Yet another what car...

[pantscat]

I go out for an evening and leave the OH to her own devices and when I come home she has lined up a load of viewings for potential new houses... to cut a long story short, two weeks ago I had an offer accepted, so will be moving from my flat with a garage to a house with on street parking. Hey-ho... at least I'll get to burn food outside and have a shed to play in.

As a result of the loss of garage I've decided that I'm going to sell my toy car (1974 MGB GT) and my daily driver (Mk3 Golf GTI) and get something a bit more 'fun' as a day-to-day car. (<shameless plug> Incidentally, if anyone is interested in either , PM me or have a look in the PH classifieds - they're both green and very shiny, and have been very well looked after. </shameless plug>)

Up until quite recently I've been looking solely at MX-5s (not quite sure where I got that idea from) as it seems to perfectly fit my budget (5k-ish) and has the option of a hard top for winter use. I've now started to notice that for not a lot more money (another 2k perhaps) I could get an S2000 or a Z4.

I've heard that the S2000 can be a bit 'all or nothing' - is that fair? or just a review from someone who is afraid of revving a car?

My requirements are:

- Topless in summer (woo!)
- Hard top in winter
- Fun to drive
- Fairly economical (25mpg +)
- Very reliable (No TVRs... sadly!)
- A reasonable boot. At least big enough for a few shopping bags or a small suitcase.
- and I'd quite like a cup-holder for a cup of coffee in the mornings!

I think I can discount an MR2 on the lack of boot... but is there anything else that I've missed? or was I right all along and should stick with an MX-5?

Cheers chaps!

Ant

[Marf]

Thought about a late model NA T-Top MR2? Big old boot on them, toyota reliability, 30mpg, good to drive.

[pantscat]

I've considered it - but I've never really been a big fan...

[Marf]

Fair enough

[joesnow]

S2000

- Topless in summer - Yes, electric and not much buffeting
- Hard top in winter - I'd try for a car that already has a top included as retro fitting can be expensive due to additional kit required. Soft top, if upkeep maintained is ok for winter, mine was (2003 model).
- Fun to drive - VERY!!! Loves to rev, and power doesn't ebb away, so designed to be redlined. Quick enough below the vtec cam, mental when on it.
- Fairly economical (25mpg +) - Not bad on petrol. £50 giving around 250 miles.
- Very reliable (No TVRs... sadly!) - Bulletproof, even though 120bhp/litre
- A reasonable boot. At least big enough for a few shopping bags or a small suitcase. Will take a guitar case, small suitacse, 2 soft weekend bags with ease
- and I'd quite like a cup-holder for a cup of coffee in the mornings! Done.

Other than that, sensitive to geo, and requires a firm smooth driving style - does not understeer, but will lift off oversteer if not careful.

People love the revvy nature, or hate it. If you like musical inline fours, then you'll be at home. Its a great car.

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php for more info.

Edited by joesnow on Thursday 6th May 13:29

[pantscat]

Cheers Joe.

What's required in terms of the hard-top? Is it easy to take-off once the kit is in place?

I guess I'd better concentrate on selling the current wheels and then go for a few test drives.

I might be being dim, but what do you mean by "sensitive to geo"?

Edited by pantscat on Thursday 6th May 14:46

[joesnow]

The fitting kit isolates the soft top electrics, and secures the hard top. The trim panels to the rear/beside the seats need to come off to fit. See here for a pic of the bits: http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=780...

'Geo'. I was refering to the wheel geometery. If out by a long way, the car can be a bit of a dog. This can be due to siezed suspension bolts in some cases, which is an expensive fix.

[rfn]

If you are old enough that S2k insurance isn't a prohibitive running cost, then I'd certainly have a drive of a couple. However I'd also have a drive of a couple of MX-5's. I've driven three or four S2k's and quite a few '5s, and although the S2000 is certainly quicker at the top end, I just "prefer" the MX-5 in it's handling and power delivery. Obviously that's just a personal opinion, but both cars mentioned are very sensitive to the geometry being correct. If you have a bit too much toe or camber etc on any wheel the car will not handle as it should - hence the suggestion to try a few before you buy!

[pantscat]

I've not yet got an insurance quote for an S2k but at 29 I can't imagine that it's going to be *that* expensive.

hmm... maybe I'd better check!

Thanks for the replies chaps - much appreciated.

[homerjay]

pantscat said:

I've not yet got an insurance quote for an S2k but at 29 I can't imagine that it's going to be *that* expensive.

hmm... maybe I'd better check!

Thanks for the replies chaps - much appreciated.

for some reason s2000's seems to expensive. GT's are cheaper for some reason too.

im 31, full no claims and insurance on my 123d is £550. on my remapped Focus ST, it was £500.

on an s2000, its £1200!

[pantscat]

homerjay said:

on an s2000, its £1200!

That's a bit more than the £120 I'm paying for the B...

[anonymous-user]

If you are not really into revvy engines how about a late 3.2 Alfa Spider (GTV Shape) awsome engine and far more mechanically sound than people make out. You may be able to squeeze the budget and go for a Nissan 350Z!

[pantscat]

S2000 is in the running at £700 fully comp.

Do 350z's go topless? :-)

[rfn]

pantscat said:

S2000 is in the running at £700 fully comp.

Do 350z's go topless? :-)

350z Convertible's start at around £10/11k so I imagine out of your budget. Beside, they're ugly from the back!

[Lubermans]

Z3M ticks those boxes and £7k - £8k should land you one, although there aren't that many for sale and I had to view several heavily neglected ones before picking up mine (which still needs a little tlc). Insurance is reasonable too at under £500 and I'm 28. Worth a test drive at least

[pantscat]

A Z3M looks like it would be a lot of fun, also looks like it might be tricky to find a good one for that sort of money.

Does anyone have any experience of the 2.8?

I suppose an Elise would just be a crazy idea...

[Lubermans]

It took me 6 months to find one and even then it wasn't a minter but for the price I paid I couldn't complain - the car is pushing 12 years old at the end of the day so had to be realistic if I didn't want to pay through the nose

Not been in a 2.8 model but for your budget you should be able to pick up a 3.0 sport - the guys over at www.zroadster.net should be able to give you a definitive answer on those.

Other car I'd seriously considered buying was a VX220, I can still see myself picking up one in a few years time or if the OH decides she'd like something a bit special.

[pantscat]

I've always liked the look of the VX220s - nicer styling than the S1 Elise and the option of having a turbo is rather mental!

I feel like a kid in a sweet shop... all I need to do now is sell the current fleet!

[rfn]

pantscat said:

I've always liked the look of the VX220s - nicer styling than the S1 Elise and the option of having a turbo is rather mental!

I feel like a kid in a sweet shop... all I need to do now is sell the current fleet!

I'm not convinced I'd want to park a VX220 or an Elise on the side of the road - would attract too much attention I think. If you're still going to have a driveway then it's not so bad.

[Pulse]

For around 7k I think you've already picked the strong contenders.

TT
Z4
S2000
VX220
MX-5