Is there a car that can replace GSA tarmac thrills?

Blobby

Blobby

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I don't think so but I'm looking as my other half really doesn't enjoy the bike on safety grounds due to our kids so I want to see if there is a bearable compromise. Has to be quick with wind in your hair option, reliable, safe, have a boot, two or more seats and put a grin on your face. Booked to try a 2005 SLK 55 AMG tomorrow which if nothing else, has a great exhaust note. Z4M is an option but I'm not taken by looks. Audi TT 3.2 cabriolet is a possible but think it may be too refined. Won't spend more than £18k.

I won't part with my GSA easily as I really love it but I'm happy to look.

Any suggestions?
 
Caterham 7
Westfield
Porsche Boxter if finances stretch that far
Mazda MX5 (no, don't scoff, seriously!)

Everything there from 2k to 50k, depending on age etc........and how strong your hairpiece glue is :D
 
JayC said:
Except they're not quick. A brilliant car, just not particularly quick.
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Nobody mentioned quick....'Thrills ' was the word :beerjug:

Out of the box, the MX5 ain't quick, true, but they have been around for almost 78 years now, and there are any number of tuning specialists who will make them as quick as you like :thumb2

My old man had a supercharged one after he had to sell his Morgan.......he used it more on trackdays than he ever did the Morgan, because it was just so right

MX5....the best roadster sports car that the British never made :thumb2

EDIT...as 'the other half' was mentioned, an MX5 or the Boxster would probably be the better bets...any of the Caterhams or a decent Westfield would be more thrilling, but they're not particularly 'spouse friendly' or suitable for a Sunday afternoon relaxed country road bimble.......
 
MX5

MX5. Had one for 10 years and sold it about 6 months ago. It shared the garage with the GS for about 5 years. Great little car and a real hoot on track days. Drive it to the track - have a blast and drive home. I did 110k miles and it cost me a few sets of tyres, brakes and little else. Did my own servicing which was easy and cheap. Never failed an MOT despite the fact that I thrashed it every time I drove it.
Soft top was easy to put up and down and was still perfect when we parted. Boot was big enough for me and the missus to spend holidays in Europe (including visiting the 'Ring). Great car and I miss it!!
Would I swap the GS for it? Fortunately I never had to make the choice!:D

OldCroc
 
Blobby said:
I don't think so but I'm looking as my other half really doesn't enjoy the bike on safety grounds due to our kids so I want to see if there is a bearable compromise. Has to be quick with wind in your hair option, reliable, safe, have a boot, two or more seats and put a grin on your face. Booked to try a 2005 SLK 55 AMG tomorrow which if nothing else, has a great exhaust note. Z4M is an option but I'm not taken by looks. Audi TT 3.2 cabriolet is a possible but think it may be too refined. Won't spend more than £18k.

I won't part with my GSA easily as I really love it but I'm happy to look.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Fanum said:
Nobody mentioned quick....'Thrills ' was the word :beerjug:
Click to expand...

:augie
 
JayC said:
:augie
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Ok Mr Smug pants...... :thumb2

I referred back to the title when I was typing....my bad :beerjug:

It's all relative though isn't it.......a 1600 MX5 will still feel "quick' in comparison with many much larger capacity cars, and is more than capable of providing thrills.

As above, you can tweak an MX5 to easily be sub 5 second 0-60 quick, and they can be almost as involving as a decent Caterham when sorted, yet twice as useable day to day :bounce1
 
I'll look at the MX5. So many people say they're so good yet I've never considered one and never knew they'd been around for so long and with so many tuning options.

I looked at a BMW M5 today. 2007, 500bhp, immense specification, room for a family holiday but when I jumped in and started it up it was just like being in another tin box but with brutal power. Hope this doesn't sound unappreciative, but the M5 while an incredible car was just too refined, hence dull.

It makes me realise just good and how much fun the GSA is.

Westfield and Caterham 7 just won't meet the other half's comfort ideals albeit I agree they are the nearest to a bike on 4 wheels. If I had the money I'd have an Atom, but I haven't and it wouldn't pass the comfort and waterproof requirements anyway.

Thanks for all your input :)
 
How about an old Porsche 911 Targa ? Classic car you won't lose a lot of money and you can impress the chicks when the Mrs isn't looking. Not sure how old if £18k is your budget though.
 
Blobby said:
I'll look at the MX5. So many people say they're so good yet I've never considered one and never knew they'd been around for so long and with so many tuning options.

I looked at a BMW M5 today. 2007, 500bhp, immense specification, room for a family holiday but when I jumped in and started it up it was just like being in another tin box but with brutal power. Hope this doesn't sound unappreciative, but the M5 while an incredible car was just too refined, hence dull.

It makes me realise just good and how much fun the GSA is.

Westfield and Caterham 7 just won't meet the other half's comfort ideals albeit I agree they are the nearest to a bike on 4 wheels. If I had the money I'd have an Atom, but I haven't and it wouldn't pass the comfort and waterproof requirements anyway.

Thanks for all your input :)
Click to expand...

In that case, genuinely, try a Morgan+8

Hold your arms parallel out as far as you can reach in front of you, palms facing together, then point both hands towards 10 'o'clock then 2 'o'clock, allowing your body to follow though as you follow your hands around the room.

That's what driving a Morgan feels like, steering wise....they also accelerate like a bike, brake even better and even if you look like Micky on a bad day, will make you look great :thumb2


8.jpg
 
Blobby said:
Has to be quick
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No such thing as a 'quick car' on English roads. I overtook a McLaren a couple of months ago (relatively clear A267). Overtook the usual smattering of Porsche's, BMW's, etc today. In a snow flurry on narrow muddy roads. Ok, a car can be quick briefly, but catch up to a truck being tailed by (say) 3 cars and a van, and it's all over. For them.

Had to take the Multipla to work (50 miles, cross country) a couple of times recently, and I have watched some people really, really trying (M5, AMG etc), three laning the A22 (in both directions, on bends). And they end up 3 or 4 cars further up the queue for the Hailsham roundabout. It's fast, it's furious, but it ain't quick.
 
Avoid the stereotypical choices, MX5 - TT - Boxster save some dosh and get yourself a slice of Italian V6 heaven for around £12k

Current shape Alfa Spyder 3.2 V6 , should be able to pick up 4yr old car with 25-30k miles one her.

Bellisimo:drool
 
3 SERIES CABRIO 325 or 330 AUTO

Had one of these for a couple of years, electric metal folding roof, in black with red leather, fantastic driving car on country roads in sport mode, seat 4 no worries.
Wish Id kept some pics, with all the toys the list price new was £42k, I bought it 6 months old a demo with 2k miles at £35k, traded it 18mths later at 2yrs old for 24k.

not cheap mine was a 325se petrol, what they called a BMW press car in that every possible extra had been loaded.

Test one:thumb
 
IMO there is no car as fun to drive as any motorcycle is to ride.
 
MX5 just sold mine on this site because I needed 4 seats...

You can get a great one well inside your budget, see how much I sold mine for.

They have the right mix of just enough refinement and great driving fun.

And I dispute they are not quick enough, roads that need more power for thrills are rare and full and cars that have that power are to big for the empty ones that the MX5 can belt down.

I've just bought a cracking 330D MSport, it goes like stink and grips well but it ain't no MX5 when it comes to fun

All that said if I had the dish I buy the latest boxer :-)
 
JayC said:
Except they're not quick. A brilliant car, just not particularly quick.
Click to expand...

I had the scariest lap of my life round the nurburgring in dale lomas of performance bikes fame in his mx5. Didn't have a thing overtake us for the whole lap. He was going sideways round the outside of porsches and Ferraris. Nearly shit my pants.
They may not be fast but can be a lot of fun for little bucks.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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