MX5 Alternatives, are there any?

[Conor D]

Are there any roadsters similar to the MX5? Two seater, great handling, cheap insurance, etc? You have cars like the 350z, Z4, but I'd say they are a bit more grown up than the older MX5. Much more expensive to run and insure as well, although they are more powerful.

What (if any) would be the MX5's alternatives?

[jammy_basturd]

Mk1 MR2.

[Luke.]

MR2
Barchetta
MGF
?

[B.J.W]

Conor D said:

Are there any roadsters similar to the MX5? Two seater, great handling, cheap insurance, etc? You have cars like the 350z, Z4, but I'd say they are a bit more grown up than the older MX5. Much more expensive to run and insure as well, although they are more powerful.

What (if any) would be the MX5's alternatives?

MR2

Fiat Barchetta

MGF (?)

[The Nur]

one at a time boys

[rallycross]

I had recently had an MR2 roadster (mk3 convertible only shape) and was really impressed with it, much better than my MR2 mk2, preferred it to my Mx5 as well.

[Jonny671]

No, next.

[ewenm]

Elise?
VX220?

[Jayho]

B.J.W said:

Conor D said:

Are there any roadsters similar to the MX5? Two seater, great handling, cheap insurance, etc? You have cars like the 350z, Z4, but I'd say they are a bit more grown up than the older MX5. Much more expensive to run and insure as well, although they are more powerful.

What (if any) would be the MX5's alternatives?

MR2

Fiat Barchetta Wrong wheel drive? :P

MGF (?)

Suzuki Cuppachino?

[durbster]

Frankly I'm baffled as to why other manufacturers haven't thrown a bunch of rivals into the cheap roadster category. Manufacturers are usually falling over themselves to get an entry into almost every other classes, even if it risks harming the brand which a roadster would never do (e.g. BMW and the X3).

[Cost Captain]

ewenm said:

Elise?
VX220?

i would be thinking this too.... may be seen as a bit more 'hardcore' than an mx5 though, so could be a different market.

[Jonny671]

durbster said:

Frankly I'm baffled as to why other manufacturers haven't thrown a bunch of rivals into the cheap roadster category. Manufacturers are usually falling over themselves to get an entry into almost every other classes, even if it risks harming the brand which a roadster would never do (e.g. BMW and the X3).

No one else can do it as well as Mazda

[MKnight702]

Conor D said:

Are there any roadsters similar to the MX5? Two seater, great handling, cheap insurance, etc? You have cars like the 350z, Z4, but I'd say they are a bit more grown up than the older MX5. Much more expensive to run and insure as well, although they are more powerful.

What (if any) would be the MX5's alternatives?

None from the mainstream manufacturers, but the kit car scene is chock full. Westfield, Dax, Caterham, Ginetta, MK to name but a few.

[rufusgti]

I'd say only really the MR2. The others mentioned dont really match up. You need to take into account how reliable and cheap to service the MX5 is. The Barchetta wont match that nor will an alfa. The z4 and TT's are much more grown up cars. The z3 could be in with a shout but im not sure why you'd pick one over a five.

One option could be the SLK. I have never driven one and have heard the gearboxes are awfull but could be a contender?

[durbster]

Cost Captain said:

ewenm said:

Elise?
VX220?

i would be thinking this too.... may be seen as a bit more 'hardcore' than an mx5 though, so could be a different market.

Much higher insurance groups so yeah, different market I'd say.

[Liquid Knight]

Lotus Elan+2

The original and best MX5

[Sam_68]

Liquid Knight said:

Lotus Elan+2

The original and best MX5

Apart from the very odd conversion, you don't get soft-top Plus 2's (or 4-seat MX5's...).

It's also rather specialised in terms of maintenance, compared to an MX5, and nowhere near as reliable.

The two seater Elan is a closer match, but is much smaller, equally specialist ...and so much quicker than the MX5 that it's comical!

[Waugh-terfall]

MG TF?
S2000?

[davepoth]

Pontiac Solstice?

[Luke.]

davepoth said:

Pontiac Solstice?

Oh yes. Now you find one for sale.