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BACKSIDE PLAYTIME PLEASER: climate control, heated electric seats with memory, heated washers and door mirrors, trip computer, keyless start, auto lights and wipers, electric reach and rake adjustable steering wheel, DAB CD-stereo with steering wheel controls, DVD, SD, USB and MP3 connections. Amazingly quick, especially from the lights, and a superbly comfortable cruiser. RIGHT now could not be a better time for driving an open top car. If you’ve finally decided to take the plunge and plan to buy a second hand motor, you’ll need to know which cars will spend more time on the road than in the garage, clocking up expensive repair bills.
Car care firm Warranty Direct has named its top10 motors between three and eight years old that won’t cost a packet to keep on the road, and they are topped by the Mazda MX-5.
Warranty Direct examined 50,000 NAUGHTY TASTY TOUCHES: WONGA WONDER: WOULD AN ESSEX GIRL LIKE IT?
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I’VE got a strict £1,000 to spend on a road legal fun car to use on track days. What are my options? A lightweight vehicle will give you the most bang for your buck, and weighing in at less than 1,000kg the Mk1 Mazda MX-5 fits the bill perfectly – a proper tail-happy track-day weapon. We’ve found a 1992 model for £1,000, complete with four relatively new tyres and 12 months MOT.
This car does without fripperies such as airbags and electric windows, so there’s less weight for the MPG: CO2: 45. 114bhp 1.6-litre engine to haul around.
A much cheaper option is the 100bhp Citroën Saxo VTR 1.6. that we’ve found for £595. Good for 0-60mph in 9.1s, the featherweight Saxo is a hoot to drive, and a prime candidate for stripping out and tuning.
Avoid examples that have been modified as the engines may overheat.
Final choice is a 2005 MG ZR. Its 157bhp 1.8-litre naturally -aspirated engine provides enough punch for 0-60mph in 7.4s, and 131mph. We’ve found one with just 66,000 miles on the clock for £790.