A "practical" alternative to the Elise. Battle with the Mrs

[MagicalTrevor]

Currently battling with the Mrs, I had her convinced on the Elise but now she's asking questions about wanting something "more practical"

Don't get me wrong, I want the Elise... Wanted it for years and it's about bloody time I got one!!!

So please entertain the Mrs as I ought to go thorough the motions of the alternatives.

• 2 or a 2+2
• More boot space for weekends away - we'd like room for a tent plus as many luxuries as MagicalMrs can stuff in there
• Dont care about fuel economy as that simply strengthens the case for the Elise
• Budget is £15k but please feel free to extend that a little as, again, it strengthens my case
• RWD, pretty much essential. Not keen on a FWD sportscar

Before it's suggested, I did look at the newer MX5 but it doesn't have the performance a good PH'er requires and Mrs ain't keen on Jap cars.

Ideal alternative would be the Cayman (non-S or S) but they're too expensive still and the cheap ones look ropey or a TVR T350C (which I'd love) but they're also slightly over and the Mrs has heard too much about 'TVR reliability'. Any references to help dispel the myth would be very useful.
TVR Tamora or Tuscan also good options but again ^^^

Thanks and sorry for the 'what car'

[fathomfive]

Honda S2000?

Borrocks, failed to read the Jap cars bit.

BMW M Roadster? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3146446.htm

Edited by fathomfive on Monday 29th August 09:42

[Psimpson7]

vx220 turbo?

More practical, and in my experience of driving both, also better than the Elise.

[Henry Fiddleton]

Z4 3ltr.

[Henry Fiddleton]

Almost forgot- boxster. 3.2s

[cbcbcb]

I'm told there's lots of luggage space in a Boxster. 15k ought to buy you a decent 986 for example http://pistonheads.com/sales/3119337.htm

[tgr]

What age of car? Sounds to me like you should look at a Porsche 968 - or indeed a 3.2 Boxster. Or an Integrale or E30 M3 if happy to go older

[WeirdNeville]

Another vote for a Porsche 911 Carrera C2S, or a Boxster if a convertible is a must.

But that ignores the cunning reverse psychology play: Buy a Caterham ,then after 3 months the elise IS the practical alternative!

[hornetrider]

I always say this on these type of threads - but 15k gets you into an awful lot of Boxster. Loads of room with two boots.

[falkster]

Is there an age limit?

What about a 968CS? Only two seats but loads of boot space, very practical, great to drive even at 30mph in 6th and look awesome.

For you budget you'll be able to get a very nice Club sport!!

[gjf764]

Loads of room in an Elise!

If I've understood the OP right you're still on the 'hunting' pass? Have you test driven one? Or even seen how much you can fit in it?

[Sam_68]

Maserati 3200/4200/Spyder if you want to frighten her with running costs.

GTM Libra/Spyder if you want to frighten her with a kit car.

[MagicalTrevor]

vx220 turbo - Not convinced it's got any more practicality than an Elise. I realise they're good but it's not an Elise (which is what I want)
S2000 - good alternative, I sort of like them but the looks are just too much of a compromise. Besides, as you realise, it's a Jap car
Z3M - don't like them sorry, prefer the Z4M but the a mrs doesn't like them and it's too much £££
Boxster - this is an obvious choice isn't it! I'd be more than happy with one but the Mrs, being awkward, doesn't like the roof ... I should have said that in the OP as I knew it would be mentioned

See the problem I'm having!!!

[MagicalTrevor]

gjf764 said:

Loads of room in an Elise!

If I've understood the OP right you're still on the 'hunting' pass? Have you test driven one? Or even seen how much you can fit in it?

I know this! I reckon that when we go camping, if we swap from duvet, 4 pillows and queen size airbed to sleeping bags then we'll save st loads of space. I reckon we can get all we need in one.

I've looked for any articles on camping with an Elise, pictures of how much you can get in one or indeed ANYTHING to prove how much you can get in one!

[wackojacko]

TVR Cerbera !


4 seats
Massive boot
Ridiculously quick in either 4.2 or 4.5.



Don't get a SP6 Cerb always stick to V8's......

[Emeye]

What's up with the roof in a boxster?! I'd have thought the fact you can put it up whilst moving as a slower speed(or is that just the later ones)is a very good thing to stop the mrs' barnet getting ruined should it suddenly start raining!

Then again, just go buy a bloody Elise - you'll never be happy if you don't!

[rovermorris999]

Elise and a divorce.
HTH

[MagicalTrevor]

Emeye said:

What's up with the roof in a boxster?! I'd have thought the fact you can put it up whilst moving as a slower speed(or is that just the later ones)is a very good thing to stop the mrs' barnet getting ruined should it suddenly start raining!

Then again, just go buy a bloody Elise - you'll never be happy if you don't!

I have no idea what's wrong with the roof! This is woman logic I'm dealing with! I think she doesn't look the look with the hood up. Mental, I know but that's women for you!

[PaulB81]

Here you go:




http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3165106.htm

Job done surely?

[Emeye]

Don't go camping - that's what hotels are for!

Or how about some external luggage racks, I know they do them for the MX5 - very cool IMO, just like ski racks on the Bond Esprit!