Cheap economical rear drive sports car £2000?
Discussion
I have decided to not ride motorcycles on the road any more. I have a disco 2 for work/ family and I'm planning on building up my disco 1 for 4x4 trials.
Because of this I don't need practicality , reliability (although it would be nice) or 4 seats.
What I do want is fuel economy, manual box , rwd, preferably front engine and convertible, also it needs to fit a full sized human in the drivers seat.
I've seen the mx5 and bmw z3/4 can ne had for sub £1500.
What's best?
Is there anything else I should look at?
I vaguely remember there is some sort of rear drive smart car coupe and a suzuki cappuccino? Are they worth a look?
Because of this I don't need practicality , reliability (although it would be nice) or 4 seats.
What I do want is fuel economy, manual box , rwd, preferably front engine and convertible, also it needs to fit a full sized human in the drivers seat.
I've seen the mx5 and bmw z3/4 can ne had for sub £1500.
What's best?
Is there anything else I should look at?
I vaguely remember there is some sort of rear drive smart car coupe and a suzuki cappuccino? Are they worth a look?
Edited by Russell 1 on Friday 18th October 09:35
Russell 1 said:
I have decided to not ride motorcycles on the road any more. I have a disco 2 for work/ family and I'm planning on building up my disco 1 for 4x4 trials.
Because of this I don't need practicality , reliability (although it would be nice) or 4 seats.
What I do want is fuel economy, manual box , rwd, preferably front engine and convertible, also it needs to fit a full sized human in the drivers seat.
I've seen the mx5 and bmw z3/4 can ne had for sub £1500.
What's best?
Is there anything else I should look at?
I vaguely remember there is some sort of rear drive smart car coupe and a suzuki cappuccino? Are they worth a look?
Late Toyota MR2. When you spot one now, you realise how rare they are becoming ,but they still look attractive and are a proper size compared to Smart and Suzuki you mention.Because of this I don't need practicality , reliability (although it would be nice) or 4 seats.
What I do want is fuel economy, manual box , rwd, preferably front engine and convertible, also it needs to fit a full sized human in the drivers seat.
I've seen the mx5 and bmw z3/4 can ne had for sub £1500.
What's best?
Is there anything else I should look at?
I vaguely remember there is some sort of rear drive smart car coupe and a suzuki cappuccino? Are they worth a look?
Edited by Russell 1 on Friday 18th October 09:35
Haha, no butch points or poser points needed.
I hear what you say about the mr2. I am a little concerned about transverse engines, especially mounted in the middle as all repairs will be done on my drive.
I hear what you say about the mr2. I am a little concerned about transverse engines, especially mounted in the middle as all repairs will be done on my drive.
Edited by Russell 1 on Friday 18th October 09:50
Edited by Russell 1 on Friday 18th October 09:51
supacool1 said:
ilikejam said:
MX5 almost certainly the answer.
MR2 good fun but won't be winning any butch points with one
And an Mx5 will?!?!? MR2 good fun but won't be winning any butch points with one
Though as I understand it you cant go wrong with either one. Go and drive some, see which you prefer and chose that one, for a sub 2k car its a "i like that one" choice and make sure it isn't going to rust away on the drive home.
An MX5 is the answer, if you can find one that isn't rusty.
Also worth a look is the MG TF - a similar money one to an MX5 will likely be in better order, and they don't rot as badly (but do still rust, so be diligent). They don't handle quite as sweetly, mind, although the mid engined setup will deliver something different.
Also worth a look is the MG TF - a similar money one to an MX5 will likely be in better order, and they don't rot as badly (but do still rust, so be diligent). They don't handle quite as sweetly, mind, although the mid engined setup will deliver something different.
Russell 1 said:
Haha, no butch points or poser points needed.
I hear what you say about the mr2. I am a little concerned about transverse engines, especially mounted in the middle as all repairs will be done on my drive.
MR2 Mk3's are very easy to work on from a DIY perspective regardless. Issue now though is parts supply drying up as always a rarer car than say an MX5 so fewer breakers and obviously some components discontinued.I hear what you say about the mr2. I am a little concerned about transverse engines, especially mounted in the middle as all repairs will be done on my drive.
Edited by Russell 1 on Friday 18th October 09:50
Edited by Russell 1 on Friday 18th October 09:51
MR2 Mk3 is the only option here. You will not find a MX5 that isn't rotted for under £2000 these days.
There's plenty of MR2s for sale. I have one for sale but needs a new paint job or a wrap really. Still a few other bits that need doing but plan is to get it sorted next year or year after if I keep it.
Overall MR2 is a great little car. Handles really well and if you can get one with some suspension modifications then you're onto a winner. As for parts, it is difficult but they are there. There's a breakers in Scotland that will deliver what you need if they have it.
If you do find a MX5 then there's plenty of parts and loads of specialists around.
There's plenty of MR2s for sale. I have one for sale but needs a new paint job or a wrap really. Still a few other bits that need doing but plan is to get it sorted next year or year after if I keep it.
Overall MR2 is a great little car. Handles really well and if you can get one with some suspension modifications then you're onto a winner. As for parts, it is difficult but they are there. There's a breakers in Scotland that will deliver what you need if they have it.
If you do find a MX5 then there's plenty of parts and loads of specialists around.
Ankh87 said:
MR2 Mk3 is the only option here. You will not find a MX5 that isn't rotted for under £2000 these days.
There's plenty of MR2s for sale. I have one for sale but needs a new paint job or a wrap really. Still a few other bits that need doing but plan is to get it sorted next year or year after if I keep it.
Overall MR2 is a great little car. Handles really well and if you can get one with some suspension modifications then you're onto a winner. As for parts, it is difficult but they are there. There's a breakers in Scotland that will deliver what you need if they have it.
If you do find a MX5 then there's plenty of parts and loads of specialists around.
Never found that breaker particularly helpful myself...There's plenty of MR2s for sale. I have one for sale but needs a new paint job or a wrap really. Still a few other bits that need doing but plan is to get it sorted next year or year after if I keep it.
Overall MR2 is a great little car. Handles really well and if you can get one with some suspension modifications then you're onto a winner. As for parts, it is difficult but they are there. There's a breakers in Scotland that will deliver what you need if they have it.
If you do find a MX5 then there's plenty of parts and loads of specialists around.
I've used them a few times for a couple of bits. No complaints from me. Their stock is always growing but obviously because the parts are used but for what I needed it didn't matter.
Before I bought my MR2 I looked at the others in my budget. For the money the MR2 was the better option as every MX5 had rusty sills and the MGs had bad engines. My MR2 had a couple of things wrong but all easy to fix. Still a few minor things to do but for the money and overall condition, was well worth it.
Before I bought my MR2 I looked at the others in my budget. For the money the MR2 was the better option as every MX5 had rusty sills and the MGs had bad engines. My MR2 had a couple of things wrong but all easy to fix. Still a few minor things to do but for the money and overall condition, was well worth it.
I can also recommend an MR2 roadster, I've had one for a couple of years, it was purchased at the bottom end of the market and it's great to drive. Not very practical but I think they're often under rated for the driving experience available.
I have found the Scottish breakers to be very helpful and thankfully parts seem plentiful still.
I have found the Scottish breakers to be very helpful and thankfully parts seem plentiful still.
The way the question is worded, the answer is MX-5.
The NB MX-5s have an issue, the front chassis legs are double-skinned for crash protection, unfortunately they rust from the inside out. And generally rust is a concern.
The following NC models are in budget and probably a better bet rustwise, also more spacious. I think there are some mods that can be done to improve the handling on the early NCs.
Having said that I reckon rust is a bigger issue than engines with either Japanese option, so the slightly less rusty nature of the MR2 would probably outweigh concerns of the engine being any harder to work on.
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