Fun, reliable, kind of cheap, can I pick all three?

tom_nieto said:
The 986 is getting on a bit now and could start to throw some pretty large bills. Servicing at an indy doesn’t have to break the bank, but parts can be pricey. The 986S is a fantastic car but with this remit a slightly scabby s2000 is better than a slightly scabby 986S.

350Z is a good shout but I couldn’t comment on the running costs.

The MX5 looks better and better every time one of these threads appears. How are the Mk3’s for rust?
Click to expand...

Early MK3s are starting to go the same way as the rest, buying as new as possible and having it properly undersealed and protected and one isn't going to trouble you though
 
tom_nieto said:
The 986 is getting on a bit now and could start to throw some pretty large bills. Servicing at an indy doesn’t have to break the bank, but parts can be pricey. The 986S is a fantastic car but with this remit a slightly scabby s2000 is better than a slightly scabby 986S.
Click to expand...

The problem is a scabby S2000 is now becoming more expensive than a scabby 986 S when the Porsche is arguably the better car on paper.
 
Housey said:
No one can make a 10 minute car do that time. Car is quick, need to add a quick driver to exploit it but my point is you can make a uber MX5 for little money.
Click to expand...

I can attest to that. My friends NB MX5 turbo runs rings around a lot of stuff on track and cost a hell of a lot less to build then most cars.
 
My MK3 mx5 is starting to rust, again.

It's been undersealed so many times following its respray as well. It's honestly doing my head in.

So yes. Poor.
 
They are terrible for rust and apparently they STILL haven't improved it on the mk4. I bought a mk3 brand new back in 2007 and by 2009 when I upgraded the suspension, bolts had to be drilled out because they had already been welded in with rust :p
 
Last edited:
adam cool dude said:
The problem is a scabby S2000 is now becoming more expensive than a scabby 986 S when the Porsche is arguably the better car on paper.
Click to expand...

It depends on the budget for running and servicing - the 986 will be costlier. Also depends on what you could find for £7k I guess. Could get lucky (or very unlucky!) with either.
 
I wouldn't buy an s2000 as a 'fun' car. They're slightly too heavy and the lack of torque is noticeable. You'd want to overhaul a lot of an older one now as well to make it feel lively. I currently own one and have had a dc2 and ep3 also. Dc2 is the most fun. The s2000 gearshift is better than either though, although dc2 is close.
 
No one mentioned the BMW Z4?
Cheaper than a S2000 and cheaper and easier to maintain than a mid engined porker.
 
Drollic said:
I wouldn't buy an s2000 as a 'fun' car. They're slightly too heavy and the lack of torque is noticeable. You'd want to overhaul a lot of an older one now as well to make it feel lively. I currently own one and have had a dc2 and ep3 also. Dc2 is the most fun. The s2000 gearshift is better than either though, although dc2 is close.
Click to expand...

I’ve not experienced a better manual shift than the S2000. My 997, even with the Porsche factory short shift kit, doesn’t really get close.

The S2000 is the definition of a fun car in my book - 2 seats, no roof, RWD, high revving. The fact that you have to rev the nuts off it makes it all the more fun! It’s by no means a rocket ship, but plenty fast enough for road use. In fact it was plenty fast enough for track use too! My driving was definitely the limiting factor, although the car performed admirably. I’d agree with the point that it’d need some overhauling at this money to get it right. I will always slightly regret not taking mine to Center mavity as soon as I moved to the Midlands rather than after Honda neglected the suspension for 3 years. Oh well!
 
Most of the cars mentioned don't really fall under the reliable category, is an old FTO, Supra or Prelude really going to give you problem free motoring?
 
IC3 said:
Later on you could add a turbo and have a mental car. :D

Click to expand...

:eek:

The car I just sold was running 405BHP APR Stage 2 with a Remus exhaust that was probably as offensively loud as the noise that thing makes. Much heavier though. Please stop putting bad ideas into my head :p
 
Janesy B said:
Most of the cars mentioned don't really fall under the reliable category, is an old FTO, Supra or Prelude really going to give you problem free motoring?
Click to expand...
Why not, ive had more issues with modern new cars than i ever had with early 90s stuff. Yes something may go wrong, but it will be easy and cheap to fix, where on newer stuff its often difficult and costly to fix.
 
Housey said:

The car, a Mazda MX-5 NC 2,0 Sport Roadster Coupé 2007.

Complete Modifications list from stock:
- ECU Remap
- Full Race-exhaust with race-cat and CAI
- Larger coolant radiator with aluminum reservoir
- 245/40 17 track tyres, road legal, on 17x9
- Coilovers with 13/8 Springs
- Aftermarket ARB front, no ARB rear
- 6-Pot at front, OEM at the back, 2 piece discs (oem size), race fluid & pads, cooling
- Carbon fibre drivers seat, no passenger seat
- Aftermarket steering wheel
- Approx 1090kg incl ½tank of fuel and 80kg driver (Yes, driver lost some :)).
- 5 Speed Gearbox with close ratios gear kit (Originally a 6-speed)
- 4,1 FD without LSD (yes, open diff)
- Light flywheel, OEM clutch
- AC and PS delete
- Cro-moly rollbar, welded
- CF Roof (not retractable anymore)
- Lightened & reinforced front subframe
- Seam-welded rear subframe
- Seamwelded door-openings
- Additional bracing underneath
- Small boot spoiler - Small front lip

This is what an MX5 can do with a few tweaks and someone who knows how to drive it.

There are people spending 10's of thousands monthly to make their supercar extra quick who can't get into the 7's. People buying track ready GT3 RS's and GT2's that will never get close to this time.
Click to expand...

from that video id say he needs his 6th gear back.
 
Cyber-Mav said:
from that video id say he needs his 6th gear back.
Click to expand...

I don't think he was even using 5th. Assuming he's using the Quaife close ratio gearset 4th is 134mph @ 7500rpm and 143mph @ 8000rpm.

Quoted top speed is 215kmh for an NC so its probably around 225kmh with an exhaust and tune, I'd imagine he gains nothing by changing into 5th for a few seconds to come back down to 4th and upset the balance of the car
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom