MX5 or Caterham 7?
Discussion
Morning all,
Got £18k to spend on a fun runaround and seemed to have landed on these two:
Caterham 160:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
MX5 Sport Recaro:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
What would be your pick?
Got £18k to spend on a fun runaround and seemed to have landed on these two:
Caterham 160:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
MX5 Sport Recaro:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
What would be your pick?
They are quite different. I have an R500 ( having had two other less mental ones over the last 14 years) and the Missus Zippy has a mk2 MX5 - I luv them both but the mx you can drive everyday and it's fun it's so much more practical - it's also fun on a trackday. The 7 us severely compromised if you only have 1 car and is hard to live with daily - I used my first 7 as a daily fir 3 months and I almost fell out if love with it.
Ziplobb said:
They are quite different. I have an R500 ( having had two other less mental ones over the last 14 years) and the Missus Zippy has a mk2 MX5 - I luv them both but the mx you can drive everyday and it's fun it's so much more practical - it's also fun on a trackday. The 7 us severely compromised if you only have 1 car and is hard to live with daily - I used my first 7 as a daily fir 3 months and I almost fell out if love with it.
I don't need the car as a daily at all, just something to jump in when I don't need to take the kids with me.I would suggest test driving both. For me, the choice would be Caterham, why have a heavy convertible when you could have a lightweight sports car?
The Caterham is likely to hold its value better too.
Oh and as for using it every day, I would suggest that the 160 is a very different beast to the 500, I had a Westfield SE many years ago as my only car, I did over 38000 miles in 3 years. Provided you dress appropriately then it isn't an issue.
The Caterham is likely to hold its value better too.
Oh and as for using it every day, I would suggest that the 160 is a very different beast to the 500, I had a Westfield SE many years ago as my only car, I did over 38000 miles in 3 years. Provided you dress appropriately then it isn't an issue.
I drove a Caterham recently and, while the steering is great and it handles well, I found it slightly frustrating. It was the 140bhp K-series version and torquey enough that you could make good progress without changing gear, which was probably just as well because you couldn't get at the the gearstick properly to change gear comfortably anyway. My daily is a Clio 197 so I like changing gear!
The low, stretched out driving position was nice but I had to adopt an elbows in approach that felt awkward. I guess this was partly due to the side screens that where fitted but the transmission tunnel and handbrake are high up too. It was also antisocially loud - especially when the noise didn't really reflect your speed.
By comparison I also drove the slower and even less practical Morgan Threewheeler and absolutely loved it!
I'd love to try a seven style car with a bike engine in it!
The low, stretched out driving position was nice but I had to adopt an elbows in approach that felt awkward. I guess this was partly due to the side screens that where fitted but the transmission tunnel and handbrake are high up too. It was also antisocially loud - especially when the noise didn't really reflect your speed.
By comparison I also drove the slower and even less practical Morgan Threewheeler and absolutely loved it!
I'd love to try a seven style car with a bike engine in it!
The Elise is not as practical as the Mazda but I agree it's a great "mid point" between the two cars mentioned by OP. It has more usability than a Seven.
That said, I love the latest ND MX-5 - such a fantastic package. I owned an NB car many years ago and it remains probably the best steer I've ever had. Thinking about buying one and adding the BBR200 package (no turbo, thank you).
That said, I love the latest ND MX-5 - such a fantastic package. I owned an NB car many years ago and it remains probably the best steer I've ever had. Thinking about buying one and adding the BBR200 package (no turbo, thank you).
Don't get a 160, I think you will be left wanting more power quite quickly.
I would look for a 1600/1800 K series with 6 speed box.
If you can find one with throttle bodies and a sorted head and ECU then all the better. The K series is good for 200+bhp but the sweet spot is often considered 160.
If you could find an R300 within budget then that's a great car with basically all the boxes ticked for a road car.
I would look for a 1600/1800 K series with 6 speed box.
If you can find one with throttle bodies and a sorted head and ECU then all the better. The K series is good for 200+bhp but the sweet spot is often considered 160.
If you could find an R300 within budget then that's a great car with basically all the boxes ticked for a road car.
If you get a 7 you'll scratch a motoring itch every driver should scratch at least once. A bit like the maxim that every driver should own an Alfa at some point. If it isn't for you you can rest satisfied you scratched that itch and owned a truly great car. With an Mx5, great as they are, I can't see it comparing in emotion. I'd agree to look at other 7s apart from the 160. The 160 is nice, but I can't help feeling it's compromised to fit into Japanese 'Kei' (?) car Regs, narrower wings, 3 pot Japanese turbo engine... your budget will get you looking at a wide range of great 7s and if it really isn't your thing you'll not lose much money.
I've had my 96 Crossflow for 2 1/2 years. The feeling when you open the garage is still immense, I have no regrets getting one. If I was to get an Mx 5 I'd prob spend a quarter of your budget and get 99 % of the fun of a more expensive one.
I've had my 96 Crossflow for 2 1/2 years. The feeling when you open the garage is still immense, I have no regrets getting one. If I was to get an Mx 5 I'd prob spend a quarter of your budget and get 99 % of the fun of a more expensive one.
^He's got it right. If you can, then do get the caterham. Have the experience of owning one. if you don't like it then no problem sell it back for the same you paid and get the MX-5. If sometime down the line your wife/partner complains and says sell it and get something more practical you can then buy the MX-5.
ambuletz said:
^He's got it right. If you can, then do get the caterham. Have the experience of owning one. if you don't like it then no problem sell it back for the same you paid and get the MX-5. If sometime down the line your wife/partner complains and says sell it and get something more practical you can then buy the MX-5.
As an MX-5 owner I agree. I love my car, but I think they're best when they're a few years old and can be purchased cheaply. Personally I wouldn't spend more than 5 or 6 grand on one. For the cost of a new or nearly new one, I think there are numerous better "toys" available like a Caterham.I would have an Elise however, because as other poster's have noted, they're a great half way house between the Caterham, which wont be any fun on the 1 out of 3 wet days we have each year and the all rounder MX-5.
I spent 6k on a mint 06 2.0 sport MX5 32,000 miles never seen a winter ,already fitted with the BBR200 kit , good spec heated leather seats AC Bose
It's the most fun I've ever had driving a car , nippy enough off the line but not that much power you'll be on the bus in 3 months.
I really can't see me ever selling it,
It's the most fun I've ever had driving a car , nippy enough off the line but not that much power you'll be on the bus in 3 months.
I really can't see me ever selling it,
Caterham with a doubt. Or an Elise. I have both and they are both truly stunning driver's cars on the road. IMO an MX5 or S2000 don't get remotely close.
However I am not sure I would use a Seven with a small child, however I happily take my 8 month old out in the Lotus.
Both have pros and cons but if I had only space for one fun car which I could use year round, it would be the Elise. With a few modifications...
However I am not sure I would use a Seven with a small child, however I happily take my 8 month old out in the Lotus.
Both have pros and cons but if I had only space for one fun car which I could use year round, it would be the Elise. With a few modifications...
J4CKO said:
How about a seven thing with more power, the 160 isn't slow by most standards, but it's slow for a seven, great but you may be craving more pretty quickly ?
160 isn't 160bhp - it's < 80bhp.Caterham like to name their models based on their power-to-weight - however.... comparing the power to weight of a light-weight car with the power to weight of a more regular car (even the MX-5) is kinda misleading, unless you're some sort of waif, as the weight it measured before you get in it.
If I owned a Caterham 160 I'd have to call it a Caterham 130 once I'd put my fat ass in it....
Get the MX5!
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