Norfolkluegojnr
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 07:55 AM |
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Help me choose the next fun car.....
Well, I've thought long and hard and I'm still stumped.
Let me give you the history - I have a company car (A4 diesel) which handily frees up some dosh for a fun car for high/holy days. Previously filling
this coveted garage slot has been:
Zetec Striker
Mini Clubman Turbo
Various bikes (engined variety)
Classic Beetle
Mx5
200sx S13
VW Scirocco
What next? current available budget is 4k. But I do have a tidy MX5 as well which can stay or be sold for more funds. The only remit is it MUST be
fun, and I must be proud to own it. Other than that, I really am open to suggestions. I like working on my cars, although I can't weld (but
could learn). Garage is fairly small 16ft by 10ft, so it can't be a giant barge.
Me and Luego snr race a Clio 172 in a local sprint championship, so it doesn't need to be track focused, i can get those thrills elsewhere.
What say you LCB collective? what fun car have you loved the most and why? am I asking a pointless question, and should buy another kit car?
hmmmmmm.
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tomprescott
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 08:05 AM |
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Skyline?
A bird in the hand....
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Norfolkluegojnr
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 08:06 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by tomprescott
Skyline?
How far would 4/5k go though? i'm guessing not a GTR?
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mark chandler
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 08:11 AM |
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1982 PORSCHE 928 S Manual UK RHD low mileage new MOT and tax | eBay
I had an automatic S4 years ago, it could spin the wheels up to 80mph 
They are galvanised bodies with lots of aluminium panels so nice and light and are really really fast, mine could hit the rev limiter in all gears,
the only noise at 170mph is wind!
This will only go up, they are great to work on as everything is high quality so anodised bolts and parts are surprisingly cheap.
Did I say they are fast, also go around bends on rails as standard adjustable coil overs, gearbox on the back axle.
Spend the balance on decent wheels off a later one.
[Edited on 30/4/13 by mark chandler]
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Norfolkluegojnr
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 08:32 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mark chandler
1982 PORSCHE 928 S Manual UK RHD low mileage new MOT and tax | eBay
I had an automatic S4 years ago, it could spin the wheels up to 80mph
They are galvanised bodies with lots of aluminium panels so nice and light and are really really fast, mine could hit the rev limiter in all gears,
the only noise at 170mph is wind!
This will only go up, they are great to work on as everything is high quality so anodised bolts and parts are surprisingly cheap.
Did I say they are fast, also go around bends on rails as standard adjustable coil overs, gearbox on the back axle.
Spend the balance on decent wheels off a later one.
[Edited on 30/4/13 by mark chandler]
Didnt think about a 928. good call I'll add it to the list.
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swanny
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 08:32 AM |
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gtm spyder or libra? ok i'm biased but they are a great kit car, thats practical enough to be used a bit more often than a seven
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designer
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 08:48 AM |
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I had a 928, brilliant cars untill they go wrong!
Had a 'simple' wiring fault on mine, £765 to cure!!
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withersdelivers
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 09:01 AM |
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How about a little single seater?
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Norfolkluegojnr
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 09:12 AM |
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GTM Lybra - lovely, but rarely see them for that kind of money, unless I'm looking in the wrong place....
Single seater - would love one, but I want it to be road legal - think summer blasts and the odd show etc....
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swanny
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 09:13 AM |
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well you wouldnt need the MXF if you had a spyder?
i do know that a member on here but a libra that required a bit of recomissioning for that kind of money.
they do crop up
paul
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TimC
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 09:24 AM |
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You've not had a Mini - what about a Hornet or Riley Elf and a trip to Goodwood?
You've also not scratched any sort of Landy itch.
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mikeb
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 09:28 AM |
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You could just stretch to TVR Chim if you sell the mx, or 4k could see you in a S2 or S3 depending on condition, the v6 still sounds lovely.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/tvr/s-series/tvr-s1-5-1989/1264625
[Edited on 30/4/13 by mikeb]
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Norfolkluegojnr
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 09:37 AM |
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No more Minis! That thing was a friggin nightmare.
Not a big landy fan - much more into road machines.
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Norfolkluegojnr
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 09:39 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mikeb
You could just stretch to TVR Chim if you sell the mx, or 4k could see you in a S2 or S3 depending on condition, the v6 still sounds lovely.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/tvr/s-series/tvr-s1-5-1989/1264625
[Edited on 30/4/13 by mikeb]
LOVE TVR's, but always been worried about the reliability issues.
do Chimaeras ever get down to 5k? if so thats an option, but I guess i'd be looking at a snotter.
S series are nice. will add that to the list.
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mikeb
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 09:41 AM |
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You see a few project chim's pop up for that money but they are rare.
The S is pretty reliable, look at the red one on piston heads its had a full body of resto.
Its sierra bits underneath so as long as the chassis is good, the're pretty reliable.
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Norfolkluegojnr
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 09:51 AM |
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What are they like to drive?
it does look nice i must admit.
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Jed
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 10:24 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Norfolkluegojnr
quote:
Originally posted by mikeb
You could just stretch to TVR Chim if you sell the mx, or 4k could see you in a S2 or S3 depending on condition, the v6 still sounds lovely.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/tvr/s-series/tvr-s1-5-1989/1264625
[Edited on 30/4/13 by mikeb]
LOVE TVR's, but always been worried about the reliability issues.
do Chimaeras ever get down to 5k? if so thats an option, but I guess i'd be looking at a snotter.
S series are nice. will add that to the list.
The S wasn't an unreliable car from my experience. About the only bits on the TVR S that were made by TVR were the GRP tub, body work, dash and
the tubular chassis & suspension arms. The rest of them is basically Ford running gear and they're not much more than a factory built kit
car, hence why I replaced my last Westfield with one.
There are a few S owners in the area (I've since sold mine) spread between Wymondham & Watton so it should be possible to have a look at
one.
PM me if you want more info.
Jed
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Norfolkluegojnr
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 10:50 AM |
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Thanks Jed, only just realised how local you are!
Going to measure up the garage to see if it'll fit when i get home.
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mikeb
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 10:58 AM |
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They are nice to drive, the engine is torquey rather than peaky hi rev power.
I liked mine it was always an event taking it out. If the red one is pumping out 183 bhp it really won't be that much slower than your average
Chim 400, a lot of those go through the roller struggling to make 200 if they haven't been maintained to well.
Just don't buy one that hasn't had it chassis sorted.
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Norfolkluegojnr
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 11:18 AM |
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Thanks Mike,
Sounds like a possible winner. Need to do some research now.
Other than outriggers rusting, anything to look out for?
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monkeyarms
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 11:41 AM |
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I would look at Lotus Elan M100, massivley underated and very reliable if looked after properley
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mikeb
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 12:12 PM |
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Quite like the elan.
Key things on the S are:
- chassis, outriggers, seat belt mounts, fuel tank cradle (easy to swap as it bolts in).
- rear trailing arms can rot through as its an open ended cylinder
- radiator, often need a recore (replacements are difficult to find)
- orginal front indicator lens are like hens teath! (otherd can be modified to fit.)
- there are a couple of electrical connectors that are commone failures (yellow connector to steering column is common)
- heater matrix is a pitter to get to if it leaks or packs up.
- slow electric windows.
- roof shouldn't leak, new seals are available for the targa panels if they do (fit chimera back stays for the fold down bit they look load
nicer)
- I think the 2.9 efi has twin airflow meters that can sometimes be problematic (easy and cheap to replace)
Models withe the driving lamps build into the lower corners of the bonnet look more modern and nicer but are a bit harder to find.
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Norfolkluegojnr
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 12:18 PM |
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I had thought about the Elan previously, but it seems the non-turbo is a bit underpowered (similar to the MX5) and its FWD - not a no, but not blown
away for the price.
Thanks for the TVR info, if it'll fit in the garage I may be back in touch
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adampage
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 12:34 PM |
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ETDWM - My mechanically very good but bumper & bonnet slightly scruffy.......
......Honda S2000!
Like an MX5, but different!
Can pootle around like a granny all day long, surprisingly comfy, >30mpg, reliable as a swiss watch, airbags, electric windows, AC, etc.
However, turns completely manic if you just hold the throttle down for a few seconds in a low gear (or a high gear, on a track....).
You could easily afford it too......
Just a thought!
Adam
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Jed
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| posted on 30/4/13 at 01:17 PM |
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Just to add to Mike's list, check that the door hinges aren't worn and the doors drooping at the rear. Also check the trailing arm
mountings and the tube that the are fixed to.
Other than that they are a fun car and fitted into my 9' x 18' shed with plenty of space at the end for a bench and standing room.
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