Fun, Lightweight, Cheap
Discussion
Morning all.
I prefer small lightweight 2 seaters (hairdressers cars
). I tend to buy one and run it for a year, get a false sense of needing something more practical, get rid of it and repeat.
I've had a Smart Roadster and Toyota MR2 Roadster so far.
Not had an MX5 of any sort but I'm not a huge fan.
Toying with picking up a cheap MG TF. Not afraid of the HGF everyone screams about as I have a K-Series MG at the moment.
With emphasis on the last word in the title, so an Elise is out of the question, are there any cars I'm missing? I cycle to work so car will only really be used on weekends and occasionally after work, so fuel consumption isn't a major deal breaker.
I prefer small lightweight 2 seaters (hairdressers cars
). I tend to buy one and run it for a year, get a false sense of needing something more practical, get rid of it and repeat. I've had a Smart Roadster and Toyota MR2 Roadster so far.
Not had an MX5 of any sort but I'm not a huge fan.
Toying with picking up a cheap MG TF. Not afraid of the HGF everyone screams about as I have a K-Series MG at the moment.
With emphasis on the last word in the title, so an Elise is out of the question, are there any cars I'm missing? I cycle to work so car will only really be used on weekends and occasionally after work, so fuel consumption isn't a major deal breaker.
I have toyed with the idea of getting a kit car. Would have to be a replica of some description however as being 22 and saving for a house, while I'd love to spank it onto a car, I probably shouldn't 
Pretty handy with spanners so not a major issue if I need to sort a few things.
When house searching the first thing I tend to select as required is a garage, so a kit car wouldn't be too crazy of an option.
Pretty handy with spanners so not a major issue if I need to sort a few things.
When house searching the first thing I tend to select as required is a garage, so a kit car wouldn't be too crazy of an option.
I have had MR2 Mk1, Mk2 and MK3, MX5 and MGF.
The MGF was a piece of s
t. Literally any job on it was a complete ball ache compared to the japs, and the handling was grip grip grip AAAARG. I had Rover 200 turbo and 200BRM and thought all the Rover horror stories were overblown, but its was on a whole new level of terrible. Just look up two common and simple jobs on a normal car - bleeding the clutch and replacing the gearstick cable. Honestly avoid it like the plague.
The Mk3 MR2 was my favourite, everything worked properly, great little engine and great suspension. I loved the MK1 but good luck finding a non rusty one at a decent price.
I now have a GTM Rossa kit car. Objectively, it is worse in every way than the other cars, but its combination of servo free steering, brakes and roller cam carbs means it is hilarious at any speed.
The MGF was a piece of s
t. Literally any job on it was a complete ball ache compared to the japs, and the handling was grip grip grip AAAARG. I had Rover 200 turbo and 200BRM and thought all the Rover horror stories were overblown, but its was on a whole new level of terrible. Just look up two common and simple jobs on a normal car - bleeding the clutch and replacing the gearstick cable. Honestly avoid it like the plague. The Mk3 MR2 was my favourite, everything worked properly, great little engine and great suspension. I loved the MK1 but good luck finding a non rusty one at a decent price.
I now have a GTM Rossa kit car. Objectively, it is worse in every way than the other cars, but its combination of servo free steering, brakes and roller cam carbs means it is hilarious at any speed.
What is it about the MX-5 that you're not keen on? You're after a fun, lightweight and cheap sports-car, that you can run and buy for not alot of money. The little Mazda is usually regarded as the Holy Grail of this kind of thing. Surely, there's no harm in trying one, especially if there's a chance that you may get rid of it in a years time anyway?
The only one's that you haven't tried, having already experienced a Smart Roadster and a Toyota MR2, would be the MX-5 and the MG(T)F. Some other left-field choices are; Suzuki Cappuccino, Fiat Barchetta, Honda Beat, Alfa Spyder. Honestly though, i'd forget these and try an MX-5. I just can't see why you wouldn't like it. It's exactly what you're after.
The only one's that you haven't tried, having already experienced a Smart Roadster and a Toyota MR2, would be the MX-5 and the MG(T)F. Some other left-field choices are; Suzuki Cappuccino, Fiat Barchetta, Honda Beat, Alfa Spyder. Honestly though, i'd forget these and try an MX-5. I just can't see why you wouldn't like it. It's exactly what you're after.
Nickp82 said:
Surely a Mazda RX-8 fits the bill? Then in a years time when you convince yourself you need something practical you can also remind yourself you have a four door, four seat car!
Just what I was thinking (if mx-5 is not an option). OP doesn't do high mileage and doesn't rely on the car for work, so the high fuel consumption and reliability worries aren't such an issue as they could be for many.
You say you want cheap motoring but then say an Elise is out of the question.
Looking at the price of an Elise over the last few years, if you are only planning to keep it for a year and then sell on I couldn't think of much cheaper.
The depreciation is likely to either be nothing or you might even make money on one which is not likely to be the case with other suggestions.
This assumes that you can work out the initial outlay but if you can do it and it's what you really want it might be a better option than running an MGTF for a year and losing £1k
Looking at the price of an Elise over the last few years, if you are only planning to keep it for a year and then sell on I couldn't think of much cheaper.
The depreciation is likely to either be nothing or you might even make money on one which is not likely to be the case with other suggestions.
This assumes that you can work out the initial outlay but if you can do it and it's what you really want it might be a better option than running an MGTF for a year and losing £1k
Thanks all.
I figured not being a fan of the MX5 would be a major thing on PH
I just don't see the major fascination. Not a fan of the looks or the rust. Still fun, mind.
I've driven a MK1 and MK2 that a friend owns quite a bit, and the Smart was more quirky and the MR2 was a better car to drive. Personal opinion and all that.
All of the previous cars didn't cost more than £2k.
A TF I actually found to be similar to the MR2. When I was younger, with my Dad having worked at MG, and later MG Xpower working on the MG SV, I've always had a soft spot.
A Barchetta/Alfa Spider is a great shout, I'd completely forgotten about them. Will have to take a look as the LHD wouldn't be an issue.
Have a good weekend
I figured not being a fan of the MX5 would be a major thing on PH
I just don't see the major fascination. Not a fan of the looks or the rust. Still fun, mind.
I've driven a MK1 and MK2 that a friend owns quite a bit, and the Smart was more quirky and the MR2 was a better car to drive. Personal opinion and all that.
All of the previous cars didn't cost more than £2k.
A TF I actually found to be similar to the MR2. When I was younger, with my Dad having worked at MG, and later MG Xpower working on the MG SV, I've always had a soft spot.
A Barchetta/Alfa Spider is a great shout, I'd completely forgotten about them. Will have to take a look as the LHD wouldn't be an issue.
Have a good weekend
Sycamore said:
Thanks all.
I figured not being a fan of the MX5 would be a major thing on PH
I just don't see the major fascination. Not a fan of the looks or the rust. Still fun, mind.
I've driven a MK1 and MK2 that a friend owns quite a bit, and the Smart was more quirky and the MR2 was a better car to drive. Personal opinion and all that.
All of the previous cars didn't cost more than £2k.
A TF I actually found to be similar to the MR2. When I was younger, with my Dad having worked at MG, and later MG Xpower working on the MG SV, I've always had a soft spot.
A Barchetta/Alfa Spider is a great shout, I'd completely forgotten about them. Will have to take a look as the LHD wouldn't be an issue.
Have a good weekend
It’s just that the MX5 is a vastly better car than the MG TF and it’s where 90% of people would go for “fun, light and cheap”I figured not being a fan of the MX5 would be a major thing on PH
I just don't see the major fascination. Not a fan of the looks or the rust. Still fun, mind.
I've driven a MK1 and MK2 that a friend owns quite a bit, and the Smart was more quirky and the MR2 was a better car to drive. Personal opinion and all that.
All of the previous cars didn't cost more than £2k.
A TF I actually found to be similar to the MR2. When I was younger, with my Dad having worked at MG, and later MG Xpower working on the MG SV, I've always had a soft spot.
A Barchetta/Alfa Spider is a great shout, I'd completely forgotten about them. Will have to take a look as the LHD wouldn't be an issue.
Have a good weekend
Porsche Boxster 986.
Cheap to buy, DIYable mechanics, fairly cheap on parts, surprisingly cheap insurance IME. Buy on condition not on age. Lots of horror stories about IMS bearing failure but it seems rare in actual numbers.
Surprisingly practical, lots of room in the "trunk" and the "frunk", a very nice sheltered comfortable ride with the roof down and the wind deflector in. Makes a really nice noise, and a really really nice noise if de-snorkeled and sports exhuasted, sublime handling, and don't forget that badge. And they are unlikely to get much cheaper than they are right now. OK so many a larger diesel engined execmobile will smoke it away from the lights, but I've never driven a 3 series 50 miles for a pint of milk...
Cheap to buy, DIYable mechanics, fairly cheap on parts, surprisingly cheap insurance IME. Buy on condition not on age. Lots of horror stories about IMS bearing failure but it seems rare in actual numbers.
Surprisingly practical, lots of room in the "trunk" and the "frunk", a very nice sheltered comfortable ride with the roof down and the wind deflector in. Makes a really nice noise, and a really really nice noise if de-snorkeled and sports exhuasted, sublime handling, and don't forget that badge. And they are unlikely to get much cheaper than they are right now. OK so many a larger diesel engined execmobile will smoke it away from the lights, but I've never driven a 3 series 50 miles for a pint of milk...
Ive had a 987 boxster 2.7 - and it was brilliant!
Far more engaging to drive than the 996 turbo that it replaced, which as just a ballistic weapon that i kept needing to reign in.
I sold the boxster to free up some funds and bought a 1991 MX5 and, though not as comfortable as the boxster (but it is 14 yrs older!) its a stunning drive, for not a lot of money.
A mate borrowed my MX5 for a track day (previously a 911 and 360 owner) and came back asking me to lt him have first dibs on the MX5!
Far more engaging to drive than the 996 turbo that it replaced, which as just a ballistic weapon that i kept needing to reign in.
I sold the boxster to free up some funds and bought a 1991 MX5 and, though not as comfortable as the boxster (but it is 14 yrs older!) its a stunning drive, for not a lot of money.
A mate borrowed my MX5 for a track day (previously a 911 and 360 owner) and came back asking me to lt him have first dibs on the MX5!
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