Coupe/Sports car for 8k

Aspect said:
I'll have to look out for one with a hardtop then.
Click to expand...

The latest model you wont get for 8k, getting it form the Mazda dealer isn't neccerily going to cost more.

51->53 with sub 30k milaigle on a Nevada or Euphonic is possible. I'd get the Euphonic with better sound system, two-tone leather peronally then a lower milage new Nevada - depends what you look out for in a car.
 
I'd personally get an older 98 spec R Teg and spend the rest on insurance.

Failing that, you can't really go wrong with the Mux 5
 
i'd save the extra money it costs to insure a s1 elise and put it towards a much newer 2.2NA VX220. well, that's what i plan to do in the summer
 
as much as i like the mx-5 you really don't get much for your money, and even a old one is still a lot of money.

and they are a touch on the slow side without tweaking.

on the other side there simply is no dignified way of getting out of an elise, your first 6 months of ownership will consist of you crawling out of it on all fours and getting stuck sideways in the door frame.

plus the damn things are too low for our ramps :mad:
 
MX-5?? :eek:

Hahahahahaha! :D

The Mk1 is a woman's car and is getting OLD now. The Mk2 is better built blah blah blah, more comfortable blah blah blah but by all accounts isn't anywhere near as fun to drive (see various TopGear, Fifth Gear episodes, Evo etc).

No way can you use an Elise as any everyday all year round car - it's too compromised in too many departments. I sat in one on a trip to London and the amount of noise at 75mph is horrendous. As a second car, it would be great though if pricey to maintain:
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evolongtermtests/203820/lotus_elise_s1.html

Try a E46 Coupe or if you're into image rather than driving, a TT.
 
Last edited:
unless you are morbidly obese getting into and out of an elise really isn't very difficult at all. and i'm by no means short at 6ft
 
"MX5's mk2s are by all accounts no where near as good to drive..."

Well that's a load of cobblers for a start.

Maybe an mx5 isn't what he needs, however it is the epitome of a perfect sports car - yes there's a bit of a bias there, but even the mk2.5s are fantastic, and they aren't slow?! They do exactly what they say on the tin!
 
olv said:
i'd save the extra money it costs to insure a s1 elise and put it towards a much newer 2.2NA VX220. well, that's what i plan to do in the summer
Click to expand...

Wow, what a cracking idea. I don't know a great deal about them, but just looking at them now and thought it was a good suggestion.

Look good, quite rare and can be bought for under £10k.

Not sure on the performance of a 2.2N/A and also the insurance at the age of 20-21 with a year or so in no claims?

Anybody have any info on the VX220? Fox, any experience? :)
 
MarkDavis you are still without doubt the most tedious poster in Motors we've had in years. Still!

The Mk2 MX-5 is an excellent drive, by the way.
 
Dunno if it's only a coupe, or any kind of sports car, but you could get a really new MG ZS 180 for that money. Not the fastest car unde the sun, but has a really nice 2.5 v6 engine with a decent bit of grunt and with MG Rover going bust you'll get them for a song. One of the best handling saloons on the road. I know MG Rover get a bad rep, but if you read some reviews you'll struggle to find any negative ones.
 
Booner! said:
Wow, what a cracking idea. I don't know a great deal about them, but just looking at them now and thought it was a good suggestion.

Look good, quite rare and can be bought for under £10k.

Not sure on the performance of a 2.2N/A and also the insurance at the age of 20-21 with a year or so in no claims?

Anybody have any info on the VX220? Fox, any experience? :)
Click to expand...

Muncher is really the resident expert. the 2.2 is meant to be somewhere between an s1 and an s2 elise in terms of rawness. engine has the benefit of more power and torque than the 1.8 and is much more reliable (aka won't get HGF if you look at it funny ;)).

The reason i find the vx220 so appealing is the value for money. you can get good 2002/2003 cars for under £10k, less ridiculous running costs then a Lotus purely because it doesnt have a lotus badge. plenty of tuning options too.

I'd love an S2 elise but the lack of reliability of the 1.8 and obscene insurance costs put me off. I have trouble getting quotes of below 3k for a bogo 1.8 S2 elise but a vx220 is £1200, 21 years old, 0NCB, go figure :confused:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom