What sub £10k sports car?
Discussion
As a former MX5 owner, I would love to own another open-top sports car but which would be the best one for a £10k budget? This would be a DD, so it would need to work for a living.
I liked the MX5 (it was a mk2 1.8) but it wasn't really fast enough or hardcore enough for me. I know that the newer model has more power but it's also heavier and has lost too much of its minimalist charm for my liking ie - it's fitted with a lot of stuff you don't really need or want in a sportscar like cruise control FFS! A Caterham/Westfield although brilliant I'm sure is a bit too hardcore for me for a DD and a TVR too expensive to run and potentially unreliable (although a Griffith 500 would be in my dream garage). I really fancy an S2 Elise preferably with the 190bhp Toyota engine but these are way over budget. Even the K-Series engined cars are overbudget and I'm not sure about spending that much on a car with such a flawed engine and I also hear that it's not a good idea to take one out when the roads are salty, as it will wreck the aluminium chassis!
Other options?
I like the idea of something with a more powerful, exotic engine. First-gen Boxster S's are coming down in value but have a slightly iffy image and aren't as reliable as one would expect from all accounts. A 3.0 BMW Z4 is also quite appealing but is is a case of style over substance?
SLKs look alright but aren't really proper sportscars and mk1 MX5s/MGFs are getting a bit old and ropey now. The only other obvious car I haven't mentioned is the MR2. I've never been that keen on the looks or interior but haven't actually driven one. I've heard them described before as a more practical Elise. Are they really that good? I would have expected them to be in a similar league to an MX5 in terms of driving TBH, which is not what I'm really after.
So what sportscar offers the most driving thrills, best value and day-to-day useability for the money?
I liked the MX5 (it was a mk2 1.8) but it wasn't really fast enough or hardcore enough for me. I know that the newer model has more power but it's also heavier and has lost too much of its minimalist charm for my liking ie - it's fitted with a lot of stuff you don't really need or want in a sportscar like cruise control FFS! A Caterham/Westfield although brilliant I'm sure is a bit too hardcore for me for a DD and a TVR too expensive to run and potentially unreliable (although a Griffith 500 would be in my dream garage). I really fancy an S2 Elise preferably with the 190bhp Toyota engine but these are way over budget. Even the K-Series engined cars are overbudget and I'm not sure about spending that much on a car with such a flawed engine and I also hear that it's not a good idea to take one out when the roads are salty, as it will wreck the aluminium chassis!
Other options?
I like the idea of something with a more powerful, exotic engine. First-gen Boxster S's are coming down in value but have a slightly iffy image and aren't as reliable as one would expect from all accounts. A 3.0 BMW Z4 is also quite appealing but is is a case of style over substance?
SLKs look alright but aren't really proper sportscars and mk1 MX5s/MGFs are getting a bit old and ropey now. The only other obvious car I haven't mentioned is the MR2. I've never been that keen on the looks or interior but haven't actually driven one. I've heard them described before as a more practical Elise. Are they really that good? I would have expected them to be in a similar league to an MX5 in terms of driving TBH, which is not what I'm really after.
So what sportscar offers the most driving thrills, best value and day-to-day useability for the money?
£10k can get you a mint low mileage Honda S2000.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
white_goodman said:
T1PP3R said:
have to be the S2000 or a boxster for me. or how about a Z3M?
Thanks. Forgot about the S2000. Like them but tricky handling/suspension problems?nammynake said:
Yes, much better daily than the Liz 
VX Foxy said:
nammynake said:
Yes, much better daily than the Liz white_goodman said:
As a former MX5 owner, I would love to own another open-top sports car but which would be the best one for a £10k budget? This would be a DD, so it would need to work for a living.
I liked the MX5 (it was a mk2 1.8) but it wasn't really fast enough or hardcore enough for me. I know that the newer model has more power but it's also heavier and has lost too much of its minimalist charm for my liking ie - it's fitted with a lot of stuff you don't really need or want in a sportscar like cruise control FFS! A Caterham/Westfield although brilliant I'm sure is a bit too hardcore for me for a DD and a TVR too expensive to run and potentially unreliable (although a Griffith 500 would be in my dream garage). I really fancy an S2 Elise preferably with the 190bhp Toyota engine but these are way over budget. Even the K-Series engined cars are overbudget and I'm not sure about spending that much on a car with such a flawed engine and I also hear that it's not a good idea to take one out when the roads are salty, as it will wreck the aluminium chassis!
Other options?
I like the idea of something with a more powerful, exotic engine. First-gen Boxster S's are coming down in value but have a slightly iffy image and aren't as reliable as one would expect from all accounts. A 3.0 BMW Z4 is also quite appealing but is is a case of style over substance?
SLKs look alright but aren't really proper sportscars and mk1 MX5s/MGFs are getting a bit old and ropey now. The only other obvious car I haven't mentioned is the MR2. I've never been that keen on the looks or interior but haven't actually driven one. I've heard them described before as a more practical Elise. Are they really that good? I would have expected them to be in a similar league to an MX5 in terms of driving TBH, which is not what I'm really after.
So what sportscar offers the most driving thrills, best value and day-to-day useability for the money?
Re: the flawed engine bit, wrt the K series S2 Elise, guess you are talking about the HG failure, well, £500 sorts that, for good, with the upgraded replacement, if and when it happens. Thereafter, no real nightmares. I liked the MX5 (it was a mk2 1.8) but it wasn't really fast enough or hardcore enough for me. I know that the newer model has more power but it's also heavier and has lost too much of its minimalist charm for my liking ie - it's fitted with a lot of stuff you don't really need or want in a sportscar like cruise control FFS! A Caterham/Westfield although brilliant I'm sure is a bit too hardcore for me for a DD and a TVR too expensive to run and potentially unreliable (although a Griffith 500 would be in my dream garage). I really fancy an S2 Elise preferably with the 190bhp Toyota engine but these are way over budget. Even the K-Series engined cars are overbudget and I'm not sure about spending that much on a car with such a flawed engine and I also hear that it's not a good idea to take one out when the roads are salty, as it will wreck the aluminium chassis!
Other options?
I like the idea of something with a more powerful, exotic engine. First-gen Boxster S's are coming down in value but have a slightly iffy image and aren't as reliable as one would expect from all accounts. A 3.0 BMW Z4 is also quite appealing but is is a case of style over substance?
SLKs look alright but aren't really proper sportscars and mk1 MX5s/MGFs are getting a bit old and ropey now. The only other obvious car I haven't mentioned is the MR2. I've never been that keen on the looks or interior but haven't actually driven one. I've heard them described before as a more practical Elise. Are they really that good? I would have expected them to be in a similar league to an MX5 in terms of driving TBH, which is not what I'm really after.
So what sportscar offers the most driving thrills, best value and day-to-day useability for the money?
Now then, you have a problem with them Porsches/Z4's etc, and you'll be looking at alot more pain and financial hardship my friend. So, think again,'bout the Elise, and take into consideration, the 40+ mpg you'll get all day from the 'lise, which the others will get nowhere near, regardess of the optimistic figures quoted.
Current owner of 2.7 boxster or near 3 years. Loved every minute, OK it's far too slow, but ultimately, how quick can you go on a road? Been on runs with the S2000, it's quicker than the 2.7,and seems a good car - very different tho. In the Boxster, if you want to hoon, you hoon. if you want to cruise, you cruise. In an S2000, if you want to hoon, you _properly_ hoon. If you want to cruise, you crawl.
Re. the BM Z, I just couldn't fit with it - interior like my comapny derv daily of the time, soft, unrewarding chassis, more of a straight line car - but more comfortable than all.
The Elise is the best for driving, but very had to live with. I;ve tried to get mrs gump in one repeatedly, but getting in with the top down (with dignity) is an art, with the roof on it's impossible. The boot is tiny, too. Cooolest car in your plan tho.*
Re. the BM Z, I just couldn't fit with it - interior like my comapny derv daily of the time, soft, unrewarding chassis, more of a straight line car - but more comfortable than all.
The Elise is the best for driving, but very had to live with. I;ve tried to get mrs gump in one repeatedly, but getting in with the top down (with dignity) is an art, with the roof on it's impossible. The boot is tiny, too. Cooolest car in your plan tho.*
I'm keeping to 2 seat sportscars as per op, ignoring TVR's Plenty of fans here for straight line madness tho!)
Some Gump said:
Current owner of 2.7 boxster or near 3 years. Loved every minute, OK it's far too slow, but ultimately, how quick can you go on a road? Been on runs with the S2000, it's quicker than the 2.7,and seems a good car - very different tho. In the Boxster, if you want to hoon, you hoon. if you want to cruise, you cruise. In an S2000, if you want to hoon, you _properly_ hoon. If you want to cruise, you crawl.
Re. the BM Z, I just couldn't fit with it - interior like my comapny derv daily of the time, soft, unrewarding chassis, more of a straight line car - but more comfortable than all.
The Elise is the best for driving, but very had to live with. I;ve tried to get mrs gump in one repeatedly, but getting in with the top down (with dignity) is an art, with the roof on it's impossible. The boot is tiny, too. Cooolest car in your plan tho.*
I'm a largish chap, with an S2, and I'm staggered that so many peeps with Elises, don't just forget dignity, and undo one side of the soft top to aid ingress, and egress, simples. I drop in fine, with the above system, who the hell cares what it looks like.Re. the BM Z, I just couldn't fit with it - interior like my comapny derv daily of the time, soft, unrewarding chassis, more of a straight line car - but more comfortable than all.
The Elise is the best for driving, but very had to live with. I;ve tried to get mrs gump in one repeatedly, but getting in with the top down (with dignity) is an art, with the roof on it's impossible. The boot is tiny, too. Cooolest car in your plan tho.*
I'm keeping to 2 seat sportscars as per op, ignoring TVR's Plenty of fans here for straight line madness tho!)
I've had an S2000 for about a year, & it is absolutely fantastic.
I also have a TR7, & a TR8, with a 300+bhp 4.6L V8, so it has some competition .
The TR8 is very obvious, with all its noisy V8ness, but great fun. I love the S because I can drive it quietly around like a Honda Jazz, & be quite inconspicuous. People think just another hairdresser in their MG TF, or MX5, & ignore you. However I have a 14 second quarter mile under my foot when wanted. Its overtaking at 80 to 100Km in 3Rd is fantastic, as its handling above about 70Km/H.
At slower speeds, in the wet it is quite good, but less steering feed back than the MX5, & 250+ bhp demand some care. I have never before been so happy with a car as the manufacture actually built it, as I am with the S.
I also have a TR7, & a TR8, with a 300+bhp 4.6L V8, so it has some competition .
The TR8 is very obvious, with all its noisy V8ness, but great fun. I love the S because I can drive it quietly around like a Honda Jazz, & be quite inconspicuous. People think just another hairdresser in their MG TF, or MX5, & ignore you. However I have a 14 second quarter mile under my foot when wanted. Its overtaking at 80 to 100Km in 3Rd is fantastic, as its handling above about 70Km/H.
At slower speeds, in the wet it is quite good, but less steering feed back than the MX5, & 250+ bhp demand some care. I have never before been so happy with a car as the manufacture actually built it, as I am with the S.
white_goodman said:
A Caterham/Westfield although brilliant I'm sure is a bit too hardcore for me for a DD
Don't think of it as an impractical car, think of it as a really practical motorbikeOnce you have a decent jacket and a good hat then they are remarkably useable once you get into the routine, also the running costs are so laughably low then you can easily buy a snotter to keep for a rainy day
how about one of these.Plenty of power good looks open top and rear wheel drive.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3713342.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3713342.htm
white_goodman said:
....I also hear that it's not a good idea to take one out when the roads are salty, as it will wreck the aluminium chassis!...
My Elise is 15 years old, and has spent most of it's life outside. I've used it as a daily driver for the last four years, and when I pulled the front clam off last weekend (because the 15 year old radiator started leaking - longer lasting than my MX5 radiator) the aluminium chassis looked like new, after I washed it. So don't worry about the effects of salt on the chassis.Of course lots of the bolts were rusty, but no more rusty than the bolts on my MX5, and certainly less corroded than on my much younger 200SX, which had pretty much every underbody fastener shear off.
As for your "what car?" request - if you like MX5s but find them slow try an MX5 with a turbo. Lots of them about, and mine is hilarious. It's not for everyone, but it makes me nearly as happy as driving the Elise.
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