[Closed] mid life crisis car on a shoestring

You buy into a car that was also costing its last owner too much?

Edit- whats costing on the 5'? Age-related rust and consumables? I had two- the only thing they needed was fuel! 😀

😆

Swappng a Mazda for a Lotus to save money....? Not sure that's gonna work.

You do have a clue about Elans Stumpy?

I thought Elan's were meant to be awful things? At least 2 previous owners have told me this, although if you have driven one you may know better.

Why not look at another potential classic - the MR2 (last gen). It feels nippier (but not as nice steering/corners) and less boot space.

[img] [/img]

Lots
Of
Trouble
Usually
Serious
😀

Presume you are talking about the 90's FWD Elan M100

They were surprisingly reliable, all the mechanical bits being Japanese.

They are just about appreciating classics now, if you buy a half decent one and look after it you shouldn't lose any money on it

Several friends of mine work (or have worked for) for Lotus, have owned them (Lotuses, not specifically Elan's) and got rid of them due to the cost.
Another mate had an Esprit that he got rid of as it was an absolute money pit.

I have no direct experience of Elan's, but would be amazed if they were cheaper to run/own/maintain than an MX-5.

Out of interest, what era Elan are we talking about?

One of these:

[img] [/img]

(I always wanted one of these, growing up).......

or one of these:

[img] [/img]

tpbiker, all I've read (mags, forums) suggests they are good, including a chat with a former owner.

Hora I'm not interested in being suggested other cars.

stumpy01 - Member
I have no direct experience of Elan's

🙄 see post above.

Curious what's costing on the MX5, assuming it's a Mk1 or 2 type.
Sills are repairable/replaceable and good for another 10+ years. Hoods are diyable and chance to replace with mohair. Can't think of much else that goes wrong. Windscreens delaminate.
The wife's got written off which was a real shame. Replaced with a 944 that cost a little more and about the same again in repairs.

Welding mostly, its an 89.

mid life crisis car on a shoestring

That'd be a motorbike

A Lotus Elan wont be run on a shoestring. Unless you mean you are going to garage it/look after it and only use it for fun/treats. Thats what shoestring means interms of one of them.

If you'll drive it weekly- you'll be running a list of 'to do's,

944 is a good suggestion- getting on now but really reliable if you find the right one.

Hora, your expertese comes from....? Owning? Forum reading?

944 was my first thought too - I always wanted one when I was a kid and have met a couple of people who've got them now and using them for everything including commuting. You can get them fairly cheap if you're willing to do a bit of work but once done, they seem to be pretty reliable and the performance is good. Plus you can actually get a bike in them 🙂

MkII Scirocco GT/Scala

Miss mine a lot. Getting scarce. Could have spent a little more money on it and had it would have been an exciting car. As it was it got battered by too many careless elderly drivers and builders so was sold for scrap.

Always feels faster than it is, even as stock spec.

[i]Welding mostly, its an 89.[/i]

buy a newer one?

Hang on, isn't the elan fwd or did I just make that up? Anyway, I personally can't understand why anyone would go from an mx5 to an elan.
At the end of the day isn't a midlife crisis car about pissing money away?
If you want to go fast get a bike or an sti impreza. If you want to go fast with the top down and the tail out put a small block in the mx5. Full duck or no dinner.

How much is a vx220 these days?

What sort of mid-life crisis are you having? Do you need to get more fun/noticed/fast/killed/laid/spendmoretimeintheshed? Then the budget?

Edit: /cold/oily/wet/sideways/

Hora, your expertese comes from....? Owning? Forum reading?

Friends owned them, years of reading/hearing about them/I'm 'friends' with Porsche 944 restoration on bookface. Should I be the designer or something to qualify me?! In addition I've driven two MK's of MR2 and owned two engine sizes of the MX5 as well as driven the dull MK3.

If you'll drive anything[b]OLD[/b] as you daily- you'll be running a list of 'to do's,

based on experiance of running old cars.

very few old cars have recieved love and care over the years unless you personally do a tops off restoration like somafunk has then you have no idea how it is mechanically and thus how much it will cost.

As an '89 you can probably consider the sills as a consumable.
Personally I'd get the work done and keep unless it's an opportunity to find something with lsd or whatever extras you want that the current one doesn't have.

Its v low mileage, I just want something fun, reliable and topless (as well as the GF ). I think the Elan is a beauty, ive Read its the best FWD carever. Happy to do some work myself but no garage.

Hora I'm always suspect when one individual tells me something against EVERYTHING I have been told.

Elans aren't cheap to maintain and parts are getting difficult to get hold of. The last few we've repaired we have had to use some used parts (I work for a Lotus Main dealer) and like any older car its likely to have issues. Even though they are FWD they are great to drive. The aren't immune to rust either - we had to repair a chassis last week and the wishbones rust through. The Izuzu bits tend to be reliable, but the rear brakes don't do much so often need tinkering with.

Like I say, they're not bad cars, but if you are on a budget I'd steer clear.

To (probably slightly mis)quote Colin Chapman, "if you can just about afford a Lotus, then you can't afford a Lotus"

Thanks Hicksy, good to hear first hand comments. I'll ask on the owners forums. I'd heard about the wishbones,and am happy to do a bit of tinkering myself in the summer.

They start around £3K yes?

So (even Hora) any alternative (even hardtop) suggestions, fun (not nec fast) but more practical (bike inside) up to £3K not costing much to keep going...hot hatch? Always fancied a 1275GT...

So (even Hora) any alternative (even hardtop) suggestions, fun (not nec fast) but more practical (bike inside) up to £3K not costing much to keep going...hot hatch? Always fancied a 1275GT...

Subaru = costly servicing and low mpg?

Am I reading this right...OP is looking for a budget sports car that he can run on a shoestring and we're suggesting a Porsche? I have a Porsche (admittedly not a 944) and its a money pit. Is an old 944 cheap to run? - not looking for an argument, I'd just be very surprised if thats the case.

Elan is Front wheel drive, which is why the guys I knew didn't like it. They also thought it was underpowered..although maybe they just had a lower spec model.

Civic Type R

Porsche Boxter 2.7?

I've had my bike inside a mk2 MR2. They're a different beast to the mk1 MX5 (which I've also had), but each have their own pros/cons. The n/a MR2 engine is pretty much bombproof, but you might be at the top of your budget to find one that hasn't been "Barry-ed". Other than that the only thing I ever found that was a pain in the ass was the rear calipers sticking when I left it parked up for a while. Easy enough to free off with a G-clamp and some wood blocks (to squeeze the pistons back in) and it would be a while before they stuck again.

Other than that, and for less than £3k, I'd be looking at another MX5 in better condition.

Honda CRX or del Sol?

I know nothing about owning one, but they look sweet.

So (even Hora) any alternative (even hardtop) suggestions, fun (not nec fast) but more practical (bike inside) up to £3K not costing much to keep going...hot hatch? Always fancied a 1275GT...

If you were 22 and wanted a hot hatch my Ibiza Cupra would be perfect! Would leave you alot of change for a brand new bike as well 😉

On a more sensible note the MR2 is a nice wee car and can be had for buttons

Just get your MX5 fixed or buy another one?

Hora, your expertese comes from....? Owning? Forum reading?

You know exactly what the answer is to this

For daily use and fun not fast I'd look at a Panda 100hp or suchlike, or as above another MX5, old Porches and stuff are a pita from what I've seen with mates that have had em,

Fiat Barchetta , remember when topgear did the middle east special they ran this a Mk2 mx5 and a BMW z3.

They all agreed that the Barchetta was the most reliable and best of that bunch.

Not the most scientific test I know.

Sounds like you've already made your mind up.

An Elan isn't cheap to run. I used to sell endless spares to a customer when I worked at Halfords in Bangor. The parts are pricey (and difficult to get hold of). I cannot see it being cheaper to run than an MX5. A colleague (at the same store) had one - even as suped up monster mazda it still wasn't that costly.

I costed up a 924 once. It was scarey - £1500 just for a secondhand stub axle - and that's basically a VW. I didn't buy it. Randomly it turned up again on Top Gear driven by Richard Hammond. It didn't break down once!

If you were to go down the tin top route then the Clio 182 is almost certainly the best hot hatch for £3k. Surprisingly reliable, cheap to fix, can be used daily and will even return decent mpg. Dunno if you'd miss having a drop top though?

A rust free mx5

I don't think you'll get much cheaper to run that that

Al, it doesn't take a genius to work out that a mass produced Japanese car is going to cost less to run than a Lotus. You must know that ! You've just had a bad/rusty one.

Barchetta

I also really like the Fiat Coupe - it's a thing of beauty, especially with the matching-coloured interiors.

[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]

Cant believe nobody has suggested a Pagani Zonda yet. No imagination you lot.

Andy it is mostly Japanese!

Its not been spares that cost, mostly welding.

If its a fun 2nd car why not get something actually classic like an MG, Triumph, Austin etc. For one reason or another my Midgets barely done more than drive for its MOT the last 3 years, still a right giggle though. Depends if you resent spending money on it though, nothing will be cheaper than the mazda.

And unlike any cheap hot hatch people wont assume your hanging arround with Schoolgirls in mcDonalds car parks.

Can't say I would want to move from a rwd to fwd, it's going to feel dull in comparison.

I'd say repair, another MX5 or a Suzuki Cappuccino, a stunningly good car to drive.

Andy it is mostly Japanese!

I never got past the fact the Esprit had the same door handles as my Mum's Allegro

Lotus Elise?

edit - my bad, way outside the price range. The cheapest on Autotrader is R reg for eight grand! Can't quite believe that.

my mates selling a porsche but i dont know what type or age it is, i dont do cars 😀

if youre interested in finding out then mail me mate and ill find out some details. car is in lincs.

cheers

sadexpunk - Member
my mates selling a porsche but i dont know what type or age it is, i dont do cars

Probs one of these then, should be within budget:

[img] [/img]

Its not a mid life crisis car unless its a money pit. Rules is rules 🙂

Seems logical , do all the welding then sell it....

Welding done right shouldnt need looking at for ages....

Had the same chat with mcmoonter when the disco was due for mot....he welded shit out of it last year , it failed on the other side this year , the original sides still solid. So he just fixed it up and it sailed through.

GTV / Spyder. What could go wrong? 😆

Good point TR.

Andy - yeah.

Quite like Cappuccinos bit they are known rusters?

TINAS tragically I like something that is considered naff - had many a flaming for the MX5

Yes caps are know rusters. But it tends to be where you can see it ie arches. I had one for abt 3 years and wax oiled it myself. A lot of the panels are simply bolted on.

Engine is pretty bomb proof if the turbo hasn't been boosted.

Only car I wish I still had. Go kart handling like nothing else, not much grip, incredible feel through the brakes, and 70mph feels like 150 in modern cars, and the noise it makes is really quite nice with a stainless exhaust

Read its the best FWD carever

Okay. Or a DC2 Integra Type-R. But good luck getting one of them on budget that isn't a dog.

[img] [/img]

Not sure it counts as MLC car, but the more powerful one should be fun.

The 944 has had some big bills in the last year but stuff that was routine and known to be needed when we bought it (belts changed and steering rack recon.) All parts are pricey. Otherwise just fuel. It drives brilliantly on all surfaces and finds traction well, not harsh, not rolly. Plenty of noise and torque, 3.0 S2, and all the valves really get moving at 4k and it urges on again.

Downside is you have to go so fast to get the feel of the '5 in the corners, but pulls out of them like the '5 never could.

Fuel wise it is marginally worse than the '5 and possibly better than the 1.8t 4x4 octavia shed.

cynic-al - Member

..I just want something fun, reliable and topless as well as the GF...

I have read through this thread carefully to see what car may be more fun than a reliable topless girlfriend.

Ours was in your budget this time last year too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MK-Indy-kitcar-project-/181667139591?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a4c349007

Open top sports car - check

Project/moneypit that will sit in the garage for months/years before it's finished - check

Hora, your expertese comes from....? Owning? Forum reading?

He's an expert on cars don'tcha know. After all, he said this on a thread a while back:

hora - Member
I don't know much about cars

Oh, hang on... 😉

No one mention an early 225 Audi TT Roadster yet ?

You confuse me..

[img] [/img]

Al I thought Pete was your welder of choice these days. OK so you might need to buy the odd pattern part and industrial quantities of Hob Nobs but that's got to be cheaper than a Hethel special?

You secretly see yourself as the Saint or 007 in The Spy Who Loved Me, that's it. We'll if you're taking your Elan underwater, best get it Waxoyled 🙂

I also really like the Fiat Coupe - it's a thing of beauty, especially with the matching-coloured interiors.

The NAs are actually quite sensible in terms of running costs, FIAT actually did a good job of galvanising them so rust isn't a problem. Add a turbo into the mix though and they can get very expensive very quickly - ideal mid life crisis car if they weren't fwd.

To be honest I can't think of much cheaper to run than an MX5, what is costing the money? 182 would be up there as a cheap, fun car but hardly mid life crisis worthy.

I had one of these. Great fun.

[img] [/img]

This one is on eBay right now.

It might be possible to sum this up - [i]fast/fun reliable cheap[/i] choose two.

Its not a mid life crisis car unless its a money pit. Rules is rules

On that basis, I can thoroughly recommend a Corrado VR6. On the face of it a mass-produced VW, in reality put together by Karmann from a mix of VW production and heinously expensive limited production run parts, which are starting to disappear from the world. Good fun, does almost 150mph, but a bit like running a stealth Porsche...

I sometimes think I could have bought a 911 instead and saved some money... 😉

Read its the best FWD carever
Okay. Or a DC2 Integra Type-R. But good luck getting one of them on budget that isn't a dog.

I owned both (M100 Elan and DC2 Type-R) at the same time!

Both were great handling but very different. Elan was much softer but lower (hence didn't roll much), car felt more solid than you might imagine. Type-R was pretty stiff, felt very light and delicate to drive. Steering feedback was brilliant.

I'd happily have either again as a second car. My Elan had been tweaked by the previous owner - more boost, sports exhaust - and made some lovely noises.

[url= http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201502261274520/sort/atcustom/page/1/quicksearch/true/make/austin/postcode/bt366dp/ni-only/on/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/model/mini/radius/1500/usedcars?logcode=p ]Nice wee mini ?[/url]

182 would be up there as a cheap, fun car but hardly mid life crisis worthy.

Get a turbo/supercharged/ITB'd one - should drop it neatly into the money pit category then

RX8? I used to be able to get my bike in the boot of mine.

cheap RX8s make me shudder. brits as a whole seem to be scared of engine work.

its all voodoo isnt it (it isnt really - its not rocket science )

seeing how folk on here regard timing belts (the concensus seems to be a "cant see it from the drivers seat and the car still drives on cheap motors) - represents how normal folks see the seals on the rotary engines in bottom of the market rx8s where the OP is looking to shop.

Quite right. If it's done right it's a 60,000 mile job, and if you shop around won't be much more than your average timing belt/pulley/water pump replacement. Plus, you could buy at the bottom, save £1500 for a fresh engine when the time comes and still have cash left from your £3k to pay for insurance and first tank of fuel. Even the running costs aren't [i]that[/i] bad. Roughly 22mpg, compared to 29-30mpg for the mk1 MX5s. I'd take a punt on that any day of the week.

Thanks all, plenty more good suggestions.

I would re iterate:
It does NOT need to be fast, just fun.
It is NOT to be a money pit.
It does 1-2000 miles pa.

Any thoughts on a mk 1 TT hardtop? Massive payload! My guess is the cabrio will be a bit soft, and neither cheap to run.

Some options.

Remember, any car can be a money pit.

I would avoid the Lotus, unless it came with lots and lots of bills to support all the common jobs being done (suspension refresh etc.) Have you priced up a replacement hood?

- Properly sort the MX5. Better the devil and all that.
- Mk3 MR2.
- TVR S. Robust mechanicals, Check chassis for rust.
- Find a rust free MX-5 if you like it.
- MG TF.

Personally I would go for a 2003 ish MR2.

Just to add support to another contender, +1 for the MG TF. For 3k you could get a to spec 160hp VVC. Ideally look at a 2002/3 model for the best specification.

Surprisingly spacious for a 2 seater and capable of taking a bike on a boot mounted rack or with the wheels off, on the passenger side. Room in the boot for a weeks luggage.

High revving engine on the VVC which really works well with being thrashed, but doesn't need to go fast to be fun. Shines on B roads & can put many an Audi or BMW to shame through the corners.

Budget for a head gasket at some time, but if you can do it yourself it's not expensive, and if you treat the car right, you may not even need it.

Not fast, but fun.....

Ford Puma.

Or, thinking about it.....the SportKa or StreetKa (if you want a convertible)

What about a 2.8 Z3? I've driven one a bit, good noise and that's half the appeal of that sort of motor.

TVR s is a bad idea. chassis would be suspect unless it's been rebodied, and if it's been rebodied i'd expect it to be over budget. much as my chimeara was awesome, i would not recommend a tvr to anyone on a shoestring.

TT would be neither fun nor cheap.

Z3 is like driving sitting on an orange crate IME.

unfortunately OP you appear to own the budget mid-life crisis car already.