Getting the blood flowing again
Discussion
OK, so here's the problem. I'm stuck with a Mk1 Zafira because I need its space. Dull, uninspiring car. About the only interest in it is due to them fitting amusingly short gear ratios which do at least make it slightly thrashable.
Aaaaanyway. This needs augmenting with something more interesting. Something a tad faster and more amusing, ideally that doesn't look like I've got even more phantom children in tow. £6k budget absolute max, will stay for <1 year, has to be at least a little day-to-day usable (so something fun but very aged seems a bad idea), don't have any off-road space of my own so limited opportunity to work on something that'll need tweaking.
MX-5 seems the predictable choice but predictable is nagging at me! Where else would you look?
Aaaaanyway. This needs augmenting with something more interesting. Something a tad faster and more amusing, ideally that doesn't look like I've got even more phantom children in tow. £6k budget absolute max, will stay for <1 year, has to be at least a little day-to-day usable (so something fun but very aged seems a bad idea), don't have any off-road space of my own so limited opportunity to work on something that'll need tweaking.
MX-5 seems the predictable choice but predictable is nagging at me! Where else would you look?
Thanks for the feedback guys 
Z3 M - hmm, a tad over budget and older than I was thinking, but interesting.... Would be concerned about possible repair bills on that motor, sure I remember hearing it as a little fragile in the past? A neighbour drives a slightly newere M5, always looked bit like a monster repair bill on wheels TBH.
Chappers - I know, predictable can be good, just curious what others thought!
Gizmo - 944, nice car but I'd be concerned about Porsche parts and pulling up at traffic lights next to every last Clio 172 or similar, knowing that they had more power than I and would be determined to show that. MX5 Mk3 - ISTR the pre-facelift models really weren't rated, dodgy handling?
Alfa Spider - Hmm, don't own either lofas or chinos, or plan on changing that any time soon
Honda S2000 - Like the shape, engine never sounded my cup of tea, power too high in the rev range.
Integra - tempting....
M3 Cab - Slight wide boy image issues for me, plus mostly seem a tad molested. Nice motor otherwise, might be tempted by a clean hardtop in a discreet colour.
Impreza - Silly MPG, very wide boy image. Would rather a touch more class in the proceedings!
MR2 Cab - Not sure I ever saw the point of it over the MX-5 - so much less practicality with that boot arrangement and it just didn't seem to win very much back for it.
With hindsight a little surprised no-one's mentioned any of the VAG 1.8T cars. Any reason why that everyone but me knows?
Z3 M - hmm, a tad over budget and older than I was thinking, but interesting.... Would be concerned about possible repair bills on that motor, sure I remember hearing it as a little fragile in the past? A neighbour drives a slightly newere M5, always looked bit like a monster repair bill on wheels TBH.
Chappers - I know, predictable can be good, just curious what others thought!
Gizmo - 944, nice car but I'd be concerned about Porsche parts and pulling up at traffic lights next to every last Clio 172 or similar, knowing that they had more power than I and would be determined to show that. MX5 Mk3 - ISTR the pre-facelift models really weren't rated, dodgy handling?
Alfa Spider - Hmm, don't own either lofas or chinos, or plan on changing that any time soon
Honda S2000 - Like the shape, engine never sounded my cup of tea, power too high in the rev range.
Integra - tempting....
M3 Cab - Slight wide boy image issues for me, plus mostly seem a tad molested. Nice motor otherwise, might be tempted by a clean hardtop in a discreet colour.
Impreza - Silly MPG, very wide boy image. Would rather a touch more class in the proceedings!
MR2 Cab - Not sure I ever saw the point of it over the MX-5 - so much less practicality with that boot arrangement and it just didn't seem to win very much back for it.
With hindsight a little surprised no-one's mentioned any of the VAG 1.8T cars. Any reason why that everyone but me knows?
Thanks chaps :-)
RX8 - like the idea, don't like the fuel or lubricant consumption.
928 - more power but can't see it having any less potential for scary repair bills than a 944. Plus firmly over budget for a decent one.
Transit -
No.
Barchetta - interesting, LHD wouldn't be ideal, bit like hens teeth too.
I think we're narrowing it down to:
MX-5 - probably a late 1.8Mk2, outside chance a Mk3 if the handling can be sorted without making insurance companies run away screaming
Integra, if a clean one could be found
E36 _maybe_
Still tempted by the VAG 1.8Ts - TT180 or a Leon Cupra, but they're getting no love from you lot?
RX8 - like the idea, don't like the fuel or lubricant consumption.
928 - more power but can't see it having any less potential for scary repair bills than a 944. Plus firmly over budget for a decent one.
Transit -
No.Barchetta - interesting, LHD wouldn't be ideal, bit like hens teeth too.
I think we're narrowing it down to:
MX-5 - probably a late 1.8Mk2, outside chance a Mk3 if the handling can be sorted without making insurance companies run away screaming
Integra, if a clean one could be found
E36 _maybe_
Still tempted by the VAG 1.8Ts - TT180 or a Leon Cupra, but they're getting no love from you lot?
Why anti the 180 motor out of curiosity?
This car will probably end up being about 50/50 mileage with the Zafira TBH, I only need its load capacity periodically so I have to keep it and wouldn't want to kill the mileage on the other motor, but it will end up on the commute periodically.
Mk2 GTi - I did consider one a few years back! I got T-boned by a numpty coming off a forecourt and I'm convinced to this day it was a non-economic repair for the amount of damage he did to a 7yo 120k base Mondeo (young and poor with a longish commute...), so started sizing up short-term options and that came up as one. The body shop had the final word for the work though and must've had a slow period because they authorised rather than writing off. Was a bit disappointed if I'm honest! An ex-colleague ran one a few years back though, had no end of trouble with it.
This car will probably end up being about 50/50 mileage with the Zafira TBH, I only need its load capacity periodically so I have to keep it and wouldn't want to kill the mileage on the other motor, but it will end up on the commute periodically.
Mk2 GTi - I did consider one a few years back! I got T-boned by a numpty coming off a forecourt and I'm convinced to this day it was a non-economic repair for the amount of damage he did to a 7yo 120k base Mondeo (young and poor with a longish commute...), so started sizing up short-term options and that came up as one. The body shop had the final word for the work though and must've had a slow period because they authorised rather than writing off. Was a bit disappointed if I'm honest! An ex-colleague ran one a few years back though, had no end of trouble with it.
Hell27 - OK, that makes good sense :-) Golf's never been on the list, just didn't appeal for some reason. The Octavia had occurred as a combination of space and performance... May be worth a look, but it was load bay height as much as anything that went the Zafira's way (it's really used as a van with occasional seats) so that might be an issue.
Mr2Mike - beg to differ, but I believe that was the 150 convertible that was FWD only?
Mr2Mike - beg to differ, but I believe that was the 150 convertible that was FWD only?
Interesting, didn't know they ever did a 180 FWD at the end of its life. It definitely was available as 4WD too though - http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/used-prices/Valuatio...
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