MX5 Replacement - 5-7k

[sovietspybob]

I'd be looking at VX220's as well, the roof leaking is a trait of the early NA cars and is solved with some bits from the later turbo model, a lot of them have already been sorted over the years. Get on the owners club as there are always some really nice cars that are well looked after on there.

But as for how fragile they are i've no idea. Is it other people bumping into your car thats the problem if so woulnd't that be the same in a 'normal' metal car and claim on their insurance?

 

[Hxc]

I'd be looking at VX220's as well, the roof leaking is a trait of the early NA cars and is solved with some bits from the later turbo model, a lot of them have already been sorted over the years. Get on the owners club as there are always some really nice cars that are well looked after on there.

But as for how fragile they are i've no idea. Is it other people bumping into your car thats the problem if so woulnd't that be the same in a 'normal' metal car and claim on their insurance?

It's a tight residential road with non permit parking, people get scraped into all the time down here. It absolutely sucks but it's generally very light scrapes which polish out by the looks of other peoples cars; the elise down this road looks downright scruffy with a gaffer tapped bumper and cracks near the arches. I'd bet he has no idea who did it

 

[Ham]

As the S2000 isn't an option for you i'd personally be looking for something like this - http://pistonheads.com/sales/3963491.htm

Or possibly a mk1.

 

[Hxc]

If I wanted a turbo mx5 I'd turbo mine. The Mk2 is not pretty imo.

 

[rodenal]

It is not cheap. A 1992 Soarer for £1400 is cheap for the performance you get. A 1992 Toyota MR2 for £4.5k is not.

Whilst I take your point and agree something like a soarer can offer huge performance for the money it's very unlikely the OP would feel the need to spend £4.5k on a mk2 MR2 - as already mentioned you'd be looking at a seriously modified car for it to command that kind of cash.

Infact you'd pick up a turbo'd / 190 transplanted mk3 for circa £3.5-4k, a much newer car and a bit closer to the mx-5 in feel (though maybe that's not what the op wants)

I'd expect to pick up a good mk2 rev 3 turbo for £2.5k, a very, very good one for £3k. Still only a 94/95 car but closer to 200sx money than the kind of sums batted about above.

 

[Frozennova]

As fox has pointed out soarers offer a lot of performance for the money.

Very tidy v8 uzz32 on Soarer world at the moment.

www.soarerworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30719

 

[tom_nieto]

Get some specialist quotes for insurance on the S2000. At the same time chat about insuring a FI MX5. If no luck then the 350z would be my preference.

What about a Z4?

 

[Zuban]

Running costs: What would you like to know? You said MPG is irrelevant but I can average 28-35mpg driving normally easily, foot to the floor all the way, who knows 18+ ?.

you are lucky, the best i've managed is 26mpg . st205's are generally quite reliable but its not a car to own if your not prepared for shelling out £500-1000 at some point for either suspension components, or a clutch change etc. st185 gt-fours are ancient now and were never the most reliable so steer clear.

Best getting the best one you can find, prefererably with clutch/suspension already done as said, get a duffer and you'll spend the same or more putting it right, if you consider one maybe set part of your budget aside for future repairs.

 

[dwarf]

Ok just to clarify (or franticly back-peddle), MR2 turbos CAN be cheap. You can get early ones for under £1000 now, and rev3+ for under £2000. The particular one's I referenced are not cheap MR2s but as the OP's budget was a lot for an MR2 I was pointing in the direction of the very best examples.

The 300bhp one has all the right mods to keep the engine reliable and so I say it as good value as you could probably get it for £4k. I would always recommend a well looked after standard car but I couldn't find any when I looked. My standard rev3 cost me £2200 last summer.

I still think a turbo kit for the MX5 would be the best way to go

Or a boxter? Lots of interesting suggestions on the PistonHeads version of this thread.

 

[Disco Boy]

Put a blower on your 5.

 

[The Running Man]

Mr2 mk3 2zz swap would be a great ride...so light and buzzy to drive.

Also celica t sport or s15 silvia import would be cool.

 

[Hxc]

Get some specialist quotes for insurance on the S2000. At the same time chat about insuring a FI MX5. If no luck then the 350z would be my preference.

What about a Z4?

Definitely going to go look into a specialist for the S2k, but they do have a rep for bad insurance.

Z4 is a bit bottom of the barrel at this price?