Project options

[Slow progress]

Looking for a cheap sports car as a bit of a project:

I’d been considering the following, but what else am I missing;

Porsche Boxster 986
Lotus Elan M100
Smart Roadster Coupe
Toyota MR2 mk3 (concerned on rot)
Mazda MX5 mk3 (concerned on rot)
BMW Z4 (6 pot)

Budget will be c£2k with a view of a fixer upper with good bones, looking for a different driving experience to my FWD NA hot hatch.

[scot_aln]

Think may also help to suggest what the budget is for the fixing up side of things. Taking the 986 for example not sure how things look these days but many parts were common with 996 and so were rather pricey so that initial buying budget could be needed several times more.

[Slow progress]

The fixing up will be gradual, with some father son spanner time.

Background is that to teach our son about value of money we started selling old items on eBay, old Land Rover parts, toys, clothes, books…even burns night themed paper napkins!!!! Over 2yrs were close to the £2k mark, a lot of hard work and sometimes for very small margins, so he understands money doesn’t come easily, but equally we want him to see what hard work can get. So we don’t want to really go far beyond the eBay earnings and some small amounts of birthday and Christmas top up.

Hope that makes sense and doesn’t seem too daft!!!

[Slow progress]

Half wonder if you could do something to an Alfa GTV to make it more driver focussed

[breamster]

Daft question, but what does your son want?

He'll be more motivated to help if he loves the car.

Aside from that I would avoid the Elan. Nice car but isn't it FWD and from the sounds of it you want RWD?

I would go for the Boxster out of that list.

[Nickp82]

I’d say also consider an RX-8 to get an even more different driving experience. Same rot warnings as the MX-5 but with added engine paranoia! Won’t cost anything like the 986 if it needs a rebuild though.

Joking aside though they do drive really well.

[SAS Tom]

I think for 2k you’ll probably get a reasonable MX5 or MR2 but a 2k boxster, elan or Z4 will either not exist or be a money pit. Depends if you want to teach your son how to throw money into a car that isn’t worth it.

[samoht]

SAS Tom said:

I think for 2k you’ll probably get a reasonable MX5 or MR2 but a 2k boxster, elan or Z4 will either not exist or be a money pit. Depends if you want to teach your son how to throw money into a car that isn’t worth it.

I was going to say similar, and of the two I suspect the MR-2 is less likely to be terminally rusty.

[fflump]

Slow progress said:

The fixing up will be gradual, with some father son spanner time.

Background is that to teach our son about value of money we started selling old items on eBay, old Land Rover parts, toys, clothes, books…even burns night themed paper napkins!!!! Over 2yrs were close to the £2k mark, a lot of hard work and sometimes for very small margins, so he understands money doesn’t come easily, but equally we want him to see what hard work can get. So we don’t want to really go far beyond the eBay earnings and some small amounts of birthday and Christmas top up.

Hope that makes sense and doesn’t seem too daft!!!

It sounds an excellent idea. Our eldest did something similar buying and selling on eBay learning about markets and margins seeing me do a side line on buying and selling watches. As for the car I would think that the best car will be the most straightforward to work on as it’s his first project? Good luck!

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

Is there something you could buy that your son could drive as his first car?

[Decky_Q]

Stay clear of the smart unless you're planning an engine swap, I had my fill of them.

[Mr Tidy]

As great as Boxsters appear to be, a mate has a 2003 Boxster S that has a blowing exhaust. He's been quoted almost your ideal budget for a replacement.

You might need a bit of budget creep to get a 6 pot Z4, but it's worth it as the 4 pots seem prone to a few more issues than the 6s - and don't sound nearly as good!

Based on what I have read I'd be worried about rust on an MR2, and even more so on an MX5.

I'd be concerned about a lack of performance in a Smart Coupe for the intended role of a fun car.

Would an Audi TT or even a Chrysler Crossfire work?

[ZX10R NIN]

For your budget the Crossfire suggested above makes a lot of sense:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402226...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410064...

[Silvanus]

MGF or TF also worth a look, loads of parts and mods available very cheaply.