Help me buy a 2 seater sports car
Discussion
I've sold my 1 series as I no longer need 5 seats/practicality and performance (i.e. I don't want or need a hothatch).
What I want is a 2 seater sports car for tinkering, fun and track days (it has to be driveable to track days) and something I can really cherish and learn everything about it.
It will be kept on a driveway, I don't have a garage so I'm not sure if this should rule out certain cars (i.e. Westfield etc.).
I'm open to suggestions with a budget up to £10,000 with the potential to increase this using man-maths.
Options so far considered, starting with low budget (i.e. more cash for mods and tinkering, track days etc) to higher budget but longer term "investment":
MX-5 Mk1 - too slow/rusty?
MX-5 Mk2 - not interested at all
MX-5 Mk3 - had one a while back, didn't really click with it, and it was very rusty
MR2 Mk3 - had one previously, great platform being mid-engine, I like the character of them, potential for engine swap.
Some sort of TVR - most likely a Chimaera at my budget, these are a bit of an unknown to me but do seem to have the right recipe of engine, RWD and lightweight.
Westfield (or similar) - would likely have to stretch my budget? Crossflow engines absolutely shocking on MPG for what it is? Better with Zetec?
VX220 - would have to stretch budget again but seems to have the right ingredients and unlike the MR2, actually has poke in a straight line.
What I want is a 2 seater sports car for tinkering, fun and track days (it has to be driveable to track days) and something I can really cherish and learn everything about it.
It will be kept on a driveway, I don't have a garage so I'm not sure if this should rule out certain cars (i.e. Westfield etc.).
I'm open to suggestions with a budget up to £10,000 with the potential to increase this using man-maths.
Options so far considered, starting with low budget (i.e. more cash for mods and tinkering, track days etc) to higher budget but longer term "investment":
MX-5 Mk1 - too slow/rusty?
MX-5 Mk2 - not interested at all
MX-5 Mk3 - had one a while back, didn't really click with it, and it was very rusty
MR2 Mk3 - had one previously, great platform being mid-engine, I like the character of them, potential for engine swap.
Some sort of TVR - most likely a Chimaera at my budget, these are a bit of an unknown to me but do seem to have the right recipe of engine, RWD and lightweight.
Westfield (or similar) - would likely have to stretch my budget? Crossflow engines absolutely shocking on MPG for what it is? Better with Zetec?
VX220 - would have to stretch budget again but seems to have the right ingredients and unlike the MR2, actually has poke in a straight line.
Mo28 said:
Boxster/ Cayman?
Something I've considered, but I'm looking at IMS Porsches at my budget and pretty high running costs from what I can gather (happy to be proven wrong). The joy of some of the cars I've listed is not being hit big bills when things go wrong/need fixing....Okay so the TVR may be the exception here but that is negated by its possible "specialness".
narbles said:
HustleRussell said:
Honda S2000
Good call and completely forgot to include this. Values going up means at my budget looking at high mileage/older, though things I've read suggest this is not such a problem.Not interested in a 350z I'm afraid, too heavy ultimately and I'm just not drawn to them, can't quite say why.
Z4 3.0 has crossed my mind and I know the engines well but feel it may be too compromised in terms of weight (again). We had a 2.0 Z4 before and I found the steering far too light (electric) compared to the old 130 with hydraulic steering. I feel the Z4 would need quite a bit of work to get it to be a good driver.
I do like the look of the GT86 but I feel that for the same sort of money there are better options out there, but maybe I'm missing a trick?
Z4 3.0 has crossed my mind and I know the engines well but feel it may be too compromised in terms of weight (again). We had a 2.0 Z4 before and I found the steering far too light (electric) compared to the old 130 with hydraulic steering. I feel the Z4 would need quite a bit of work to get it to be a good driver.
I do like the look of the GT86 but I feel that for the same sort of money there are better options out there, but maybe I'm missing a trick?
Harry H said:
On the basis that for most cars depreciation is the single biggest cost the the S2000 wins by a mile. If you can't find one in budget just borrow more money. It'll still be cheap motoring.
Treat it well and come sale time it'll more than cover the costs of any interest paid.
Happy to increase my budget for the right car. I want something I can really geek out over, the S2000 has this sort of potential but then for similar money I do wander back to the VX220.Treat it well and come sale time it'll more than cover the costs of any interest paid.
Just go start up a TVR Chimaera.. That will be the decision made...
Whilst I would say go with a Wedge, personally I don't find them as engaging to drive (I had one for a year...). The noise is still quite awesome and the looks, well, they are beautiful. But I found them less enjoyable to drive than my Chimeara.
Whilst I would say go with a Wedge, personally I don't find them as engaging to drive (I had one for a year...). The noise is still quite awesome and the looks, well, they are beautiful. But I found them less enjoyable to drive than my Chimeara.
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