Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,784
Club RR Member Number: 34
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Sept 24, 2015 13:05:07 GMT
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Mazda RX8 has quite a nice interior, shame its just so girly compared to the performance of the RX7... LS swaps are nuts and bolts with a kit, and pretty cheap and reliable power. Me and a couple of mates were discussing such things a few weeks ago and it was decide you could have a reliable 400hp for under 3k done and on the road. In my head it would tick a lot of the OPs boxes, 2+2, good interior, agressively styled, manual, v8, all the powers, modern accutriments, etc Probably not in his head though........
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Last Edit: Sept 24, 2015 13:07:42 GMT by Dez
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Paul Y
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,948
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Sept 24, 2015 13:10:19 GMT
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So you want a fastback coupe then. Long bonnet and a sloping rear. I can see that Riviera making another appearance I'm going to use this And then follow up with this... You can thank me later. Serious question. Where about's in the world are you? What is your budget? Ferrari 575 Marranello with the Fiorano option Would be my choice. Last V12 with a manual from Ferrari so it is guaranteed a classic future. Exposing myself as the Douchebag I truly am I had a 550 and loved it. Gave me all the sensations you described earlier in your post. 30K trouble free miles (for a Ferrari) in 18 months. If you need the rear seats for kids, I would just leave them at home with the Au Pair. Or leave them at home with the wife and take the Au Pair... Right, The Americans are awake so I will leave you all too it. Play Nice. P.
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tenman
Part of things
m00000000000
Posts: 899
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Sept 24, 2015 13:10:20 GMT
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Mazda RX8 has quite a nice interior, shame its just so girly compared to the performance of the RX7... LS swaps are nuts and bolts with a kit, and pretty cheap and reliable power. Me and a couple of mates were discussing such things a few weeks ago and it was decide you could have a reliable 400hp for under 3k done and on the road. In my head it would tick a lot of the OPs boxes, 2+2, good interior, agressively styled, manual, v8, all the powers, modern accutriments, etc Probably not in his head though........ your going to make luckyseven cry....
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RWD Fanatic...
2003 BMW 320d Wagon (getting old and boring) 1996 Mini Kensington (SWMBO's)
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Sept 24, 2015 16:32:44 GMT
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I would have thought that the obvious answer is a Bristol. But they're a) rare and b) even rarer in LHD. There's a Brigand on Car and Classic for £18k but it's not a leftie... www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C630062
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eternaloptimist
Posted a lot
Too many projects, not enough time or space...
Posts: 2,578
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Sept 24, 2015 20:09:31 GMT
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Some of your responses come across as a bit short and rude to be honest?... Rude in what sense? You mean because somebody may suggest a BMW 8 and I just say, not my cup of tea...... For me, it's mostly when you say yeah, blahblahblahblahblahblah. Anyhow, I'm feeling a little upset you didn't rubbish my Subaru SVX or Bristol suggestions.
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XC70, VW split screen crew cab, Standard Ten
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tenman
Part of things
m00000000000
Posts: 899
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Sept 24, 2015 21:44:10 GMT
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oooh, Subaru SVX... good call...
LOL, face it though, I think you've already decided on an XJS...
they look fantastic, not the cheapest cars to fix, although they aren't too unreliable, I'd be more concerned about rust which WILL be expensive to get fixed properly rather than mechanical issues, they REALLY like petrol, I mean REALLY like petrol, they aren't actually all that good to drive either, OK on the m/way if you can afford the petrol for a long journey, but certainly in standard form, not a lot of fun on a twisty road, and neither are they very fast, just about any even lukewarm modern should see one off without too many problems in just about any form of race...
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RWD Fanatic...
2003 BMW 320d Wagon (getting old and boring) 1996 Mini Kensington (SWMBO's)
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drdick
Part of things
Posts: 359
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Sept 24, 2015 22:02:48 GMT
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Stop posting Rivieras, my pants can't take it.....
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Sept 24, 2015 22:36:31 GMT
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So, 500 sec?
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dan
Part of things
Posts: 589
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Sept 24, 2015 23:10:56 GMT
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Havn't fully read the thread. Any of these mid 90's goodies? Nissan S13 Honda Legend Coupé Toyota Supra Mitsubishi GTO or just stop messing about and get that manual XJS that you know you really want
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Last Edit: Sept 24, 2015 23:14:53 GMT by dan
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Sept 24, 2015 23:25:49 GMT
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Anyhow, I'm feeling a little upset you didn't rubbish my Subaru SVX or Bristol suggestions. I guess I must have missed it. Any of the British sports cars and GTs from the smaller companies like TVR, Bristol etc are almost impossible to find in LHD and for a reasonable price. SVX I have actually always liked. What has kept me away is the auto transmission.
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Sept 24, 2015 23:49:14 GMT
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Ok guys. First of all I would like to thank everybody who has joined in with suggestions. Don't take it personally if I turned it down though. I just have a very specific thing in mind. But I think I have finally made up my mind. I won't stretch this any longer I guess. Giving the circumstances and the fact that it seems I will not find what I want, or more truthfully, it seems I can't afford what I want, because I would be happy with a 1989 Aston V8 with a 5-speed. But they cost around 90-100K. So I have decided that I will do some more research towards a XK8 or XKR manual conversion and get that done if I sort all things out. I think it makes more sense than a XJS. The XK8 is a much better driver, handles better and basically beats the XJS in every way when it comes to driving. Style-wise I was always torn. Depending on the day I would choose one over the other and vice verse. But the XK8 is the smarter way to go if I am to invest time and money in a conversion, which I will certianly keep for a long while. Mainly because it seems to be much more reliable and it's also more modern while still having a classic look. I know there seems to be some electrical problems etc. So I will have to do some deeper research and decide. If not that I will probably get a early fifth generation Mustang V8 with a manual box, which I like much better than the current one, because it's retro styled. I know it's spartan in the interior. But it checks all other boxes I guess and I prefer to trade luxury than to trade a manual box for an auto. Or maybe, just buy a BMW 850i, take the body off and put some other nicer looking body on without a BMW badge and...just kidding. But price wise it's really the best bang for the buck. It's amazing how cheap they seem, specially compared to the XJS. The 850i is a much better car all around than the XJS as far as I know. Makes you wonder why they are so cheap right? But since whatever I end up getting will take a while to sort out, specially if a XK8 manual conversion, I think I will buy a cheap toy car for now. The truth is I'm tired of driving a State. Makes sense for the family and I won't sell it. But I want to get something RWD and more fan to drive for now. I'm thinking of a dirty cheap RWD sports car or sports coupe that is reliable and fun to drive. And cheap! Want to help me choose something? Thanks again for all the inputs guys.
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Aaron
Part of things
Posts: 418
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Sept 25, 2015 7:45:54 GMT
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.....a dirty cheap RWD sports car.......that is reliable and fun to drive. And cheap! Mk1 Mx5 sorted, that was easy
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1992 Eunos Roadster S-Special 2007 BMW Z4 Coupe SI
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Sept 25, 2015 7:55:52 GMT
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Hehehe, you know, with me is never easy. 2-doors, hard-top meaning no convertibles, RWD, manual, and uh...yes...no BMWs please. In this case I'm really shooting for more of sports cars than a sports coupe like a BMW-3. If possible still would like to avoid pop-ups but not the deal breaker here. So MX5's only real fault is being a soft top. Or the MG would also be a good bet, as they seem cheap too. Maybe not as cheap as the MX5 but. But no convertibles please. Oh, and I'm 190cm tall. So nothing that will make me feel like I'm canned. So MR2 is definitely out. Is the MX5 also that small? Never drove one.
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Last Edit: Sept 25, 2015 7:58:13 GMT by mickeym
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Aaron
Part of things
Posts: 418
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Sept 25, 2015 8:08:17 GMT
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1992 Eunos Roadster S-Special 2007 BMW Z4 Coupe SI
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Sept 25, 2015 8:24:37 GMT
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Honestly the pop-ups are fine in the MX5 and wouldn't be a deal breaker. I would not mess around and spend money to change the lights. The big problem is no roof. The MR2s are too small. I have driven both MKI and MKII and they are a back breaker. If they had made a real hard top MX5 it would probably be perfect considering price and fun to drive. Are they reliable?
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Sept 25, 2015 8:25:22 GMT
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Can I just ask why you don't like pop up headlights? They are awesome lol.
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Aaron
Part of things
Posts: 418
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Sept 25, 2015 8:36:03 GMT
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Honestly the pop-ups are fine in the MX5 and wouldn't be a deal breaker. I would not mess around and spend money to change the lights. The big problem is no roof. The MR2s are too small. I have driven both MKI and MKII and they are a back breaker. If they had made a real hard top MX5 it would probably be perfect considering price and fun to drive. Are they reliable? Extremely reliable and tough little cars mechanically as far as I'm aware. Obviously if you get one that has been looked after etc etc etc. The Genuine Mazda hardtop are very good and transform the look of the car, you can pick up an excellent one for around £400.....I'm guessing you mean if they built it as a hardtop in the first place?
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Last Edit: Sept 25, 2015 8:37:21 GMT by Aaron
1992 Eunos Roadster S-Special 2007 BMW Z4 Coupe SI
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tenman
Part of things
m00000000000
Posts: 899
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Sept 25, 2015 8:55:01 GMT
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Nissan S12 Silvia, Toyota AE86 (might be cheaper on the continent than they are here), should be a lot more Rear Engined Skoda Estelle/Rapid's in Europe, don't knock these, fantastic little cars.
S13 or S14 Silvia's are quite cheap now but going up, and those 90's nissan 4 banger turbo engines are amazing, you might get addicted to spending all your money tuning that though when you realise just what stupid power figures are possible.
but yeah, MX5... cheap, reliable and seriously good fun, just watch for rust...
hmmm... no idea what prices 350Z's are going for now either, an older one of these could be good.
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RWD Fanatic...
2003 BMW 320d Wagon (getting old and boring) 1996 Mini Kensington (SWMBO's)
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,784
Club RR Member Number: 34
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Sept 25, 2015 9:13:01 GMT
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if you find an mr2 too small you wont like an mx-5. I'm 6'4" and i cant drive one with a stock seat. not if i want my forehead to be behind the windscreen instead of above it anyways....
id say merc SLK, R170 shape. yeah they're more than an mx5 or the like but they have a proper retractable hardtop and engines with some power, especially if you pick up a kompressor version.
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luckyseven
Posted a lot
Owning sneering dismissive pedantry since 1970
Posts: 3,839
Club RR Member Number: 45
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Sept 25, 2015 9:26:31 GMT
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LS swaps are nuts and bolts with a kit, and pretty cheap and reliable power. Me and a couple of mates were discussing such things a few weeks ago and it was decide you could have a reliable 400hp for under 3k done and on the road. In my head it would tick a lot of the OPs boxes, 2+2, good interior, agressively styled, manual, v8, all the powers, modern accutriments, etc Probably not in his head though........ your going to make luckyseven cry.... RX-7s with an LSx conversion make for a fantastic fast long-range car. It's not a cheap option to do it properly though. And you will, of course, go to hell for such blasphemy
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