Fancy an affordable old school "supercar"
Discussion
As the title says, I fancy an affordable old school "supercar". Is the Esprit the only option? X180 and S4.
I'm thinking rear mid engine, 2 seats, probably wedgy, that special feeling you get when sitting in a supercar and old school but not truly classic. So probably 80s or 90s, rather than 70s and older. It helps if it's not something that rusts to the ground or falls apart too easily.
I can't think of anything apart from an Esprit. There are the Venturis and I like that they are V6 instead of 4 cylinders. The Esprit V8 costs too much. But the Venturis are too expensive for what they are, just based on them not being able to sell too many. Esprits seem affordable enough still.
But is the Esprit the only one?
I'm thinking rear mid engine, 2 seats, probably wedgy, that special feeling you get when sitting in a supercar and old school but not truly classic. So probably 80s or 90s, rather than 70s and older. It helps if it's not something that rusts to the ground or falls apart too easily.
I can't think of anything apart from an Esprit. There are the Venturis and I like that they are V6 instead of 4 cylinders. The Esprit V8 costs too much. But the Venturis are too expensive for what they are, just based on them not being able to sell too many. Esprits seem affordable enough still.
But is the Esprit the only one?
Edited by SPKR on Thursday 23 April 23:04
I'm not convinced there is any such thing as an "affordable" Esprit. If it's cheap, it's going to need money spending on it.
http://www.lotusespritworld.com/
http://www.lotusespritworld.com/
Most of what would once have been a competitor at the price has gone north: NSX, 348 etc.
If you can be a bit flexible with the engine location I’d suggest Renault Alpine GTA/A610, 911 (996) or corvette.
Assuming you want to stay away from kits/replicas, the only other option would be the Spectre - but they built about 8!
There’s also stuff like Jensen S-V8 and AC Brooklands Ace which were once £20k but I don’t suppose they are any more. Front engined anyway.
If you can be a bit flexible with the engine location I’d suggest Renault Alpine GTA/A610, 911 (996) or corvette.
Assuming you want to stay away from kits/replicas, the only other option would be the Spectre - but they built about 8!
There’s also stuff like Jensen S-V8 and AC Brooklands Ace which were once £20k but I don’t suppose they are any more. Front engined anyway.
SPKR said:
As the title says, I fancy an affordable old school "supercar". Is the Esprit the only option? X180 and S4.
I'm thinking rear mid engine, 2 seats, probably wedgy, that special feeling you get when sitting in a supercar and old school but not truly classic. So probably 80s or 90s, rather than 70s and older. It helps if it's not something that rusts to the ground or falls apart too easily.
I can't think of anything apart from an Esprit. There are the Venturis and I like that they are V6 instead of 4 cylinders. The Esprit V8 costs too much. But the Venturis are too expensive for what they are, just based on them not being able to sell too many. Esprits seem affordable enough still.
But is the Esprit the only one?
I think you might be right. The Esprit is probably alone here. Anything remotely similar will be quite a bit more cash. I'm thinking rear mid engine, 2 seats, probably wedgy, that special feeling you get when sitting in a supercar and old school but not truly classic. So probably 80s or 90s, rather than 70s and older. It helps if it's not something that rusts to the ground or falls apart too easily.
I can't think of anything apart from an Esprit. There are the Venturis and I like that they are V6 instead of 4 cylinders. The Esprit V8 costs too much. But the Venturis are too expensive for what they are, just based on them not being able to sell too many. Esprits seem affordable enough still.
But is the Esprit the only one?
Edited by SPKR on Thursday 23 April 23:04
Besides the Esprit you are left with basically MR2, MG F and TF or VX220. Some of which are quite newer than what you want and none are a supercar or feel like one.
I bought a blue Mondial T a couple of years ago. Mid engine, manual from Maranello. I've had a few more valuable Ferraris, but this does feel like where the value is (for me). 300bhp with the open gated box. Same interior as the Testarossa. Adaptive dampers allow different styles in one car. We drove to Tuscany and back last year and it's actually a great long distance car (see also Harry's Garage video on driving his Testarossa to the Sahara!).
I get more love from passers by for the Mondial than I did for my 612 or 360. Possibly because it's not trying too hard.
I get more love from passers by for the Mondial than I did for my 612 or 360. Possibly because it's not trying too hard.
It seems to match the price of an Esprit you need an older Mondial.
Then as said the Mondial will be more expensive in every way.
Also, although it's been a long while since I drove one, I remember it not being a sharp drive. From memory the Esprit is the better drive.
I could also never get on with the Mondial's looks. Something off about its proportions. I think pretty much any other pop up lights rear mid engine sports car look better. Specially the Esprit.
So a Mondial at least in my opinion is only to scratch the cheap Ferrari itch or if somebody really loves the look. But maybe the OP will find it a good choice..
Then as said the Mondial will be more expensive in every way.
Also, although it's been a long while since I drove one, I remember it not being a sharp drive. From memory the Esprit is the better drive.
I could also never get on with the Mondial's looks. Something off about its proportions. I think pretty much any other pop up lights rear mid engine sports car look better. Specially the Esprit.
So a Mondial at least in my opinion is only to scratch the cheap Ferrari itch or if somebody really loves the look. But maybe the OP will find it a good choice..
belfry said:
I get more love from passers by for the Mondial than I did for my 612 or 360. Possibly because it's not trying too hard.
I can see that and think it's probably the case with any older car or classic looking car.Edited by Shifter1 on Saturday 25th April 12:28
I’ve owned 3 esprit’s previously, a x180 turbo which I loved, an early V8 that cost me a lot of money in repair bills and eventually off loaded it to a dealer and a GT3 which I took in part ex, the GT3 was a really well balanced car and more refined than the 1990 turbo, a well looked after car is the way to go as they can be expensive to bring back to nice from neglected.
IMO stay clear of the V8, the performance is great but the rest of the car was not designed to take that performance, ending up with lots of repair bills ££££££
IMO stay clear of the V8, the performance is great but the rest of the car was not designed to take that performance, ending up with lots of repair bills ££££££
The Mondial would indeed be in budget it seems. But it is a 4 seats or 2+2, which is what makes the shape a little strange I think. I'm also concerned about Ferrari running and ownership costs.
But apparently what I'm looking for is not easy. So if I was to bump up the budget a bit, what else is there in the next upper bracket? Apart from the already mentioned Venturis, plus 348s and other V8 Ferraris. 80's or 90's, rear mid engine, 2 seats, pop ups, supercar like.
But apparently what I'm looking for is not easy. So if I was to bump up the budget a bit, what else is there in the next upper bracket? Apart from the already mentioned Venturis, plus 348s and other V8 Ferraris. 80's or 90's, rear mid engine, 2 seats, pop ups, supercar like.
TurboBlue said:
Noble M12. Start around £40k. Bit too new or expensive but old school to drive?
But not pop ups. Seems like a different type of car to what the OP is looking for. Edited by TurboBlue on Tuesday 28th April 13:52
OP, if you are edging 40K, then the NSX comes into sight. But that might be it.
I'm thinking unless the budget is considerably higher there will still not be many options. Next would be Jalpas, which are 80-90K minimum. Apart from that and apart from 328, 348 and 355, can't think of anything left under 100K.
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