I am in the same thought process, planning for a new toy in 2018. I don't want to spend too much money so exclusive brands and high powered cars are not an option. So far I have narrowed it down to:
- Lotus Elise
- Mazda MX-5
- Fiat 124 Abarth
- The Lotus has the looks and the handling (and is quite exclusive in Portugal, there are few around)
- The Mazda is the reasonable choice, but is a bit too bland
- The Fiat is the odd one. And sounds like nothing else.
Havent driven the FIAT but I owned a Lotus for 7 years and have tried the latest MX5.
They are cars aimed at different markets. The Lotus is a sort of mini supercar designed with track days in mind but usable everyday. The driving experience is brilliant. The non power steering is a delight, the handling is excellent and the ride is tolerable. My car with the Probax leather seats was comfortable enough for me to take it on tour in Spain and SWMBO didnt once complain. The car was also very reliable but unlike Easter I chose the later model with the Toyota engine. The earlier ones with the Rover engine are as reliable as Rover cars were.
Against all those positives, the Elise is definitely hard core and would not suit a lady driver who wanted an open car but wasnt a petrolhead if you see what I mean. It isnt much fun on a motorway, luggage space is limited and getting in and out is a knack. I would still have mine were it not for the getting in and out bit.
Incidentally, I have seen any number of pictures of crashed Elise ( too many young men drive them) and they seem to crash very well . Thats good because mine didnt have an air bag.
The MX5 is a very good 2 seater open car like the old Midgets / Sprite. The hood is excellent and the finish is good if a bit "standard mass manufacturer". With the same amount of power I guess the performance wouldnt be much different to the Lotus but the driving fun very definitely would be less. And there is nothing " special" about the MX5 - its ordinary. It isnt really an enthusiasts car IMO unlike both Morgan and Lotus.
As for the FIAT. Well it is a rebodied and re engined MX5 and every road test I have read says in effect that its no better and more expensicve so why buy it over an MX5 . Autocar summed it up " This is by no means a bad take on the classic Italian open-top two-seater but it lacks the distinctiveness and clarity of purpose to make it a good one.". Nuff said.
For me, and ignoring the getting in and out bit, I would chose the Lotus for myself. But if the car was to be used by my wife, then it would be the MX5. I would go on track days. My wife would go to Tesco. But thats very much a personal view from someone who still misses Lottie the Lotus.
P.S. My FIAT group sports car is not as much fun to drive as the Lotus was either
P.P.S. This post reads sexist and its not meant to be. I am trying to draw the distinction between me as a guy wo likes to go fast, does trackdays and is an enthusiast, and my wife to whom a car is transport and who likes the image of an open two seater
