So, after 5 years+ on the road the time has come to say goodbye to my Stuart Taylor. The buyer came round this morning to pick it up. It was a good relationship but it is time to move on to another model (to buy, not build, this time).

I am after something interesting with a bit more in the way of creature comforts (proper doors, windows, roof – yeah, OK so I’m getting soft in my old age!). Not necessarily a kit car. Something up to about £4000 but don’t mind cheaper . I don't mind something with a bit of work needed but not much. So any thoughts/advice on what to look for/where?

So far, I have thought of the following:

Fury/Stylus type (with doors) - still a kit but more enclosing, should be fun, not necessarily within budget?

GTM Libra/Spyder - I really like the look, but budget would be a problem

GTM K3 Rossa - OK, cheaper, getting a bit old and dated-looking now.

Minari – in budget but not many about, Alfa engine reliability?

Mazda MX5 Mk1 - I like the look of the Mk1s best, easily within budget but lots (too many?) of them around, getting a bit old/rust problems? standard engine a bit weedy for the weight?

Toyota MR2 Mk3 - more modern, mid engined, older ones just about in budget, reliable? maybe a bit "soft"?

Honda S2000 – over budget probably, even the oldest ones.

Also, a bit off the wall, I have seen a Honda Beat - looks good IMHO, not many around (good for pose, not so good for parts, etc.), titchy engine/not much power but potential to turn it into a BEC ? (anyone done it?)

Or MGB - classic looks but too old/rusty? ancient engines, etc.?

Could quite fancy a classic mini with a 16v engine, though still rust issues... so: fibreglass shell mini (FRA,Minus, etc.) with 16v engine (K series, VTEC, Vauxhall, etc.)?

Thoughts please, chaps

Simon

I'm looking round for an MX5.

Tried them and they are brilliant.

I would heartily recommend a Rossa K3 seeing as I had one.

Criminally undervalued when you consider its much broader range of capabilites compared to a LSIS.
I had great fun with mine including commuting, a couple of sprints and also a hillclimb in it.

A Libra would be even better, but I think you would have to be doing awfully well to snare one for your budget.

A clean MX5 bought at the right money will always be easy to get shot of should the need arise.
Provided it's clean and well priced.

Griffith or Chimaera? I keep on being drawn to those as a possible LSIS replacement. Saw one go round an autosolo today and whilst it didn't look quick at all, it was!

A slightly grubby one should be within budget?

This, with some work at TVR Dean

or this one, also with some work

If you can build a kit, you can surely fix a TVR, right?

oooh! TVR - never thought of that. They look nice but a) a little higher than my budget and b) they do have a reputation for going wrong (e.g. "THE CAR HAD A FIRE IN THE FUES BOX AND HEATER MATRIX".

I do like the Libra but, as mentioned, a bit expensive - though I did see one listed on Pistonheads at £3500 - thjat went pretty quickly!

Leaning towards MX5, though the 1.6 is probably a bit on the underpowered side...

passed a TVR Sagaris today,


Awesome!

:-)

MX5 for £1.5k and a further £1k to supercharge - nice little project and will def do what it says on the tin.......

2000 HONDA S2000 SILVER 70K MILES, CONVERTIBLE, ESSEX | eBay UK

Lotus Elise plenty kicking round

1275 MG Midget and enough left over to make a few useful upgrades to the engine and brakes.

Brilliant fun, classic looks and bomb proof engine. Also wire wheels if you buy the right one.

Nooooo not wires. About the nastiest things ever invented, truly dangerous on a car that is driven hard.
Now, I know of a modified frogeye sprite, with a nice zetec in it. Very quick, always wins the autosolos beating everything else, including several 7esque cars.
In fact, an MGB fitted with a zetec would be a good motor, isn't there somebody on here doing one? never underestimate the fun an old car with a few tricks can provide. Plus people are genuinely more pleasant towards you. And the ladies like blokes who drive interesting motors (they generally do not equate fast with interesting)
I think a Triumph 2000 with a trick engine would be VERY cool

U2U'd!