Help me pick roadster for the Summer

johndaman66

Its time I really need to start having some more fun so to help along the way I have decided to get myself a roadster for the Summer. I will have a max of €2,000 to spend give or take depending on the car. Main thing is thats its fast and fun, and that I'll be able to sell on easily enough after without loosing a fortune on. Hence I'm thinking along the lines of a Toyota MR-S/ MR2 based on this critera but really depends on the car too.

I would also ideally like something with a hard top on it if such were for sale (I know these will be limited). Really trying to avoid 4 seater cars but if they are fast and fun then again why not.

Only intend keeping onto it for 6 months so long term reliability is not a major issue. Having said that don't want to end up with something that will most likely break/ break me.

Any ideas/ links to donedeal/ adverts ads would be most appreciated.

biko

MX5?
Something like this one?

Supergurrier

Buy a sportscar rather than a hatchback/family car with no roof.

After that it's all good

johndaman66

biko wrote: »

MX5?
Something like this one?

Thanks biko. I think its just ok at the money. Seller seems to want to get very close to asking ad he wont even talk to the few guys that offered €1,500, or else hes being a silly begger about it. Lack of NCT is also a concern...they'd all pass according to them yet they don't bother putting them through:rolleyes:.

Suppose taking a spin in it and having a root around it would tell a lot. Is that model quite suspectable to underbody rust I believe I once read?

johndaman66

Supergurrier wrote: »

Buy a sportscar rather than a hatchback/family car with no roof.

After that it's all good

Thats the intention Supergurrier. Its all about fun:P...well thats the main priority anyways

bazz26

MG TF?, cheaper than a MX-5 though not as well screwed together.


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mg-tf-roadster-1-6/5620488

First thing I'd do is change that red centre console.

keithsfleet

bazz26 wrote: »

MG TF?, cheaper than a MX-5 though not as well screwed together.


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mg-tf-roadster-1-6/5620488

First thing I'd do is change that red centre console.

Fast was part of the criteria...

OP I'd be looking at an MR2 if I were you.
Faster than the above and an mx5.
Personally I think they look a whole lot better as well.

Can't link to any as I'm on the phone but the last time I checked (few weeks ago) there was one or two very tasty ones well within budget.

Stavros Murphy

MRs are flawed and a bad car - the engines were machined by people who were more used to woodwork. Get an MR2, go for a non-turbo(MR2 engines are also a bit crap on the machining front but better than the MRs) for the improved reliability and less savage nature. If you work on engines and pull an MRs apart because(as they do)it's drinking oil due to a poor design, poor bores, poor rings and bores that are not even parallel, you'd get the gist. Cylinder 4 also doesn't have suficent cooling due to poor water gallery design so that's the one that fails first.

MR2, an MX5 or a MGF and be prepared to do the head gasket with a proper MLM gasket and uprated bolts, bearing in mind it's tight as a rats butt to work on though. Or go wild and buy a Honda S2000 - values are soaring but that might be a good thing.

bazz26

S2K would be the ideal choice but you will not buy a working one on a €2k budget.

Merc SLK?

imurdaddy

MR2 T-Bar, best of both worlds! I have one here only used it during the hot weather last summer and it was superb driving the west coast with the top off!! Toyota reliability and easy to get parts for good community in ireland.

The only problem I had this summer was the black leather burning my shorts clad legs.

porsche959

Early mark 2 Mx-5's should be within reach of your budget. That's the one I'd go for personally.