s2000, z4 3.0si, bbr mx5, 4.0l chimaera..?
Discussion
So, I'm going to be replacing my clio 182 trophy, as I have a real urge to move onto something rwd for a trip to Italy this summer. I'm looking for a car that is rewarding to drive when pushing on, something analogue, something that will teach me rwd motoring, and reward proper driving.
It must be relatively cheap to run, i.e. servicing, and no possibility of huge bills. As the car will be used purely for pleasure, it doesn't need to be wholly practical (however sufficient storage space will be necessary, as well as decent fuel economy ~30mpg). As I'm only 22, comfort on long journeys isn't my primary concern. My budget is around the 10k mark, and it will need to be something that will maintain that value.
Honda s2000 seems to be the general consensus.. Anyone have any recommendations, or experience/tips of the cars above?
It must be relatively cheap to run, i.e. servicing, and no possibility of huge bills. As the car will be used purely for pleasure, it doesn't need to be wholly practical (however sufficient storage space will be necessary, as well as decent fuel economy ~30mpg). As I'm only 22, comfort on long journeys isn't my primary concern. My budget is around the 10k mark, and it will need to be something that will maintain that value.
Honda s2000 seems to be the general consensus.. Anyone have any recommendations, or experience/tips of the cars above?
Well.....yes I agree completely the Honda is an excellent choice. As is a z4 / boxster / etc etc. But what I will say is a TVR will get under your skin far more than any other car. Yes....they are a blunt instrument and many will say they are crap but I would say buy one now. I've owned all sorts of stuff over many years. The most underwhelming was a 944 turbo which was amazing at everything but was like sitting in a clinical chair...should have kept it though as they are worth a mint now....at your age fair do's your an enthusiast and that's good. All I will say is that if you love sports cars then TVR's will do it for you. ....
silverback mike said:
Well.....yes I agree completely the Honda is an excellent choice. As is a z4 / boxster / etc etc. But what I will say is a TVR will get under your skin far more than any other car. Yes....they are a blunt instrument and many will say they are crap but I would say buy one now. I've owned all sorts of stuff over many years. The most underwhelming was a 944 turbo which was amazing at everything but was like sitting in a clinical chair...should have kept it though as they are worth a mint now....at your age fair do's your an enthusiast and that's good. All I will say is that if you love sports cars then TVR's will do it for you. ....
I bet the TVR is a great choice. However, scared about potential reliability issues, as well as running costs..? I don't have a garage, and such a car seems like it might need a little more tlc than the others.I've had TVRS for years. Also many other marques. I always have a tvr in the garage. You really can't have any more smiles per mile. Bit what I will say is dr8ve them all year. They are simple beasts. Easy to keep on top of with regular maintenance. I love cars and fortunate to have a few toys but thechimaera which I've owned for longer than any other car is the one I want to drive (and make excuses for) ....they get under your skin!!
cheddar said:
I've owned 4 MX5's and an S2000, all hugely reliable, MX5 beats the pants off of an S2000 for fun and feedback though.
With your requirements it's where my money would be going.
I've heard that the standard cars are a little underwhelming (engine, soft suspensionsetup etc), but some bbr modified ones definitely seem to have that extra focus I'm looking for. Have the ones you've owned been standard?With your requirements it's where my money would be going.
RJ95 said:
I bet the TVR is a great choice. However, scared about potential reliability issues, as well as running costs..? I don't have a garage, and such a car seems like it might need a little more tlc than the others.
Have you read about the pub to pub Chimera, kind of dispels the myths. They’re a very simple thing. The S2K has its own issues. My chim is a 4.0....no power steering. And as basic as you get. Ok....its got a lumpy cam and a bit of a frankenstein but you can fix it with basic tools. It'll embarrass far newer cars and with no cats it sounds unbelievable. But I'm biased. It's the car that makes me smile. I'm not Willy waving but I have a vantage that to be honest is amazing and better than Trev in every way but it's not ...... a tvr.....
Driven hard(ish) an S2 isn’t much better really. The outriggers should be properly checked, they all have some rust due to their age but there are loads of good ones. You’ll not lose money and they really are full of character. I never got them until I bought mine. It’s probably the one car I’d keep out of everything now.
To be completely honest RJ if it's mpg you're after a 4.0 / 4.5 / 5.0 isn't your weapon of choice. Rust isn't an issue as bodywork is fibreglass however the chassis condition is paramount. These cars are 20 odd years old now and you have to make sure the outriggers at least are solid or bank on £1200 ish for replacement. I drove a tvr as a daily... People laughed and gave me the usual 'it's a tvr it's going to be in a pool of oil and steam...' but it never let me down as its all about preventative Maintenance . If mpg is an issue though .... go Honda or boxster. Boxsters are as cheap as they will ever be now. A 3.2s is a bloody good car but check for rear oil seal 
RJ95 said:
cheddar said:
I've owned 4 MX5's and an S2000, all hugely reliable, MX5 beats the pants off of an S2000 for fun and feedback though.
With your requirements it's where my money would be going.
I've heard that the standard cars are a little underwhelming (engine, soft suspensionsetup etc), but some bbr modified ones definitely seem to have that extra focus I'm looking for. Have the ones you've owned been standard?With your requirements it's where my money would be going.
You want:
Analogue
Fine/fun handling
Great reliability
Good fuel consumption
Learn RWD characteristics
The answer is MX5, a late facelift MK3 is the sweet spot within your budget, early MK3's lacked the Jinba ittai (horse and rider as one) factor.
Go and try one.
If you want the balance of performance, running costs, reliability, economy and reasonable insurance on a daily driver then there is really only the Z4 in that list that will give you pretty much all you are asking for
A 3.0Si in mint condition can be bought for less than your budget .. they are bombproof build wise .. quick (0-62 5.7 155mph) economical (30+mpg) cheap to tax (£310) ( relatively) cheap to service/maintain
They will easily and comfortably do 500 mile days .. there are several very high milers on the forums that are running perfectly
Good ones have pretty much hit the bottom of the depreciation curve and I can’t see you losing any money on one
As for the others ., I wouldn’t want to run a TVR as a daily .. fabulous toys but not for the commute and Tesco’s
Mx5’s great but possibly lacking the ooomph factor .. and depending on your size you might look a tad silly in/on it !
Rust is a major issue and apart from the Mk1 they are still depreciating
A 3.0Si in mint condition can be bought for less than your budget .. they are bombproof build wise .. quick (0-62 5.7 155mph) economical (30+mpg) cheap to tax (£310) ( relatively) cheap to service/maintain
They will easily and comfortably do 500 mile days .. there are several very high milers on the forums that are running perfectly
Good ones have pretty much hit the bottom of the depreciation curve and I can’t see you losing any money on one
As for the others ., I wouldn’t want to run a TVR as a daily .. fabulous toys but not for the commute and Tesco’s
Mx5’s great but possibly lacking the ooomph factor .. and depending on your size you might look a tad silly in/on it !
Rust is a major issue and apart from the Mk1 they are still depreciating
Edited by Earthdweller on Tuesday 15th May 07:49
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