Reasonable sports cars on the market

bazz26 · 29-07-2013 03:42PM

How about a classic car?

Merc 500SL:

d43864c90df075c94489ddbe4ca5ffe9c5c9a610c8670b60841b1e7086138897.jpg

http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=953589

Classic Tax too.

_Conrad_ · 29-07-2013 06:57PM

...........

_Conrad_ · 29-07-2013 06:58PM

Wibbs wrote: »

S2000 and you can get a hard top for them .

That's what I was going to say. S2000 with a hard top if you're looking for a sports car looking fast car for that money. Not just something that's fast

bazz26 wrote: »

How about a classic car?

Merc 500SL:

Classic Tax too.

Lovely looking, and sounding (the big engine ones like that), but not a sports car. Too soft, but very pretty and a lot of a different kind of fun to be had.

Noccy_Mondy · 29-07-2013 07:09PM

Antyhing to be said for a BMW 3 series E46 M Sport coupe, look gooood IMO

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-m-sport/5376121

Supergurrier · 29-07-2013 07:20PM

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Antyhing to be said for a BMW 3 series E46 M Sport coupe, look gooood IMO

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-m-sport/5376121

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRM2NmmcYkugwLbU5yuNtM6REaH62WSORErGoPTR4_cnHPLMW31ow

bazz26 · 29-07-2013 07:20PM

The OP wants a sports car not a clattery diesel.

_Conrad_ · 29-07-2013 07:23PM

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Antyhing to be said for a BMW 3 series E46 M Sport coupe, look gooood IMO

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-m-sport/5376121

Well that's a diesel, with a dirty interior. Long test on it though, bu while it may be a coupe and looks quite nice, that's not exactly going to be sporty to drive

Noccy_Mondy · 29-07-2013 07:24PM

bazz26 wrote: »

The OP wants a sports car not a clattery diesel.

I thought the key word here was "sport" which is clearly in the name of this car!

bazz26 · 29-07-2013 07:27PM

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

I thought the key word here was "sport" which is clearly in the name of this car!

You can buy a 1.4 litre 80bhp Golf Sportline too, doesn't mean it is a sports car though.

CianRyan · 29-07-2013 07:56PM

If you're willing to import from Japan, you can pick up an MX-5 Coupe.

I think I'd be tempted by an RX-7.

colm_mcm · 29-07-2013 08:39PM

Wasnt that just a concept?

nitna bitna · 29-07-2013 08:43PM

type R deffo the best choice

dc5 all the way

CianRyan · 29-07-2013 09:00PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

Wasnt that just a concept?

Pretty sure they built some, limited run though.

ambro25 · 29-07-2013 09:20PM

After owning the same mk1 1998 MX5 1.8 for 13 years, and running it as a daily for most of that...well, there's a reason I still haven't got rid (even though I've been through allsorts as the 'family car' since, including Imprezas and such, and currently run a C220 CDI...well, that was for the Mrs - so I could get the MX 'back'

)

Test drove my friend's Robin Hood (super 7 kitcar) recently though (before he gets it 3-stage NOX'd...I won't be going near it then) - now there's something a bit spesh for the weekends...but not sure you'd get a good one (or even one at all) for your budget, and they're even more spartan than a bare unpainted bathtub. Lunch-losing/trouser-browning machine, though, doesn't get much 'proper' sportier than that.

Veloce · 29-07-2013 09:46PM

I would very much recommend the 350z.

To me it came down between the 350z and a S2000. I got the zed nearly €2,500 cheaper, 40% less miles and 2 years newer than an S2000 in similar condition with full service history. The tax is over 2 times more expensive though hence the price difference. It's a lot of car for small money. Amazingly silky smooth V6 with an amazing sound.

I could see myself owning an S2000 at some point though.

TestTransmission · 29-07-2013 10:23PM

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

I thought the key word here was "sport" which is clearly in the name of this car!

"Sports"

goz83 · 29-07-2013 10:23PM

I'm biased here, but why not consider a Mitsubishi FTO?

Choose between a GR, GX, GPX, GP, GPvR (keep clear of the GS 1.8) all with 2 Litre V6 beautiful engines, ranging from 170bhp to 200bhp. Comfortable ride. Reliable. €710 tax and if over 15 years old, you can get vintage insurance via campion. The GPX and up have the Mivec engines and give you extra power at 5400rpm. Also they are going for penneys and you culd get one of the better ones for a quarter of your budget.

If you want fun, it's gotta be a manual though.

Here is one I sold last month:

I have another one for sale atm. Check out a few though before you make up your mind.

noelf · 29-07-2013 10:53PM

was looking to see if you could get a lotus elise within your budget when i came across a 1998 alfa spider convertible with only 60k miles in Kellys car centre for E5950......MMmmmmm

colm_mcm · 29-07-2013 10:55PM

noelf wrote: »

was looking to see if you could get a lotus elise within your budget when i came across a 2000 alfa spider convertible with only 60k miles in Kellys car centre for E5950......MMmmmmm

€5950? You could buy 3 for that money surely?

Ferris · 29-07-2013 10:57PM

Do a search on here for rx8's and you'll see two things:

1. Buy well and buy once

2. Maintenance and reliability upgrades are key.

I have one as a daily and it's great. I have replaced the coils and decatted it myself and I service it too. All easy jobs IMO. It's quick enough and handles impeccably with a great rwd chassis. It's been reliable apart from the cat blocking on me and that just meant that it ran a bit slow. 19 mpg is a bit fruity but I do only 6k pa. best bit is that I got an extremely clean '07 car for only 6k. Check out irishrotary for more info.

An rx7 makes a great case for itself as a weekend car as it offers tyre shredding performance for 1.3 tax. Engines are temperamental however and cost 2.5k to rebuild (rx8 same). 7's are a handful however.

S2000 is a great car but they're pricey.

If fwd is acceptable then a dc5 is another good option.

What about a caterham 7?

noelf · 29-07-2013 11:16PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

€5950? You could buy 3 for that money surely?

your quite right !!

alanmc · 29-07-2013 11:20PM

If we're doing votes, can I stick myself down for the 350Z as well?

Had mine 3 years now. Near bullet proof reliability. Torquey engine. Wonderful sound. It's as happy pootling along in 6th on a motorway as it is being chucked unceremoniously at a corner on your favourite back road. And on the back roads, it doesnt feel like the lumpen brute you'd think. It feels light, poised and nimble (in my ham-fisted hands anyway).

3 years on it's still putting a smile on my face.

goz83 · 29-07-2013 11:40PM

alanmc wrote: »

If we're doing votes, can I stick myself down for the 350Z as well?
.

€1809 tax !!!

Chris_Heilong · 30-07-2013 12:46AM

Depending on what you want any of these should fit the bill

Nissan 300ZX
RX 7
RX 8
MX5
Nissan Silvia S14(200SX)/S15
Mitsubishi FTO
Honda integra
Honda Beat
Toyota MR2
Toyota Supra
Toyota Soarer
Toyota Mark II
350Z
Porsche 944
Fiat Barchetta
Fiat Coupe
MRS

CianRyan · 30-07-2013 12:51AM

Go Japan!

alanmc · 30-07-2013 07:18AM

goz83 wrote: »

€1809 tax !!!

It is hard to swallow. But if you can afford it, it's worth the pain. I'm no fan of the tax laws here in Ireland, but they are what they are.

If the OP can't swallow the tax on a 3.5, then my backup would be the S2000.

But I'm definitely a believer of the "There's no replacement for displacement" mantra/cliche.

Henry Ford III · 30-07-2013 08:38AM

To my mind a sports car should be small, light have 2or 2+2 seats, and ideally be rwd.

A BMW M5 isn't a sports car - It's an executive saloon that is very fast.

akelly02 · 30-07-2013 09:01AM

190 BHP Toyota Celica anybody?

Only times you have to bring it to a garage is to service it, no maintainance on them at all. Also they drive as good as they look!

Veloce · 30-07-2013 09:09AM

akelly02 wrote: »

190 BHP Toyota Celica anybody?

Only times you have to bring it to a garage is to service it, no maintainance on them at all. Also they drive as good as they look!

Does the 190 have the oil consumption issues?

What about an Integra Type R?

dantastic · 30-07-2013 09:09AM

Some great cars being mentioned, ye are actually making this more difficult! A Caterham or similar would be awesome! I don't have a garage though but if I came across the right one for the right money I could find some to park it

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Antyhing to be said for a BMW 3 series E46 M Sport coupe, look gooood IMO

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-m-sport/5376121

2l BMW Diesel, what were you thinking man?! If I put on a tiara and call myself a princess it won't make me royal:p

CianRyan wrote: »

If you're willing to import from Japan, you can pick up an MX-5 Coupe.

I like that now!

Henry Ford III wrote: »

To my mind a sports car should be small, light have 2or 2+2 seats, and ideally be rwd.

Yes, this!

Reasonable sports cars on the market

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