I say.

tradem all in.

get a exige S :].


but to answer your question.

i'd get the MS miata over the other 2.

i've never driven one, but before the MS miata came out people prayed for a turbo'd miata, or a rotary one.

 

Hey, I got an idea--why not buy Jaggerdork's Cayman?

 

Thank you!

and I'm not a huge fan of the Elise either....but that is the question...

"Why sell the Lotus in the first place?"

 

Read the OP's first post as well as his first thread he started. He wanted more practicality and reliability. It makes sense.

 

I get the literal reason... but if he's getting another car ANYWAYS... Why not keep the Elise and the "8"...?

Now he sold and unpractical car (Elise)...just to get another unpractical car...(MG, Alpha, Miata, etc)

 

A much cheaper unpracticle car, in the end, hes saving some money. And literally speakin, he got rid of an Elise for an R3 and a Mazdaspeed Miata.

I'd take those 2 over an elise.

 

i dont think i'd even classify an MG as a real car... hell, you'd be beter off with next gen tiburon (2003 or newer)

 

There are no longer an X1/9's in the states... they all rotted away and fell apart into tiny piles or rust and aluminum around 50K miles or 5 years (which ever came first).



Back to the original question... Even though I don't care for the looks of the NB, I would still be all over a MS version of it. Long before choosing something British.

 

Strange, x1\9 are well kept here
Anyway reliability is not one of british cars strenghts but saying that an Alfa is not resistant or worse fragile is not completely true. For sure their age plays a role but it depends on the use that you do of the vehicle.
What would you do with it? weekend warrior? daily driver? track day car? everything depends on how you answer to that question.
If you want a spider for the good seasons just stick with what you like, if you think that reliability can be a concern don't buy something British!
There are dozens of fiat 500 and mini coopers around here so i guess that it really depends on what you have to do with your car!

 

Don't buy a MG or such without a *** load of money and time. I worked on Brit cars during HS for a repair shop and let me tell ya they are a PITA!
I don't know about italian cars but they have their prob's too.
a much better idea IMHO is a first gen RX-7, deadass relilable, fun to drive and still got a Vankle engine!!!

 

mmmmm........PITA's Im hungry....

 

Consider a datsun 2000 roadster. You can do some mods such as take out the 2.0 and transplant a 2.8 from a 280z. Fun little car with character. Easy to work on. Drop top. Fun car. Think about it.

It is a classic with inexpensive mod potential. A real head turner.

 

How about a Corvette? Big torque car. It's something different from the Elise or the RX-8. If it is an older car you're after, I'll get the first generation Miata.

 

Thanks for all of the advice/opinions. To answer some of your questions;

1)It is a 'bribe'--Bribery, a form of pecuniary corruption, is an act usually implying money or gift given that alters the behaviour of the recipient in ways not consistent with the duties of that person

2) I got rid of the elise because it was a $30,000 'toy', I can afford 30k for a car but not for a toy.

3) It's not three-way with a dude---maybe for a Bugatti Veyron, but I'm glad I don't have to make that decision.

4) She doesn't want it for herself because it will be a manual transmission and she won't be able to drive it.

5) This is real, not some 'Cayman for R3' post.

You all had some really good points about how bad old European cars are, I'd rather spend money/time making a car better than putting all that effort into just getting it to start.

I'm really leaning towards the Mazdaspeed...this is the best problem I've ever had, but there is still that "thing" I would have to do for it.

 

you gotta elaborate ...my immature mind is thinking all sorts of scenarios for that "thing"

and good choice on the MS miata . its gonna be lots of fun.

 

I'll spill the beans AFTER I get my ride.

 

nonono, you have to spill them now. that will let us coach you on whats worth what. haha. you're already married, so thats out. kids? white picket fence? a move to another city? experimenting with domination? lol. i notice you said, "she'll buy you" and if you are trying to consider if its worth a car. its got to be pretty significant. so, spill it. we are here to help.

i would so go for an early 70s 240z btw. that would be a really classy toy.

 

I love those early Z's, but it's got to be a ragtop.

 

i'd kill to own an old MG or alpha, but circumstances right now just cant support it plus i have wayy to many toys for my space anyways.

a miata is a dime a dozen, they're practically everywhere. you dont see an old MG everyday. and hey, half the fun of owning the car is fixing what you broke anyways right

 

Agreed, but Mazdaspeed is a little nicer than a regular Miata. Also, when the weather changes it would be nice to drive the car to work and feel confident that I will arrive.

 

You are a tease, Max'sDad. No wonder your wife has to bribe you to get you to do aomething. Do the right thing, and tell us now. This is not some mamby pamby Elise forum.

 

How about a RX7 FC Vert?

 

this is the one

 

I like the Caterham idea. Hell, or even an Ariel Atom. Now that I think about it... can you guys imagine a rotary powered Atom? *Fanboygasm*

 

His wife wants to be the MAN this time