Giles, final decision isn't made yet, but since the mrs. isn't exactly a fan of the Elise I guess the options are indeed very narrow now. She can't go past the looks and says the lotus just looks like a small Ferrari, apparently made of plastic, suited for those (like us) that can't afford the real thing and go for a cheaper one. It's heresy to belittle the Elise in this way, I know, but that's how she sees it and it's no use to convince her that the Elise is a fantastic car on its own.
The thing is she LOVES - always did, since day one of ownership - the Plus 4, and although the M3W was not loved in the same way from the start, first she understood my desire to own - again - a car that didn't look or feel like anything else on the road. And by now I do think she enjoys travelling in either of them, with the M3W if the weather is right of course
I was a bit surprised that she had a positive attitude towards the Abarth. Again she knows I like cars that are rare so she doesn't compare the Abarth to the MX-5 based on price (the MX-5 is a very common car in Portugal, huge success in sales for a little roadster). So, yes, I'd say the Abarth has a big advantage now, but my decision will be by year's end, a lot can happen until then.
Heinz, the MX-5 that compares to the 124 ABARTH is the 2.0L one. And that one costs, in Portugal, 40.000,00 €. The Abarth will be about 43.000,00 €. So, not really a big difference in price.
For comparison purposes, here the cars I've been contemplating. From cheapest to most expensive:
MAZDA MX-5 (1.6L - 130 bhp) - 28.000 €
CATERHAM 165 (660 c.c. - 81 bhp) - 30.000 €
FIAT 124 SPIDER (1.4L - 140 bhp) - 32.000 €
MAZDA MX-5 (2.0L - 160 bhp) - 40.000 €
CATERHAM 275 (1.6L - 137 bhp) - 43.000 €
ABARTH 124 SPIDER (1.4L - 170 bhp) - 43.000 €
LOTUS ELISE (1.6L - 136 bhp) - 45.000 €
Sadly the Elise S (1.8L - 220 bhp) breaks the budget barrier I set myself for "fun" cars I don't really need (about 50.000 €). It now costs in Portugal about 57.000 €.
And by looking at new car prices I discovered that Morgan prices have exploded since I bought mine. The M3W now costs 50.000 €, and a new Plus 4 now costs 65.000 €! Wow, just wow, can't imagine what the prices would be if the pound had kept it's pre-referendum value.
