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Novelty of Double 2 Seater Convertible Garage Is Wearing Off
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Novelty of Double 2 Seater Convertible Garage Is Wearing Off
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Osmoliver

Original Poster:

203 posts

126 months

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Tuesday 12th June 2018
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Hi all,

I'm currently running an NA Mazda Mx-5 & a 2.8l BMW Z3. The Mx-5 is in a little bit of a sorry state, but it serves me well as a runabout and I'm doing some autotesting in it over the Summer. The Z3 is a little bit of a garage queen, although I do manage around 2k miles per year. It even went to the South of France recently!

Anyway, the novelty of having just 2 seater convertible cars is beginning to run thin and I'm considering adding another car to the collection. The two must-have features are at least 4 seats and a solid roof. Ideally I'd like something with a bit of character, fairly unusual and fun to drive. I used to have a Toyota Yaris T Sport which ticked those boxes quite well, but I'm not sure if I could go straight back to one. Also, I think I'd prefer rear doors nowadays.

Ideas so far:
VAG Group - Audi A3 2.0 TFSI & Quattro, Seat Leon FR, Skoda Octavia VRS
Lexus IS200 Sportcross
Subaru Impreza WRX
Toyota Corolla T Sport
Subarau SVX (if I go for a 3 door coupe)

My budget is sub £3k ideally. Any outlandish ideas?

Ollie




Nickp82

3,743 posts

113 months

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Tuesday 12th June 2018
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Seems to me, you have just described an RX-8?

Osmoliver

Original Poster:

203 posts

126 months

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[news]
Tuesday 12th June 2018
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Nickp82 said:
Seems to me, you have just described an RX-8?
Completely agree, I'd love one! But my driving often consists of short c.2 mile trips and I don't think the engine would appreciate this. Also, the fuel economy is pretty horrendous.

DonkeyApple

65,435 posts

189 months

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Wednesday 13th June 2018
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Osmoliver said:
Completely agree, I'd love one! But my driving often consists of short c.2 mile trips and I don't think the engine would appreciate this. Also, the fuel economy is pretty horrendous.
That’s going to screw any car. If most runs are that short why not get something like a smart car for those journeys and use the Z3 for the others?

Osmoliver

Original Poster:

203 posts

126 months

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Wednesday 13th June 2018
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DonkeyApple said:
That’s going to screw any car. If most runs are that short why not get something like a smart car for those journeys and use the Z3 for the others?
Agree that short trips aren't great for any cars. The 2 miles is typically a commute to and from my squash club which takes between 10 and 20 minutes. This is ample time to get a car up to operating temperature, but I'm very aware of the pitfalls of the RX8 engine and wearing out the apex seals. Your typical piston engine may not like short journeys, but it's not going to lead to engine failure in a short period of time.

A Smart car had never even entered my radar. There's even a Brabus version of the Forfour, that could be fun! Thanks for the suggestion DonkeyApple.

My plan is to use this 3rd car year round, mainly for short journeys. My Mx-5 currently lives on the drive and ideally I'd like to take it off the road and store it over Winter to slow down the rust. The Z3 is garaged and typically only comes out when it's nice weather. I do tend to use it for the longer journeys outside of Nottingham.

PenelopaPitstop

2,300 posts

153 months

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Wednesday 13th June 2018
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Osmoliver said:
A Smart car had never even entered my radar. There's even a Brabus version of the Forfour, that could be fun! Thanks for the suggestion DonkeyApple.
You'd better test it. I have brand new Brabus Smart for 4 as courtesy car and in my opinion it is horrible to drive. Firm suspension and short car don't go too well together. First time I got it, I went for a ride thinking it could be fun. Second time I didn't bother with any insurance paperwork, it's staying in my garage until my own car will be returned. I don't need courtesy car but driver had to get to my place somehow.

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