What did you do today?

[mercrocker]

I think part of the boring bit is that you don't have to spend every weekend tinkering, fixing etc. as you would with something like an original Elan.

Hence why I referenced an MX5 just now. They appeal to me as a cheap budget sports car in the way that Midgets/MGBs no longer are able to and with all that Chapman influence without the ball-achingly unnecessary expense.

[John F]

MX5s are pretty good, but they rust like fuck.

[LynehamHerc]

I think Guest is bored with sitting on the drive, listening to the radio in his.

[MLOR]

I think part of the boring bit is that you don't have to spend every weekend tinkering, fixing etc. as you would with something like an original Elan.

I had to re-read that.
At first I thought it was;
"...something like an original Elsan."





Need to get out more

[SiC]

I've never got that. They are popular as they are good for the price & people obviously enjoy them.

Saabnut said a very good point to me at SF '19 about this. Mostly all snobbery bollocks as they're affordable cars to the common man. E.g. I own an E-Type and thus any other cheaper British sports car is obviously inferior.

See Boxster/Cayman Vs 911... Despite them being generally regarded as better road cars for the average driver than the 911.

[SiC]

I think part of the boring bit is that you don't have to spend every weekend tinkering, fixing etc. as you would with something like an original Elan.

Hence why I referenced an MX5 just now. They appeal to me as a cheap budget sports car in the way that Midgets/MGBs no longer are able to and with all that Chapman influence without the ball-achingly unnecessary expense.

The MX-5 mk1 and mk2 are a cracking car and in many ways is British. Really strong engine internally that made decent power when it was released but struggled a bit as time progressed. Survive a lot of abuse and neglect while carrying on running. Excellent driving experience for the money. Easy cars to work on with plentiful and cheap parts. Plenty modifiable if you want more power.
Then to complete the classic British car connection, their bodies love to rust.

Everything that the affordable British sports car used to be. No wonder they sold so many and have such a following.

Admittedly my Boxster is better in everyway except running costs. For example, the cost in parts and tyres to fix mine would have bought a running MX5. But then RRP it was twice the cost of an MX5 and even now that holds true in the second hand market.

[panhard65]

Anything made by BL was crap and still is. There is a reason parts are easy to get and that is because they need them all the time. I rebuilt a 70's Midget a few years ago and couldn't believe how fucked it was, they were so far behind by the 70's and not helped by the unions. The thing I like about crappy old French / Spanish cars is the challenge of finding parts. It makes it more interesting when you have to try and learn a new language just to get parts. I used to have P6 Rovers about 25 years ago and would never touch the series 2 as they were British Leyland and the difference in quality was like night and day. There is very little on the market under 3k that is any good, but you should be able to find decent never welded project cars for that sort of money. Or for something different this Raid prepared Renault 4 is about 3.5k and a lot more fun than a marina.
https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/1725052628.htm/

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[Hooli]

I'd rather have the Omega estate.

[John F]

I'd rather have the Omega estate.

I'd rather have an Elsan

[Hooli]

I'd rather have the Omega estate.

I'd rather have an Elsan

Well you are full of shit