Hi

I'm in the process of selling loads of stuff and all is going to plan, motor bikes gone already

Reason is I now have very limited time on my hands for the endless projects I normally use to have due mainly to the wee one

I've decided to treat myself after I sell all my stuff to a nice car, not a new car but some sort of classic, was going to buy a JBA Falcon but now thinking I'm being a bit closed minded on other options

Would like a open top 2 seater sports car that's fun to drive but is practical to drive everyday (so a 7 is out the window), doesn't need to be deadly fast just fun

Was now thinking along the lines of a Triumph Spitfire, my brother in law has one who has so far resisted my attempts to buy it off him, even said he could still drive it now and again

Any ideas from you lot? Budget would be between £4000-£6000 tops

Cheers

The saving grace of the Spitfire is the separate chassis --- otherwise in their day small Triumphs not considered great, if using as an everyday car through the winter the front suspension will need constant lubrication (oil not grease) and the chassis will need protection from corrosion, 1500 models are especially prone to engine bearing problems.

TR3,TR4, TR250, TR5 & TR6 as with all Triumphs rot badly the 4 cylinder engine was a great lump but 6 cylinder injection engined models were a nightmare but most these days will have been converted to some other fueling. Live axle cars handle better than later (TR4a onwards) IRS cars.

If you can find a decent chrome bumper MGB (ie one with the sills and "castle sections" in sound condition) and can can tolerate the serious lack of grunt you will have a car that is nice to drive and reliable. Front suspension needs regular greasing.

Midgets are OK but Spitfire engines in 1500 models suffer from engine bearing problems.

Sunbeam Alpines ---- stunning looks not bad to drive performance much the same as the MGB but boy do they rot.

Fiat 124 Spider and Coupe, Lancia Monte Carlo Lancia Gamma Coupe --- do any still exist in the UK ? most had rotted away not long after their first MOT.

Datsun Z car ---- great engine but even more body rot than any of the above.


In other words buy Mazda or Toyota

marlin? i know a few guys using them on a regular basis. all running pintos but are very practical and still fast, leather,stereo, one has electric windows etc! id say £6k will easy get one.
they are also very easy to work on.

TVR S Series? Thats what I'm looking at now.

Not 'fast' but quick enough, cool, in budget, lovely noise, still got the fiddle with it kit car appeal.

example: Linky

You would get a nice boxster or s2000 for that budget. Bit newer but you won't have to oil the suspension

Reliant Scimitar Sabre - Nissan CA18ET or 1.4 K series



or the earlier SS1 with CVH or CA18ET

Very interesting suggestions there, thanks

Sounds like you really need something that doesn't need too much attention (timewise), is practical, driveable and all that sort of thing.

The hairdresser in you needs to consider an MX5. Seriously now, that sort of budget will probably buy a very nice one.

If I can tempt you with a rather nice R1oT?....

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Whippy

Would like a open top 2 seater sports car that's fun to drive but is practical to drive everyday (so a 7 is out the window), doesn't need to be deadly fast just fun

Any ideas from you lot? Budget would be between £4000-£6000 tops

---

ok, I lied about the r8 but there rest are there....

Hmm mx5

Don't know even in red it's just such a notoriiously girly car, I've been in one as a passenger and tbh was actually quite nice and the styling of it is spot on.

Suppose it does make some sense, not sure what the wife would think of me having a bimbo mobile

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Whippy
Hmm mx5

Don't know even in red it's just such a notoriiously girly car, I've been in one as a passenger and tbh was actually quite nice and the styling of it is spot on.

Suppose it does make some sense, not sure what the wife would think of me having a bimbo mobile

---

push your budget buy a vx220

I'd go for a Boxster as they seem like a lot of nice car for the money these days.

David

S2000 gets my vote

quote:

---

Originally posted by DavidW
I'd go for a Boxster as they seem like a lot of nice car for the money these days.

David

---

Hate to say it but an mx5 seems to be the in the lead looking at the prices on gumtree and they have quite high specifications

Having just come from an mx5 to an S2000, I'd recommend a test drive in both

S2000 has that 'proper car' feel and is actually better on fuel than my 2 mx5's (mk1 and mk2 1.8's)

You can get a higher mileage but well looked after S2000 in your budget

If you get the mx5 make sure you get the lsd version. My last didn't have one and it just wasn't the same as the mk1 i had with an lsd

Was following a later type MX5 yesterday and did not look too girly.

S2000 would get a second look

But as a rank outsider what about a lotus elise ?

ATB Agriv8

quote:

---

Originally posted by S2kPower
Having just come from an mx5 to an S2000, I'd recommend a test drive in both

S2000 has that 'proper car' feel and is actually better on fuel than my 2 mx5's (mk1 and mk2 1.8's)

You can get a higher mileage but well looked after S2000 in your budget

If you get the mx5 make sure you get the lsd version. My last didn't have one and it just wasn't the same as the mk1 i had with an lsd

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Agriv8
Was following a later type MX5 yesterday and did not look too girly.

S2000 would get a second look

But as a rank outsider what about a lotus elise ?

ATB Agriv8

---

Buy my X1/9!


Description

I found the MX5 too small, too slow and a very basic place to be. It's great fun on the twisty stuff, but for me it isn't a serious car in standard form.

S2000 is a very nice place to be, electric roof, xenons, big boot, sounds awesome, much quicker, more comfortable, highly tuneable, (in my opinion as i have a facelift version) looks a lot better and is still cheap to maintain as long as big things don't go wrong

They're in different leagues of car ownership basically. For me anyway

I'm not very tall so the mx5 may be ok, certainly when I had a ride in one it wasn't to bad. Will see if I can get a test drive of both like you say

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Whippy

quote:

---

Originally posted by Agriv8
Was following a later type MX5 yesterday and did not look too girly.

S2000 would get a second look

But as a rank outsider what about a lotus elise ?

ATB Agriv8

---

Yeah you can pick up some cheap cars but I'm also thinking about the price of spares, I'd think lotus would be quite expensive

---

Isn't the vx as god day to day as a 7? I suppose it has a roof, but apart from that?

Mercedes SL (R129) is a lot of car for the money. Comfortable and as tough as old boots. Cheaper to maintain and less quirky than the previous shape (R107) whilst significantly cheaper than the later shape (r230). Get a decent one and it will appreciate in value with age.

you could easily pick up any of the scimitars in decent nick for that budget, I've got an old GTE SE5 (3.0 essex V6) for my next project that I got for free (needs quite alot of work though)
ok thats not a 2 seat open top, but a 2+2 estate car is very practical

the later ones that scimjim mentioned are obviously have the better engines off the shelf...
but I've seen quite a few earlier models with engine swaps - inc. zetec's, V8's, and the BMW 2.5TD (vauxhall omega flavour) or the 3.2V6 from a police spec. omega (PPC £999 chalange car a few years back)

quote:

---

Originally posted by r1_pete

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Whippy
Hmm mx5

Don't know even in red it's just such a notoriiously girly car, I've been in one as a passenger and tbh was actually quite nice and the styling of it is spot on.

Suppose it does make some sense, not sure what the wife would think of me having a bimbo mobile

---

The later ones with the wide arches look a bit less girly, not sure about budget though....

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Not Anumber
Mercedes SL (R129) is a lot of car for the money. Comfortable and as tough as old boots. Cheaper to maintain and less quirky than the previous shape (R107) whilst significantly cheaper than the later shape (r230). Get a decent one and it will appreciate in value with age.

---

Theres a few on the Merc forum run on lpg for that reason. The engines are as strong as an ox and dont show any ill effects

quote:

---

Originally posted by S2kPower
Isn't the vx as god day to day as a 7? I suppose it has a roof, but apart from that?

---

My XK8 running on LPG was perfectly practical, they are looking very cheap now.

My honest appraisal of the cars, so far. One is standing out above the rest


JBA Falcon –

For

A. Nice looking car
B. Know what to expect
C. Can be used everyday
D. Bodywork doesn’t rust
E. Cheap insurance


Against

A. Very old mechanics
B. Probably high mileage components used
C. Not good on fuel
D. Very little storage space
E. Very poor body work availability
F. Poor side protection or safety equipment
G. Difficult roof to put up
H. Heater seemed to mist up car
I. Doesn’t look good with a roll bar
J. Expensive for what you get
K. Really small interior and difficult to get into
L. Engine loud on Cortina 4 speed


Spitfire –

For

A. Nice looking car
B. Big boot
C. Quite comfy inside
D. Decent prices
E. Cheap insurance


Against

A. Very rust prone
B. Not sure how good a car is really when you buy it
C. Very poorly designed engines
D. Temperamental carbs
E. Poor handling
F. Doesn’t appear to be very crash safe
G. Seems to be low powered
H. Not good on fuel
I. Very old fashioned mechanics
J. Very wobbly bonnet
K. No roll over protection
L. Questionable seatbelts


MX5 –

For

A. Nice looking car
B. Modern engine
C. Good on fuel
D. Decent hood
E. Hard tops available for winter
F. Good heater (presumably)
G. Cheap parts
H. Good reputation
I. Decent bootspace
J. Good safety equipment
K. Don’t cost very much to buy
L. Roll bars easy to fit and don’t look ugly
M. Simply loads to choose from
N. Cheap insurance


Against

A. Bit of a girls car
B. Doesn’t feel as open top as a Falcon
C. Probably quite steelable


7 type -

For

A. Great handling
B. Proper sports car for the road
C. Can be very fast
D. Good roll over protection
E. Very easy to maintain and repair
F. Cheap insurance

Against
A. Limited use in bad weather
B. Soft top quite impractical
C. Poor side impact protection
D. Very limited boot space
E. Smallish fuel tank
F. Very expensive for what you get
G. Narrow seating

Merc SL R129

For

A. Very quick
B. Huge boot
C. Electric soft top
D. Cheap to buy
E. Decent safety

Against
A. Rust prone
B. Expensive parts
C. Very complex
D. Soft top complex and expensive to repair
E. Needs an LDG system to make it affordable
F. Expensive to insure and Tax
G. Nightmare if it broke down

If you go mx5, try get a black mk 2.5. get a hard top and a set of nice wheels, coilovers and it looks pretty mean

Other than that you're in hairdresser teritory. I think the really modified and lowered examples look ridiculous and toy like

quote:

---

Originally posted by S2kPower
If you go mx5, try get a black mk 2.5. get a hard top and a set of nice wheels, coilovers and it looks pretty mean

Other than that you're in hairdresser teritory. I think the really modified and lowered examples look ridiculous and toy like

---

My old mx5



The new S2000

Both look good tbh

The mx5 looks like a 911 from that angle apart from the headlights

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Whippy
Both look good tbh

The mx5 looks like a 911 from that angle apart from the headlights

---

how about doing same appraisal for the Honda S2000?

MX5.... Although....

I looked at S2000 but was put off by small cabin and boot. My TVR Chimaera is bloody fantastic. Large cabin huge boot. AND reliable !

Cheap to run and cheap should it go wrong. Don't listen to people who say they are unreliable. Maybe the speed 6 engines, but the Chimaera has a good old Rover V8

Basically Its a glorified kit car that is great looking, goes like stink and sounds superb. The only difficulty is access as the engine is a long way back to get 50 50 weight.

quote:

---

Originally posted by beaver34
push your budget buy a vx220

---

Funny

Sat in my brother in laws red spitfire last night which has won shows, while they were out (live next door) to get a better feel for the car, tried the pedals opened the soft top wound the windows down and thought...yuck!

Ok so that's a non starter

I think the mx5 is just the clear winner tbh

But seriously, I'm only selling mine as I need sensible family cars now!

It's been:
- Fast enough, and main thing is it sounds & feels fast
- The greatest gearchange I've ever had, short, snicky, direct
- Reliable as clockwork
- I'm 6'3" and fit just fine
- 3 small cubby holes rather than a big glovebox, and boot is fine for a weekly shop or a couple of small squishy bags for a weekend away but no more
- Electric roof, air con, electric windows, cd, etc so well equipped

And when it gets too old or falls apart, take out the engine & box & put it in a Seven!

Can't recommend them (and mine specifically for the bargain price of £3750) highly enough......

Ad

Or buy his S2000 and break it up and get an else

2-2.5k for engine and gearbox alone!!

The Spitfire was just another sports car when I was a lad and those with any sense just didn't buy one, GT6 was the one to go for. Personally I would keep these classics to weekend drives, for everyday use I would go for the s2000, z4, mx5 in that order.

Agree with that

Definitely have a proper go in an S2000 first. It's quite a few classes above the MX5 for not a huge amount more money

Z4 maintenance costs will probably be about the same as S2000 and MX5 combined though. Friend had the 3 litre Z4. Very nice car, but more of a GT in comparison

series one lotus elise are a decent car for fun and are farely practical but may stretch the budget a bit.

Not a convertible... but what about an RX8

As it's a weekend car, then the 'issues' surrounding the car will probably never appear for you

It's an awesome car. Probably the best value car on the road in the second hand car market in my opinion

Find another grand and I might be persuaded to part with my chimp

4.0L V8 with torqueflow conversion, Borg Warner T5 box with LSD.... Quick enough to make poo come out....Sensible enough that you can get a mountain bike in the boot....

quote:

---

Originally posted by S2kPower
Not a convertible... but what about an RX8

As it's a weekend car, then the 'issues' surrounding the car will probably never appear for you

It's an awesome car. Probably the best value car on the road in the second hand car market in my opinion

---

How about a GTM Libra or Spyder?

Hi

I'll throw one in from leftfield:-

Porsche 944 S2 Convertible.

tough, reliable bits are cheaper than you think, and resonably economical too and I have a suspicion probably won't loose much dosh if well looked after.

Failing that though an S2000 or a Z4 - the Honda engine is epic... the BMW's a great GT..

quote:

---

Originally posted by tegwin
Find another grand and I might be persuaded to part with my chimp

4.0L V8 with torqueflow conversion, Borg Warner T5 box with LSD.... Quick enough to make poo come out....Sensible enough that you can get a mountain bike in the boot....

---

OK, if we are going left field, what about a M100 Lotus Élan??? Not for the purist but still a cracking car!!!!

quote:

---

Originally posted by JC
OK, if we are going left field, what about a M100 Lotus Élan??? Not for the purist but still a cracking car!!!!

---

if you have to analyse it that deeply , your not living your life ...

you only have one LIVE it , to hell with convention and what everybody else does...

buy a volvo 240....