Most fun for £2k...
Discussion
PH,
Seeking some advice, as vague as the request may be..
Say I had £2k in my pocket and wanted a 2 seater sports car for a tour around Europe with the Missus, what would be your suggestions?
Would be willing to buy cheap/sheddy and tidy up as handy enough with a spanner so be as imaginative as I know you all will be!
Could be swayed towards the likes of 325i coupe's (or similar) for the space factor, really just looking for ideas as I am suffering a total brainfart (which admittedly is a regular occurrence).
Cheers, B.
Seeking some advice, as vague as the request may be..
Say I had £2k in my pocket and wanted a 2 seater sports car for a tour around Europe with the Missus, what would be your suggestions?
Would be willing to buy cheap/sheddy and tidy up as handy enough with a spanner so be as imaginative as I know you all will be!
Could be swayed towards the likes of 325i coupe's (or similar) for the space factor, really just looking for ideas as I am suffering a total brainfart (which admittedly is a regular occurrence).
Cheers, B.
BBenzzz said:
PH,
Could be swayed towards the likes of 325i coupe's (or similar) for the space factor, really just looking for ideas as I am suffering a total brainfart (which admittedly is a regular occurrence).
You'd really need to decide if it's actually a 2-seater sports car that you want. As good a car as a 325ci/330ci is, they're definitely not a sports car.Could be swayed towards the likes of 325i coupe's (or similar) for the space factor, really just looking for ideas as I am suffering a total brainfart (which admittedly is a regular occurrence).
MX5 is the stock answer. For what you're wanting to use it for, i'd probably go for a MK3 MR2. I just think it'll be more of a sense of occasion. They're also much less practical though.
Much as I love the Mk3 MR2 (I have one), I'm not sure I would want one to tour around Europe. They are very impractical, noisy, not very comfortable and I would imagine if you're anything like me you and the missus would be well sick of it after driving thousands of miles. Much of the same complaints could be levelled towards the MX5 and MGTF as well. And while I did find my MR2 Turbo more comfortable than the Mk3, it too was very noisy.
On the other hand, my Z4 Coupe was a delight on long journeys. Comfortable, relaxing and effortless. You won't get one for £2k, but you probably will get a Z3 Roadster 2.8. That would be my choice at a budget. Or a Boxster as said.
On the other hand, my Z4 Coupe was a delight on long journeys. Comfortable, relaxing and effortless. You won't get one for £2k, but you probably will get a Z3 Roadster 2.8. That would be my choice at a budget. Or a Boxster as said.
mx5 pretty much ticks those boxes...and they really aren't too impractical. I used mine for roadtrips and camping many times, the boot with addition of a luggage rack will be plenty of space.
It got a bit uncomfortable after 3 or so hours of driving, so pitstops for a stretch are recommended/essential.
Bit of an occasion with the roof down too, it'll be a lot of fun.
Really want to take my integra to italy one summer, but the thought of putting all those miles on it makes me cringe.
It got a bit uncomfortable after 3 or so hours of driving, so pitstops for a stretch are recommended/essential.
Bit of an occasion with the roof down too, it'll be a lot of fun.
Really want to take my integra to italy one summer, but the thought of putting all those miles on it makes me cringe.
As the owner of an E46 coupe, I'll candidly tell you not to bother. For £2k a 325/330 is an astonishingly capable all-rounder (probably the best in this bracket, IMHO), but it's nowhere near the top of the 'fun' stakes.
Given your low budget, you're probably looking at a compromise somewhere. I'd be looking at cars that are reasonable fun to drive, that you can take the top down on (you'll never tire of that on a Euro tour), and that aren't a horror on the long motorway schleps (which rules out the mk2 MX5, for me).
In your position, I'd be considering:
Given your low budget, you're probably looking at a compromise somewhere. I'd be looking at cars that are reasonable fun to drive, that you can take the top down on (you'll never tire of that on a Euro tour), and that aren't a horror on the long motorway schleps (which rules out the mk2 MX5, for me).
In your position, I'd be considering:
- Z3 (even the 1.9 would be a giggle)
- SLK230
- Alfa Spider twinspark
- TT convertible (the 180bhp version isn't a slouch)
Edited by C70R on Thursday 9th November 21:03
http://mr2roc.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=...
http://mr2roc.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=...
one of these with money left for service / check over when you get it
I hate to contribute to the bore-fest of 'MX5' replies, but it really is the answer.
Ive owned 2 mk1 MX5s and did a ton of miles in both, and they really are that good.
£2K will buy a great one with plenty of change to spare- use this to prepare it mechanically for a big tour. Luggage rack as mentioned will help. Hardtop is also useful but I wouldnt be taking one round Europe with the tintop on.
Also worth saying Im 6'3" and quite broad built- fitting in there comfortably was never an issue (apart from the top of my head being almost level with the top of the windscreen). Long journeys wont leave you feeling unduly sore/ tired.
You never get tired of the charm of pop-up headlights, and the 'design' such as it is is classless/ timeless.
To the original question; they are alot of fun too. If you equate 'power' to 'fun' maybe not so much, but Ive owned stuff that could be considered properly fast since, and never look back on the old mk1 as being 'slow'. Its the car that properly 'taught' me RWD- wish Id had it before some of the beefier RWD stuff I owned, would have enjoyed them more...
Ive owned 2 mk1 MX5s and did a ton of miles in both, and they really are that good.
£2K will buy a great one with plenty of change to spare- use this to prepare it mechanically for a big tour. Luggage rack as mentioned will help. Hardtop is also useful but I wouldnt be taking one round Europe with the tintop on.
Also worth saying Im 6'3" and quite broad built- fitting in there comfortably was never an issue (apart from the top of my head being almost level with the top of the windscreen). Long journeys wont leave you feeling unduly sore/ tired.
You never get tired of the charm of pop-up headlights, and the 'design' such as it is is classless/ timeless.
To the original question; they are alot of fun too. If you equate 'power' to 'fun' maybe not so much, but Ive owned stuff that could be considered properly fast since, and never look back on the old mk1 as being 'slow'. Its the car that properly 'taught' me RWD- wish Id had it before some of the beefier RWD stuff I owned, would have enjoyed them more...
daveofedinburgh said:
I hate to contribute to the bore-fest of 'MX5' replies, but it really is the answer.
Ive owned 2 mk1 MX5s and did a ton of miles in both, and they really are that good.
£2K will buy a great one with plenty of change to spare- use this to prepare it mechanically for a big tour. Luggage rack as mentioned will help. Hardtop is also useful but I wouldnt be taking one round Europe with the tintop on.
Also worth saying Im 6'3" and quite broad built- fitting in there comfortably was never an issue (apart from the top of my head being almost level with the top of the windscreen). Long journeys wont leave you feeling unduly sore/ tired.
You never get tired of the charm of pop-up headlights, and the 'design' such as it is is classless/ timeless.
To the original question; they are alot of fun too. If you equate 'power' to 'fun' maybe not so much, but Ive owned stuff that could be considered properly fast since, and never look back on the old mk1 as being 'slow'. Its the car that properly 'taught' me RWD- wish Id had it before some of the beefier RWD stuff I owned, would have enjoyed them more...
All valid points, but completely negated by the fact that sitting at 140-150kph on the autoroute will have the Mazda screaming its tits off at 4.5krpm and burning through a tank in <250 miles. Ive owned 2 mk1 MX5s and did a ton of miles in both, and they really are that good.
£2K will buy a great one with plenty of change to spare- use this to prepare it mechanically for a big tour. Luggage rack as mentioned will help. Hardtop is also useful but I wouldnt be taking one round Europe with the tintop on.
Also worth saying Im 6'3" and quite broad built- fitting in there comfortably was never an issue (apart from the top of my head being almost level with the top of the windscreen). Long journeys wont leave you feeling unduly sore/ tired.
You never get tired of the charm of pop-up headlights, and the 'design' such as it is is classless/ timeless.
To the original question; they are alot of fun too. If you equate 'power' to 'fun' maybe not so much, but Ive owned stuff that could be considered properly fast since, and never look back on the old mk1 as being 'slow'. Its the car that properly 'taught' me RWD- wish Id had it before some of the beefier RWD stuff I owned, would have enjoyed them more...
Add that to the excessive wind/road noise and general lack of creature comforts, it's just too compromised for a serious roadtrip. If you wanted the "best", then the MX5 isn't the right choice IMHO.
It's a nice dream to think that proper roadtrips are all about carving through alpine passes with the roof down, but anyone who has done one knows that the reality is far from that.
The MX5 is good at many things, but it's a rubbish tourer.
C70R said:
All valid points, but completely negated by the fact that sitting at 140-150kph on the autoroute will have the Mazda screaming its tits off at 4.5krpm and burning through a tank in <250 miles.
Add that to the excessive wind/road noise and general lack of creature comforts, it's just too compromised for a serious roadtrip. If you wanted the "best", then the MX5 isn't the right choice IMHO.
It's a nice dream to think that proper roadtrips are all about carving through alpine passes with the roof down, but anyone who has done one knows that the reality is far from that.
The MX5 is good at many things, but it's a rubbish tourer.
I quite agree. I'm actually rather surprised people are blindly recommending the likes of Mk1 MX5s and Mk3 MR2s. As I said earlier, I own the latter, and have owned two Mk1s, and frankly, there's no way I'd want to do thousands of miles in one. They are B-road blasters, not GT cars as you say. Fine for a few hours, after that, you'll have tinnitus and probably need a new spine. Travelling around Europe in my MR2 is not something I would relish at all.Add that to the excessive wind/road noise and general lack of creature comforts, it's just too compromised for a serious roadtrip. If you wanted the "best", then the MX5 isn't the right choice IMHO.
It's a nice dream to think that proper roadtrips are all about carving through alpine passes with the roof down, but anyone who has done one knows that the reality is far from that.
The MX5 is good at many things, but it's a rubbish tourer.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff