I can't afford an Elise...
Discussion
Pearcyy said:
I've seen a few 6k elises and theres quite a few for 7, why not stretch your budget a little and get what you want?
Apparently early Elise models are even more unreliable than Lotus' in general - so I'd be a little concerned about the condition of a "cheap" Elise, especially where the K-Series engine is involved! Are my concerns unfounded perhaps?rallycross said:
Mr2 roadster fits the bill of baby Elise on the cheep very under rated and much closer to the feel of an Elise than the mk2 mr2 was.
Leave some budget aside to get a decent exhaust and induction kit to give a bit more personality (standard sound like a corolla) and a set of springs / adjustable anti roll bars will transform it into a more precise toy if you can live with that upgrade for every day use?
Some of them have an LSD (MRS model) but with only 140 bhp not sure if you will notice on the road.
Drive one and see what you think, plenty available at sensible
Money.
Wow, I had no idea the MR2 Mk3 was so highly rated. I mean, looks wise it's a little bland, but I can deal with that if it's got handling and performance akin to the Elise. I've seen quite a few around at very reasonable prices. This would leave me with cash and the possibility of trading in for an S2 Elise (which I would ideally own) at a later date should I wish. More time to save too! Leave some budget aside to get a decent exhaust and induction kit to give a bit more personality (standard sound like a corolla) and a set of springs / adjustable anti roll bars will transform it into a more precise toy if you can live with that upgrade for every day use?
Some of them have an LSD (MRS model) but with only 140 bhp not sure if you will notice on the road.
Drive one and see what you think, plenty available at sensible
Money.
Edited by Biccaroo on Thursday 28th April 10:50
It doesn't necessarily have to be the same 'type' of car as the Elise, but I am intrigued by the Mk3 MR2 and - of course - the MX-5 (probably a Mk2). A friend of mine has suggested an Integra Type-R. another good shout considering it's one of the finest front-wheel drive cars of the last 20 years.
I'm basically after a car that has handling, pace, usability and reliability. Not many cars succesfully pull that off for under 6k, but I've liked the suggestions so far.
I'm basically after a car that has handling, pace, usability and reliability. Not many cars succesfully pull that off for under 6k, but I've liked the suggestions so far.
Edited by Biccaroo on Thursday 28th April 14:31
RobM77 said:
All are good choices. 
By the way, if you buy a mk3 MR2 get ready to have the piss taken out of you by your mates. They don't know what they're talking about of course (they're great cars), but any open top car that's not an Elise/Caterham or that doesn't have a burbling V8 gets an awful lot of 'hairdresser' and 'gay' comments. Sad, but true.
Too true. I had enough of that when I owned the Mk2 MR2. It doesn't bother me TBH. Afterall, not all of us can afford a Ferrari 430 Spider or DB9 Volante! All I'm concerned about is enjoying driving without breaking the bank. By the way, if you buy a mk3 MR2 get ready to have the piss taken out of you by your mates. They don't know what they're talking about of course (they're great cars), but any open top car that's not an Elise/Caterham or that doesn't have a burbling V8 gets an awful lot of 'hairdresser' and 'gay' comments. Sad, but true.irodger said:
Slightly biased Mk3 MR2 owner here. As a cheap, everyday, reliable, fun car it's brilliant. I bought one because I was not long after buying my first house and needed something affordable but fun and didn't need much in the way of space or ability to carry a family around.
I hadn't really thought about the MR2 'til I saw one in a garage for sale for £4k. I found out that they get 40mpg on a run (30ish on a blast), T1-R tyres are c£60/corner, brakes, consumables etc are all dirt cheap and they are generally reliable. Only issues to look out for are pre-cat failure and power steering pump failure. The pre-cat thing can be an issue, but £100 removes them (either gut them out or fit an ebay special stainless manifold that works a treat) and the P/S issue is obvious... don't buy one that doesn't have functioning P/S!!! New Toyota pumps are c£800 though if they do go.
I paid £4.5k for a '01 44k mile example and I love it. The power steering pump stopped working on mine recently @ 60k, but I just tapped it with a hammer and it's been fine for the last 1k
Comfort is fine on my 60 mile commute, 40mpg is great for this sort of car, servicing is cheap, parts are mostly cheap, roof goes down in 5secs and is great when it's up regarding rain etc. It's obviously not Merc or Jag levels of comfort, 5th gear is a bit short and there's the obvious lack of luggage space. I manage to get 2nights of clothes/stuff for 2 people (although my ex...she used to take a suitcase if she was going out to lunch!) behind the seats in soft bags, so it's not unusable as many non-owners claim.
The drive is brilliant. It's not as good as an Elise, but then not much is. Theyr'e not slow, but then not fast either. Like the MX5 that so many people on here love, it's more about the fun in piloting one along a great road, roof down, giving it 7/8-10ths but still having a total hoot. A VX220 would be a good option too obviously, but then they're more expensive in almost every way.
I'd spend £5k on a good <50k miler then spend the rest on a Blueflame or H&S exhaust and some Tein springs. You'll have a brilliant day-day car.
Good luck whatever you choose
It sounds like you were in exactly the same situation as I find myself now and I believe it may conclude in the same way. I'm very much tempted by the MR2 for a number of reasons. If I could stretch to an Elise I really would but it's just too expensive for a 'good' version and I'm still slightly sceptical about their reliability. Obviously no car is 100% bulletproof, but I think I'd have fewer issues with an MR2 against a focused sports car like the Elise.I hadn't really thought about the MR2 'til I saw one in a garage for sale for £4k. I found out that they get 40mpg on a run (30ish on a blast), T1-R tyres are c£60/corner, brakes, consumables etc are all dirt cheap and they are generally reliable. Only issues to look out for are pre-cat failure and power steering pump failure. The pre-cat thing can be an issue, but £100 removes them (either gut them out or fit an ebay special stainless manifold that works a treat) and the P/S issue is obvious... don't buy one that doesn't have functioning P/S!!! New Toyota pumps are c£800 though if they do go.
I paid £4.5k for a '01 44k mile example and I love it. The power steering pump stopped working on mine recently @ 60k, but I just tapped it with a hammer and it's been fine for the last 1k
Comfort is fine on my 60 mile commute, 40mpg is great for this sort of car, servicing is cheap, parts are mostly cheap, roof goes down in 5secs and is great when it's up regarding rain etc. It's obviously not Merc or Jag levels of comfort, 5th gear is a bit short and there's the obvious lack of luggage space. I manage to get 2nights of clothes/stuff for 2 people (although my ex...she used to take a suitcase if she was going out to lunch!) behind the seats in soft bags, so it's not unusable as many non-owners claim.
The drive is brilliant. It's not as good as an Elise, but then not much is. Theyr'e not slow, but then not fast either. Like the MX5 that so many people on here love, it's more about the fun in piloting one along a great road, roof down, giving it 7/8-10ths but still having a total hoot. A VX220 would be a good option too obviously, but then they're more expensive in almost every way.
I'd spend £5k on a good <50k miler then spend the rest on a Blueflame or H&S exhaust and some Tein springs. You'll have a brilliant day-day car.
Good luck whatever you choose
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