TT Roadster - MX5 - MR2 - Something for the Mrs
Discussion
Gents,
The wife has a Cayenne S for the daily drive, however she misses having a manual cabriolet.
We sold her A4 Multitronic Cab in July, and thought we'd get something else as a weekend toy for her.
Not looking at spending a lot of money, say £2.5k tops. Must be a manual, and must be a soft top.
Of the cars I've picked out above, what would be the best choice do you think? I know they each have their own merits, but the cars should be able to be left alone for periods of time without getting stroppy and deciding it doesn't want to start.
Shouldn't be a constant dive and demand attention and tlc every time you drive it, yet be able to engage you from the moment you turn they key.
I worry that the MX5 and MR2 wont give the performance kick to make it feel special, but in all honesty I haven't really driven either. I did have a 225 TT coupe which I used as a daily hack, that was remapped to just short of 280bhp, and was fun enough.
But I've no doubt the MX5 is probably the hardier car, less likely to throw a diva and end up costing me lots of money in upkeep (or is it?).
Any advice appreciated.
The wife has a Cayenne S for the daily drive, however she misses having a manual cabriolet.
We sold her A4 Multitronic Cab in July, and thought we'd get something else as a weekend toy for her.
Not looking at spending a lot of money, say £2.5k tops. Must be a manual, and must be a soft top.
Of the cars I've picked out above, what would be the best choice do you think? I know they each have their own merits, but the cars should be able to be left alone for periods of time without getting stroppy and deciding it doesn't want to start.
Shouldn't be a constant dive and demand attention and tlc every time you drive it, yet be able to engage you from the moment you turn they key.
I worry that the MX5 and MR2 wont give the performance kick to make it feel special, but in all honesty I haven't really driven either. I did have a 225 TT coupe which I used as a daily hack, that was remapped to just short of 280bhp, and was fun enough.
But I've no doubt the MX5 is probably the hardier car, less likely to throw a diva and end up costing me lots of money in upkeep (or is it?).
Any advice appreciated.
Just sold my MK3 MR2 (bottom end went) and looking to purchase a MK1 MX5 this weekend.
MR2 is a brilliant little car if you get it properly set up in terms of suspension, tracking and tyres - its only 138bhp but it seems so much faster as you are so low down with the MR layout its really a brilliant little car.
Only thing to watch out for is 5 speed models pre 2004 with the chocolate bottom end engines (like mine) and the pre-cat issues of carbon ingress into the block.
MX5 watch for rust on all models within your budget as the sills rot away even on aesthetically good cars - brilliant fun to drive and as with the MR2 the lack of power is forgotten as its so much fun! Also watch MK1 plastic rear windows as thy crack.
I found toyota parts to be expensive but the MX5 is pennies if you pick them up from a breaker / ebay.
MR2 is a brilliant little car if you get it properly set up in terms of suspension, tracking and tyres - its only 138bhp but it seems so much faster as you are so low down with the MR layout its really a brilliant little car.
Only thing to watch out for is 5 speed models pre 2004 with the chocolate bottom end engines (like mine) and the pre-cat issues of carbon ingress into the block.
MX5 watch for rust on all models within your budget as the sills rot away even on aesthetically good cars - brilliant fun to drive and as with the MR2 the lack of power is forgotten as its so much fun! Also watch MK1 plastic rear windows as thy crack.
I found toyota parts to be expensive but the MX5 is pennies if you pick them up from a breaker / ebay.
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