What fun and interesting car?
Discussion
I'd like to pick the collective Pistonheads brain for some ideas for my Dad.
He's currently restoring a Saab 96 2-stroke triple, which is nearing completion. However, if he finds that it's not as much fun as he's hoping, he'll probably sell it and look for something else, which is where he'd like some help.
He's considered getting sa 996 or similar, but thinks it would be too fast to be much fun on the roads, at semi-legal speeds it would just be too competent. A Caterfield is too common, an Elise/Exige too low (he's had Lotii before and got fed up of not being able to see/be seen over crests), and a TVR probably too shouty.
Something he could hillclimb or sprint would be a definite possibility, or if there are any interesting race series that aren't likely to get hugely expensive that's also an option.
One car he does quite fancy is a Grinall Scorpion 3, has anyone got any experience of these?
He doesn't have any specific needs for the car, nor a set budget. He just wants something fun!
Thanks for any help
He's currently restoring a Saab 96 2-stroke triple, which is nearing completion. However, if he finds that it's not as much fun as he's hoping, he'll probably sell it and look for something else, which is where he'd like some help.
He's considered getting sa 996 or similar, but thinks it would be too fast to be much fun on the roads, at semi-legal speeds it would just be too competent. A Caterfield is too common, an Elise/Exige too low (he's had Lotii before and got fed up of not being able to see/be seen over crests), and a TVR probably too shouty.
Something he could hillclimb or sprint would be a definite possibility, or if there are any interesting race series that aren't likely to get hugely expensive that's also an option.
One car he does quite fancy is a Grinall Scorpion 3, has anyone got any experience of these?
He doesn't have any specific needs for the car, nor a set budget. He just wants something fun!
Thanks for any help
He was looking at getting a 996, but thinks Caterfields are too common? I wish I lived in his area - every bank manager seemingly has a 911 that they can barely work out how to drive around here, but Sevens are distinctly thin on the ground. 
I sort of agree with the TVR comment, but I think they're good shouty. The response seems to be largely positive and the later cars certainly have the grunt to back up their presence.
So what else? How about a Ginetta G4 Coupe? This one went for a smidge under £13k recently:
Erm, how about a Z3M Coupe? I know they're a PH favourite, but they do have that elusive balance of not looking very 'flash' to non-petrolheads yet appealing to those in the know.
And if he's open to the idea of a Grinall, there are quite a few other non-Seven kit/low-volume production cars around. How about a Fisher Fury?
Basically a Seven-style chassis underneath (and almost as light) with better aerodynamics and a more individual look.
I sort of agree with the TVR comment, but I think they're good shouty. The response seems to be largely positive and the later cars certainly have the grunt to back up their presence.
So what else? How about a Ginetta G4 Coupe? This one went for a smidge under £13k recently:
Erm, how about a Z3M Coupe? I know they're a PH favourite, but they do have that elusive balance of not looking very 'flash' to non-petrolheads yet appealing to those in the know.
And if he's open to the idea of a Grinall, there are quite a few other non-Seven kit/low-volume production cars around. How about a Fisher Fury?
Basically a Seven-style chassis underneath (and almost as light) with better aerodynamics and a more individual look.
Perhaps common was the wrong word for why he doesn't want a Seven, maybe clichéd is more appropriate; it's always what comes to mind when someone says kit car. Fantastic and fun though they are, they just don't spark his interest.
Personally I agree about TVRs being good shouty, but my Dad's almost 60 and thinks he passed that.
The Ginetta looks like a possibility, I'll add that to the list. I'm not sure about the Z3M, how involving a drive are they?
He's looked into Fisher Furys before, and they (or something similar) are definitely on the list. The only issue with them is that they're great for hooning or racing, but not much else. This certainly wouldn't stop him getting one, it just wouldn't count in it's favour when comparing it to something slightly more practical.
Personally I agree about TVRs being good shouty, but my Dad's almost 60 and thinks he passed that.
The Ginetta looks like a possibility, I'll add that to the list. I'm not sure about the Z3M, how involving a drive are they?
He's looked into Fisher Furys before, and they (or something similar) are definitely on the list. The only issue with them is that they're great for hooning or racing, but not much else. This certainly wouldn't stop him getting one, it just wouldn't count in it's favour when comparing it to something slightly more practical.
grahamr88 said:
Perhaps common was the wrong word for why he doesn't want a Seven, maybe clichéd is more appropriate; it's always what comes to mind when someone says kit car. Fantastic and fun though they are, they just don't spark his interest.
Personally I agree about TVRs being good shouty, but my Dad's almost 60 and thinks he passed that.
The Ginetta looks like a possibility, I'll add that to the list. I'm not sure about the Z3M, how involving a drive are they?
He's looked into Fisher Furys before, and they (or something similar) are definitely on the list. The only issue with them is that they're great for hooning or racing, but not much else. This certainly wouldn't stop him getting one, it just wouldn't count in it's favour when comparing it to something slightly more practical.
Never driven a Z3M, but there's tons of discussions on here. I believe the consensus is pretty epic, if somewhat lively in the wet.Personally I agree about TVRs being good shouty, but my Dad's almost 60 and thinks he passed that.
The Ginetta looks like a possibility, I'll add that to the list. I'm not sure about the Z3M, how involving a drive are they?
He's looked into Fisher Furys before, and they (or something similar) are definitely on the list. The only issue with them is that they're great for hooning or racing, but not much else. This certainly wouldn't stop him getting one, it just wouldn't count in it's favour when comparing it to something slightly more practical.
If he's a more mature gent then something a bit retro like the Ginetta G4 might particularly appeal. I think they're gorgeous cars, but don't know much about them.
The Ginetta I do know a little about is the G27. I looked into one as an alternative to the Fisher/Sylva Fury before I went the other way and bought my Caterham. The consensus seemed to be the handling wasn't as polished as the Fury and the veneer of extra practicality (a hood etc) was actually pretty marginal in the real world. On the subject of the Fury/Stylus it's worth bearing in mind that the specs vary hugely. It's possible that you might find out with a lockable boot, watertight hood and even some soundproofing if that formula appeals.
If he likes Porsches what about an older 911 or a 928? The latter can be very practical although there is the potential for bills. If he finds the 996 a bit clinical I can imagine a 3.0 SC or something would keep him on his toes rather more.
Gaspode said:
Tell him to test-drive a Morgan
Superb suggestion providing the budget suits.Even the old school Morgans hold their value remarkably well and they're surprisingly capable driver's car. Had a go in an old +4 around a track a few years back and it was quite a respectable steer. They start in the £mid-teens I think.
I've got something of a car-crush on the new SuperSports, but you'd need very deep pockets to buy one of those.
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