Low Budget 2 Seat Project - ideas?

[DampCat]

So let's say about £1500 on a project car. By project i dont mean by your standards.

Preferably it'd need to be mobile. I'm not really into engine restoration and the car would have to be my daily whilst i worked on it. The age of the car doesn't matter to me but Classic isn't really my thing either. Easy to get hold of parts would be a bonus of course!

I've been looking at things like the MX-5 or MGF, with bent panels or ripped hoods, enough damage to bring the price down but not enough to make it a money sink. I can do silly things like belt changes, small amounts of engine work, but blown head gaskets and stuff is a little bit more work than i'm after.

I've got a hard on at the moment for a 2 seater. I dont have family so i dont need bootspace or back seats. Somewhere to import my CarPC from myjeep would be a bonus but i wouldn't own it too long after finishing it anyway. Had the jeep a few months and now its roadworthy and "nice" i'm looking to shift it by next summer.

What sort of things should i be looking for? 95 - 99 MX5's seem to be around the right prices but i'd prefer a hardtop. I guess actually 2 seats isn't a must, just soemthing that looks a bit sporty!

Wow. i started quite specific then ended a bit vague. Oh well, i trust you guys.

Thanks!

 

[DampCat]

For that sort of money you might get a dog of a 89 - 92 but dream on if you think your getting anything other than a cat C or D non repaired wreck of a 95 - 99.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/254973.htm


Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll take a look at some MR2's now!

 

[DampCat]

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/285446.htm

Seems an awful lot of car for the money. What sort of things should i look for there? Aside from the usual rust and possible engine problems or crash/repair work, is there anything that MR2's are famous for that i should look out for?

 

[DampCat]

First off its done 150k

Don't care tbh. mileage doesn't really mean much unless it's been abused. I have a car on the drive with 210k and it's a beauty.

secondly its only the i

"Only" i assume meaning it's slower than my 1.2 Corsa or my Jeep Cherokee?

thirdly the rear arch problem is a huge one, odds on the chassi being rusted as well

Thanks. A useful piece of info is always appreciated.

So for the MK2 general consensus is they rust a lot. Well, there is going to be rust on any car over 8 yeard old, and with the budget i have in mind, to expect a car without it is being a bit silly. As i said, i wont be keeping it long and it's just for a bit of fun.

Those Del Sol's look nice, but again, a lot of them are not much money at all. Is there something I should know about those?