Help! 172, NB MX-5, 987, classic Mini

[crowned]

Hi all,

I am looking for something interesting to buy for 2-5k. I live in West London and don't really need a car, but it would be nice to have one to go visit relatives between here and Cornwall.

Here is the short list :

172 :
Great driving experience
Don't seem to rust

-
Has a roof
Not particularly attractive
FWD

NB :
LSD / RWD
Convertible
Sports car feel

-
Rust to pieces
I've had a few before

987
Attractive
Good sound
Feels upmarket
Easy to resell?
Reliable
Don't rust
-
Expensive
Open diff

Original Mini:
Good to drive
v. attractive
Interesting (I'm from the US)

-
less reliable
rust
noisy
Rely on reincarnation after big crash

Which one should I get? I would get an MX-5 if they weren't, without fail, rusting away!

[samoht]

I'm a little confused; if your only use-case for buying a car is to drive from West London to Cornwall, I'd be looking for something more comfort-focused and less sporting than your choices.

An original Mini is probably almost the worst car you could buy for long motorway journeys, it'll do them (overheating etc notwithstanding) but almost anything else would be better. But it would be cool, and fun in London and around the Cornish lanes.

Investigate RMS, IMS and especially bore scoring before buying a 987.1. Having said that, a carefully chosen 986 or 987 is probably on the face of it the best value for money all around drivers' car.

The obvious MX-5 alternative is the Mk3 MR2, which tends to rust less. You could also consider an MGF (or even a Fiat Barchetta, albeit FWD), which are cheap so easy to find a good one perhaps.

You could consider the Mazda RX-8 if you're willing to find a rotary specialist to care for it.

[Jamescrs]

Yyou won’t get a 987 in your budget even a 986 will be a high mileage likely with some issues and they are expensive to maintain, I had one.

Of your list I would choose a Clio but have you also considered a Mk3 MR2 if you want a roadster?

[georgeyboy12345]

samoht said:

I'm a little confused; if your only use-case for buying a car is to drive from West London to Cornwall, I'd be looking for something more comfort-focused and less sporting than your choices.

Depends, if you are not a decrepit old man you should be alright. I used to regularly drive my NB MX-5 between Manchester, Devon, London and Kent and it was comfortable enough. Agree with all your other advice though.

OP, from your list, I'd go with the 172. Here's a nice one
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306268...


Aside from the obvious MX-5 and getting hold of one that's rust free, here's a couple more ideas

Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0 T.Spark
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402106...


MG TF 160
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307059...


I was also going to suggest the Peugeot 306 Cabriolet for convertible wafting, or the GTI-6 for a more spirited drive, but alas, they are not ULEZ compliant

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Absolutely anything but the mini. Even a wheelbarrow.

[RD-1]

Some things you might not have considered:

R53 Cooper S
MGTF
Abarth 500
986 (you won’t get a 987 in budget)
TT

[Patrick Bateman]

I have no doubt living in Scotland plays a part but I've had a 987 and a Clio Trophy and both have had rust.

Don't automatically rule it out as something to not have a good look at when going to see cars.