Alternative for the MX-5

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:16 am

The girlfriend is talking about changing her car and I'm trying to plant a few ideas in her head (About cars too!) about what to get. At the mo she has a 98S MX-5 1.6 worth about £4000 on a good day with a following wind, and she has up to about £4500 on top max. She wants something fun that she can also get to work in.

She is looking at another MX-5, a newer 1.8 sport, but spotted an Elan M100 while I was on NorLOG and liked the look of that. I'm not sure about reliability for getting her to work though. I want her to get a 2+2 with a Zetec conversion but I doubt she will go for that!
Anyone got any other suggestions?

thinfourth · Post by **thinfourth** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:22 am

RICHARDHUMBLE wrote:I want her to get a 2+2 with a Zetec conversion but I doubt she will go for that!

after translator

RICHARDHUMBLE wrote:I want to get a 2+2 with a Zetec conversion but I doubt she will go for that!

mac · Post by **mac** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:25 am

FWD Lotus - I think I would need to spend some time behind the wheel before parting with cash.

Mac

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:33 am

Thinforth:

hit nail on the head!

Mac: The guys on NorLOG with them seem to like them alot. TBH FWD would probably suit her better as she is normally an OK driver but sometimes gets the red mist and starts drving like a loon. Which is fine but she doesn't make allowances for the fact its RWD...

If I'm honest the Lotus option is just an excuse for me to have another Lotus about but I don't think it's going to happen!

Any alternatives to MX-5s? I can't really think of anything in her price range that is as fun.

tuscan_thunder · Post by **tuscan_thunder** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:00 pm

My better half has an MX5.

Alternatives?

I don't like the MR2: feels very twitchy to me and it has NO boot space - even the Elise has more space.

Puma? I like these, ok, not a soft top but for the money they're very good.

Depends how sensible or otherwise you want to be. For a sensible but very under-rated car, have a drive of a Focus ST170.

I'd go for the FWD Elan myself, but an Integra-R would be, if anything, a better drive and more reliable.

Why not get another S1?????

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:07 pm

Another S1! Yay! But I don't think it would stick somehow...!

Puma is a good idea, had a 1.7 years ago and loved it, nifty and penty of space in the front. I think the Focus is too sensible, if I suggest that she will ask her parants and get another frigging astra or corsa

Took me 2 years to get her to buy the MX-5!

The plan I suggested earlier was a nice(!) Volvo estate, a trailer and a Caterham! She didn't like that either

Have Alfas got any better recently?

tuscan_thunder · Post by **tuscan_thunder** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:18 pm

Aye, Alfas are far better than they used to be. Build quality is improved (not difficult!), engines are as good as they have always been but they don't handle as well as they should - well the 147 and Brera anyway. The Focus is a far better drive than the 147.

147 looks and sounds good though.

3-series Compact?

Is a Honda S2000 over budget? I've no idea their value.

Seriously, a VX is maybe a good idea.....

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:27 pm

Hondas are over budget unfortunatly, would have been ideal, she won't drive a BMW it's an image thing I was told

Pretty sure she won't have a VX either, too inconvienient day to day for her.

Looks like a newer MX-5 is the best choice then

I'll use it as an excuse to get another test drive in an RX-8 and a few others. Might even go and pester the Chrysler garage for a go in a Crossfire...

Hmm, how about an SLK? *Off to check autotrader....*

Lazydonkey · Post by **Lazydonkey** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 1:33 pm

It's hard to argue against the mx5 in terms or value and reliability. http://www.mx5scotland.co.uk might turn up a nice well looked after car too.

i had a mk2 1.6 and it was a cracking car, although it does slide about a wee bit if driven commitedly

(185 14"s on the back

)

Titanium S1 111S (gla) · Post by **Titanium S1 111S (gla)** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:20 pm

Just had a quick look at the autotrader and you seem to be £2k short of the S2000 with about 60K miles on it.

Wee bit more saving and an S2000 would be my call!

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 3:06 pm

How about the Smart Roadster Light ?? Won't set the world on fire at Traffic Light Grand Prix, but is meant to be pretty good fun (as long at you get the Light version).

Pretty cheap too

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 7:03 pm

Thanks Chaps,

I'll mention all of the above (Bar S1s!) and see what she has to say!

SLK looks promising, bit wallowy and squidy but all the mod cons and easy to drive. She is afterall on the liz insurance if she wants a proper sporty car

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:05 pm

Found the ideal replacement...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/117493.htm

Failing that SLKs look quite promising....

Scottish Elises

Alternative for the MX-5

Alternative for the MX-5

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