Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) the next "toy" car?

Crikey Paul, you sound just like the Memsahib. She doesn't understand the pleasure just owning a dream car gives you without even driving it.

I do understand - its just that Howard doesn’t seem to enjoy any of his cars and might benefit from this approach. I am guilty of patting the Morgan as I go past it in the garage looking for a tool for a plumbing job etc.

Sadly, that just about sums up my situation. I struggle to get in and out of a trad or elise

How about an S2000 - convertible, wholly reliable, exhilarating engine and cheap enough now you could keep the F-Type :-)

I run an F-Type S (daily runaround) and an Aero 8 S5 (happy days) and the balance feels about right (for me!!).

If I had room in the garage an S2000 would definitely be in there.

Thats an interesting pairing. How do you compare them? Pro and con?

Hi Howard. The Con's of each play to the others strengths. The F-Type is a car I can just fall into and drive. No preparation required. As you will know, it can be as sedate as a saloon or as mad as a hatter (in Dynamic mode) with all the noise of a banshee. It's comfortable and completely reliable. Mine is a coupe as I love the rear end (don't we all!!! ) and I have a body kit on it so it looks pretty evil with 21" black wheels - a hooligan I guess.

The Aero is a gentleman. I have a custom sports exhaust on it so it sounds pretty mean but because I wanted rear exhausts they do not wear you down over long runs as I'm told by some the sides can do. The Aero does need some preparation. I keep it in an air chamber but roof off all the time. It is also always on a trickle charger as past experience taught me better! It is no where near as comfortable as the Jag and I've had my fair share of issues (which in fairness the dealer and factory have been top draw on). The power is similar to the Jag albeit in a much lighter car so roof down it is more exhilarating than the Jag - noise, and acceleration. It is a drivers car (mine is manual) where as the Jag is a drivers car, if you want it to be, and not if you don't - the Aero is, all of the time.

Keep the Jag......get an Aero as well

I recently looked at the new Aston Martin Vantage....but to be honest, in profile, it is near identical to the Jag, only different when looking square on to the rear or front (light and tail on rear, grill on front looks like a shark!). Personally I cannot justify the 50 % more price tag for what in essence is an F-Type look alike with a different badge (I'm not really a badge snob) and a prettier interior. The Jag is bang on the money.

How about taking something older and rare and having it re-built. Jensen Interceptor with a big block motor.

Yes Coot - I ruled out the Vantage after a test drive because it felt heavy and almost saloon like, albeit with a beautiful classic British interior. Lovely car but it wasnt a sports car.

Your comparison of Aero and F type gels with my experience albeit my knowledge of the Aero was limited to two test drives both of which were manual cars that suffered from drive line shunt and on / off clutches. Definitely more "special" than the Jag and with a more distinctive appearance, but for a year or two I wanted a car I could tour with confidence.

I still miss the "go cart" feel of a mid engined car. None of these 3 comes close to the driving pleasure of the Lotus, but at least I can easily get in and out of them. Got a friend who is an 18st ex policeman and rugby player. With him in the Lotus we had to do in for alternating synchronised breathing . Every time I changed gear my hand slid along his thigh - I got some strange looks!

Howard, have you considered a Merc SL!! I imagine your reaction might be the same as mine (at first) but...hear me out.

My wife had an SLK and we decided to upgrade it to the SL. I drove it a number of times and thought to myself "it's a lovely drive, wide and roomy, comfortable......but...it's no sports car. Then, last year, I took it on my own and drove from home to Barcelona and back. I then did a drive from home to Spain again and across to the Cote d'Azur......and now I get it.....it's a GT. You can drive that car all day and get out feeling as if you had just got into it. t's a hard roof that folds off and it's an eye catcher if spec'd right.

I wouldn't hesitate to replace it with another when it's time to change.

It seems to me that your heart is still with Lotus Howard.

As I understand it, the Evora roadster is due for release sometime this year. The Evora is a fair bit easier for ingress and egress than the Elise. Would that not fit the bill ?