why you see far less of them about.
My mx5 is definetly going, had a quote today from preserve and protect in Johnston, the guy was great but £500 a side for sills & he recommeded the chassis legs needed done sometime in the next few years, the guy himself claimed it might be best to just enjoy the rest of the summer in it then sell it, and to be honest I am really put off another one. It just seems like a given that they are going to be rusted to f
k unless you spent fairly outrageous amounts nowadays, a good cheap garaged summer toy but as a winter daily just too fragile. I'll have a peak at an MR2, toying with looking at Clio RS 1*2 as I know they are fairly solid, feel I've kind of grown out of hot hatches though after having a good half dozen of them over the last few years. Alfa GTV, I know the twin spark is a fairly decent motor, I had one in my 147, nice sounding, if a bit sluggish low down, it just pales massively in comparison to the V6 powered torpedo versions, which have suffered massive price inflation. Never realised the FTO's had rust issues, I suppose it would explain why you see far less of them about.
Edited by caelite on Thursday 3rd August 15:26
Owned a TF for 3.5 years, MR2 Roadster for a year.
TF is a great car to own, very nippy, the K-Series is a brilliant engine providing the CHG doesnt pop. They do have build quality issues but I loved mine. It's very usable as well, with good interior space and good boot space. Very good sounding engine when you get a good exhaust on it.
MR2 I found quite disgusting, doesnt look very good, interior is really shoddy and its quite unusable with minimal storage and boot (frunk) space. It does handle better than the TF but the engine I found very thrashy.
Another car I'd suggest is the Crossfire. MB suspension/electrics/drive-train, so very reliable, 3.2 V6 pushing 215 BHP stock and easily tuneable to 270. You can get good ones for £2k these days with lowish milage. It's a very usable car, lots of space, modern comforts and very good handling when you get good shoes on it.
I've had mine for 3 years now and after lowing it and fitting adjustable shocks, the feedback from the road is immense.
TF is a great car to own, very nippy, the K-Series is a brilliant engine providing the CHG doesnt pop. They do have build quality issues but I loved mine. It's very usable as well, with good interior space and good boot space. Very good sounding engine when you get a good exhaust on it.
MR2 I found quite disgusting, doesnt look very good, interior is really shoddy and its quite unusable with minimal storage and boot (frunk) space. It does handle better than the TF but the engine I found very thrashy.
Another car I'd suggest is the Crossfire. MB suspension/electrics/drive-train, so very reliable, 3.2 V6 pushing 215 BHP stock and easily tuneable to 270. You can get good ones for £2k these days with lowish milage. It's a very usable car, lots of space, modern comforts and very good handling when you get good shoes on it.
I've had mine for 3 years now and after lowing it and fitting adjustable shocks, the feedback from the road is immense.
Basically, you're on a low purchase budget, can't afford anything with below-average fuel consumption, and any big bills will bankrupt you?
But you want to track and 'mod' a sportscar...
Here's a thought - rather than dreaming, apply a bit of pragmatism and just pick the car that's least likely to throw any >£500 bills at you. From that list, you could pretty much strike off all but one or two on that basis. For me, the only realistic choice that isn't going to see you in the same position in 8mths time is the MR2 mk3.
But you want to track and 'mod' a sportscar...
Here's a thought - rather than dreaming, apply a bit of pragmatism and just pick the car that's least likely to throw any >£500 bills at you. From that list, you could pretty much strike off all but one or two on that basis. For me, the only realistic choice that isn't going to see you in the same position in 8mths time is the MR2 mk3.
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