Whats the best 2 seater under £5k

[John Jones Jr]

Nice cars but just too old now the driving dynamics of stuff 10 years newer is just so much different and it's not a two seater which he is adamant on great suggestion though

Possibly far better than a 10 grand dodgy engined and somewhat ungainly looking Boxster which your lad can't afford and only comes as a soft top?

In fairness, I do understand the age issue, not the dynamics or it's +2 configuration.

 

[dan-mb]

I would look into japanese cars for 2 seaters in that age, usage(possible track), price bracket.
The MX5, S2000, 350Z they will be a lot quicker & better power to weight ratio than the heavier mercs/bmw's cars avaliable in that bracket- unless you went for a high mileage SLK32 AMG.

 

[flango]

Possibly far better than a 10 grand dodgy engined and somewhat ungainly looking Boxster which your lad can't afford and only comes as a soft top?

In fairness, I do understand the age issue, not the dynamics or it's +2 configuration.

A Porsche late 1980's 944 has a typical 0-60 mph time of 9 seconds. A Mazda MX5 2 litre does the same in 7.6 seconds. To me that's one of the reasons you would not go older, couple that with the reliability of a 25 year old car and it just does not fit the bill of what he wants

 

[MicB]

I think you, or your mate, have set an age related parameter that is frankly irrelevant for a car circa 12 yrs. old.

It has to be condition and providence that matters together with condition and providence.

I am only in a position to comment on the SLK R170 because last year I did a trawl of the market (320's only) and I think you would struggle to get a truly nice rust free R170 for £5k if you are to take '53 as a cut off date.

You should, however, be able to find a truly fine example for £5k regardless of engine size if the age restriction were to be lifted.

The R170 is a beautifully designed, well built car that can be both docile and fun to drive. When pushed they drive a bit like a kart.......exhilarating.

I went the extra mile and paid £8k for this pristine 2001 SLK320 23k miler and I think I got a bargain.

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Mic

 

[def90cars]

Fiat Barchetta?
MG TF?

I think I would go Japanese though.

Well sorted MX5 MkI... Jap import with LSD.

 

[Chrishazle]

Early 944 2.5 engine, not enough grunt. 944S 16V, engine has no bottom end torque so up to about 4k RPM you might as well be driving a Rover 1 (I had a 944S for about a year - rubbish!). Hence I specifically said 944S2 or 968!

I'd match the driving dynamics of my 968 against a Z4 any day of the week, and round the twisty bits a 968 will give, never mind a Z4, many 911's (even modern ones) a run for their money - as demonstrated in Porsche club racing!

By the way Mr Jones - you CAN get a hard top for a Boxster - but they're about £1500 IIRC! There is even a special storage stand available.

 

[flango]

Early 944 2.5 engine, not enough grunt. 944S 16V, engine has no bottom end torque so up to about 4k RPM you might as well be driving a Rover 1 (I had a 944S for about a year - rubbish!). Hence I specifically said 944S2 or 968!

I'd match the driving dynamics of my 968 against a Z4 any day of the week, and round the twisty bits a 968 will give, never mind a Z4, many 911's (even modern ones) a run for their money - as demonstrated in Porsche club racing!

By the way Mr Jones - you CAN get a hard top for a Boxster - but they're about £1500 IIRC! There is even a special storage stand available.

Totally agree with you 968 is a fantastic car and poles apart from a 944, but a 968 is out of this budget for sure and the S2 944's wern't all that good. I've been up against both of them on track and the 968 is very competent but I never felt the same about the 944.

Best on he twisties by a mile is the MX5, there was a test with this the Porsche boxster, TT and I think the Elise. To make it really difficult they used a go kart track and the MX5 won by a mile, will see if I can find a link to it.

Meanwhile have a look at this from my mate Theo in Germany who has an MX5 on his Ring fleet.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Oq9uIa2bo

 

[John Jones Jr]

Early 944 2.5 engine, not enough grunt. 944S 16V, engine has no bottom end torque so up to about 4k RPM you might as well be driving a Rover 1 (I had a 944S for about a year - rubbish!). Hence I specifically said 944S2 or 968!

I'd match the driving dynamics of my 968 against a Z4 any day of the week, and round the twisty bits a 968 will give, never mind a Z4, many 911's (even modern ones) a run for their money - as demonstrated in Porsche club racing!

By the way Mr Jones - you CAN get a hard top for a Boxster - but they're about £1500 IIRC! There is even a special storage stand available.

Yes you can get a hardtop but it's not standard and would put the car even more out of budget than it is already. While an MX5 can be purchased within budget with an optional hardtop.

As for the 968 again out of budget, even an auto like yours. Thus I mentioned as a personal choice a 944S with 190bhp that's rubbish and lacks performance like a Rover 1, but most importantly is within budget. Of course if the budget is not a limiting factor, may as well opt for a Honda NSX

 

[nb_racing]

...and no Porsche Boxtsers (....and they are sh*te)

The options I see so far are

1. Chrysler crossfire

With respect to your friend, I think generally speaking a boxster would be "better" than a crossfire... But it's his opinion! (and as you say, over budget in this case)

I'd say Mx5 for driving fun for £ spent.
TT or Z4 for comfort and more modern ergomoics, and more power to make the commute easier.

 

[flango]

With respect to your friend, I think generally speaking a boxster would be "better" than a crossfire... But it's his opinion! (and as you say, over budget in this case)

I'd say Mx5 for driving fun for £ spent.
TT or Z4 for comfort and more modern ergomoics, and more power to make the commute easier.

Those thoughts very much mirror my own (with the exception of the Boxster which based on mine would be a money pit), I think one of the questions he needs to ask himself is how often will he use it for a commute? I'm not sure the switch from an S500 to and MX5 in conjested motorway traffic is an easy one which I think is where the TT and Z4 will have the upper hand

 

[Stratman]

MG F or MR2?

 

[flango]

MG F or MR2?

MR2 is definitely in the mix

 

[John Jones Jr]

I'm not sure the switch from an S500 to and MX5 in congested motorway traffic is an easy one

He's in for a shock, not negative hopefully but a shock initially none the less.

 

[Abb]

TT 3.2 Quattro coupled with the DSG box is an awesome bit of kit. My brother had one for 5 years, never missed a beat, great build quality, excellent road holding and lots of fun. Its definitely a lot of bang for your buck!

 

[gunning]

TT 3.2 Quattro coupled with the DSG box is an awesome bit of kit. My brother had one for 5 years, never missed a beat, great build quality, excellent road holding and lots of fun. Its definitely a lot of bang for your buck!

A good shout, I had a 225 1.8 and it was actually ok. The 3.2 isn't much quicker and less tuning potential but sounds better with the 3.2 lump

 

[Watchcame430]

Cabin a bit tight if you are even a bit above average in upper body height. I am 5 8 and have to duck to look out of side windows in new and old shape TTs

 

[automaniaman]

Mazda MX5, it has both style & reliability, IMO....

 

[MBDevotee]

If driving enjoyment is key, no point in a front driver like TT though in my opinion.

I'd say MR2 or MX-5

 

[markjay]

A friend just bought a 02 Boxter for £5k.... it has 90k miles, but even so I think that the Boxter must be a really unloved model to sell at these prices.

 

[flango]

A friend just bought a 02 Boxter for £5k.... it has 90k miles, but even so I think that the Boxter must be a really unloved model to sell at these prices.

Unloved, I hated mine with a passion I have never poured so much money into a car in my life and that's just the parts all the labour was free or done by me. It's a brand I will never go near again unless I'm in the fortunate position to buy new