What should I buy?
26 July 2010, 02:05 PM
#1
What should I buy?
I've had Imprezas for 10 years now as the best compromise of daily driver/b-road blaster/track day car for jaunts to the Nurburgring or the supermarket on my own, with the wife or the whole family. I've had my Spec C five years from new and still love it ... it has the Powerstation Stage 4 400bhp upgrade and TEIN electronically adjustable suspension.
We're moving up to East Yorkshire and the Spec C will get plenty of use on the A and B roads, but thinking I'd also like to get something a bit different for days out and the odd trackday. Something small, open-top, two-seater, lightweight, decent power. The last two are important ... I know people rave about MX-5s but I think after the Scoob it will just feel underpowered and frustrating no matter how sweet the handling.
So what do you think? I'm thinking about the obvious Caterhams and Westfields of various configurations, Elise (but worried about the weedy engine), Tuscan ... but also something off-the-wall like a Ginetta. Budget is no more than £20k or else I'd buy an Atom and be done with it.
Prize for the best suggestion: if you're in the E Yorks area and I go for what you recommend I'll pick you up for a drive out. Otherwise will just have to be copious
smileys.
We're moving up to East Yorkshire and the Spec C will get plenty of use on the A and B roads, but thinking I'd also like to get something a bit different for days out and the odd trackday. Something small, open-top, two-seater, lightweight, decent power. The last two are important ... I know people rave about MX-5s but I think after the Scoob it will just feel underpowered and frustrating no matter how sweet the handling.
So what do you think? I'm thinking about the obvious Caterhams and Westfields of various configurations, Elise (but worried about the weedy engine), Tuscan ... but also something off-the-wall like a Ginetta. Budget is no more than £20k or else I'd buy an Atom and be done with it.
Prize for the best suggestion: if you're in the E Yorks area and I go for what you recommend I'll pick you up for a drive out. Otherwise will just have to be copious
smileys.
26 July 2010, 03:21 PM
#3
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http://www.swlotus.com/lotus-elise-d...n-details.html
Alternatively if you want something different to the thousands of Lotus 7 clones out there try this:
http://www.woodcotesportscars.com/ca...p?StockID=2075
Last edited by Turbo2; 26 July 2010 at 03:26 PM. Reason: Added 21
26 July 2010, 04:49 PM
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26 July 2010, 04:53 PM
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I thought the OP was after an open car and that it would be principally for the road? Get those thinking caps on!
Tamoras are cheap. Here's one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1764563.htm
Not many things would outpace this on your trip to Tescos.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1901726.htm
Tamoras are cheap. Here's one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1764563.htm
Not many things would outpace this on your trip to Tescos.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1901726.htm
Last edited by Turbo2; 26 July 2010 at 05:00 PM.
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26 July 2010, 08:08 PM
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There's 2 turbocharged S2000s for sale over on the S2Ki website -
2000 V Reg (620bhp) £12,000-
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=804532
2005 05 Reg (425bhp) £16,500 -
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=802971
Nick.
2000 V Reg (620bhp) £12,000-
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=804532
2005 05 Reg (425bhp) £16,500 -
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=802971
Nick.
26 July 2010, 08:10 PM
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There's an R reg (97) Ultima GTR for sale in an Evo ad (been there for a while) for £26k. Now that is a FAST car. Can scan and send if needed. I reckon they'd take £20k.
26 July 2010, 09:24 PM
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R300 - right mix of pace and reliability. About the same pace at GT3 on track but MUCH cheaper to run.
Although from my own personal experience I would run the Spec C on track and get a Golf shopper for driving around day to day.
Although from my own personal experience I would run the Spec C on track and get a Golf shopper for driving around day to day.
27 July 2010, 08:27 AM
#12
Some great suggestions there ... keep them coming.
"Something a bit mad" is an excellent summary - has to be usable on the road but get the pulse racing. SEight and R3/4/500 are the 'default' choice; particularly the SEight. The guy who bought my last Scoob had one and let me have a drive ... definitely something a bit mad about cramming a V8 into a Seven body.
This is an interesting idea. Ideally I'm not looking for a modded car as I already have two 'project' cars and so something stock would be preferable. Having said that I love the idea of:
Always liked the S2000 but, like the Elise, put off by the weedy torque.
Interesting idea but I neglected to mention I already have a classic mini cooper S that I'm gradually turning into a rally car. The new car is definitely about the open-top sports car experience.
Tamoras and Tuscans are really interesting options. I love the idea of a TVR although a little dubious about the actual ownership experience. However the spec C has never missed a beat in its life so a car that isn't the last word in reliability wouldn't be a problem.
I've thought long and hard about a Radical but think its probably just the wrong side of the Track Car/Road Car divide. We're going to be living in a small village in the Yorkshire Wolds and I think it would really struggle on the roads round there. If it had a bit more ground clearance and suspension travel I would be very interested.
I love these cars and there was even a Spyder for sale a while back. If another Spyder comes up in my price range I'll be struggling to ignore it but I think they're rare as.
Thought about this originally but decided that it would be a waste of the spec C. Where I'm going to be living is proper Scooby country (hills, bumpy winding roads, open bends, not much traffic) and the thing I love about the spec C is that it is a car I can have great fun in even just going to the shops. So rather than stripping it out, putting a roll-cage in and making a full-on track car I'm going to live with the eye-watering fuel costs and have a big grin on my face even when I have to drive to work. So the new car will really be for weekend jaunts over the moors or to the coast and will probably come down to Cadwell Park along with the spec C so I have two very different cars to drive there.
Sounds like you need something a bit mad.
Westfield SEight or Caterham R400/R500s spring to mind.
Westfield SEight or Caterham R400/R500s spring to mind.
This engine-transplant puts a 205bhp 2.3 litre unit in an Elise for starters. More mods are then possible.
There's 2 turbocharged S2000s for sale over on the S2Ki website -
2000 V Reg (620bhp) £12,000-
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=804532
2005 05 Reg (425bhp) £16,500 -
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=802971
2000 V Reg (620bhp) £12,000-
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=804532
2005 05 Reg (425bhp) £16,500 -
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=802971
Interesting idea but I neglected to mention I already have a classic mini cooper S that I'm gradually turning into a rally car. The new car is definitely about the open-top sports car experience.
Tamoras are cheap. Here's one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1764563.htm
Not many things would outpace this on your trip to Tescos.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1901726.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1764563.htm
Not many things would outpace this on your trip to Tescos.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1901726.htm
I've thought long and hard about a Radical but think its probably just the wrong side of the Track Car/Road Car divide. We're going to be living in a small village in the Yorkshire Wolds and I think it would really struggle on the roads round there. If it had a bit more ground clearance and suspension travel I would be very interested.
There's an R reg (97) Ultima GTR for sale in an Evo ad (been there for a while) for £26k. Now that is a FAST car. Can scan and send if needed. I reckon they'd take £20k.
I would run the Spec C on track and get a Golf shopper for driving around day to day
27 July 2010, 09:22 AM
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Not my cup of tea, but each to their own:
http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/1741752.htm
Or a "proper" Tuscan, but with road registration (Yorkshire too!): These like Cadwell!
http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/800217.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/1741752.htm
Or a "proper" Tuscan, but with road registration (Yorkshire too!): These like Cadwell!
http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/800217.htm
Last edited by Turbo2; 27 July 2010 at 09:26 AM.
27 July 2010, 09:37 AM
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27 July 2010, 12:21 PM
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Damn if only you had been a few weeks earlier you could of brought a car of me that filled the spec above....
was a nice standard mk2 mondeo.......1.8....verona as well.....
had all you wanted,
it was small, well smaller then a rolls royce anyway,open top-well all 4 windows opened and front 2 were electric as well WOW,was 2 seater as well-well was when i filled back full of crap to take to skips,lightweight-indeed it was-i dread to think how much lighter it is then current shape mondeo,decent power-i cannot lie, a ferrari beater it wasn't ( unless they was parked up) but hey it ran rings round pushbikes on the open roads.
As i said traded it in just other week so you missed it, ask me nicely tho and i will peruse local paper for another one for you, for a small finders fee of course
was a nice standard mk2 mondeo.......1.8....verona as well.....
had all you wanted,
it was small, well smaller then a rolls royce anyway,open top-well all 4 windows opened and front 2 were electric as well WOW,was 2 seater as well-well was when i filled back full of crap to take to skips,lightweight-indeed it was-i dread to think how much lighter it is then current shape mondeo,decent power-i cannot lie, a ferrari beater it wasn't ( unless they was parked up) but hey it ran rings round pushbikes on the open roads.
As i said traded it in just other week so you missed it, ask me nicely tho and i will peruse local paper for another one for you, for a small finders fee of course
27 July 2010, 01:06 PM
#17
27 July 2010, 04:08 PM
#18
Damn if only you had been a few weeks earlier you could of brought a car of me that filled the spec above....
was a nice standard mk2 mondeo.......1.8....verona as well.....
had all you wanted,
it was small, well smaller then a rolls royce anyway,open top-well all 4 windows opened and front 2 were electric as well WOW,was 2 seater as well-well was when i filled back full of crap to take to skips,lightweight-indeed it was-i dread to think how much lighter it is then current shape mondeo,decent power-i cannot lie, a ferrari beater it wasn't ( unless they was parked up) but hey it ran rings round pushbikes on the open roads.
As i said traded it in just other week so you missed it, ask me nicely tho and i will peruse local paper for another one for you, for a small finders fee of course
was a nice standard mk2 mondeo.......1.8....verona as well.....
had all you wanted,
it was small, well smaller then a rolls royce anyway,open top-well all 4 windows opened and front 2 were electric as well WOW,was 2 seater as well-well was when i filled back full of crap to take to skips,lightweight-indeed it was-i dread to think how much lighter it is then current shape mondeo,decent power-i cannot lie, a ferrari beater it wasn't ( unless they was parked up) but hey it ran rings round pushbikes on the open roads.
As i said traded it in just other week so you missed it, ask me nicely tho and i will peruse local paper for another one for you, for a small finders fee of course
?
Not my cup of tea, but each to their own:
http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/1741752.htm
Or a "proper" Tuscan, but with road registration (Yorkshire too!): These like Cadwell!
http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/800217.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/1741752.htm
Or a "proper" Tuscan, but with road registration (Yorkshire too!): These like Cadwell!
http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/800217.htm
. Actually that reminds me that I met a bloke with a NOS'd Griff ... now there's an idea.Arrggh, I feel my resolve not to get another modded car draining away. My wife isn't going to be too surprised, neither is my insurance broker.
27 July 2010, 04:50 PM
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That's a real racing car from a real race car manufacturer, not just a jumped-up kit-car-based or bike-engined johnny-come-lately Ultima or Radical.
Last edited by Turbo2; 27 July 2010 at 04:56 PM.
27 July 2010, 06:25 PM
#20
They'll always been someone, somewhere with a madder road-registered car than you. My family had this for many years: it was the only road-registered one in the world.
That's a real racing car from a real race car manufacturer, not just a jumped-up kit-car-based or bike-engined johnny-come-lately Ultima or Radical.
That's a real racing car from a real race car manufacturer, not just a jumped-up kit-car-based or bike-engined johnny-come-lately Ultima or Radical.
and a 
27 July 2010, 06:31 PM
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Re - S2000
Lack of to torque - I can see where you are coming from but I should strongly advise you to drive one first! You' be very surprised! Not apparent lack of torque at all!
I'm running 350bhp on my supercharged S2000 and it's pretty damn fast! 425 or even 620bhp and you really won't feel the 'lack' of torque!
nick.
Lack of to torque - I can see where you are coming from but I should strongly advise you to drive one first! You' be very surprised! Not apparent lack of torque at all!
I'm running 350bhp on my supercharged S2000 and it's pretty damn fast! 425 or even 620bhp and you really won't feel the 'lack' of torque!
nick.
27 July 2010, 09:54 PM
#24
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620hp in a S2000 
TX.
TX.
There's 2 turbocharged S2000s for sale over on the S2Ki website -
2000 V Reg (620bhp) £12,000-
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=804532
2000 V Reg (620bhp) £12,000-
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=804532
27 July 2010, 11:06 PM
#25
Re - S2000
Lack of to torque - I can see where you are coming from but I should strongly advise you to drive one first! You' be very surprised! Not apparent lack of torque at all!
I'm running 350bhp on my supercharged S2000 and it's pretty damn fast! 425 or even 620bhp and you really won't feel the 'lack' of torque!
nick.
Lack of to torque - I can see where you are coming from but I should strongly advise you to drive one first! You' be very surprised! Not apparent lack of torque at all!
I'm running 350bhp on my supercharged S2000 and it's pretty damn fast! 425 or even 620bhp and you really won't feel the 'lack' of torque!
nick.
28 July 2010, 08:12 AM
#26
Re - S2000
Lack of to torque - I can see where you are coming from but I should strongly advise you to drive one first! You' be very surprised! Not apparent lack of torque at all!
I'm running 350bhp on my supercharged S2000 and it's pretty damn fast! 425 or even 620bhp and you really won't feel the 'lack' of torque!
nick.
Lack of to torque - I can see where you are coming from but I should strongly advise you to drive one first! You' be very surprised! Not apparent lack of torque at all!
I'm running 350bhp on my supercharged S2000 and it's pretty damn fast! 425 or even 620bhp and you really won't feel the 'lack' of torque!
nick.
28 July 2010, 01:23 PM
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