WHERE’S THE AFFORDABLE FUN GONE?

Motoring heaven to me is driving a relatively small, easy-to-drive, RWD and manual (aka analogue) sportscar. It doesn’t have to be monstrously quick, just adequate for the Sunday B-road drive. For the past few years, the obvious new-car choice has been the Toyota 86 but, where it was relatively affordable when it was initially launched, now nearing the R600k mark, it no longer ts in that affordable bracket.

I remember the days when Toyota MR2S and Mazda MX-5S were properly cheap. Anyone could have one, but these days they’ve all become too expensive. Manufacturers are focusing too much on the niche upmarket sportscar bracket, almost bordering something like a Porsche Cayman/boxster. The problem is that they’ve fancied up their products to such an extent you’d rather pay a little extra for an approved pre-owned Porsche than a new 86. The only way out seems to be buying used but that also means buying into all of the hassles. ADRIAAN DUMINY Hermanus