Cheapest V8 2 seater?
Discussion
deeen said:
Crusoe said:
Answer is probably a kit car like a westfield with a rover v8 or similar or something older and american c4 corvette maybe
Yup, there was a Corvette for 12k recently.
CABC said:
can we ask why not a TVR?
I suspect most of the forthcoming suggestions will not be any more reliable than a Rover engined one, and probably less involving too.
Because I would be buying it for the engine only. There is nothing else I enjoy in the V8 TVRs. I never liked the style, the interiors and I don't even think they are necessarily the cheapest.I suspect most of the forthcoming suggestions will not be any more reliable than a Rover engined one, and probably less involving too.
C5_Steve said:
deeen said:
Crusoe said:
Answer is probably a kit car like a westfield with a rover v8 or similar or something older and american c4 corvette maybe
Yup, there was a Corvette for 12k recently.C5_Steve said:
Agree in regards to Corvettes there are loads of C5s up for between £15k-£20k. £20k-£25k will get you a tidy C5 ZO6 if you really want but the standard ones are practically the same. Try for a 2000 onwards if possible. LS1 V8, bulletproof reliability. You'll struggle to get more performance for the money.
this prompted me to read a R&T review of the C5 Z06, which makes it sound very appealing for performance, grip & handling. Or is that wishful thinking on their part?V8 manual sports cars that are fun to drive have always been pretty rare, and by discounting TVRs you narrow the field further still.
And if a TVR doesn't appeal I am surprised that a kit car like a Westfield or a Ginetta would hold any attraction.
What do you think of Wedge TVRs? Those and maybe a C4 Corvette are probably the cheapest options. Converted MGBs, TR8s, Sunbeam Tigers have all become more expensive and there's no guarantee of being actual fun to drive. Monaros are good but they've never been the cheapest and are rather large.
The C5 Corvette is a good shout. For me it would be a Chimaera.
And if a TVR doesn't appeal I am surprised that a kit car like a Westfield or a Ginetta would hold any attraction.
What do you think of Wedge TVRs? Those and maybe a C4 Corvette are probably the cheapest options. Converted MGBs, TR8s, Sunbeam Tigers have all become more expensive and there's no guarantee of being actual fun to drive. Monaros are good but they've never been the cheapest and are rather large.
The C5 Corvette is a good shout. For me it would be a Chimaera.
Belle427 said:
A TVR Chimaera is a simple wonderful thing but sadly they do have a bad reputation.
The good thing is most will have had the problems sorted by enthusiast owners and some nice upgrades too so can be a very good buy if you know what to look for.
They only have a bad reputation around people who don't have a clue. The good thing is most will have had the problems sorted by enthusiast owners and some nice upgrades too so can be a very good buy if you know what to look for.
Mine didn't get to over 100k miles because it broke down often.
And they are the cheapest option, starting at about 6k.
CM2020 said:
C5_Steve said:
deeen said:
Crusoe said:
Answer is probably a kit car like a westfield with a rover v8 or similar or something older and american c4 corvette maybe
Yup, there was a Corvette for 12k recently.C4s are only slightly smaller but not lighter and also way down on power compared to a C5. Handling stock is miles off as well, they're also not quite as easy to work on as the LS1s nor as reliable.
I genuinely struggle to think of a cheaper V8 with more power or better handling stock with as low maintenance costs.
CABC said:
this prompted me to read a R&T review of the C5 Z06, which makes it sound very appealing for performance, grip & handling. Or is that wishful thinking on their part?
Not at all! There's a reason the C5s were so successful in motorsports at the time. Practically 50/50 weight distribution, lots of low down torque and long gearing which let's you keep it in second/third in the twisties all add up to a great driving experience. CM2020 said:
About the C5, I'm not sure. When I drove one it felt like a large car somehow. I haven't looked what the difference in size and weight is between a C5 and C4. But C4 looks to be smaller and maybe lighter? It looks a bit more purposeful somehow. Also C5 is not one of the cheapest options I would say?
A C4 doesn't compare to a C5 in any way IMEThere's really not many 2 seat, V8, manual options
There are plenty of cheap V8 autos mostly Merc / Lexus
KTMsm said:
CM2020 said:
About the C5, I'm not sure. When I drove one it felt like a large car somehow. I haven't looked what the difference in size and weight is between a C5 and C4. But C4 looks to be smaller and maybe lighter? It looks a bit more purposeful somehow. Also C5 is not one of the cheapest options I would say?
A C4 doesn't compare to a C5 in any way IMEThere's really not many 2 seat, V8, manual options
There are plenty of cheap V8 autos mostly Merc / Lexus
Is the C5 a "better" car? Sure. It's the successor, newer and an evolution and all that. It has to be an improvement. So if I wanted a track car to do as little modification as possible, C5 all day.
But for smiles, thrills and fun at legal speeds, C4 for me. Neither will destroy new stuff anyways. C4 is more drama and theatre too, if that counts for you.
In one of our local meetings last summer, not an US car meeting mind you, there was a C5 and a C4 side by side and the C4 got all the attention. Just the way the bonnet opens and exposes the whole front subframe like a racecar. That was enough to get people not used to seeing it to gather around. The digital jet fighter dash. The more wedgy shape with people saying it looked more futuristic. The C5 looks way more normal with its rental car dash and normal boring bonnet. These were not necessarily all petrolheads either. Lots of regular people too. Many things like Golfs MKI and Granadas at the meeting as well. So not a sports car meeting or anything like that.
All about what you think fun is and what you want.
Shifter1 said:
Oh well. I kind of find the C4 more fun.
Is the C5 a "better" car? Sure. It's the successor, newer and an evolution and all that. It has to be an improvement. So if I wanted a track car to do as little modification as possible, C5 all day.
But for smiles, thrills and fun at legal speeds, C4 for me. Neither will destroy new stuff anyways. C4 is more drama and theatre too, if that counts for you.
In one of our local meetings last summer, not an US car meeting mind you, there was a C5 and a C4 side by side and the C4 got all the attention. Just the way the bonnet opens and exposes the whole front subframe like a racecar. That was enough to get people not used to seeing it to gather around. The digital jet fighter dash. The more wedgy shape with people saying it looked more futuristic. The C5 looks way more normal with its rental car dash and normal boring bonnet. These were not necessarily all petrolheads either. Lots of regular people too. Many things like Golfs MKI and Granadas at the meeting as well. So not a sports car meeting or anything like that.
All about what you think fun is and what you want.
We're all different - my Dad was an American car dealerIs the C5 a "better" car? Sure. It's the successor, newer and an evolution and all that. It has to be an improvement. So if I wanted a track car to do as little modification as possible, C5 all day.
But for smiles, thrills and fun at legal speeds, C4 for me. Neither will destroy new stuff anyways. C4 is more drama and theatre too, if that counts for you.
In one of our local meetings last summer, not an US car meeting mind you, there was a C5 and a C4 side by side and the C4 got all the attention. Just the way the bonnet opens and exposes the whole front subframe like a racecar. That was enough to get people not used to seeing it to gather around. The digital jet fighter dash. The more wedgy shape with people saying it looked more futuristic. The C5 looks way more normal with its rental car dash and normal boring bonnet. These were not necessarily all petrolheads either. Lots of regular people too. Many things like Golfs MKI and Granadas at the meeting as well. So not a sports car meeting or anything like that.
All about what you think fun is and what you want.
I find the C4 joyless and it's V8 awful, I recall it being slow, squeaky and soulless
The last one I drove was a mate's who loved it, I preferred my supercharged MX5 which was worth a similar amount
I like American cars and V8's but not the C4, if I wanted to pootle about I'd be in a C3 if I wanted to drive fast I'd be in a C5 or 6
KTMsm said:
Shifter1 said:
Oh well. I kind of find the C4 more fun.
Is the C5 a "better" car? Sure. It's the successor, newer and an evolution and all that. It has to be an improvement. So if I wanted a track car to do as little modification as possible, C5 all day.
But for smiles, thrills and fun at legal speeds, C4 for me. Neither will destroy new stuff anyways. C4 is more drama and theatre too, if that counts for you.
In one of our local meetings last summer, not an US car meeting mind you, there was a C5 and a C4 side by side and the C4 got all the attention. Just the way the bonnet opens and exposes the whole front subframe like a racecar. That was enough to get people not used to seeing it to gather around. The digital jet fighter dash. The more wedgy shape with people saying it looked more futuristic. The C5 looks way more normal with its rental car dash and normal boring bonnet. These were not necessarily all petrolheads either. Lots of regular people too. Many things like Golfs MKI and Granadas at the meeting as well. So not a sports car meeting or anything like that.
All about what you think fun is and what you want.
We're all different - my Dad was an American car dealerIs the C5 a "better" car? Sure. It's the successor, newer and an evolution and all that. It has to be an improvement. So if I wanted a track car to do as little modification as possible, C5 all day.
But for smiles, thrills and fun at legal speeds, C4 for me. Neither will destroy new stuff anyways. C4 is more drama and theatre too, if that counts for you.
In one of our local meetings last summer, not an US car meeting mind you, there was a C5 and a C4 side by side and the C4 got all the attention. Just the way the bonnet opens and exposes the whole front subframe like a racecar. That was enough to get people not used to seeing it to gather around. The digital jet fighter dash. The more wedgy shape with people saying it looked more futuristic. The C5 looks way more normal with its rental car dash and normal boring bonnet. These were not necessarily all petrolheads either. Lots of regular people too. Many things like Golfs MKI and Granadas at the meeting as well. So not a sports car meeting or anything like that.
All about what you think fun is and what you want.
I find the C4 joyless and it's V8 awful, I recall it being slow, squeaky and soulless
The last one I drove was a mate's who loved it, I preferred my supercharged MX5 which was worth a similar amount
I like American cars and V8's but not the C4, if I wanted to pootle about I'd be in a C3 if I wanted to drive fast I'd be in a C5 or 6
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