Twinspark Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 Just mulling things over, as I have a company share save paying out in the Spring... Since buying my bargain bin MX5, we've done a lot of miles in it - the Berlin trip, Austria in a few weeks, and we plan to do a lot more. (I was thinking of taking the Alfa 75 to Austria, but the weather looks fine, so I reckon we'll enjoy it more in the MX5). Anyway, I've decided I'd quite like something with a bigger boot and air conditioning, but still a 2 seater, RWD roadster. The alternatives, as I see it, are a MkII MX5 (the boot is usefully bigger, although not by much), the BMW Z3 and erm, I think that's it! Any other suggestions that can be bought for circa £3k and hopefully be insured on a 'modern classic' policy? Is the 4-pot Z3 awful? - I'd love a 6 pot, but the fuel consumption would be a bit of a killer when you're looking at driving holidays and doing 2k miles in a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4ttm4son Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 The four pot Z3s are gutless. I've got the 2 litre (150bhp when new) and with the 6pot you get the soundtrack too. Definitely more of a cruiser than the mx5, though so don't expect the rawness or driving by the seat of your pants feel. MR2 has to be another contender, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonC Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 Hell I'd have the MX5 over an early Z3! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 MX5. Every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted September 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 MR2 definitely no good, the boot space is even worse. What are 6 pot Z3s like on fuel, then? Shame it really has to be RWD or I'd look at an Alfa GTV or even a Fiat Barchetta. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4ttm4son Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 Not brilliant, but I'd think the mx5 would be better in that department too. Is the boot in a Z3 going to be any bigger :confused: Not sure I see any reason for you to change apart from changes sake TBH. What about a little fun tin top if you're going to change? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuprabob Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 Probably would fall down on the boot too but what about a S2000, always thought they were a hoot :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted September 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 Looked into this a bit more. The Z3 has an extra 20 litres boot capacity, so that's not significant enough to make it worthwhile - and the S2000 has a smaller boot. So it's not actually worth doing in that respect. But I would really like something with aircon - an MX5 Mk2 Facelift would be a pretty decent replacement, I suspect - although I prefer the looks of the Mk1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzbitt Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 Mk2 MR2 NA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted September 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 Mk2 MR2 NA? Not a cabrio. And I really suspect that boot space will equally be a challenge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzbitt Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 (edited) Tbars are half way there and the boot space believe it or not is quite good. I can fit 2 travel trolly cases in the boot. Also here is a stunning one for sale with the best colour. Cosmos Blue... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4168968.htm Edited September 15, 2012 by fizzbitt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted September 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 'My eyes' That looks incredibly cahnsil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 I have a lovely silver mk2.5 MX-5 1.8i S V/T that you can have for 3k. Doesn't have a/c to be fair, but otherwise it's the best spec, heated leather, LSD, 6 CD changer, front fogs, larger 5 spoke alloys (make a huge difference to the looks), heated glass rear screen, sensible miles (think it's about 76k off the top of my head), cam belt done etc, drives perfectly, sills sorted (still a rust problem even on 2003 cars!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted September 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 Air-con is the make or break on changing - unless I buy something with it, I may as well keep my Mk1 MX5, given that none of the alternatives have any more practicality. I suppose the real answer would be a 3-series ragtop, but they're lardy barges in comparison with the '5. Just noticed that Merc. SLKs are cheap - but I suspect that's because they're shite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 I'd be looking at S2000's personally, the cabin is bigger which may make up for some of the boot space? A/C is rare on uk spec MX-5's, didn't see a single one with it when I bought mine, all the imports have it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted September 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 Yup, S2000s look good - but only ratty, leggy examples for my money. (Shares haven't done quite as well as I thought they would, sadly). I think Mk2.5 MX5s are easier to find with air-con - and also fairly easy to find within budget. The answer probably is to get a decent sized alloy suitcase for the rack and remove the spare wheel - that'll free up a fair bit of extra space. I know it sounds a bit fussy, looking for extra space in a 2 seat ragtop, but I've just been looking at what we want to take to Austria - I need to take a couple of sets of gym kit for each of us, plus our gym / running shoes, in addition to our everyday clothes - the gym kit alone takes up a fair bit of space. Anyway, plenty of time to think this through - my shares don't pay out until March-ish. Looking at the weather for Kaunertal towards the end of the month, it looks like the 75 may be a better option this time around - they've had snow this week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mort Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 If you can stretch to £5K there are plenty of 944S2 cabs about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldavo69 Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 I was going to suggest that but didn't want to sound like a broken record Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted September 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 I've love a 944 cabrio - but the running costs would be prohibitive. I'm feeling the pinch a bit this month, with so many toys.... 2 new tyres (so far) on the 75, with possibly another 2 being fitted before our holiday... the MX5 has one track day left in it before it needs new boots... my R1100S has just had a rear, too. Then I've just paid the tax on the '5 - the 75 is due in December - and my Ducati is due tax and MOT. I'm absolutely flat broke right now - a 944 would tip me right over the edge if it needed a service and tyres! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldavo69 Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 Buy one that doesn't need a service and tyres then They're pretty straightforward to DIY on too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted September 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 I've been driving my Alfa 75 today and decided I need something Alfa never made. A transaxle GTV Spider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 I appreciate I'm a blind devotee of the MK1 MX-5, but really, you'd be better off binning the spare, buying a can of tyre foam, and packing lighter and forgetting anything else. The S2000 is great but the insurance is obscene, the Z3 is crap, SLK is an auto, and as nice as a GTV Spider is you'd be forever fixing it IMO. How about killing 2 birds with 1 stone ? Flog the Alfa and your MX-5 and get one of these beauties... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 I used to hoon about in a bright yellow boat tail spider, fantastic car but no MX-5. Better looking but dynamically not even close, and an incredibly fragile interior, the indicator stalks snap at the merest hint of usage, and are hard to find these days. Still great fun though, locking the rear wheels as you change down gears is great fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 I still think Twinspark will find what most ex-MX5 owners do - it's the best drivers car in the world for under £100k and nothing ever comes close. Once driven, you'll never forget your MX5. Just stick with the best ever made. Said it many a time, nothing we've ever owned comes even close to that car, and that includes the M3's, the 6, the X and that pile of f*cking shite I drive now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 Well then MrMe, isn't it your lucky day, I have a beautiful mk2.5 MX-5 1.8i Sport V/T that can be yours for only 3k. I'll even consider the Z as a P/X if you bung a few hundred quid my way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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