Which affordable performance convertible car

[wemorgan]

Thanks all - food for thought.

Think I'm looking for a break from classic cars - tired of fighting rusty bolts. I'd also quite like to share this car with my wife, so I feel a more modern car would be better.

A kit car - I did want one a short while ago, but to me their prices are just too high for what you get and I'd use it too infrequently, becoming too much of a garage queen.

Convertible - yes this is towards the top of the options list. Somehow having some wind through the hair brings me closer to the driving thrills. I found that even on overcast days I could take the roof off and enjoy the drive - the best of all were cold winter mornings - honest

Motorbike - I have a licence but it's been over 10 years since I rode a bike. Not sure I have the self control that riding a bike requires.

I'm craving another Elise

[Martyn_n]

Originally Posted by wemorgan

A kit car - I did want one a short while ago, but to me their prices are just too high for what you get

I agree, I sold my 1999 home built Westfield last year and could not believe someone payed what they did for it when they could have had a decent 2001 Boxster S for the same money. (And I sold it cheap according to the owners club)

[st4]

Originally Posted by wemorgan

I'm craving another Elise

I would normally say, so go get one.

However, you had one, and you sold it? Were the reasons for selling it thrust upon you, or did you find the car irritating and you're looking back through rose tinted spectacles?

There is the VX220 which is gruntier power plant in a car thats very similar. I'd try both and see where you end up. I will be interested?

[grober]

If you crave excitement above all --- TVR TVR POWER - PERFORMANCE - SERVICING CENTER - PARTS - UK - HOME

[moonloops]

My MR2 turbo is still making me grin and also sweat on the odd occasion when I get it wrong.. Mildly tuned to 250BHP (1262KG) and sounding like a 1960's Ferrari due to the custom exhaust it can corner at higher speeds than I'm capable of. I just ensure I brake in a straight line and keep a constant if not accelerating speed through the corners..

Cheap as chips also.

[wemorgan]

Originally Posted by Martyn_n

I agree, I sold my 1999 home built Westfield last year and could not believe someone payed what they did for it when they could have had a decent 2001 Boxster S for the same money. (And I sold it cheap according to the owners club)

I'm with you on that one. I was after a SEIW with Zetec or similar engine for £6k, but most are nearer to £8k these days. £8k for a kit car - no thanks.

Originally Posted by st4

I would normally say, so go get one.

However, you had one, and you sold it? Were the reasons for selling it thrust upon you, or did you find the car irritating and you're looking back through rose tinted spectacles?

There is the VX220 which is gruntier power plant in a car thats very similar. I'd try both and see where you end up. I will be interested?

My low mileage S2 Elise 111S was worth £12k. I was getting more in to track days and the car would have depreciated too much with track wear and tear and higher mileage - plus if I crashed it I was not insured.

The S1 have now reached bottom value of £6-8k almost regardless of mileage. So I could buy one for a year with near zero depreciation. There is still the issue of track accidents though, which to me is more likely with a mid-engined car - which is why I quite like front engined cars these days as they are more forgiving on the limit.

VX220 are Elise S1 money, but you get S2 age and mileage, plus more driver aids, which some like and others don't.

Originally Posted by grober

If you crave excitement above all --- TVR TVR POWER - PERFORMANCE - SERVICING CENTER - PARTS - UK - HOME

Cheers

I'm not really a TVR man. I just see them as expensive kit cars. I did once drive a Chimera though and enjoyed that in an odd way - happy to hand back the keys though.

[A210AMG]

S2000 almost the newest looking car and can be had for £6k, was looking the other day....

Funny engine, its like a honda jaz to 8000 revs then all hell lets lose, No torque and you have to be in two gears lower than you think to make it really go. Sounds like a touring car though, Probably bullet proof and plug and play.

Saying that I went for a Z3 when it was my choice between the two...

Now I would have a ZM3 in the garage if I could, but if you want newer even the std 3.0 z4 is quick.

How about an American car for odd ball idea... corvette? camero?

[LTD]

What about an Impreza or an Evo for the track ?

Not a convertible but definitely capable of a lot of fun and games

[A210AMG]

Its funny as quick road cars are still no match for a proper track prepared car...

My brother and his friends have various track cars, one is road legal (caterham) the others purely for the track. They are set up in such a way that much 'quicker' road cars on the track are easy meat. It seems mainly down to suspension and stiffness. Even quick road cars are soggy on a track as its a compromise.

[wemorgan]

I've put a deposit down on this VX220

[moonloops]

Originally Posted by LTD

What about an Impreza or an Evo for the track ?

Not a convertible but definitely capable of a lot of fun and games

Neither are ideal on track unless they have some serious suspension work done.
The best track cars always seem to be RWD and light, also with a balanced chassis. Sure power works on the straights but as far as I can work out most circuits are 60 % to 80 % bends.. go figure

[moonloops]

Originally Posted by A210AMG

Funny engine, its like a honda jaz to 8000 revs then all hell lets lose, No torque and you have to be in two gears lower than you think to make it really go. Sounds like a touring car though, Probably bullet proof and plug and play.

Believe me, the torque-less vtec honda engines are utter tripe in all conditions other than on the race track.

Driving on the UK roads they are a disgrace of engineering, I had a brand new Civic type R and got shot after 3 months of embarrassments, turbo diesels often caught it/you out and also having to rev to 6k before attempting to overtake a made the saab convertible driver in front of me turn round and look at me as though I was some chav trying to get to KFC ahead of him...

But the type-r gearbox was OK

[Dieselman]

Originally Posted by moonloops

Believe me, the torque-less vtec honda engines are utter tripe in all conditions other than on the race track.

Driving on the UK roads they are a disgrace of engineering, I had a brand new Civic type R and got shot after 3 months of embarrassments, turbo diesels often caught it/you out

I have embarrassed two S2000 with ease.

[moonloops]

Originally Posted by Dieselman

I have embarrassed two S2000 with ease.

Well done, you probably had an unfair advantage called Mr Torques

[Mr B.]

Originally Posted by gaz_l

Or possibly one of these? Pretty quick, don't know what they'd be like at the track..

2005 NISSAN 350 Z 3.5 V6 2DR CABRIOLET

Cheers,

Gaz

its a better car then then boxer and more fun to drive and better looking