Weekend car, round 3

[TJveloce]

This is an on going search/experience, and a continuation from this thread: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I have gone ahead and done the cliché. I got myself a MX5. NC,

Problem is, it is not really doing it for me.

Despite checking the cheap to run and good sports car boxes, it still leaves me wishing for more.

First, yes, it's a bit down on power. I of course knew that. I just thought I would be able to appreciate it more.

But maybe this problem is probably just being emphasized by the next one, which is, I don't care for the car. I don't think it looks good or feels any special. And this has nothing to do with price. I don't need an Aston to feel special. For example, my GTV felt very, very special. I loved how it looked and felt inside. The sound of the engine. I always took the in love look back when I parked it. The MX5, nothing! Once I'm out, it's over.

Maybe if I loved how the car looks and the interior, Or it was a nice engine. I would be more willing to forgive the lack of power. But as is, there is not much to hold on to. Yes, it's fun to drive. But not as fun as it could be if it looked and felt special. This is a sports car after all. If it doesn't speak to the heart and to the senses, might as well drive a four doors hatchback.

So for all that, I will probably sell it soon. But to buy what? I don't want something expensive which I need to baby or worry. I want something I can trash. Drive it like I stole it. But it would be good if it would be something that feels a bit special and makes me look back at it.

I started considering i6 Z3s. But at this age, not sure I want to be trashing that. Are they even that much faster? Besides the coupe is too much money and the roadster doesn't inspire confidence to trash. The MX5 many times I wish it was a coupe. I actually wanted a coupe. Just bought the MX5 more for lack of options.

Z4 is newer but basically the same basic issues.


Oh Alfa, why couldn't you have done the right thing and made the GTV properly as it should have been, Busso+RWD+manual. It has all the rest. Supercar or exotic looks or petty, whichever, lovely interior, lovely engine.

Edited by TJveloce on Wednesday 17th August 07:50

[Belle427]

I have to admit although I love my 1.6 NA it fails to excite really, I have thought about a Turbo conversion as I think it would dramatically improve it.
As a pure driving experience there isn’t much better but it just lacks some sparkle.

[s m]

TJveloce said:

This is an on going search/experience, and a continuation from this thread: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I have gone ahead and done the cliché. I got myself a MX5. NC,

Problem is, it is not really doing it for me.

Despite checking the cheap to run and good sports car boxes, it still leaves me wishing for more.

First, yes, it's a bit down on power. I of course knew that. I just thought I would be able to appreciate it more.

But maybe this problem is probably just being emphasized by the next one, which is, I don't care for the car. I don't think it looks good or feels any special. And this has nothing to do with price. I don't need an Aston to feel special. For example, my GTV felt very, very special. I loved how it looked and felt inside. The sound of the engine. I always took the in love look back when I parked it. The MX5, nothing! Once I'm out, it's over.

Maybe if I loved how the car looks and the interior, Or it was a nice engine. I would be more willing to forgive the lack of power. But as is, there is not much to hold on to. Yes, it's fun to drive. But not as fun as it could be if it looked and felt special. This is a sports car after all. If it doesn't speak to the heart and to the senses, might as well drive a four doors hatchback.

So for all that, I will probably sell it soon. But to buy what? I don't want something expensive which I need to baby or worry. I want something I can trash. Drive it like I stole it. But it would be good if it would be something that feels a bit special and makes me look back at it.

I started considering i6 Z3s. But at this age, not sure I want to be trashing that. Are they even that much faster? Besides the coupe is too much money and the roadster doesn't inspire confidence to trash. The MX5 many times I wish it was a coupe. I actually wanted a coupe. Just bought the MX5 more for lack of options.

Z4 is newer but basically the same basic issues.


Oh Alfa, why couldn't you have done the right thing and made the GTV properly as it should have been, Busso+RWD+manual. It has all the rest. Supercar or exotic looks or petty, whichever, lovely interior, lovely engine.

Edited by TJveloce on Wednesday 17th August 07:50

Well……..

[TJveloce]

Belle427 said:

I have to admit although I love my 1.6 NA it fails to excite really, I have thought about a Turbo conversion as I think it would dramatically improve it.
As a pure driving experience there isn’t much better but it just lacks some sparkle.

Yep. That's just it right.

[TJveloce]

s m said:

TJveloce said:

This is an on going search/experience, and a continuation from this thread: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I have gone ahead and done the cliché. I got myself a MX5. NC,

Problem is, it is not really doing it for me.

Despite checking the cheap to run and good sports car boxes, it still leaves me wishing for more.

First, yes, it's a bit down on power. I of course knew that. I just thought I would be able to appreciate it more.

But maybe this problem is probably just being emphasized by the next one, which is, I don't care for the car. I don't think it looks good or feels any special. And this has nothing to do with price. I don't need an Aston to feel special. For example, my GTV felt very, very special. I loved how it looked and felt inside. The sound of the engine. I always took the in love look back when I parked it. The MX5, nothing! Once I'm out, it's over.

Maybe if I loved how the car looks and the interior, Or it was a nice engine. I would be more willing to forgive the lack of power. But as is, there is not much to hold on to. Yes, it's fun to drive. But not as fun as it could be if it looked and felt special. This is a sports car after all. If it doesn't speak to the heart and to the senses, might as well drive a four doors hatchback.

So for all that, I will probably sell it soon. But to buy what? I don't want something expensive which I need to baby or worry. I want something I can trash. Drive it like I stole it. But it would be good if it would be something that feels a bit special and makes me look back at it.

I started considering i6 Z3s. But at this age, not sure I want to be trashing that. Are they even that much faster? Besides the coupe is too much money and the roadster doesn't inspire confidence to trash. The MX5 many times I wish it was a coupe. I actually wanted a coupe. Just bought the MX5 more for lack of options.

Z4 is newer but basically the same basic issues.


Oh Alfa, why couldn't you have done the right thing and made the GTV properly as it should have been, Busso+RWD+manual. It has all the rest. Supercar or exotic looks or petty, whichever, lovely interior, lovely engine.

Edited by TJveloce on Wednesday 17th August 07:50

Well……..

Well, I was of course not talking about THAT GTV.

But I guess you knew that when you left out Supercar or exotic looks from your bold text.

[s m]

TJveloce said:

Well, I was of course not talking about THAT GTV.

But I guess you knew that when you left out Supercar or exotic looks from your bold text.

Hmm, I wouldn’t have said the fwd one had supercar looks either ….but then each to their own

[rotaryjam]

Sounds like you should just get another GTV! I'm in a similar position and looking at an MX5.

I've had 2 GTV 3.0s previously and also loved them, like you say it's only really missing RWD and the looks are a bit marmite.

There is actually a very rare late GTV with the 3.2 engine (same as the 147 GTA / GT) for sale for < £10k, maybe that' could tempt you back to one??

You could also consider a MR2 Mk2 Turbo? It's got the power, the looks and feels special to be in. It's a lot less playful than something like an MX5 though.

I saw in the last thread an MR2 mk3 was suggested. That's a good shout if maybe it has an engine conversion - the standard engines are completely devoid of character.

Edited by rotaryjam on Wednesday 17th August 12:49

[Al U]

To be honest, it sounds like you need to get an S2000. As a previous owner, they are not perfect but they are miles more special than an MX5 to me, with the same basic ingredients.

Controversially I would say any real petrol head only buys an MX5 over an S2000 because they either want something newer or don't want to pay the admittedly high prices that they command now.

Edited by Al U on Wednesday 17th August 12:49

[maz8062]

Al U said:

To be honest, it sounds like you need to get an S2000. As a previous owner, they are not perfect but they are miles more special than an MX5 to me, with the same basic ingredients.

Controversially I would say any real petrol head only buys an MX5 over an S2000 because they either want something newer or don't want to pay the admittedly high prices that they command now.

Edited by Al U on Wednesday 17th August 12:49

This

I test drove MY14 2.0 NC sometime ago, the hard top version. I thought the car handled well but lacked power. It reminded me of low powered S2000 so I walked away from it.

The GT86 was also similar but again had more power.

[HorneyMX5]

Al U said:

Controversially I would say any real petrol head only buys an MX5 over an S2000 because they either want something newer or don't want to pay the admittedly high prices that they command now.

More controversially I'd say any real driver would pick an MX5 over an S2000 as they handle better.

It's all horses for courses, one mans pleasure and another mans pain etc.

Maybe a BBR MX5 is the anwer in this particular case?

[Al U]

HorneyMX5 said:

Al U said:

Controversially I would say any real petrol head only buys an MX5 over an S2000 because they either want something newer or don't want to pay the admittedly high prices that they command now.

More controversially I'd say any real driver would pick an MX5 over an S2000 as they handle better.

It's all horses for courses, one mans pleasure and another mans pain etc.

Maybe a BBR MX5 is the anwer in this particular case?

Like I say they are not perfect, they can certainly be a bit of a handful on wet and/or cold days.

I don't think many would argue that an MX5 is more special than an S2000 though, if you have driven both. As the OP seems to want something similar to an MX5 that is that bit more special, I was suggesting it as I think it fits the bill.

[romeodelta]

Budget?

I loved my GTV as well, so subsequent cars I’ve had that felt special at various budgets:

MGTF 160
Abarth 500 Esseesse
987 Boxster
Maserati GranTurismo

[TJveloce]

rotaryjam said:

Sounds like you should just get another GTV! I'm in a similar position and looking at an MX5.

I've had 2 GTV 3.0s previously and also loved them, like you say it's only really missing RWD and the looks are a bit marmite.

There is actually a very rare late GTV with the 3.2 engine (same as the 147 GTA / GT) for sale for < £10k, maybe that' could tempt you back to one??

You could also consider a MR2 Mk2 Turbo? It's got the power, the looks and feels special to be in. It's a lot less playful than something like an MX5 though.

I saw in the last thread an MR2 mk3 was suggested. That's a good shout if maybe it has an engine conversion - the standard engines are completely devoid of character.

The thing about the GTV is that, the 2.0 is the better steer. As is, the V6 has the boat anchor at the front. But the V6 is the desirable one. Sounds nice, is faster etc. Only way to fix it is if the V6 had been RWD, unfortunately.

The MR2 Spyder is just the wrong thing I think. It will feel just as underpowered and unspecial. Even if it's mid engine. I actually don't really want mid engine. Half the fun is hanging the tail out. Mid engine is more when you want to corner on rails I would say. And I never was a fan of any MR2. Maybe had they been V6s. To each his own of course.

[TJveloce]

Al U said:

I don't think many would argue that an MX5 is more special than an S2000 though, if you have driven both. As the OP seems to want something similar to an MX5 that is that bit more special, I was suggesting it as I think it fits the bill.

Not at all actually. As I said, I bought the MX5 more for lack of options. What I really wanted was a coupe.

So I think a S2000 is even further away from what I want. Because it will not feel that much more special than a MX5, it is still a convertible, and on top of that it's overpriced IMO. But thanks for the suggestion.

[TJveloce]

romeodelta said:

Budget?

I loved my GTV as well, so subsequent cars I’ve had that felt special at various budgets:

MGTF 160
Abarth 500 Esseesse
987 Boxster
Maserati GranTurismo

Did you really find the MG special? I never drove one, but always heard complains of too high position to drive, so doesn't feel sporty, being also slow and not being stellar in handling. Plus not very reliable. But this is interesting to hear, as I always thought from all the low priced mid engine cars it had a good look.

[NickCW]

Pending budget, why not a Morgan?

Can get a well used one, and revel in the simplicity and driving pleasure.. you would certainly look back at it.

[plenty]

Not sure why you are dismissing a Z4? A good six-cylinder N52 coupe can be had for £8k and a convertible M54 pre-facelift for less than half that. They share most of their parts with the E46 3-series therefore are pretty inexpensive to run.

Not the sharpest things to drive and the EPAS steering in particular is criticised, but it's pretty clear that OP isn't looking for the last word in handling finesse. The BMW 3.0 straight-six is one of the all-time classic engines, and the package overall delivers a decent sense of occasion.

As with most marques the best and best-value examples for sale are to be found on the owners' forums.

[px1980]

HorneyMX5 said:

More controversially I'd say any real driver would pick an MX5 over an S2000 as they handle better.

It's all horses for courses, one mans pleasure and another mans pain etc.

Maybe a BBR MX5 is the anwer in this particular case?

Where should I look if I‘m after a BBR MX5? I never see any come up on autotrader, and BBR‘s website doesn‘t have any listed for sale, either

[Jamescrs]

px1980 said:

Where should I look if I‘m after a BBR MX5? I never see any come up on autotrader, and BBR‘s website doesn‘t have any listed for sale, either

I was considering one at the start of the year and I found a couple on eBay as classified ad's, I didn't buy one in the end as I bought a Boxster instead.

[Al U]

TJveloce said:

Not at all actually. As I said, I bought the MX5 more for lack of options. What I really wanted was a coupe.

So I think a S2000 is even further away from what I want. Because it will not feel that much more special than a MX5, it is still a convertible, and on top of that it's overpriced IMO. But thanks for the suggestion.

No worries, I didn't really look into the detailed history of your predicament. I just got the feeling from your OP on this thread that you had been happy enough with the MX5 to stump up and buy one but were left underwhelmed because it didn't have that special feeling.

I do disagree about the special feeling though, if you find a decent one that hasn't been abused and take it for a spin I think you'll agree they feel much more special than an MX5 to drive The GT cars should come with a hardtop so they can be made "unconvertible" if you prefer.

I do agree that they are overpriced though. There is one on ebay that is £12k with 60k miles on it and I'd actually say that's very fairly priced after a quick glance at it, but it says sale agreed already so I didn't link it. I think anything more than that for one is more than I'd be willing to spend.

Edited by Al U on Wednesday 17th August 16:28