Well with the Furby being sold and waiting for it to be taken away next week, I'll be searching for my new car: An MR2 Roadster.

I am certain this is it for my next car but it aint over until I buy one.

So for a budget of

- Teg Type-R

- Skyline R32 GTR

- Scooby STi-5 Type R

- Evo V/VI

- Mondeo ST220

HTH

Chris

- Teg Type-R

Still getting over this, its so close to my budget it hurts... Anyone fancy giving me a couple of

Still getting over this, its so close to my budget it hurts... Anyone fancy giving me a couple of

I dont think he was thinking of the DC5 - You'd get a really nice one like my old one on an R plate or newer for that money.

However, between that and the MR2 I'd go for the Toyota. nicer interior, nicer seats and a little manic for when you're not in the mood.

However, I did see a car and think of you the other day - Fiat Barchetta. LHD only but they've gotta be dirt cheap.

Can you get an E36 M3 for that money these days?

The Barchetta was mentioned and I must admit it has had some good reviews, but I couldn't live with the LHD and I am not too keen on how it looks, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

E36 M3 would be awesome, but insuring it, running it, services would have me putting it up for sale within a month of owning it.

I am pretty sure the MR2 is a sound choice, just interested to see what other considerations there are within my budget.

Sounds to me like you've answered your own question

E34 M5?

http://www.thhe.dk/BMW_M5_E34-01.jpg

E34 M5?

http://www.thhe.dk/BMW_M5_E34-01.jpg

E36 M3 would be awesome' date=' but insuring it, running it, services would have me putting it up for sale within a month of owning it.[/quote']

:confused:

For that money I'd get a nice 1980's Porsche 911.

How about this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/54-Skoda-Fabia-vRS-Black-Magic-2004_W0QQitemZ4636432547QQcategoryZ18275QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

How about this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/54-Skoda-Fabia-vRS-Black-Magic-2004_W0QQitemZ4636432547QQcategoryZ18275QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

PMSL :rofl:

Good call

Yep MR2 is a sound choice.....i came extremely close to getting one myself a couple of weeks back!....i prefer the facelifted car...makes the pre-facelift car look old! IMO

How about a 3.0 V6 Alfa spyder. It won't be a bed of roses in the electrical stakes, but you will get drop dead gorgeous looks, good chassis, mega V6 motor with lovely Alfa V6 crackle to the exhaust note and they seem quite a "blokey" kind of soft top. Would probably get the best available on your budget too

but I couldn't live with the LHD

It really doesn't make that much difference, and it means you're the one who can spank cyclists as you go past them rather than having to get your passenger to do it. So I'm told.

Debatably the LHD version of any European car will be better than the RHD - after all, the car will usually be designed for the "home market", so it will originally be designed by the "premier" design team to be a LHD vehicle. Once it's complete, they'll get moved on to the next project, and the "not-quite-so-good/cheaper" engineers will be drafted in to move the steering wheel and pedals.

Whether there's any truth in the above or not I don't know, I read it somewhere on the internet so it should be accurate...

Rob.

Do you need to carry much stuff around?

As the MR2 "Boot" is absolutely tiny.

Lucky if you could get 2 brief cases in it.

What about an

Audi S3

Audi S4

3 Series BMW 325i or above

Jaguar XJR

C36/C43 AMG Merc

Focus RS

My next weekend car if I still can't afford a Z4

VX220...

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Hi Walkie

I just got back from another drive in the MR2. Just cruising along, the nose gently bobbing in response to undulations, the moonlight inside the car, the wind rustling around the top of the screen and the heater keeping me nicely warm. Relaxed easy and fast progress after the nights earlier more manic moments up on the Essex / Suffolk border. A big smile moment.

Tonight the MR2 has revealed another level of talent and ability. I know these cars thrive on a gentle input and delicate grip, so I have been trying to drive it thus and getting what I thought was a good result, but the car has never felt completely settled. Tonight however, I decided to go back to basics and start slow again, building up pace and trying an even more delicate grip and subtelty of input. What I soon discovered was that I was missing out on so much communication before by not "listening" to the signals coming back through wheel and seat. The penny dropped when I thought about the way it responded to steering. With the light front end, it is more like a motorbike in the way you use the throttle and steering together to make the car flow, to shift its balance front to rear and side to side, so I started treating it like one.

Weight transitions are easily managed to get the grip to the corner you want it, running the car through empty roundabouts is a matter of a gentle lift from the gas (not off it just less power) tilt left, back on the gas while guiding the nose to the apex a gentle lift of the gas again to give the front end a little bite past the apex before getting properly on the gas for a brisk exit. The whole thing flows together just perfectly when you get it right and the cornering speeds are higher than I have ever managed in the Fabia. The lack of momentum in the nose makes it feel like the tyres are not working too much, giving the impression that the car is not cornering that hard, but you then realise that the rears are well hooked up and the seat bolster is pressing really hard into your side. I have never had the Fabia cornering at these speeds and it simply could never change direcion as swiftly and fluidly.

It has taken me 400 miles to suss it out, but there is a depth of ability and character there that no front drive or front engine car at the price will get near. Fuel consumption has been good too. I have used around £40 for the first 400 miles, virtually all open road driving. It seems to like BP Ultimate. The engine is surprisingly tractable for its output. Peak torque does not kick in until 4400rpm, but you can make plenty quick progress changing up at around 4000rpm. The car just flows along any road with ease. Work the engine harder and acceleration is very good. The small frontal area sees to it that aerodynamics is good and acceleration is keen even at high speeds. You wont get quite the punch of a one clicked vRS, but acceleration is pretty vivid and what you lose on the straights you will easily recoup by being on the gas much earlier in the corner. Oh and while I think of it, the side panels in the storage space can be unclipped and removed to provide enough room for a golf bag (not that I play). Practical and exciting? You dont see that very often.

This car is just so involving and entertaining. Just do it.

Chris

Excellent little write up Chris, read with great interest

I do have my mind set on the MR2 but thought I would open it up for one last session of suggestions.

My car's going on Saturday, so fingers crossed I'll be driving an MR2 by Sunday

I am like a kid at Christmas

I am like a kid at Christmas

Just make sure the dealer isn't like Michael Jackson and ready to screw you!!! :rofl:

It's clear you want a rag top so lots of the suggestions above are out.Don't blame you.I miss roof off blasts.

If it was a second car,Lotus Elise.

As its a sensible (ish) choice definately MX5.MR2 sounds great,looks good.Just seems to be a bit too small.

Sounds like its too late to change your mind though.

Yup, the only car which is really an alternative to the MR2, and on budget, is the MX5. Supposedly a better drive, probably more practical, but I'd take the MR2 myself.