nightmare sports car story?
Discussion
I''m writing a feature for a magazine and need the esteemed input of you lot on this forum! It is aimed at entrepreneurs who want to buy a sports car for the first time and we want to give them some basic advice on the does and don''ts. So if any of you have strong opinions on the following you can mail me or post here--fame and a free copies of the mag beckons for those who do!
If you had to give one sentence of advice to the would be sports car owner what would it be?
What should you watch for when buying a sports car?
What are the pitfalls compared to owning a normal car?
Are there any marques which are an absolute nightmare to run/perfect for the beginner?
Cheers
Richard E
one sentence of advice (negative one sadly enough)
"if you cant take the thought of whatever you buy going wrong and costing lots to fix, dont buy it"
you should watch for
1) cars owned by people who previously only owned something like a BMW - cos they often dont understand them, dont bother warming them, just floor em from cold and shag them badly.
2) cars owned by people who dont think service intervals are important
3) cars owned by people who think the coolest thing in the world is to side-step the clutch at 6000rpm every time they pull away
from a 'normal car'...er...tricky cos things like an NSX are a normal car and pretty bulletproof, cars like a Tiv obviously arent..the main thing has to be 'they will always be more expensive'
anything Jap is good for beginner cos build quality is so good, anything hand built I think is a bad idea, and I include Tivs in that....(flame retardant suit fully on 
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N
Edited by Nightmare on Monday 13th August 21:34
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N
Edited by Nightmare on Monday 13th August 21:34 
quote:Well at 6'3" & 17 stone it was a nightmare for me but I will admit it was only on a test drive and it did have more room than a Caterham. Nearly true it has a K series VVC so the same lump as a lot of the Rover range, the MGF, The Caterham R500 !!!!, or a Land Rover Freelander....Hmmmmmm pretty flexible engine then, it all depends on how it's tuned. And oh as a rule of thumb about a grand a time +/- a few hundred quid so yes but that all depends on model, age, mileage etc etc
And by the way can anyone tell me if the Lotus Elise is really uncomfortable for taller fatter driver? Ad is it true that it has an old shonky British Leyland engine under that lithe shell?? And just how shocking are the service bills for a TVR?
quote:
I'm with nightmare on this one. Don't look at the purchase costs - look at the running costs. If you can't afford to replace an engine or major component if things go t*ts up, then don't buy the car. I bought a Lotus Carlton and believe me, Group C brakes and 420 ft/lbs torque sound great on the pages of a magazine, but try telling your bank manager about them when the discs or clutch need replacing! I have spent 5 grand in cash over the course of about one year running the thing, excluding insurance. Maybe a good rule of thumb is to allow between 5% and 10% of car's new purchase price per annum for running costs. This equates to about 2.5k-5k for running a Lotus Carlton per year (about right), and about 7k or whatever for a Lamborghini Diablo. Interestingly, I would recommend Caterhams as good 'first supercars'. They cost as much as 'normal' cars to run (brake discs are 30 quid a set, tyres 50 quid each etc). You could budget between 700 quid and 1400 quid a year running one easily, using the 5-10% rule. Cheers Domster Edited by domster on Tuesday 14th August 11:43
quote:sound words of advice Domster--which car are you running now, out of interest? Edited by rickeee on Tuesday 14th August 11:55
Maybe a good rule of thumb is to allow between 5% and 10% of car's new purchase price per annum for running costs. This equates to about 2.5k-5k for running a Lotus Carlton per year (about right), and about 7k or whatever for a Lamborghini Diablo. Interestingly, I would recommend Caterhams as good 'first supercars'. They cost as much as 'normal' cars to run (brake discs are 30 quid a set, tyres 50 quid each etc). You could budget between 700 quid and 1400 quid a year running one easily, using the 5-10% rule. Cheers Domster Edited by domster on Tuesday 14th August 11:43
The problem with the question you asked is it doesn't mention a budget. There are sports cars available for almost every depth of pocket.
Given the money a Porsche is a wonderful car. Very fine handling. Enough power. Also given the money a TVR is a wonderful car. Good handling. Unbelievable power.
A new Porsche shouldn't cost a lot in servicing - a TVR will. The real cost of both is in depreciation - the Porsche MAY cost less here depending on what it is.
Having mentioned the costly (OK not like a Ferrari) options above it is amazing the quality and quantity of less expensive sports cars now available. For a first time buyer any one of the these may be just right: MX-5, MGF, MR2, SLK, Z3.
Who is the article aimed at, exactly?
OK here is the list I have put together for a table from bottom to the top of the market. Any praise or vitriolic criticism of the merits of any of the cars most welcome....would be interested to hear your very subjective marks out of ten for each (mine are in brackets after)
Marque Model Engine
Toyota Roadster 1.8i VVT cheapie, underpowered, hate the plastic vents
Mazda MX5 1.8i pioneer at this level in early days but had it's day and again, can be underpowered in lower models
MG MGF 1.8i VVC ten a penny, good handling and power, ugly rear cheap to buy
Lotus Elise 1.8 five star handling but just too uncomfortable for me (6'4, 15 st, big fat asss)
Audi Quattro TT Roadster 1.8 A sports car? I think not.
MercedesSLK 320 3.2 V6 The choice for posh ladies who need something nice for the tennis club, otherwise forget it
BMW Z3 M coupe 3.2 nice new shape, pokey and reliable
TVR Chimera 5.0 V8 You've got to love the sound of the engine but do you really want such a liability?
Porsche Boxster 3.2S 3.2 fine ride, fine car
Jaguar XK8 Convertible 4.0 V8 er, not til I'm 70--and may be not even then
BMW Z8 5.0 V8 amazing, but would you ever dare to leave it outside the pub?
Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo3.6 quality classic
Aston Martin DB7 Volante Convertible Pure English Blue blooded class, if you can afford it
AC ACE 3.5 V8 TT ??
Ferrari 360 Modena 3.6 V8 If you still admire Eric Clapton think Miami Vice are cool, listen to Bros, and wear white suits rolled up at the arms with wayfarer ray bans and a died blonde rod stewart spikey mullet, this is the car for you
Edited by rickeee on Tuesday 14th August 14:12
Edited by rickeee on Tuesday 14th August 14:25
quote:It is aimed at someone who has just thought 'I fancy a sports car' but knows rod all about buying and running one, what you get for your money etc and what the pitfalls of buying in different ranges might be. I guess you break the budget into four sections: the low end up to about £20k, the middle bracket to about £50 and then the £50k up to £70ish and money is no object...
Who is the article aimed at, exactly?
Hi all
I like your list Rickeee, all apart from the TT, Merc and the Boxer get top marks in my book 
I drinve a Toyota MR2 MK1, this is my first car and I have had to do some major mods like new engine,gearbox (I blood it up with 130,000 on the clock) other thing like atenator,brack calepers and other odds a ends. The Jap cars are not cheep to fix but the reliability out weights the cost of it
I love the car to bits and im going to get the hole car sorted and looking good, it may be 11 years old and a lot of people would say why bother, but these people wouldn't understand why I want to do it but it will look stuning when im finished
I fancy an Lotus Elice next,pricey to by but should be cheep to service due to the rover engine and I will still own the MR2
My advice on sports cars is the same as almost every one elses, its not the cost of purchas but what will it cost you to run it?
Edited by campbell on Tuesday 14th August 12:31
I drinve a Toyota MR2 MK1, this is my first car and I have had to do some major mods like new engine,gearbox (I blood it up with 130,000 on the clock) other thing like atenator,brack calepers and other odds a ends. The Jap cars are not cheep to fix but the reliability out weights the cost of it
I love the car to bits and im going to get the hole car sorted and looking good, it may be 11 years old and a lot of people would say why bother, but these people wouldn't understand why I want to do it but it will look stuning when im finished
I fancy an Lotus Elice next,pricey to by but should be cheep to service due to the rover engine and I will still own the MR2
My advice on sports cars is the same as almost every one elses, its not the cost of purchas but what will it cost you to run it?
Edited by campbell on Tuesday 14th August 12:31 quote:thanks campbell...any particular grudges against these marques--I know some people might argue that the SLK is a bufty non sports car for middle-aged women but the Boxster? and the growingly ubiquitous TT?
Hi all I like your list Rickeee, all apart from the TT, Merc and the Boxer get top marks in my book
Choosing a sports car is easy. Fist you have to like, no, love the look, then you go to a dealer and get them to start the engine while you stand behind those big fat twin exhaust pipes. Get your check book out and never stop smiling
But truthfully, as the others have said buying is one thing running is another budget carefully, drive sensibly and enjoy.
I had a fantastic experience at the weekend and purely by chance. We were coming out of Chichester in the TVR and happened upon an old Aston Martin DB6 in the queue in front of us it as luck would have it he was going the same way as us and we were in tandem for about 30 or so miles through the West Sussex countryside fantastic! We turned a few heads I can tell you, and if it was you - top car!
For my money I say 'Buy British' you cannot beat the styling or the noise of a good V8 on full song.
But truthfully, as the others have said buying is one thing running is another budget carefully, drive sensibly and enjoy.
I had a fantastic experience at the weekend and purely by chance. We were coming out of Chichester in the TVR and happened upon an old Aston Martin DB6 in the queue in front of us it as luck would have it he was going the same way as us and we were in tandem for about 30 or so miles through the West Sussex countryside fantastic! We turned a few heads I can tell you, and if it was you - top car!
For my money I say 'Buy British' you cannot beat the styling or the noise of a good V8 on full song. Here are my thoughts on the list.
This is a total generalisation so apologies if I upset anyone...
(Takes a deep breath and puts on flak jacket)
Marque Model Engine
Toyota Roadster 1.8i VVT - MR2's were ok until the new one, which is a failed Boxter wannabe.
Mazda MX5 1.8i - in road trim, a bit of a hairdresser’s car.
MG MGF 1.8i VVC - good attempt, but a bit twee. (reliability?)
Lotus Elise 1.8 - Excellent no nonsense sports car.
Audi Quattro TT Roadster 1.8 - Compromised Coupe.
MercedesSLK 320 3.2 V6 - My Aunty has one.
BMW Z3 M coupe 3.2 - I like ‘em but they have a confused image.
TVR Chimera 5.0 V8 – Storming, but then I’m biased!
Porsche Boxster 3.2S 3.2 - Technically a great car but a bit soulless
Jaguar XK8 Convertible 4.0 V8 - pass the slippers, now the XKR...
BMW Z8 5.0 V8 - Fair play to BMW for building this monster. LHD only
Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo 3.6 - If you have the money they're great, but that’s the problem.
Aston Martin DB7 Volante Convertible - Coupe is more sporting... but hey, it’s an Aston.
AC ACE 3.5 V8 TT - I'd love AC to do well but they still only seem to have prototypes.
Ferrari 360 Modena 3.6 V8 - Grey hair, orange tan.
Edited by dan on Tuesday 14th August 13:34
Porsche Boxster 3.2S 3.2 - Technically a great car but a bit soulless
Jaguar XK8 Convertible 4.0 V8 - pass the slippers, now the XKR...
BMW Z8 5.0 V8 - Fair play to BMW for building this monster. LHD only
Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo 3.6 - If you have the money they're great, but that’s the problem.
Aston Martin DB7 Volante Convertible - Coupe is more sporting... but hey, it’s an Aston.
AC ACE 3.5 V8 TT - I'd love AC to do well but they still only seem to have prototypes.
Ferrari 360 Modena 3.6 V8 - Grey hair, orange tan.
Edited by dan on Tuesday 14th August 13:34 
great comments by Dan...but will disagree in a few areas...
1) the new MR2...bloody good if you ask me, and I have driven one a fair distance. The MK1 MR2 was brilliant, the Mk2 a bit wobbly and 'style over content', the new one is well balanced, well sorted, comfy enought to live with even if you dont like compromising and quick.
2) The 225 TT is great fun to drive, but I can totally see why people have crashed them, they really do turn around the centre point, and not in a nice obvious manner like an elise...think the centre of gravity is a bit too high. dangerous in the hands of novices if you ask me.
I dunno...your list is definitely missing Caterhams as Domster suggested... 355 is prettier and less compromised than the 360...if you're gonna get an Aston it should either be an old one, or a V8 Vantage proper car!
Night 
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