Or an even older Honda S2000, it’s becoming sought after so will not be cheap.

Pretty sure you don't get an automatic S2000

Thanks catsdad. I had thought about a GT86 and looked at a main forum for the car. From reading the forum there are too many stories of the engines blowing up and requiring a 4K engine rebuild. My suspicious is it probably effects the cars that were modded but that has put me off.

The S2000 was manual only. A number of imported Honda S660 are now in the country and a few are for sale but they tend to be at the 15K mark. Given they have been imported from Japan and are Kei cars they are small with 660cc engines. Too expensive, I probably wouldn't fit into one and probably too slow as well.

The MX5 has been mechanically sound but I just haven't bonded with it.

Thanks badbusdriver.

So luckily I had one which was under warranty at the time. It leaked like a sieve and for me that blow up the SAM unit which was under the seat were the water flowed. A number of other sensors needed replaced. In my driving career, I have broken down 3 times. 2 of those times were in the Roadster!

From what I can see you can get a good example of a roadster for about £5k to 6K. They are getting on a bit now but there is a local smart specialist who is very well regarded. The problem is that I don't have a garage and it rains a lot where I live.

I realise I am probably going to have to comprise a bit and would probably be ok with a more sporty ride - I am after all doing only 5K miles a year. The roads were I live are really bad though.

Re the steering. The MX5 steering is really light and although I've used the term heavy to describe the type of steering I am looking for. Its probably more akin to normal, if you know what I mean.

Edited by newguy2015 on 28/04/2024 at 10:23

Thanks Adampr

I don't think the CR-z was sold as an automatic in the UK. Although I've pretty sure I've seen a CVT imported from japan not that long ago.

The Wind was manual only and I've just done an autotrader search for a Tigra and all the ones on the market are currently manual. I am not sure if the Tigra ever came in automatic.

The Mini Coupe is a good shout and I will do some more research on that. There's a well respected mini specialist close by. Although I thought all minis of that era tended to use the peugeot engine that was not well regarded.

Thanks Barney

I'll be honest, I am not really a fan of how the TT looks and the DSG gearbox slightly worries me.

Hopefully Volkswagen/Audi have them sorted now. I'll be buying second hand and I'll have no idea how well its been looked after, so probably needs to be a no, just on the gearbox, rally.

Thanks Slo76

That is a nice looking Merc. I think it ticks most of the boxes.

I've no problem buying from a private seller and that probably makes most sense. When I bought the MX5, I previously bought from a specialist dealer that had a great reputation in the MX5 community. I think it worked really well, the guy was excellent and I had no problems. Also, due to his reputation, I was convinced if there had been any issues he would have got them sorted.

I did do a search on Auto trader for Lexus SC430 but I am sure they will be reliable but came to the conclusion probably didn't work for the fun aspect.

When I first got my MX5, I got it rust proofed and I topped up that treatment for a few years after. It was due for its next rust treatment during the pandemic and because of that it simply didn't happen and now it's really too late.

I think the key is that it had absolutely no tech in it apart from say the electric windows.

I don’t think any of the cars we are discussing in this thread will be running when they are 24 years old