Look no further Dr. Z

You know already there's only one (I am biased of course)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508075847906?channel=cars&price-to=7000&model=mx-5&make=mazda&postcode=sn119rn&price-from=5000&search-target=usedcars&sort=default&radius=1501&page=1&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&logcode=p

Get an old MG , they cost peanuts to run and maintain  , good fun to drive , feels faster that they really are , biggest bugbear is rust , BUT , this opens you and swmbo to having a little fun doing historic rallies , you dont have to be a Mikkola they are not about speed but timing .

I saw a gorgeous mk3 midget this morning in green with a cream interior. It looked immaculate so the £5750 price didn't seem far wrong.

SLK 230?

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201507175288655?channel=cars&sort=pricedesc&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew&make=mercedes-benz&postcode=sw25hd&radius=1501&model=slk&search-target=usedcars&price-to=5000&page=1&logcode=p

£490 tax! Pass...

Nice example :http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201507095052203?page=2&quicksearch=true&price-to=7000&channel=cars&make=honda&postcode=sn119rn&price-from=5000&search-target=usedcars&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&radius=1501&sort=default&model=s2000&logcode=p

£6950 is not £5000 and people aren't letting them go for cheap

£6950 is not £5000 and people aren't letting them go for cheap

Really, negotiate!

VED at £490 is only £200 more than one that is £290 obviously.

 

When you are looking at Weekend Cars and the Buying Price it is as well to look at the Annual cost and how t

hat works out for maybe 100-150 days a year of use.

 

Do you Insure and Tax all year or put it on a SORN some Months.

Insurance costs, Newer, Classic, Faster etc, where it is kept.

DIY Maintenance or need for Dealer Diagnostics or more expensive parts.

 

It is all just a matter of a Project, or a Buy and drive and enjoy on the Weekend not have to work on it when you want to be driving.

 

But the world is your oyster.

£5,000 can buy so many different nice cars.

Really, negotiate!

 

sure, but prices are generally going up and now is not the time of year for people to be negotiating down on a convertible 

Mk1 TT.

we have one, it's the gfs daily car and is brilliant.

It's probably not as fun as an Mx5 though so maybe not what you want for a toy.

Andypandypoos, No we do not agree, and i have no idea how many car auctions or trade cars you go to.

 

The rough ones will be rough obviously, not probably, and the not rough ones are not.

 There are ones not 'Rough' good mechanically but might need some TLC cosmetically,

But if you buy sensibly then maybe get a 'Rough Looking one' for less money then add value.   As many do.

 

& Asking Prices are not offering Prices or Buying Prices, so if you want a £5,000 one then maybe look at ones with £6,000 asking prices that are not selling. Often they are not selling because people can not see the Wood for the Trees and just assume older or cheaper means 'Probably Rough'.

 

But that is all like teaching Granny to suck eggs probably.

 

I said rough, I did not say mechanically unsound. totally different things

OK, 'Are probably rough'.  I read what you said.

  Have you been looking at many, and is that what the Grey Honda you own is, a S2000?

 

Lots of cars of any type that are advertised for sale are Possibly rough at around £5,000, and some are maybe someones pride and joy that they need to sell.

Those are the ones you look for, 

you just might want to look for 'Much Cheapness', and get a bargain because they need the cash.

 

'Rough' means different things to many people, bit no rust / corrosion and Fluids that stay in the Engine 

& H20 staying out of the passenger compartment and most 'Rough' vehicles can be made tidy.

 

PS

re 'Prices are generally going up' ,  

What is this based on,  is this on the S2000's or a General Statement on Convertibles?

When you are looking for 1 car, 'generally'  is neither here or there, you do your own deal.

Convertibles add cost, what about a coupe ? and a nice holiday in Italy.

 

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C586174   

VED at £490 is only £200 more than one that is £290 obviously.

 

Yep, but when there's a lot that will do a very similar job and only cost £215 to tax, the difference pays for insurance and a service.

 

Anyway, I did a quick quote for insurance on Boxsters and they are around £450 - three times an MX5 so I suspect they are out.

I really like the Mk1 TT - it's definitely going to be a modern classic, but I think I've missed the best time to buy as prices seem to be on the up.

Convertibles add cost, what about a coupe ? and a nice holiday in Italy.

 

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C586174   

 

A nice looking car, but I suspect parts are now made of unobtanium.

sure, but prices are generally going up and now is not the time of year for people to be negotiating down on a convertible 

 

Unless a bargain came across my path I wouldn't be looking to buy now - I'm in no rush so would plan to get something over winter.

Ha ha ..No not selling for a long time..Then a second hand Mk4

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508075847906?channel=cars&price-to=7000&model=mx-5&make=mazda&postcode=sn119rn&price-from=5000&search-target=usedcars&sort=default&radius=1501&page=1&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&logcode=p

5 Years older than mine and 50,000 miles more too...LOL

A nice looking car, but I suspect parts are now made of unobtanium.

When new they were made of iron oxide!

OK, 'Are probably rough'.  I read what you said.

  Have you been looking at many, and is that what the Grey Honda you own is, a S2000?

 

Lots of cars of any type that are advertised for sale are Possibly rough at around £5,000, and some are maybe someones pride and joy that they need to sell.

Those are the ones you look for, 

you just might want to look for 'Much Cheapness', and get a bargain because they need the cash.

 

'Rough' means different things to many people, bit no rust / corrosion and Fluids that stay in the Engine 

& H20 staying out of the passenger compartment and most 'Rough' vehicles can be made tidy.

 

PS

re 'Prices are generally going up' ,  

What is this based on,  is this on the S2000's or a General Statement on Convertibles?

When you are looking for 1 car, 'generally'  is neither here or there, you do your own deal.

 

specifically S2000s, based on what people are selling them for (not what they're asking). the cars we're talking about are more often than not cared for second/weekend cars which the owners are in no particular rush to get rid so whilst deals can be done, they're unlikely to take around 30% less than what they're asking for. of course there will be bargains to be had, but those are the exception rather than the rule. 

I never mentioned 30% less, that is the better barterer than me vrskeith.

I just Traded in cars, so what do i know.

I have driven away with cars for 50% less than a seller was advertising for, but not a S2000 right enough.

 

We always look for exceptions,

the woman scorned wanting to get rid of that classic car sitting in the Lock up while she is chasing maintenance!

If you were looking for a weekend car which had to be a convertible of some sort, and could spend anywhere between two and five thousand, what would you go for.

An MX5 is the default choice, and you won't go far wrong with a tidy rust free example, but what else is worth a look or worth avoiding?

It would need to fit in a single garage, so nothing too large like a Saab cabrio, and it shouldn't cost a fortune to keep on the road.

It doesn't need to be the absolute fastest thing on four wheels. Two seats is fine, but four might be nice.

BMW Z3s appeal, and there's even Boxsters or Lotus Elans available in budget, but if I can spend half of my budget and still enjoy it, great.

I've not ruled out some kind of classic - whether that's an 80s XR3i or Golf cabrio, or possibly go further back for a Triumph or MGB.

Spitfire or MGB / Midget would be my choice but then again I'm biased, if you need any info on them drop me a message as own 2 out of 3 and regularly work on the other

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Can I just say this is the wrong time of year to be looking for convertibles?

They seem to sell cheaper in winter time

Parts for MG and Triumph are cheap and most are available, but a lot are total crap. Its quite common to see a part 40 years old being replaced and the new bit only lasts 6 months. Classic insurance under £100 and tax a flat £145 - free if over 40 years old. The problem is finding a good one in the first place and prices are creeping up.

 

Andy

Just spotted a nice MG TF 160 in lovely condition just down the road. 32k miles with a recent cam belt and head gasket change for a sensible price.

Sent them a message - sold today :(

I see no one has mentioned the last of the Toyora MR2.  They seem to be left out quite often but I would have thought they will certainly become a classic of the future.  They don't make them any more and good examples can still be found like any other car out there.  Still a little on the small side for me I am afraid.

I've never really liked the look of the MR2 though I know we had several owners on here that liked them a lot.

The first generation one on the other hand is great, but scarce.