Discussion
Hi all,
Looking to pick up a roadster as a fun weekend toy. I was originally looking for a GT type car with a nice big engine, but after mulling it over for a few weeks I think I want to go back to lightweight and fun.
I've had an NB MX5 in the past, and whilst it was a great car I think I'd like something a bit different this time.
The car I'd ideally like is a VX220, but these are higher than my budget will allow, so they'll have to wait for now.
Two cars I've been thinking about are the MR2 Roadster and the MG TF 160. I'd never really considered the MG before as I always understood it to be much inferior to the MX5 and MR2. However I am not sure this applies with the 160 model?
Has anyone had any experience with the MG? I am mad for considering it? I know they suffer from HGF issues but I'm sure at this age this shouldn't be an issue, or I can do some preventative work if needed.
Finally, my budget is £6.5, am I missing any alternatives? I did think about the Smart roadster briefly, but the gearbox is a big turn off.
As usual, any advice would be greatly received, and thanks for reading!
Looking to pick up a roadster as a fun weekend toy. I was originally looking for a GT type car with a nice big engine, but after mulling it over for a few weeks I think I want to go back to lightweight and fun.
I've had an NB MX5 in the past, and whilst it was a great car I think I'd like something a bit different this time.
The car I'd ideally like is a VX220, but these are higher than my budget will allow, so they'll have to wait for now.
Two cars I've been thinking about are the MR2 Roadster and the MG TF 160. I'd never really considered the MG before as I always understood it to be much inferior to the MX5 and MR2. However I am not sure this applies with the 160 model?
Has anyone had any experience with the MG? I am mad for considering it? I know they suffer from HGF issues but I'm sure at this age this shouldn't be an issue, or I can do some preventative work if needed.
Finally, my budget is £6.5, am I missing any alternatives? I did think about the Smart roadster briefly, but the gearbox is a big turn off.
As usual, any advice would be greatly received, and thanks for reading!
I've owned two MR2 Roadsters. Great cars, don't really rust, cheap as chips to run.
Lacking in power perhaps but that never bothered me.
If you buy one you'll be wanting 2003 onwards, the facelifted cars. Not hard to spot, bigger back wheels, foglamps, few other bits.
The big drawback is boot space, thre isn't any to speak of but there is a bit of storage behind the seats.
Had a Z4 3.0Si in the past, twive the power, half the fun,
Lacking in power perhaps but that never bothered me.
If you buy one you'll be wanting 2003 onwards, the facelifted cars. Not hard to spot, bigger back wheels, foglamps, few other bits.
The big drawback is boot space, thre isn't any to speak of but there is a bit of storage behind the seats.
Had a Z4 3.0Si in the past, twive the power, half the fun,
Rustybits said:
Do these meet the requirement for lightweight though?
Also for my budget I'd be looking at the bottom of the barrel for both of these, whereas the others I've been looking at my budget should net me an absolute top condition example...
Boxster is still under 1300kg, so by no means a heavyweight. You’d get a good one for £6500, wouldn’t be low miles, but should be able to find a well looked after example. Also for my budget I'd be looking at the bottom of the barrel for both of these, whereas the others I've been looking at my budget should net me an absolute top condition example...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205276...
Ok i'll expand; I've never had one, but they are on my list. You might also find a decent Alfa GTV/spider at that price.
Both are attractive, cheap to run and source parts (provided the Alfa is a twinspark)
Both fit your budget
Both are more special and tactile than a Toyota or a Mazda. Both have more soul than a Porsche and neither of them scream "flash git". They calmly state "I have taste"
You could buy a really nice Barchetta with a hard top for that money. They drive very nicely by all accounts.
And come on, picture a sunny day, you have shades on and you're sitting outside a café. What car is parked across the road? Its Italian, isn't it. It's yellow or red and it's pretty and the girls like it.
Both are attractive, cheap to run and source parts (provided the Alfa is a twinspark)
Both fit your budget
Both are more special and tactile than a Toyota or a Mazda. Both have more soul than a Porsche and neither of them scream "flash git". They calmly state "I have taste"
You could buy a really nice Barchetta with a hard top for that money. They drive very nicely by all accounts.
And come on, picture a sunny day, you have shades on and you're sitting outside a café. What car is parked across the road? Its Italian, isn't it. It's yellow or red and it's pretty and the girls like it.
Thanks for the suggestions, the Barchetta doesn't quite do it for me unfortunately. It looks great from some angles but just a bit awkward from others.
And not too keen on the GTV Spider either, I love the coupe - if I was looking for one it would have to be the 3.0 though or I would always feel like I am missing out!
And not too keen on the GTV Spider either, I love the coupe - if I was looking for one it would have to be the 3.0 though or I would always feel like I am missing out!
I imagine the MR2 is the best bet, generally considered the closest thing to an Elise (or VX220) for the money, being a chunk lighter than the MG.
Only other couple of options I can suggest would be a Honda Beat https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1447630 or Suzuki Cappuccino https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203273... , both Keis. However I suspect their diminutive interior and engine would be less good than the Toyota.
You could get a Westfield for the money https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1460435 but unsure if that's as good a proposition as a more mainstream production car.
Only other couple of options I can suggest would be a Honda Beat https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1447630 or Suzuki Cappuccino https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203273... , both Keis. However I suspect their diminutive interior and engine would be less good than the Toyota.
You could get a Westfield for the money https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1460435 but unsure if that's as good a proposition as a more mainstream production car.
t and doesn’t have a boot.Turtle Shed said:
I've owned two MR2 Roadsters. Great cars, don't really rust, cheap as chips to run.
Lacking in power perhaps but that never bothered me.
If you buy one you'll be wanting 2003 onwards, the facelifted cars. Not hard to spot, bigger back wheels, foglamps, few other bits.
The big drawback is boot space, thre isn't any to speak of but there is a bit of storage behind the seats.
Had a Z4 3.0Si in the past, twive the power, half the fun,
Yes MR2 is where my money would be at. Simple, reliable cars with a lot of fun. Light and pointy.Lacking in power perhaps but that never bothered me.
If you buy one you'll be wanting 2003 onwards, the facelifted cars. Not hard to spot, bigger back wheels, foglamps, few other bits.
The big drawback is boot space, thre isn't any to speak of but there is a bit of storage behind the seats.
Had a Z4 3.0Si in the past, twive the power, half the fun,
Similar hood to an MX5, two seconds and one hand to open/close.
Belle427 said:
I’d still go Mx5.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175309245504?hash=item2...
That does look good, but looking through the MOT history there is a lot of mention of rust. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175309245504?hash=item2...
I'm very wary of buying anything with a history of rust as I practically lost my last MX-5 to it, despite trying to fight it off for a number of years
Rustybits said:
Belle427 said:
I’d still go Mx5.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175309245504?hash=item2...
That does look good, but looking through the MOT history there is a lot of mention of rust. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175309245504?hash=item2...
I'm very wary of buying anything with a history of rust as I practically lost my last MX-5 to it, despite trying to fight it off for a number of years
MX-5 NC is definitely where my money would go (and has, I have one)
That said, I also have a TF and would still recommend one. I prefer the engine and noise to MX-5, it sounds great with a SS exhaust etc.
I have always love the looks too, still think it’s a great looking car with the 11-spoke wheels, red AP callipers etc.
The head gasket thing is not really a big deal anymore is it? I’ve not had to have one done but I believe it’s sub-£400 to sort if required.
The MX-5 handles better yes but the TF is still a fun to thing to buzz about in on a nice day with the top down.
You can get a really nice low mileage one for half your budget too.
That said, I also have a TF and would still recommend one. I prefer the engine and noise to MX-5, it sounds great with a SS exhaust etc.
I have always love the looks too, still think it’s a great looking car with the 11-spoke wheels, red AP callipers etc.
The head gasket thing is not really a big deal anymore is it? I’ve not had to have one done but I believe it’s sub-£400 to sort if required.
The MX-5 handles better yes but the TF is still a fun to thing to buzz about in on a nice day with the top down.
You can get a really nice low mileage one for half your budget too.
I 9wn a 986 Boxster I bought for £6500 so the top of your budget.
For reference I've also owned an NB MX-5.
The porsche is a much better car for driver feel and experience but be under no illusion because its relatively cheap to buy it can still throw a four figure bill quite easily for maintenance, most owners say budget a couple of thousand a year for maintenance, you will have good years and bad.
Mime is well maintained with a good history but still needs a suspension refresh which will cost a couple of thousand all in.
I've driven MX-5 in NB and NC guise and also the Mk3 MR2 and I'd go for a NC MX-5 with the 2 litre engine personally out of the three.
For reference I've also owned an NB MX-5.
The porsche is a much better car for driver feel and experience but be under no illusion because its relatively cheap to buy it can still throw a four figure bill quite easily for maintenance, most owners say budget a couple of thousand a year for maintenance, you will have good years and bad.
Mime is well maintained with a good history but still needs a suspension refresh which will cost a couple of thousand all in.
I've driven MX-5 in NB and NC guise and also the Mk3 MR2 and I'd go for a NC MX-5 with the 2 litre engine personally out of the three.
Jamescrs said:
I've driven MX-5 in NB and NC guise and also the Mk3 MR2 and I'd go for a NC MX-5 with the 2 litre engine personally out of the three.
Thanks for your post, may I ask if you would still consider the NC over the other two even if it was a car for occasional weekend use only?Rustybits said:
Thanks for your post, may I ask if you would still consider the NC over the other two even if it was a car for occasional weekend use only?
I'm a tall guy at 6ft4 and the NC I found was far more spacious than the NB, I do just about fit in an NB but it's not comfortable for long drives, for example I recently drove my Porsche to the Nurburgring for a week, I wouldn't dream of doing that in an NB, I would in an NC. The MR2 was also fun to drive and I don't recall having comfort issues with that car either, I suppose i'm more of an MX-5 fan as my dad has owned maybe 7 or 8 over the years, mainly NA's which I couldn't drive at all as I couldn't get my legs under the steering wheel.
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