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The delightful Ms S has expressed a desire to chop her Punto in for a sporty car whilst we're both still continent enough to enjoy it.
And who am I to argue?
Doesn't have to be a convertible, doesn't have to only have two seats, but both an advantage in Ms S's eyes.
Has to be capable of long journeys in reasonable comfort, with enough luggage space for a weekend away.
Ability to mount a bike rack an advantage, but we've got a Doblo for that
really.
Budget will be well under £10,000, probably about half that unless she sees something she really, really likes, in which case all bets are off.
We both like MX5's and S2000's.
Neither of us are THAT keen on BMW Z3's, so they're probably out.
We've mates who've experienced the full horror of Alfa Spider/GTV ownership (replacement engines, court cases etc) so unfortunately they might be out too.
Shame.
It'll have to do big miles and be kept for years, so million mile Boxters might not be the best suggestion as we don't want to spend a fortune on servicing & don't want it to get keyed whenever we park it up.
What else should we be looking at?
Many thanks in advance.
MX5 only, I suspect - they're grrrrreat
(I assume that when she says sporty she means "a bit" - sexist, I know but that's what mine meant when she bought an MX5 20 years (?) ago)
Uhhmm...
Audi TT 3.2v6 could be fun.
BMW 330D/335D or other 3 litre+ variants with convertible, E46 is my preferred era of BM but whatever you can afford/like.
Nissan 350Z.
Just off the top of my head, more will be along shortly...
+1 for the MX5 - lot of car for a £10k budget
MX5, FTW. Probably the best little sports car on the market, reliable, long production time, so plenty of spares, a practical everyday car. And good looking, too. There's a lovely black one on the forecourt of the car dealership next to where I work, and I must admit that I could easily be tempted if the money suddenly became available... 😀
I think how it makes her feel would rate much higher than the 0-60 time, if that's what you mean 🙂 .
Neither of us are speed freaks, but we want something enjoyable and fun.
MGB's are out. Bit slow. 😀
Oh, must be able to handle speed bumps and crappy roads too.
Ah just go the whole hog and get a Subaru Impreza. They are such a scream!
Rachel (previously an owner of two...)
La Ferrari?
I'm currently looking at last model Toyota MR2 roadsters, have test driven a couple and they seem really nice. Not scary quick but great handling, very good mpg for a sports car (38 combined). Toyota reliability, but not much of a load carrier. Actually a decent size load area behind the seats and a cubby hole up front, but not one for trips to IKEA or carrying bikes. Between three and five grand and you take your pick.
This gorgeous race ready [url= http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C357603# ]Lancia Fulvia.[/url]..
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I know you say you don't like the Z3 but my suggestion would be a Z4.
Were reviewed on this weeks fifth gear as a great second hand buy
I'd look at an S2000. Thought it was awesome, just a bit small for me
+1 for the 350Z, and the S2000 is a good shout too.
Infiniti G35 should you like the 350Z but want that little bit more refinement.
MX5 are great but not the biggest for luggage, at least in mk1 & mk2 form.
Mk2 MR2 are great, and have a very decent boot. Turbo version is ridiculously fast. They're very comfortable too, for the type of car they are. Chav image though, unfortunately.
Vauxhall VX220 can be had for under £10k, and they're seemingly fantastic cars.
Plenty of Merc SLKs about for under £10k. Could get a pre-dodgy period SL within budget too, and they're only ever going to go up in value now.
Boxster - 40 to 60k miles (thats not a million miles) for up to 10k, but look out for RMS issues
S2000 could be a bargain, but are a little snappy in the wet
If Z3 is out is a Z4?
Fiat Barchetta for something a little different
350z and TT as others have said
Elise - cheap as chips to run a K-series car, but she might not find it comfortable, don't be put of by reliability I've done 100k in a K-series with no real issues. I camped for a week in mine, but you have to get creative with packing.
SLK
S2000 - howls like a '90s touring car when you rev it, but chilled when pootling. Remarkably quiet on the motorway with the roof down too.
The S2000 is a marvellous car - a real driver's car. I really miss our's despite it being terribly uncomfortable as a passenger (stiff suspension), noisy (couldn't hear the stereo over the engine), and it had a tiny boot (enough for one overnight bag). Pre 2005 models don't have traction control either (not many of them on the market for this reason!).
[img][url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3654/3647939512_c89ddeec33.jp g" target="_blank">
Mrs v10 has just had a Mk2.5 SVT and its a great laugh, was very cheap to buy, surprisingly cheap to insure too (£7 a month more than her 1.6 megane...) and much more involving to drive than the mk3s we tried. With your budget and mileage constraints your probably looking at mk3s though in which case there are some other alternatives. S2000 or a 3.0 Z4 would be where my money was going. For some serious fun you might be able to sneak into vx220 2.2s too if you stretch to 7-8k... Tidy rag top E46 M3 can be had for the same but probably one to avoid in terms of running costs 😆
Mrs petrieboy had a TT roadster. Nice enough, but wind noise was tiresome on long motorway trips. Coupe would have been a better choice.
If something "sporty looking convertible" is a possibility, Saab 93's look spectacularly cheap?
Audi S3 3 door would do it. Bikes and kit inside for a weekend away with the seats down. Bit gloomy inside but well screwed together.
S2000 - mate has one, good car, screams a bit though.
Z4 - mate has one, good car s'pecialy in deep maroon.
TT 3.2's are ace ( but don't get one ) 😀
New shape slk350 looks a hoot
s2000 would be my choice, brilliant car, bullet proof reliable. cheapish to run.
I owned one for 5 years, it was great.
Avoid anything by the VAG group, they dont make sports cars, they are all tedious (I owned an audi s3 for 5 years also)
My suggestion would be a fiat barchetta, and not just because I have one for sale...
We have a 11 year old MX5 that we got to go on honeymoon. Not super fast but lots of fun, not much grip relative to say an Elise but superb balance (ie very controlled slides). Enough room for a 3 week trip for two. Drove it for work one year and it was fine - even in the snow it was extremely predictable (and 5 mph tail out slides are just hilarious).
Insurance under £200 fully comp and protected no claims.
Sum total of work other than tyres and servicing - well there was a it of excess wind noise from some of the roof / window trim so Mazda changed it - probably a tenner if I'd had to do it.
BMW 3 series coupe (E92) ?
Not exactly a sports car but is more refined / handles better than most, can take 4 adults in comfort and also two bikes!
Even my "little" 2.0L 320i is good for 0-60 in 8 seconds and 144mph should the opportunity arise.
I imagine the straight six petrol or diesels are amazing ..
.. Or a Z4?
Mercedes SLK. You can pick up a brilliant 200 for £10k but my choice would be a 350. 350 is bloody quick, not [i]too[/i] bad fuel consumption (28mpg combined(considering it's a 3.5L)), good handling, gorgeous looks, and best of all it's a Mercedes so it'll last longer than you will! If that doesn't float your boat then the 200 is brilliant. As a few of the other guys have said, S2000 is a good shout but be sure to take a look at Nissan as well.
But, still... SLK 
nissan 350z
We have a TT, the 2.0 turbo is plenty rapid but not an engaging drive and the doors are very long and heavy. PITA to get in and out of, noisy not very comfortable and a bit claustrophobic.
Just not fun. Boot is a reasonable size though and 35 mpg on the motorway.
Can't wait to get rid of it.
Z4, end of!
Kevin bought me a MX5 1.8IS as a supprise Christmas present in 1994, my suprise for him was that I was pregnant with Katie. When Abigale came along in 1998 I had to sell it, it broke my heart. Bought a MX6, then a 307cc and now have a 308cc, would go back to a MX5 once the girls have left the nest.
How about a VW EOS ticks most of the boxes, a bit sporty but comfortable to drive and good for long journeys. We are looking at changing ours due to impending grandchild (PM me if you want any details, am in Hyde, welcome to have a drive 🙂 )
Mike
Ford F150 lightning! Thread closed.
BMW 330D/335D
??
Had 2 MX5's loved them but prefer the MR2 I have currently. For £5k you could get one of the last ones.
If you look at MX5's definitely test drive a Mk 2 and Mk 3. The Mk3 is not as good a car as the Mk 2.. I only drove a Mk2 after buying a new Mk3 🙁
SLK's are nice safe cars. 3.5 is a nice engine, reasonably quick, but not as quick as you would think. You can't turn the traction control off either! Handles ok, but not only ok.
BMW E46 M3 Convertible, You'd be able to get a 2003 for around 10K and the optional hard top can be fitted with a bike rack.
[i]Mk2 MR2 are great, and have a very decent boot. Turbo version is ridiculously fast. They're very comfortable too, for the type of car they are[/i]
That was very naughty of you. Please don't make statements like that without giving people the full picture please. Tell them what the MK2 MR2 Turbo's nickname is....
Anyone that believes that a standard BMW 3 series is a sports car should be taken outside and shot!
Go retro.
You'll get a very nice Mk1 Golf GTi ... ticks your boxes
Or a BMW 2002
What fun!!
.. I think both references were to the coupe/cabriolets which whilst not "sports" cars arguably handle a lot better then many that profess to be .
Toyota Celica or Z4
Nissan 350Z for something modern, Porsche 944 for something older.
Mk2 MX5 for cheap, minimum of a 1.8iS for the LSD and that little bit more power.
Another vote for Z4 here.
£5K should just about get one, probably 4 cylinder, older/higher mileage
£10K will get a nice spec 3 litre low miles/more recent
Tell them what the MK2 MR2 Turbo's nickname is....
????
MX5 deffinatly ticks many of the boxes.
Mine is an 18 years old MK1, i've done just under 100,000 miles in mine since i bought it in 2006 (car is showing 171,000 on the clock) - have gone road tripping around Europe in it with the wife, have gone camping too with her and the 5. boots plenty big enough once you take the space saver tyre out - since it says on the wheel its not to be used on a steering wheel, or on a driving wheel, on a RWD car thats impossible.
Rust to the sills between the rear wheel and the door can be a problem - usually just the outer skin of metal, but its caused by blocked drainage channels from the soft top, so when you see the bubbling, its too late, the panel has rusted from the inside out (and affects pretty much all MX5s at some point) costs around £500 to get sorted properly (asking on MX5 enthuisast sites will get you a local body shop who will do good work, as the cheaper jobs dont last and you end up paying to have it sorted again soon!)
For me, i love the Mk1 but they are getting very old now (cheap tho at around £1-2k) a Mk2.5 which i think is from around 2002, i think, till the Mk3 was introduced is a good model to go for.
Mk3s if you can find one with the Ebach springs factory upgrade fitted, this is the original suspension fitted outside of the EU which brings the stance of the car down an inch or so, bringing the suspension geometry back into factory guidelines.
It was found that to meet EU bonnet height laws raised suspension was fitted, but the suspension geo wasnt changed, so the raised suspension threw out the camber angles and blunted the handling.
hedgemonster or something I'd imagine????
That was very naughty of you. Please don't make statements like that without giving people the full picture please. Tell them what the MK2 MR2 Turbo's nickname is....
Well, yes, but....
The Widowmaker and I got on famously for a number of years with no issues. It was only when I was considering swapping for something a bit quicker that it spat me off the Edinburgh ring road backwards into a hedge. Thankfully not on fire.
Mini cooper S convertible.
4 seats, great fun to drive, reasonable mpg, tax an insurance and well within budget.
OP how tall are you and your other half?
I found the MX5 a bit cramped with me being 6ft 2! One thing to consider if going the MX5 route.
Boxster gets my vote.
Had an S2000 and a Subaru Impreza. Subaru all the way!
Ran an MX5 as a daily runner for about 7 years. Very reliable, can fit a cello in it! (ok only if you don't have a passenger)
Mk2.5 probably the best choice and great fun to drive, not so fast you scare yourself but it just feels fun even at low speeds. Ideally avoid really big wheels as blunts the handling feel. No need for power roof. Could lift with 1 hand and do up at lights in about 7 secs. Drops even quicker. Keep going above 30mph and you don't even have to stop to put it up unless it is really pissing it down.
Seriously thinking about buying one as a cheap summer set of wheels because I miss it. Toddler and sprog on way means it is not viable really 🙁
Honda S2000, cracking cars.
Feels special while at the same time being cheap to run.
And your granny could do doughnuts in one
One of the most fun cars I have ever owned was a Ford Racing Puma.
Rare, great looking, cracking engine and one of the best handling cars you'll ever drive.
Pick one up nowadays for about £6k.
Boxster.
Always feels special, lasts forever, reasonable prices. I tried them all (S2000, Z4, CLK, SLK, Elise) and it was the best by far.
Don't be put off by reverse badge snobbery; they are great.
I'm watching this thread with interest.
My son is about to go away to university leaving me with a big saloon car that while very nice, is also very big. I rarely use the thing anyway and once he's flown the nest I'm thinking why do a need a four door car? The wife has an A3 which would be fine for carting things around when needed so hmmm. S2000....
Another vote for the Boxster. I had an Elise which was undeniably good fun, but if you ever wanted to just cruise and relax it fell short. I'd love one again, but not as a daily driver. Now have a Boxster which is very comfortable, MASSES of luggage space (for a 2 seater sports car) and sounds amazing*. Test drove a Z4 and although it looked great from the outside, once sat inside it didn't excite me at all.
*[EDIT} and of course is ACE fun to drive. My wife prefers driving it to the Elise, even though the Elise was a lot more unique
My other half has a 2000 Mk2 1.8 MX5. Has had it since 2002. It's had very little go wrong with it, and is used pretty much every day, all year round (she usually leaves it if it's been snowing, but that's only as we live down a singletrack untreated lane, at the top of a hill).
Hard top goes on during the winter.
I'm 6'2", and can fit in it (just).
[i]who am I to argue?[/i]
Sort of depends who's paying.... maybe.
*Drives Audi A4 convertible*
mk1 MX5 and £8k change.
MG's are out. Bit slow.
Not with £10k to thow at it they're not.
Good midget for £3k, then spend £7k on a toolkit from halfords and raid the contents of the frontline catalogue. Wishbones and big brakes on the front, double bearings on the back and 5-link suspension (keep the drums though), k-series or duratec under the bonet, 5-speed sequential in the middle, LSD and uprated half shafts. More power than an MX-5, less weight, masses of noise, sequential box, what's not to like 🙂
Alternatively a low milage TF and get the HG done, £5k+ to spare on new bike(s).
You can have my very good condition MX5 Mark 1 1.8iS 1997 78,000 and £8k change. 😀
mk1 TT 3.2 V6
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Another vote for the MX5 the Mk3 is not quite as connected as the earlier ones but is faster, safer, more comfortable and better built.
Although 10k does by an S2000 which has an F20 vtec lump which is a hell of a thing 9.5k redline and one of the best gearboxes in the business just a hell of a car.
I've been running a Mk1 MX5 for 4 years and it still puts a smile on my face most times I drive it. Cheap to run and fun to drive, what's not to like?
If I was going for the VW 3.2 V6 engine, I'd get the R32 - bit more practical and just as quick.
This gorgeous race ready Lancia Fulvia...
that's the worst looking Fulvia I have ever seen!
A Fiat Barchetta won't be that different, it is a Punto underneath isn't it?
I thought this thread was looking for a sports car - and then I see Audi TTs!
Whose got a link to that Z4 that was on ebay a while ago, the one with the huge description slagging off the car. It didn't sell...
Land rover Defender long wheelbase. And tell her the "sport" for her "sports car" is mountain biking
There's your uplift driver sorted for summer!
MGB roadster - V8 😀
Go on, I'll say it.
FD3S RX7. Would come in under £5k no problems. Gorgeous styling, phenomenal handling, outrageously quick, and the rotary engine really isn't as bad as the internet would have you believe.
given your spec i really would consider a hot hatch/gti/ gt tourer
Mk 2 Golf brilliant classic car
Lupo GTI.............absolute fun and semi practical
Clio 172/williams
polo gti 150 bhp version
renualt twingo girdino......not driven one but look fab
Mitsubhsi Colt czt
loads more
Sports cars
MX5 as above but at 15 stone and 6ft did not really fit in that well , not mega quick but fun.
Z3/$ bit underpowered but nice
TT looks fab seems to have a few problems
Nissan or the Honda are both great drivers cars , the Honda is designed to pootle if you want or rev it hard and is a monster.
The hot hactch you can get in your price bracket,and 😀 have a nice bike holiday
If it helps the SVT Mk2.5 MX-5 started being delivered from September 2001. There were still some Mk2 examples about at this time though.
Right. [b]I've[/b] given this some thought.
Hyundai Coupe SIII, 'cos it would be a decent car for that sort of money and I don't reckon you are that bothered about badge engineering. V6 version the one to go for.
Jag XK, More of a GT, thirsty, but you'd get a soft top for the lower end of your range or a really nice one at the top end.
Lotus Elan, one of the late '80's, early '90's ones. Bit old, but almost certainly well looked after and more interesting than most.
The Hyundai Coupe II was absolutely the best handling car I've ever driven. I'm not sure if the chassis is the same but honestly, it was wonderful. And bearing in mind this is a front wheel drive car...Throw it into the corners seriously hard and it was awesome fun. Back end could step out but could be controlled. Mainly though it just stuck to the road incredibly well and provided a massive amount of feedback. Great car. But underpowered though. 0-60 in about 8.5 seconds I think. Still fast enough to leave most cars away from the lights and if you took it down a weavy road those guys would just disappear.
Ate petrol and tyres mind.
One of the most fun cars I have ever owned was a Ford Racing Puma.Rare, great looking, cracking engine and one of the best handling cars you'll ever drive.
Pick one up nowadays for about £6k.
Please, don't. 😥
I [i]so[/i] miss my little Puma...
Before getting a Mk3 MX5 I test drove a Z4. In comparison it felt big on the road, and not that great to handle.
Pumas never did it for me, just the same as a 1.6 Fiesta but different body shell. Didn't drive a racing Puma mind, but I know a mate drove rally prepped versions and he said they understeered like a dog.
+1 on Honda s2000 , nothing quite like it when the motor rolls round to 9000rpm.
It's a bit left field but you can get a decent Marlin 5exi for that budget and they're flipping awesome.