Car for fun?

[br d]

Convertible, manual, chuckable on UK roads.

MX5?

I already have a mad car so I don't want anything too out there but what's the most fun weekend thrasher?

[Monty1502]

Elise 220 SC

[renmure]

br d said:

MX5?}

Yes, I think so. Certainly for me. I think any alternative is just looking to be different. Have had them alongside various mad and daft cars for the past 15 years or so and they just tick the exact box you are looking to tick.

[jamesbilluk]

Honda S2000? Lovely gear change from what I've heard.

[Hoofy]

If you already have something decent and just want a shed to have fun in, then a cheap MX5 might be a good idea. It might lack a bit of power - if so, then a mk1 TT could work for you. I enjoy driving my TT shed and dumping it wherever without worrying about dinks and scratches.

[Sway]

Nomad, or BBR/Rocketeer MX5.

[Mr E]

Monty1502 said:

Elise 220 SC

Elise anything. 120bhp is utterly sufficient if you mass significantly less than a ton and have a short box.

[RDMcG]

Hoofy said:

If you already have something decent and just want a shed to have fun in, then a cheap MX5 might be a good idea. It might lack a bit of power - if so, then a mk1 TT could work for you. I enjoy driving my TT shed and dumping it wherever without worrying about dinks and scratches.

Yep,an MX5 is a great choice.

[Checkmate]

Given OP hasn't given us a budget, just some criteria...
Also that anyone male over 35 in an MX-5 looks like an ultra saddo...
TVR Chimaera.

[Sway]

For those wondering about budget/what the 'good car' is, Brad has a 750S (and uses it on absolutely bloody awesome, often emotional, and definitely crazy European road trips).

[Simon_GH]

Checkmate said:

Given OP hasn't given us a budget, just some criteria...
Also that anyone male over 35 in an MX-5 looks like an ultra saddo...
TVR Chimaera.

Almost any TVR will give you the noise and theatre but I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to have one for the ‘chuckable’ criteria. You also have to be fairly dedicated to keeping on top of a TVR to keep it running well.

The Mazda will start everyday of the year and won’t bite on that tightening corner with the damp patch (unless you treat the pedals and steering as binary controls).

It depends whether the op wants to just turn the key and drive.

[hammo19]

Boxster

[rotarygoth]

Checkmate said:

Also that anyone male over 35 in an MX-5 looks like an ultra saddo...
.

That's a bit harsh! I've had 4 mk1 MX5s over the years although the last one was in my late 30s. I'd have another happily if I had the space for a second car. Great driver's car fun, nippy and you don't need to drive at licence loosing speed to enjoy the car.
And I can confirm that I am not a saddo

[Sway]

rotarygoth said:

Checkmate said:

Also that anyone male over 35 in an MX-5 looks like an ultra saddo...
.

That's a bit harsh! I've had 4 mk1 MX5s over the years although the last one was in my late 30s. I'd have another happily if I had the space for a second car. Great driver's car fun, nippy and you don't need to drive at licence loosing speed to enjoy the car.
And I can confirm that I am not a saddo

Agreed.

Realistically, if a 'chuckable B road convertible' is what's required, then MX5 is the answer.

Boxster really isn't 'chuckable' - and having front engined/rear wheel drive would be a good difference to another mid engined 'serious' car.

[Baldchap]

Checkmate said:

Also that anyone male over 35 in an MX-5 looks like an ultra saddo...

Got no skin in the game, but some would say that about people in blue rally fleeces...

[Hoofy]

Checkmate said:

Given OP hasn't given us a budget, just some criteria...
Also that anyone male over 35 in an MX-5 looks like an ultra saddo...
TVR Chimaera.

Sounds like he already has something interesting (equivalent to a TVR... or maybe even a TVR) and just wants something cheaper but fun?

[Baldchap]

Another supercharged Elise vote. Cracking road car and brilliant on track. Wonderful to live with, reliable and cheap to run. Zero depreciation is a bonus too.

[BrettMRC]

Rx7 Turbo II Cabriolet
Mx5
Z4

[br d]

rotarygoth said:

Checkmate said:

Also that anyone male over 35 in an MX-5 looks like an ultra saddo...
.

That's a bit harsh! I've had 4 mk1 MX5s over the years although the last one was in my late 30s. I'd have another happily if I had the space for a second car. Great driver's car fun, nippy and you don't need to drive at licence loosing speed to enjoy the car.
And I can confirm that I am not a saddo

On the other hand I am a saddo!

I actually hadn't considered the "how ridiculous will I look" angle. Sod it, who cares, I'll wear a flat cap and shout at the young people and their bloody music.

Good suggestions here. I looked at the Elise and it does shout 'thrash me'.
I'm definitely not a good enough driver to tackle a TVR, I'd be upside down in a ditch before the heater came on. TT? Never even thought of them before,don't seem to see many now, do they fall apart?
The budget isn't tight but the car would be only for fun to save getting the main car out on less than ideal days. I will happily drive it no matter the weather, it's not a garage tart, but it just has so much power and rear wheel drive so you have to be concentrating all the time. That's why the thought of something fun that I don't have to worry about too much appeals.

It does always seem to come beach to the MX5 when I read discussions like this although the Boxster seems a good shout too, there's one particular model that's raved about isn't there?
I've never even been in a Boxster or an MX5 or an Elise for that matter, I think something like this is overdue, at least until we're forced out of fun cars.

[Squadrone Rosso]

124 Abarth

MX5 with beefier styling, better sounding & more grunt.