Alternatives to an mx5

[JonH92]

So as the title suggests I'm looking for alternative suggestions for an mx5. The reason being I'm looking for a first car at the moment and your suggestions I'm sure will be helpful (as they have been so far on my other posts). I won't be back in the UK for about a month and I have lots of spare time at the moment so just thought it'd bbe good to gt some fresh ideas.

Basically I'm looking for a sub-£1250 car (my budget is £1k but maybe I can haggle a bit). I've asked for alternatives to the mx5 as really it's my first choice, so by that you can tell that I am much more focused on fun rather than practicality (but extra seats never go a miss!). I only plan to have it for a year and a bit so nothing that's gonna need loads of work just for me to sell it again. High mileage is not an issue, but good condition is a must. Other than that I'd be really glad to see your ideas (and if anyone has something for sale to fit this description inc. mx5s let me know!)
Thanks!

[ryanthescot]

You could pick up a Suzuki Ignis sport within budget. They are quite cheap to run, decent economy and great cars to drive. Plus you get 2 back seats. There are plenty on ebay

Having had both I'd say the mx5 is slightly more fun, but is worse on fuel for a similar level of performance. However being able to drop the roof on days like today makes up for that. Try to find a Eunos as they are more likely to be rust free than a UK mx5. I got my 1.8 S-Special within your budget and it's in really good nick, but I spent 12 months on the hunt before I found it, so if you can be paitent that will help you find a good one

[Snowboy]

Not much at that price.
You might find a fwd cabrio like an old 306 or Audi; but they'll be tatty.
You may find a old 3 series. But probably tatty too.

Your best bet is to get back to England then look on auto trader for everything with 50 miles in your budget - then buy what looks good.

[CrispyMK]

In contrast to the poster above there's plenty about at that price. The trouble will be finding a decent example of what you fancy. I've just picked up a 1992 MR2 for £800, most of the older ones were about this price but the difference in condition was staggering. I saw one that had nothing left of it's sills and I could get my whole hand in. The one I picked up is solid and been well looked after, just needs a bit of TLC and some horrible alloys replacing.

For your budget look for something with two seats and a petrol engine, most people won't buy these because they're 'sports' cars' and must cost millions to run. Even better if the car has broken the 100,000 miles barrier, everyone knows that at 100,000 miles the engine will just drop out on to the road so the prices will suffer. You're looking for an unpopular type of car which will work in your favour.

Get on Autotrader, set your budget to £1500 and look for anything petrol powered, you'll soon get a feel for what you fancy. Personally I've just changed from an MX5 to an MR2. As much as I enjoyed the MX5 I already prefer the MR2.

[Johnny 89]

The closest rival is probably the MGF/MGTF. You could pick one up in budget.

Other ideas might be an MR2 Mk 2 or Mk 3.

If you would like some extra seats why not opt for an MX-3.

Others might include:

Nissan 100NX
Clio 172 (out of budget?)
Honda CRX/CRX Del Sol
Toyota Starlet Glanza V/GT Turbo
Fiat Coupe

[Newro]

You could get a MGF for that kind of money, but I wouldn't advice that as you would quickly spend considerably more in repairs. Plus, it is a tricky car to learn driving in, especially if not set up correctly, and few of them are.

Even high mileage BMW 3/Z3 convertibles tend to be over that price range.

If it doesn't have to be a convertible, there are a lot more choices available.

[Newro]

Johnny 89 said:

Honda CRX/CRX Del Sol

I keep forgetting about those as I was never into Honda's, but that might be a good option for your budget.

[Synchromesh]

If you're not fussed about a having a drop top I think mk2 MR2 is the way to go. They feel much more planted and grown up than the MX5, not to mention a little quicker in a straight line. Like any old Jap car, check for rust, rust and then check again for rust. Ignore the mileage as mechanicals are pretty much bombproof. You only need to spend £1k to pick up a good one but there are also lots of lemons at that price so take your time looking and don't rush into buying the first you see.

[jakesmith]

If you want something fun for whizzing around in that you can park anywhere, up the budget a touch I'd say & have a look at a used MP4-12C spyder

[JonH92]

Thanks for the responses so far, sounds like an mr2 might be the way to go, I did also consider a crx, but not a 'del sol' as although I'm in spain i really hate the way they look haha! Also not sure who it was about being difficult to learn in, but although it's a first car I've been driving 4 years so that's not really an issue for me, although I am planning to teach the missus how to drive so yeah something that won't be a deathtrap for a learner is probably a good idea too! A few said mg's but I'd rather avoid anything old and British as I've heard that they are quite a handful in terms of maintenance.
Thanks everyone so far, anyone else want to chip in?

[Merry]

Newro said:

You could get a MGF for that kind of money, but I wouldn't advice that as you would quickly spend considerably more in repairs. Plus, it is a tricky car to learn driving in, especially if not set up correctly, and few of them are.

Not convinced by that argument, if you choose wisely you can pick up a tidy, well looked after f for around £800. Spares are plentiful and cheap.

Mine has not cost anything in repairs over the last 18 months, doesn't handle squiffy and gets around 30 to the gallon.

And now about a billion people are going to shout Hgf failures...

[GTIR]

Merry said:

Newro said:

You could get a MGF for that kind of money, but I wouldn't advice that as you would quickly spend considerably more in repairs. Plus, it is a tricky car to learn driving in, especially if not set up correctly, and few of them are.

Not convinced by that argument, if you choose wisely you can pick up a tidy, well looked after f for around £800. Spares are plentiful and cheap.

Mine has not cost anything in repairs over the last 18 months, doesn't handle squiffy and gets around 30 to the gallon.

And now about a billion people are going to shout Hgf failures...

No. They're just awful cars.

I think if someone was to own one it may turn them off cars forever and it's just a hop skip and jump then to Mumsnet.

I owned one and luckily I'm over it but after much counselling, tears and night terrors.

[Daston]

If it was me I would be looking at Mk2/3 MR2's.

[Merry]

GTIR said:

No. They're just awful cars.

I think if someone was to own one it may turn them off cars forever and it's just a hop skip and jump then to Mumsnet.

I owned one and luckily I'm over it but after much counselling, tears and night terrors.

I think we'll disagree on that. Mine has been bloody brilliant.

[JonH92]

I've noticed quite a lot off hyundai coupes, anyone have any experience advce on these?
Also do you think I'm likely to get a better deal from the owners club/fan forum classfieds or on big sites i.e. autotrader?

[Tannedbaldhead]

Merry said:

GTIR said:

No. They're just awful cars.

I think if someone was to own one it may turn them off cars forever and it's just a hop skip and jump then to Mumsnet.

I owned one and luckily I'm over it but after much counselling, tears and night terrors.

I think we'll disagree on that. Mine has been bloody brilliant.

As has mine.

[Newro]

GTIR said:

No. They're just awful cars.

I think if someone was to own one it may turn them off cars forever and it's just a hop skip and jump then to Mumsnet.

I owned one and luckily I'm over it but after much counselling, tears and night terrors.

I actually used to own one for many years and loved it to bits. Bought it new from a BMW dealer in Austria who had no idea what he was doing. So eventually brought it to a Rover/Land Rover/Jaguar dealership for service who actually had the tools required to set it up.

When well maintained and set up correctly they can be amazing. However, routine maintenance was at least 1000€ a year, assuming nothing out of the ordinary went wrong. So eventually, it stopped to be financially viable.

Thankfully I had a great support network very early on.

So no, do yourself a favour and don't bother with a MGF for that kind of money. Unless you are willing to spend as much again and bring it to a shop that knows what it is doing and overhaul it.

[GTIR]

Tannedbaldhead said:

Merry said:

GTIR said:

No. They're just awful cars.

I think if someone was to own one it may turn them off cars forever and it's just a hop skip and jump then to Mumsnet.

I owned one and luckily I'm over it but after much counselling, tears and night terrors.

I think we'll disagree on that. Mine has been bloody brilliant.

As has mine.

Girls car.

[Merry]

GTIR said:

Girls car.

Don't need the car I drive to reinforce my gender to be honest. I'm quite sure my testes are still present and correct.

I see you're not overly confident yours are, mind...

[Northernchimp]

Saab, petrol, turbo.