Mx5 vs cliosport

[nb_racing]

I'm hoping to get myself a second car a bit later on in the year. Will be a fun car, few trackdays and "Lols" (as the kids say) etc. Cheap to buy and cheap to run.

I'm thinking either mk1 mx5 1.8 specced with LSD, or a clio cup 172.

Here's my basic rationale:

Clio pros; had 2 before so know what I'm getting. Brilliant car to drive. No driver aids, analogue car, quick, cheap, cheap to run. Plenty about to choose from.

Clio cons: I've had 2 before, French, reliability 10+ years on, most have been chavved up. Front wheel drive. Will get piss taken for being Nicole.

Mx5 pros: not had one before, rear drive, simple, plenty about. Should be reasonably reliable. Apparently brilliant car to drive but never tried one.

Mx5 cons: rust. Rust. Rust. They are getting on a bit, most are rusty or chavved up. Hard to find a 1.8 with LSD. Rust. They are slow. Soft top, in England. Will get piss taken for being hair dresser. Rust.

What are peoples thoughts?
Budget about 2-2.5k. No more.
Cheers.
Nick.

 

[Howard]

You can turbo an mx5 relatively inexpensively iirc ?

Proper fast then

If you work quickly you could complete the conversion and get a couple of days use out of it before it rusts away to nothing !

 

[wemorgan]

You've pretty much nailed the Clio vs MX5 debate. Try a MX5 and see for yourself.
If you get a MX5 budget for a 1/2 roll cage and 4-point harness.

 

[C36fan]

Get a focus St very good fun as standard and plenty bolt on upgrades at burton power!

 

[Giantvanman]

Clio cons: chavvey.

Mx5 cons: hair dresser.

That.

 

[flango]

Get a focus St very good fun as standard and plenty bolt on upgrades at burton power!

Fiesta ST would be a better choice given what OP wants and in price range with same bolt ins available

Other option ford Puma 1.7 yamaha engine and loads of tuning options might even be able to pick up a racing puma. I modded SWMBO puma which was in fast ford magazine for very little money and it was awesome

But I did use to work for Ford Motorsport so had a lot of expert guidance

 

[MCFastybloke]

Where are you tracking it?
Cadwell=MX5
Snett/thruxton=Clio

 

[nb_racing]

Where are you tracking it? Cadwell=MX5 Snett/thruxton=Clio

That's a very valid point and one I had thought about. I think the clio would struggle round thruxton.
That said I track my old clios around Silverstone gp (old spec) and it was okay.
I'll probably be at Bedford and Silverstone.

 

[Milton7]

Had 2 MX5s- highly recommended. Bulletproof mechanics just check for rust before purchase. My last was a 1999 1.8S which had LSD as standard, very predictable handling, very few disadvantages with this car.

 

[flango]

That's a very valid point and one I had thought about. I think the clio would struggle round thruxton.
That said I track my old clios around Silverstone gp (old spec) and it was okay.
I'll probably be at Bedford and Silverstone.

MX5 all the way for those circuits then. I drive the caterham's regularly at Bedford and whilst the MX5 does not have the same power its just as tail happy so would be great fun.

Check out this video from my mate Theo of his MX5 around the Nurburgring, I will be driving this in May.

[YOUTUBE]d7Oq9uIa2bo[/YOUTUBE]

 

[bolide]

I'm a diehard RWD man, but I'd say Cliosport. Those little French hatchbacks are great

If you want something with a bit more power, 200SX or MR2

Worrying about the connotations of your car and what other people think of them is pointless.

Nick Froome

 

[nb_racing]

Worrying about the connotations of your car and what other people think of them is pointless.

Thanks, those points were added mainly for ammusement; some of my mates have or have had Mx5s and I always call them hairdressers..!

 

[nb_racing]

well.. Bought an mx5 in the end. 1.6, lsd, de cat, cone filter, roll cage, hard top and soft top removed. Import. Pretty much rust free as far as I can find. (apart from the exhaust...)

Collecting it tomorrow!