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Sporty Tin Top Suggestions
RazMan - 13/1/08 at 11:16 AM

There is just a chance that I may have found a buyer for my car so I am going to need a tin top that will keep me going while my next project gets underway.

I was thinking about the MR2 but that is probably a bit small for my ... erm .... proportions so then the Supra comes to mind but they are probably a bit thirsty for daily use.

What else should I consider? Budget around £5-8k with the emphasis on fun but with practical undertones


David Jenkins - 13/1/08 at 11:20 AM

When I sat in a MR2 Mk1 I found it quite spacious - and I'm 'of a similar proportion' to you!

Recently I drove my sister-in-law's Mazda MX5, and I had to put the seat one or two notches forward on the runners. My brother's 6' 3" tall, and he also drives it without problems. Not the fastest thing around, but nice to drive and corners well.

David


DaveFJ - 13/1/08 at 11:25 AM

Nissan 200sx ??

cheap at the mo and when your done it becomes an excellent donor


tegwin - 13/1/08 at 11:25 AM

Golf GTI 1.8T with a chipped ECU....


RazMan - 13/1/08 at 11:27 AM

Hmm ... I tried sitting in a Mk1 MR2 and my head was banging the roof unless I hunkered down in the seat. I suppose a bit of retrimming would sort that out and maybe the Mk2 is better for headroom.

MX5 is definitely not a choice for me although they are at least RWD I suppose - perhaps with a turbo they might have the sort of performance I am accustomed to

Golf is too 'hot hatch' for my liking
200SX is a good choice - I really enjoyed my old S13 so I might have a look at the S14 although the 'spirit' is a bit watered down in that model.

Good suggestions guys - keep 'em coming

[Edited on 13-1-08 by RazMan]


NeilP - 13/1/08 at 11:34 AM

Corrado VR6 or G60?

Merc 190e 2.5-16 Cosworth? (You just knew I'd get a Cossy ref in! ) Linky

Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 (thirsty but big fun...)


joneh - 13/1/08 at 11:42 AM

FTO?


kev R1 - 13/1/08 at 12:03 PM

clio 172 cup! type r,older m3?


tom_loughlin - 13/1/08 at 12:15 PM

Go MR2 turbo....such amazing cars - Great fun, and I reckon nothing is a patch on it car-for-money wise.
Seriously fast too.


Mr Whippy - 13/1/08 at 12:18 PM

quote:
Originally posted by joneh
FTO?


sigh......all these acronyms, I had to look up what FTO stands for apparently it's - 'Fight the Octopus', which has me a bit confused


Worzey - 13/1/08 at 12:21 PM

Another huge fan of the 200SX here. Of all the cars I have owned (Velocity excluded) this was by far the most fun even if it did try and kill me every time I was a little too heavy with the right foot.

I'd have another one now if I came across a good one.

Lots of space in the front, and some room for very small kids and dwarfs in the back.

Good(ish) usable boot too if you need to load it up.

I fancy a 350Z next


b16mts - 13/1/08 at 12:59 PM

My suggestions are thus.

a nissan skyline r33 gtst. 2.5 single turbo, loads of rwd fun for less than £5000.

or a mitsubishi fto gpx mivec. may be front wheel drive and usually auto/tiptronic, but what an amazing gearbox! it learns your driving style and changes gear accordingly. this was quickest in the bends

plus the fact that i'm 6'5", 18 stone and was comfy in both.


stevebubs - 13/1/08 at 12:59 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
quote:
Originally posted by joneh
FTO?


sigh......all these acronyms, I had to look up what FTO stands for apparently it's - 'Fight the Octopus', which has me a bit confused
??

Mitsubishi....


awinter - 13/1/08 at 01:18 PM

I can reccomend a 928 S4 you can pick em up for 5k a set of X pipes or an RMB an you also have the V8 burble. Plenty of grunt if a bit thirsty when driven quickly. 25mpg on the Motorway @ 70.


andrew.carwithen - 13/1/08 at 01:25 PM

Alfa Romeo 156 GTA
3.2 V6 250bhp and four doors!
Definitely a wolf in sheep's clothing but IMHO beautiful nonetheless.
(you're never a true petrolhead 'til you've owned an Alfa! )


RazMan - 13/1/08 at 01:43 PM

Some more useful suggestions there guys - ta very much eBay is going to get a thrashing now


andybod - 13/1/08 at 01:51 PM

early mitsubishi evo 2/3 huge fun and well under your budget still prefer my old evo2 to my current impreza wrx


Andy W - 13/1/08 at 02:26 PM

Seat Leon Cupra R?


MikeRJ - 13/1/08 at 02:32 PM

The MR2 is actually quite spacious in the cabin, but the boot is pretty tiny.

Have you considered a Fiat Coupe 20VT? You could get a fantastic example for your budget.


DaveFJ - 14/1/08 at 11:16 AM

Mitsubishi 3000GT ??


linky

[Edited on 14/1/08 by DaveFJ]


02GF74 - 14/1/08 at 03:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by RazMan

What else should I consider? Budget around £5-8k with the emphasis on fun but with practical undertones


VOLVO 850 T5 or 850 R.


I weep when I see what they go for on ebay.


Benzine - 14/1/08 at 03:45 PM

Buy mine? Sporty and practical

====> ;Teh best car evar!!11<====


jono_misfit - 14/1/08 at 05:27 PM

FTO's are fine until you need to change the rear 3 spark plugs, at which point you need to dismatle half the car. They have special "long life" plugs. FTO's have a nice rust trap next to the front strut towers which is always good to check.


MR2 turbo's are great fun, but check the back end for damage as lots get spun off backwards. They can be a bit vicious comming off a wet roundabout when they hit boost. Ive yet to see a targa where it doesnt leak at the window panes.

We had a MRS (new style MR2) at work. That was a blast to drive but only 2lt N/A. Could drift it right accross the inside of the storage warehouse from parked.

Supra's always amaze me on how big they are when trying to park. If you get one 3ltr turbo is good

Impreza Sti 5 or 6 type R with DCCD diff. Open the diff locking right up and they drive really nice and loose, but when its poor weather / snow you can wind the locking back on for better 4 wheel drifts
4 seats and big boot.

If you fancy being a fast family / more understated the galants are good, but not sure of ££


Brooky - 14/1/08 at 08:32 PM

porker 944


flak monkey - 14/1/08 at 08:36 PM

A t-top mk1 mr2 Head room isnt an issue then As long as its not raining!


timcullen - 14/1/08 at 08:38 PM

Clio cup 182
or
Early Lotus Elise (just!)


iank - 14/1/08 at 09:34 PM

Toyota Celica was out in one tonight. Nice place to be, reasonably pokey and more practical than an MR2.

p.s. Another top avatar Flak does she have a website?


flak monkey - 14/1/08 at 10:04 PM

quote:
Originally posted by iank
p.s. Another top avatar Flak does she have a website?


Its a snip from a random photo nicked from Deviant Art. Bit naughty really.

http://www.deviantart.com/



jono_misfit - 14/1/08 at 10:53 PM

Excellent web page, loads of really good art and photography.

Plus some of the lassies on there are very easy on the eyes and dont appear to have much on


martyn_16v - 15/1/08 at 10:34 AM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
The MR2 is actually quite spacious in the cabin, but the boot is pretty tiny.


The mk2's boot is surprisingly huge. I could get two sets of golf clubs in mine, or an entire weeks shopping (as long as you don't mind it being cooked by the time it gets home, gets pretty toasty in there). I'd go for one with a solid roof rather than the t-bar, they don't leak, the chassis is noticeably stiffer and IMO the glass roof panels spoil the looks of the car (unless it's a black car I suppose). And lets face it, you'll only have them off for two days a year