Not Anumber
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| posted on 18/7/13 at 11:56 AM |
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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.
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mcerd1
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| posted on 18/7/13 at 12:06 PM |
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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....
personaly I think the later ones are ugly 
I'd much rather have a Mk1 with a hard top (or a rollcage  ) in a good colour with nice light weight wheels - just a few touches that say
'I don't cut hair for a living'
oh and you could always stick a V6 in it
[Edited on 18/7/2013 by mcerd1]
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 18/7/13 at 12:06 PM |
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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.
The document controller I work next to is selling his as its super thirsty, apart from that he loves it
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Not Anumber
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| posted on 18/7/13 at 12:26 PM |
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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
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beaver34
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| posted on 18/7/13 at 12:35 PM |
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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?
heater windcreen its same as an elise or exige
i run mine as a daily over 40mpg
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mark chandler
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| posted on 18/7/13 at 01:15 PM |
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My XK8 running on LPG was perfectly practical, they are looking very cheap now.
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 18/7/13 at 01:39 PM |
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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
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S2kPower
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| posted on 18/7/13 at 02:01 PM |
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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
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 18/7/13 at 02:11 PM |
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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
Saw one today in Asda, oh god, mat black (can job), number plate hanging off, no suspension think it was meant to be a rat rod but just wreaked really
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S2kPower
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| posted on 18/7/13 at 02:19 PM |
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My old mx5
The new S2000
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 18/7/13 at 02:35 PM |
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Both look good tbh
The mx5 looks like a 911 from that angle apart from the headlights
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Hellfire
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| posted on 18/7/13 at 05:01 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
Both look good tbh
The mx5 looks like a 911 from that angle apart from the headlights
Should've gone to Specsavers......... 
Phil
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02GF74
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| posted on 18/7/13 at 05:41 PM |
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how about doing same appraisal for the Honda S2000?
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Lightning
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| posted on 18/7/13 at 08:02 PM |
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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.
Steve
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ceebmoj
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| posted on 18/7/13 at 08:43 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by beaver34
push your budget buy a vx220
you might get a lotus Elise in budget
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 19/7/13 at 06:47 AM |
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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
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adampage
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| posted on 19/7/13 at 08:07 AM |
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My S2000.....
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
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S2kPower
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| posted on 19/7/13 at 08:14 AM |
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Or buy his S2000 and break it up and get an else
2-2.5k for engine and gearbox alone!!
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Smoking Frog
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| posted on 19/7/13 at 08:37 AM |
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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.
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S2kPower
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| posted on 19/7/13 at 08:46 AM |
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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
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ray.h.
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| posted on 19/7/13 at 09:04 AM |
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series one lotus elise are a decent car for fun and are farely practical but may stretch the budget a bit.
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S2kPower
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| posted on 19/7/13 at 09:40 AM |
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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
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tegwin
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| posted on 19/7/13 at 10:14 AM |
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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....
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 19/7/13 at 10:19 AM |
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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
Although I always liked the look of the rx8 it's dire engine had been a total let down and curse on what should be a great car
The fact that its a tin tip rules it out too as I am only interested in a soft top
Cheers though for the suggestion
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rdodger
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| posted on 19/7/13 at 01:47 PM |
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How about a GTM Libra or Spyder?
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