As some know im selling the Octy vRS, many reasons so i wont bore as to why.

Ive always been into my cars but also been slightly money conscious so have always opted for a sporty diesel, vRS, GTi (or GTD whatever) nothing to set the road alight but nippy, economical and practical.

I know have an i10 for work/daily use and this is fitting the job description perfectly, now im starting to look at 2nd car, weekend car.

As stated above its always been sport diesels, so FWD and no smaller than a hatchback, i want to try a RWD 2 seater or near enough. It needs to be rather beginner friendly, im not a pro behind the wheel but i feel i have a good foundation of knowledge or car control and how everything works to enable me to become a good fast road driver.

Budget is going to be Octy sale money (so if it comes to you buying it, think of what epic motor the sales money is going to buy ) and when i have the purchase fund for 2nd im going to play it safe and have the same money spare i.e car cost £3,000, ill have £3,000 set aside.

Im thinking along the line of S2000, MX5 (although these are pretty slow) Z3 ect you get the idea.

One car make that im not a fan of but have just realised i can afford is the Porsche Boxster, the poor mans Porsche. Soft enough to a good starting point? Nothing too special and cheap to buy

I would go with the MX5 and work up to the boxster. I wouldn't worry about the MX5 being slow.. 0-60 times are unimportant in a car like that!

Early S2000s were supposed to be a bit of a handful and liked spinning you around to face the other way, something i think they tried to fix in the later models. Z3 was a dog!

Or go totally radical and get a classic? You'd look good in a TR7 convertable.

I would go with the MX5 and work up to the boxster. I wouldn't worry about the MX5 being slow.. 0-60 times are unimportant in a car like that!

Early S2000s were supposed to be a bit of a handful and liked spinning you around to face the other way, something i think they tried to fix in the later models. Z3 was a dog!

Yeah ive been told the early s2000's are abit of a playful thing, yes the straight line speed is not a huge issue but its only as fast (and most like slower then the Octy) so its going over old ground when it comes to speed but granted its most likely the most user friendly..and very very cheap!

Or go totally radical and get a classic? You'd look good in a TR7 convertable.

If my dad was still with us today i would've considered it but since the TR7 has about 10-20 years on me i might be a bit lost!

MX5 is a good call.

You can use it to learn a lot about RWD cars, handling and balance before moving up to something that can bite you.

(which will be expensive if it happens)

My first RWD was a Morris Marina. Held the road like a bar of soap, even in the dry. (Leaf-spring rear suspension!) Learned a lot about RWD car control in those 10 months.

These days they're as cheap as chips too.

I think being much lower to the ground with the roof down its going to feel much quicker than the Octy, and i bet it would embarrass an Octy on a twisty B road. Speak to Neo_VR he is a bit of an MX5 aficionado.

Listen Chris Harris he is the oracle of all things automotive..

What do you mean by "beginners" RWD? Imhe, with the short list you have, you're going to have to be doing something pretty daft to get them to let go. If you want a bit of a safety net, you might want to buy something a bit newer with ESP, but as a result you may lose some of the fun.

A few you might want to consider:

- MX5 (seems to be the defacto standard but could do with more power imho - option to supercharge further down the line)

- Caterham (or 7 clone)

- Elise

- MR2 - N/A or turbo available

- Z3M - M3 engine in Z3 - a cracking combination

- S2000 (early ones didn't have ESP IIRC)

A shame you've discounted the Boxter as it's a great driver's car with far better balance than the 911 and the 3.2 S is no slouch.

Chris

£1500 will get you a really nice mk1 mx5. £3000 will get you into a super/turbo charged one.

I've had 3 of them and yes, they're not quick but they're immense fun to drive and the number of parts available fir them is massive! Have a look on mx5nutz. Ill get another sometime without a doubt.

S2000, Boxster etc for 3k will be absolute dogs.

3rd Gen MR2/MRS would do the trick - so say one of the best starter rear drive mid engined beginners cars out there (according to evo magazine). may not be that quick though.

Or something a bit more modern and civilised you could get an RX8 for next to no money!

Obviously you'd have to be happy with something with a serious thirst (for fuel and oil) and sounds like a hair drier but plenty enough shove and creature comforts

From your suggestions you're looking for a 2 seater drop top? Any reason for that?

You could pick up a decent BMW 3series in either E30 or E36 spec with a big old engine for your budget and still have money left over to really test yourself on a couple of track days

Mx5 all day long, after driving a late model s2000 I wouldn't buy my wife one as her first rwd car as there is far too much scope even with ESP to catch out the unwary but the mx5 is pretty much perfect as a first sports car

Rx8?

Toyota altezza?

Silvia s15?

350z?

Can tell i like my jap cars ae

If my dad was still with us today i would've considered it but since the TR7 has about 10-20 years on me i might be a bit lost!

I thought it might appeal as being something that you could actually use your machanc's skills on without needing a laptop!

MR2 Roadster, so much more exclusive than an MX-5. Much better looking too in my opinion, and easily mistaken for a Boxter.

Legendary reliability, quick enough, great to own as long as you don't require a boot.

A TF300 might be a sound investment.

Still regret the day I sold mine.

Nissan 200nx?

Getting a bit older now but cheap and quite popular.

MX5 is hard to beat though.

Just point out to someone who mentioned it that £3k is not the budget, just an example what I'll be doing with money. If an 07 plate vRS is only worth 3 then there's something wrong!

I have no preference to any that I mention just purely ideas but the MX5 and S2000 were the first things that popped into my head.

No it doesn't have to be a two seater but its just to make it feel that little bit more weekend car like. A nice 3 series I would turn my nose up to at all

What about a Nissan Silvia u less u want a soft top then s2k or mx5 s2k for noise alone with a full ss exhaust on wins hahah

Save a get a s2000. Awesome cars

MX-5 gets the vote from me as well, my Mrs has a 2002 Sport, she has owned it from new and apart from the wheels corroding and normal servicing all I've had to do is change one number plate bulb, flies through the MOT every time.

Great chassis and is very well tied together at the front and rear, reasonably practical as well my Mrs has managed to carry all sorts back from plant sales / garden centres in the boot.

Only thing I find is that it is a bit snug for me but I'm 6'2 and long in the leg. I can drive it with the seat fully back, but it is snug.

Paul

What do you mean by "beginners" RWD? Imhe, with the short list you have, you're going to have to be doing something pretty daft to get them to let go. If you want a bit of a safety net, you might want to buy something a bit newer with ESP, but as a result you may lose some of the fun.

A few you might want to consider:

- MX5 (seems to be the defacto standard but could do with more power imho - option to supercharge further down the line)

- Caterham (or 7 clone)

- Elise

- MR2 - N/A or turbo available

- Z3M - M3 engine in Z3 - a cracking combination

- S2000 (early ones didn't have ESP IIRC)

A shame you've discounted the Boxter as it's a great driver's car with far better balance than the 911 and the 3.2 S is no slouch.

Chris

Elise but no VX220 on the list. Omitted on purpose?

I know a couple if chaps with MG TFs, Z4, early Elise, usual mid life crisis crowd.

Fingers crossed a GT86 will be within my reach come 2020.

Elise but no VX220 on the list. Omitted on purpose?

Only omitted as I'd completely forgotten about them. Good call, and I quite like the look of the turbo, although I've never driven one...

I know a couple if chaps with MG TFs, Z4, early Elise, usual mid life crisis crowd.

MG TF was omitted on purpose though

Chris

My mate bought a 1.6 Mk1 Mx-5 last year , on paper the performance looks awful but driving the thing it feels so fast , its about the experience rather than the headline figures

Mind you his was punted off the road by another driver who wasnt concentrating, it didnt crash well

Just going off from a Mazda, after all that is what an MX-5 is...... I know they are economical and a good drive once wound up BUT what about a Westfield? I know where there is a very good example waiting for a new home, it is fitted with a tuned Vauxhall 2 litre 16 valve red top, has good tyres and 12 months MOT on it too, a bargain for £3500.

I've never properly had RWD before until I bought my big bimmer. Even in that with the traction control on I get scared in corners in the wet. Don't even get me started in snow. It's great fun, even though its a tank but its a handful.

I had a Mercedes SLK 230 kompressor for a couple of months and again, we had snow etc. It was great but again, a handful. On the plus front it had a hard roof that folded away. Cheap as chips now

Edited 29 April, 201313 yr by chris_1d