OV9

Folks, as no one likely knows or cares, I am sans fun car as of a week or so back, the old Civic packed off to its fate as a donor engine ultimately. Anyhow, I wasn't intending replacing it in any hurry but like most things, when you don't have something, you want it all the more.. and I flit between a sensible tip run shed (Superb estate for eg) and something cheap n fun to keep my hand in (EV are great daily cars but soulless for entertainment obvs).

Always fancied an MX5, NC 2.0 seems a fair balance between usable, bargain prices and still got life in em. Cayman is Evonomics kicking in above that, its a Porsche, I can't justify 911 C2S for the use I'd get, so Cayman feels like a sweet spot again - however that 3.4. 2.7 Just feels slow even reading the specs, 2.9 are rare, 3.4 has its reputation. I'm seeing £10k rebuilds quoted (not end of the world but upsetting all the same).

Is the 3.4 just waiting to cost me a rebuild or is it another case of internet making things sound worse?

Is MX5 2.0 enough to sate my desire to hurl a car around Wales every once in a while?

Other ideas? Don't really want to cough up £15k+ but the right Cayman probably worth it, and looking at £6/8k range on the NC seems about right?

GT86, Elise, BBR MX5

My head jumps to Cayman, but you see a few MX5 with the BBR200 pack already on them for reasonable money.

370Z?

BBR MX5 is a special idea for sure, Elise is too far towards what I have with the bikes, I want a sport tourer more than rawness end of the scale. GT86 should appeal but leaves me a little cold for some reason.

DeskJockey wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 9:31 pm370Z?

Also a good shout. Can get a fair bit of performance for your money.
For example - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 0014719640

Dan seems pleased with his 124, which is the other alternative.

I wouldn't totally rule out the 2.7 Cayman, many people rate it - 225bhp is decent power. It's where my money would go....alternatively looked for a rebuilt 3.4 or get it properly inspected before purchase if not?

mik wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 9:46 pm

DeskJockey wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 9:31 pm370Z?

Also a good shout. Can get a fair bit of performance for your money.
For example - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 0014719640

£710 to tax a 370Z these days though....

If going for a 987 Boxster/Cayman I’d be really wary of the 3.4. I think the larger pistons are the reason that version suffers bore score; the 2.7 and 2.9 are fairly immune. Also, as a fun weekend car not used much my 986 Boxster cost quite a bit in maintenance even at 7-8 years old so at twice that I’d expect the running costs to be substantially higher than an MX5.

MX5, I’d go for the NC3 if you can find a good one at the right price. That’s the late final facelift. Most have the folding hard top which adds weight so they’re probably as heavy as your Civic. But they are really highly rated. And less cramped than a mk4.

With a bike as your fun toy I’m not sure an MX5 would give you enough thrills. Being exposed by dropping the hood might be appealing because you don’t have to wear a helmet, of course.

I think I'd be trying a GT86 tbh.

Give one a go before writing it off, sounds like it fits the brief.

Matty wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 9:50 pm

mik wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 9:46 pm

DeskJockey wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 9:31 pm370Z?

Also a good shout. Can get a fair bit of performance for your money.
For example - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 0014719640

£710 to tax a 370Z these days though....

Yeah that's one of the reasons I've ruled them out. I can afford it, but I refuse to pay that much tax.

GT86 - been in a mates one a good few times. Feels lovely from the passenger seat as it's flowing along, but it doesn't feel remotely special or characterful, which is a subjective thing, but they do nothing for me. Might be different once driven, but I can't see it.

(I'm still gravitating towards Z4C)

E46 330ci/E92 335i perhaps? I've been looking at E46 Coupes and feeling less hard on them (given I ran the cabrio for five years), E92 has the pace to make it interesting, even if (to me) it looks a bit anodyne, but I'd understand if "warmed up saloon" is less interesting than a pure sports car because that's basically where I am at the moment too.

This isn't my thread though, so I'll shut up now

Edit: Slightly more yap, how about a nice F-type 3.0 with a recent new engine?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 1137998379


Yes my searches have got silly

mik wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 9:46 pm

DeskJockey wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 9:31 pm370Z?

Also a good shout. Can get a fair bit of performance for your money.
For example - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 0014719640

Also...is that a tiny gear lever or a massive gaitor?!

Tiny knob.

You can tell by the lowering springs, spacers and starlights in the headliner.

Also "needs a bonnet catch"

Boy, you think you'd, er, fix that before putting up a picture that looks like you bought the car from a drug dealer and now can't afford to do basic repairs, and need to sell it before Big John expects his 'fucking money', eh?



....yeah I came across this one and dismissed it, when I was still considering 370Zs

Yes I accept that particular one has some questionable mods.

I was hoping that @Barry might see that 2013 higher-mileage Nismo 370Z for £12,790, and (if it tickled in any way whatsoever) consider - probably inside his head - that he might be able to pick up a similar 2013 higher-mileage Nismo 370Z without questionable-mods for £similar.

Or that £1700 Clio 172 that 16vCento spotted in Torquay ?

I just went for a quick scout - to be honest I hadn't really realised how generous the cabin space is in the Cayman.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17858028

Note: I have just messaged them asking if that car has aftermarket mirrors, as something doesn't look quite right.....

Bastard, I was all primed to write a post about my 996 being quite comfortable for me as a tall person until I clicked the link.

Z4C, I sat in one when they were new, I remember it being pretty snug.

Sundayjumper wrote: Thu Apr 03, 2025 9:15 am Bastard, I was all primed to write a post about my 996 being quite comfortable for me as a tall person until I clicked the link.

Z4C, I sat in one when they were new, I remember it being pretty snug.

I was just about to post - I can't believe no one has mentioned the car of the moment - the Z4C. I sat in one at GFOS in the early 2000s and it's what planted a seed in my head that maybe at some point I might consider something not French. It led to us getting the first 1-series for the wife, and latterly my E91.

I quite fancy one myself now, in addition to the other hundred or so wants. I think I'd go N52 engined 3.0 and then look at supercharging. Over 400hp supercharged would be reasonably amusing, and I imagine quite a handful in such a short wheelbase!

I've not actually gone to look at a Z4C yet (while I await insurance confirmation - I might still get the M135i back - it seems a bit pointless) but I'd assume it's a bit like a snug E46/E9x

I mean I fit OK in the F20, and to call it cramped inside is perhaps a bit unfair, but given it has a similar footprint to the E46, it's definitely not as spacious inside

This is currently for sale for much less than £15k