5kish sports/ fun car help

[Zippee]

Sooo – My much loved TVR T350 was sold yesterday and went off on a trailer to her new home in France. I loved the car but at 800-1000 mile a year I was just not using her enough to warrant 35ks worth of car sitting in the garage.

I now have a one car does everything with a 2016 RS6 performance but I know I will still miss those wind in the hair sportscar days on the occasional free sunny weekend I may have.

To that extent I want a sportscar, 5k budget (give or take some man maths) to give me the fun playtimes albeit without the 340bhp and 131db of exhaust note…

Obviously I know theres the MX5, but which one and what else? Happy to go classic or decent kit but just needs to be reasonably brisk, reliable, cheap to run and not a rot box though it will live in the garage and only be a sunny day car.

 

[coldel]

Mk3 MR2 then stick a V6 in it?

[ajguk]

3.0si E85 Z4? N52 engine, reasonably brisk and imo makes a great noise.

[cerb4.5lee]

350Z Roadster? A bit thirsty but as an occasional car it isn't so much of an issue.

[markyb_lcy]

Hey OP, I recently posted a similar thread (but I was looking specifically for convertibles.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I think I've narrowed it down to the MX-5 or the MR2, with the MR2 just edging it at the moment.

Found a very nice one, well looked after with lots of work done on it. Might take a look at it this weekend.

[Zippee]

Thanks so far, not keen on the mr2 but a mk1 mx5 is top of the list so far. Might investigate the 3.0 z4 a little further as I didn't realise they were in that price bracket. Though guessing running costs may be a little more.

[coldel]

Zippee said:

Thanks so far, not keen on the mr2 but a mk1 mx5 is top of the list so far. Might investigate the 3.0 z4 a little further as I didn't realise they were in that price bracket. Though guessing running costs may be a little more.

You will be paying top dollar for a mk1 mx5 which doesn't have rot box issues.

I like the 350z roadster idea, they are right at the bottom of the depreciation curve at the moment and are well supported in terms of aftermarket suppliers.

[ajguk]

Zippee said:

Thanks so far, not keen on the mr2 but a mk1 mx5 is top of the list so far. Might investigate the 3.0 z4 a little further as I didn't realise they were in that price bracket. Though guessing running costs may be a little more.

You might struggle at £5k to get the facelift with the N52 actually but if you can add another grand you could probably get into one.

[snotrag]

You should check out the 'Poverty Pork' thread.

A nice 986 Boxster fits the bill perfectly.

[ZX10R NIN]

Zippee said:

Sooo – My much loved TVR T350 was sold yesterday and went off on a trailer to her new home in France. I loved the car but at 800-1000 mile a year I was just not using her enough to warrant 35ks worth of car sitting in the garage.

I now have a one car does everything with a 2016 RS6 performance but I know I will still miss those wind in the hair sportscar days on the occasional free sunny weekend I may have.

To that extent I want a sportscar, 5k budget (give or take some man maths) to give me the fun playtimes albeit without the 340bhp and 131db of exhaust note…

Obviously I know theres the MX5, but which one and what else? Happy to go classic or decent kit but just needs to be reasonably brisk, reliable, cheap to run and not a rot box though it will live in the garage and only be a sunny day car.

 

SLK350

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

SLK280

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

350Z

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Z4 3.0i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Honda S2000

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[s111dpc]

I had the same dilemma a year ago, £5k budget too. Ended up look8mg at all sorts but for the money. Mk3 (nc) MX5 2.0 Sport was the best option. I bought an 06 plate with 89k miles but with fish and haven’t looked back. Great fun and cheap to run to boot. Also lots of tuning options if you’re that way inclined.