Economical sportscar - can I do better than a GT86

[GTBob]

I'm driving back to the UK from a holiday in Spain and yesterday filled up three times. I'm averaging about 36 mpg in my Toyota GT86. My question... what interesting sports car or 2+2 would be more economical for up to £25K new or second hand?
I don't want a hot hatch by the way and am not particularly enamoured with diesels. Any thoughts? Or am I already in the right car for me? It's certainly practical for two people and creates a lot of interest over here. I just hate spending all this money on fuel.
Cheers
Bob.

[200Plus Club]

Can of worms opened...
Economical
Sports car
GT 86

Bookmarked this one lol

[durbster]

Mazda RX-8. You can pick them up for £1500 now so despite the terrible fuel economy and inevitable engine rebuild costs, you're still better off

[sawman]

I used to get around 35 - 40 mpg in my morgan 4 seater, also sold it for more than I paid after 4 years and 40k miles

Quite good value overall

[anonymous-user]

GTBob said:

I'm driving back to the UK from a holiday in Spain and yesterday filled up three times. I'm averaging about 36 mpg in my Toyota GT86. My question... what interesting sports car or 2+2 would be more economical for up to £25K new or second hand?
I don't want a hot hatch by the way and am not particularly enamoured with diesels. Any thoughts? Or am I already in the right car for me? It's certainly practical for two people and creates a lot of interest over here. I just hate spending all this money on fuel.
Cheers
Bob.

Oh but it can't be beaten for it's combination of light weight, not diesel, good old fashined fun, etc etc.

That's what you wanted to hear and saves 14 pages of arguing.

[kieranblenk]

If you can live with 2 seats, a lightly used Abarth 124 Spider or a Mercedes SLC slips in budget.

In terms of 2+2s, Audi TT and BMW 2 Series are the only options I can think bar the GT86/BRZ.

[Hammy98]

The boxer in the gt86 isn't exactly the most economical.

My mate has one on a 13 plate, we were going karting the other week and our nearest reasonable track is 50+ miles on the motorway.

Cruise control set at 80 I was getting 42mpg and he was getting 36mpg, not a huge difference I know but it does show the 86 isn't the most economical.

I'd be looking at a 2 series as mentioned above. Ideally a 228i but they're hard to come by. Failing that a 220i or 225i.

Your non hot-hatch requirement rules out the majority of the 86's competitors unfortunately.

For reference I have a Mini Cooper S with the 2.0T.

Edited by Hammy98 on Friday 6th April 08:03

[Rawwr]

You can get over 45mpg in a K-series Elise with ease.

[NWTony]

Rawwr said:

You can get over 45mpg in a K-series Elise with ease.

Not in my experience you can't

[kambites]

NWTony said:

Rawwr said:

You can get over 45mpg in a K-series Elise with ease.

Not in my experience you can't

I get about 45-50mpg out of mine on the odd occasion I take it on the motorway, but I think that's mostly down to the fact that it's so noisy and hyperactive that I drive at ~60mph. I've never seen under 40mpg on a long trip, though.

A Smart roadster would give you 60+mpg.

Obviously neither is anywhere near as practical as a GT86, though.

Edited by kambites on Friday 6th April 08:19

[Rawwr]

NWTony said:

Not in my experience you can't

Then you need more experience

[hondansx]

What would a DC5 Integra get?

[Truckosaurus]

hondansx said:

What would a DC5 Integra get?

Short gearing blunts economy on motorway.

[cerb4.5lee]

Apart from my Mini Cooper S none of the petrol cars I've had have achieved 36mpg. So I don't think you can grumble to be fair with the GT86.

Don't get a car with 6 or 8 cylinders because they do use plenty of fuel, surely the GT86 is hard to beat...its sporty looking and is RWD and has a manual gearbox and a LSD. Happy days.

[Smitters]

Mid 40's in my 1.4 k-series Caterham, high 30's and early 40's on super in my 1.6 k-series Caterham. Neither of which I'd want to drive for long/far enough to make a significant difference.

[meehaja]

Keep the ‘86, strip all the weight out. No back seats, no a/c, no speakers, lightweight rims, poly windows, that should get you up to 38mpg if driven conservatively?

[IanCress]

Latest 1.5 MX-5 should be good for mid 40's.

Should we even mention the diesel versions of the Audi TT and Merc SLK? They probably don't count as sports cars.

[99dndd]

MX5.

[Limpet]

kambites said:

NWTony said:

Rawwr said:

You can get over 45mpg in a K-series Elise with ease.

Not in my experience you can't

I get about 45-50mpg out of mine on the odd occasion I take it on the motorway, but I think that's mostly down to the fact that it's so noisy and hyperactive that I drive at ~60mph. I've never seen under 40mpg on a long trip, though.

I had use of one for a month or so while a mate was travelling. A bog standard early S1. Fuel economy was staggering. Admittedly I didn't abuse the thing as it belonged to a mate, but I certainly enjoyed myself in it, and I rarely saw below 40 over a tankful.

[cerb4.5lee]

IanCress said:

Should we even mention the diesel versions of the Audi TT and Merc SLK? They probably don't count as sports cars.

I wouldn't have thought that many class the GT86 as a sports car either in fairness. Its a sporty Coupe for me.