FabSwingers.com forum: Sports cars

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Morning gang, dave and I are thinking of buying a little sports car, just for weekend use, any ideas, cos im rubbish at makes un models etc, I go for colour, must be classey. Thanks x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Can't go wrong with a wee mazda mx-5 I loved mine, great fun and reliable.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Can't go wrong with a wee mazda mx-5 I loved mine, great fun and reliable. "

Was it a two seater, we are trying to discourage teens from coming tagging along with us all the time lol

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Mx-5 are a two seater, more have been sold than any other sports car, only 1.6 or 1.8engines unless you get a brand new one. But they are light, I would get the Honda s2000, most powerfull n/a engine on the market. Mr2 roadster are good cars too

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Unless you dont want a soft top?

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By *andKCouple
over a year ago

Norfolk

K drives a special edition Audi TT goes like poo off a shovel and yes only has 2 seats. Extremley reliable car too.

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By *atisfy janeWoman
over a year ago

Torquay

In my opinion you just can't beat an MX5 for value and fun driving, they are ultra reliable if you get a later model and servicing is quite reasonable.

Although saying that I have fallen in love with the new Toyota sports car from that TV advert and am waiting for a test drive.

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By *reenworld55Man
over a year ago

dorchester

An old MG Midget. Then David would have another hobby - fixing it!

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By *ayandellenCouple
over a year ago

Corralejo, Fuerteventura.

for a 2 seated with class you can't beat a MGB GT, roof off wind in your hair.

wait a min. Your in Newport S.Wales. As we are, Better keep your sun-roof on as we don't get much sun, LOL.

Ray and Ellen.

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By *atisfy janeWoman
over a year ago

Torquay

"K drives a special edition Audi TT goes like poo off a shovel and yes only has 2 seats. Extremley reliable car too.

My other half drives a new TT RS and it's a beautiful car, but it's on contract and goes in January when he leaves his job.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

1965 Austin Healey 3000

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"An old MG Midget. Then David would have another hobby - fixing it!"

Heard that head gasket goes on them, not that I got s frigging clue wot one of them are mind lol

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By *abloBackMan
over a year ago

London

For something cheap, can't beat an MX5 plenty of jap imports around from £1000 upwards. Something a bit more sporty that really handle well are Toyota MR2

If your budget can stretch a little further go for a Honda S2000 best engine around with Honda residuals if you have £5000 upwards you can start looking at Porsche boxter

All these are great buys and lots of fun

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By *andKCouple
over a year ago

Norfolk

"K drives a special edition Audi TT goes like poo off a shovel and yes only has 2 seats. Extremley reliable car too.

My other half drives a new TT RS and it's a beautiful car, but it's on contract and goes in January when he leaves his job."

K's is the special edition they did to mark 25 years of Quattro and the last of the original shape, we got it brand new but she won't change it for the world.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I would like a Jaguar XK8 convertible Red cream inside for my weekend run about.

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By *reenworld55Man
over a year ago

dorchester

"An old MG Midget. Then David would have another hobby - fixing it!

Heard that head gasket goes on them, not that I got s frigging clue wot one of them are mind lol"

Oh dear! Perhaps they're not very suitable then

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By *ubybabyCouple
over a year ago

lincoln ish

if you talk to me nicely you can try my healey,BUT YOU MUST PROMISE NOT TO FLASH AT ME DOWN A COAL MINE AGAIN xxxx love you too xxxxxxxxxxxx

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Best value-Mazda MX5-Great to drive.

Money no object-Aston Martin!,lol

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Morning gang, dave and I are thinking of buying a little sports car, just for weekend use, any ideas, cos im rubbish at makes un models etc, I go for colour, must be classey. Thanks x"

Okay....

1. How much ya got to spend on it?

2. What is your definition of 'classy'?

3. What colour would Madam like?

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By *umpkinMan
over a year ago

near the sounds of the wimborne quarter jack!

"1965 Austin Healey 3000

Great car! But make sure you have "Armstrong" power steering as they are the British version of a muscle car. Trouble is the description got lost in translation!

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By *reedygirlnmickCouple
over a year ago

wakefield

mercedes slk 350, the dogs and affordable, apart from road tax lol

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By *eavenNhellCouple
over a year ago

carrbrook stalybridge

"An old MG Midget. Then David would have another hobby - fixing it!

Heard that head gasket goes on them, not that I got s frigging clue wot one of them are mind lol"
your thinking of the MG f/tfwhich do have a rep for head gasket problems due to poor maintanance the MG midget/AustinHealy sprite do not as they run the old A series engine from the mini good luck finding a cheap one tho would go for the mx5 myself

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By *ercedes62Woman
over a year ago

Northampton

"mercedes slk 350, the dogs and affordable, apart from road tax lol"

Know the feeling expensive hobby

Have to say though it does put a smile on your face with the roof down and 3.5L under the bonnet.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A BMW Z3 or if you want to spend a little more a Z4. My old man has a Z3 and it's never let him down in 11 years

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

them koenziggeesskkkeessssoeennggggee thingys are nice if youve got a spare £400,000 but on a more easier budget the bmw Z3 is a nice car xxx

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By *andKCouple
over a year ago

Norfolk

sorry but z3's and 4's handle like shit if you want to drive them like a sports car round country lanes (and I am a BMW lover before anyone sounds off) not a patch on the TT

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Pmsl, didnt actually flash, nearly, but saw all the lights behind you lol.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Morning gang, dave and I are thinking of buying a little sports car, just for weekend use, any ideas, cos im rubbish at makes un models etc, I go for colour, must be classey. Thanks x

Okay....

1. How much ya got to spend on it?

2. What is your definition of 'classy'?

3. What colour would Madam like?

Dave said gonna nick it to order lol

1.approx, 2to3grand

2.prefer soft top or open top

3madam likes happy colours

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

jag e type, thats a proper sports car

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By *aveandkate35Couple
over a year ago

telford

"For something cheap, can't beat an MX5 plenty of jap imports around from £1000 upwards. Something a bit more sporty that really handle well are Toyota MR2

If your budget can stretch a little further go for a Honda S2000 best engine around with Honda residuals if you have £5000 upwards you can start looking at Porsche boxter

All these are great buys and lots of fun"

In my oppinion this exactly what I would have said.

I personally think the S2000 is the one here - amazing fun, honda reliability, electric soft top - you've got to really be looking at a boxer "s" for comparable performance and with the s2000, you also don't have Porsche loaded prices for spares.

I gave tge sane advice to a friend at work - he bought an s2000 and still comes in 3 years later and thanks me for the advice.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

How about a Hyundai Coupe? It's a four seater, but the back seats are almost useless... I just happen to have one going spare

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Well for my run around I drive a maclarren f1. For trips where I want to make an impression I use the insignia.

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By *abloBackMan
over a year ago

London

"Well for my run around I drive a maclarren f1. For trips where I want to make an impression I use the insignia. "

Don't you mean insignificant?

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By *arambarMan
over a year ago

swindon

The MX5 is great fun to drive and the running costs are incredibly reasonable. Personally I prefer the S2000 over the MX5 but they're more expensive to buy and service... partly because there are so many Mazdas out there (which is another reason I like the Honda).

You won't regret buying either of these cars, in my opinion.

If you're prepared to take a gamble then look at the Lexus SC430. They're brilliant cars but are a bit like Marmite, if you know what I mean.

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

I love my Bentley continental for my weekend run around....its just too impractical for work

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

i had a mx5 once and honestly loved it,the only reason i got one is because a mate prepares them for motorsport and races one himself very well and invited me to watch,i bought the best i could find with the lowes miles and everything was great until i got in it..........i was too big

that said it was great fun with the roof down and economical too just really you need to be well under 6ft.

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By *abloBackMan
over a year ago

London

I had an MG midget, I had to do a forward roll to get out of it.

Sold it to a guy who is 6ft4 tall

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By *damandeve4funCouple
over a year ago

Glasgow

I am on my second MX-5. Great wee cars

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

dont drive but always liked the look of the MR2 roadsters

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I would say for your budget, the MX-5 is your best bet.

You won't get much in the classic field for that money, at least nothing that's worth it's salt that doesn't need attention.

TT's etc are excellent cars, but again for a good one, you have to pay.

MX-5 for reliability and fun and there are probably more in your £ bracket to choose from.

Try and get one that hasn't been tampered with (pimped).

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"dont drive but always liked the look of the MR2 roadsters "

a mate of mine imported them into the uk from japan and the toyota mr2 turbos with the same engine as a celica gt4 went so fast they were amazing for what they cost and i was impressed by how well they went,i would say they are one of the fastest cheapest roadsters available .

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By *innamon!Woman
over a year ago

no matter

Love my Mercedes SLK .. cracking little car.. fast solid hard top great drive,

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By *iewMan
Forum Mod
over a year ago

Angus & Findhorn

had an alfa romeo spider...

was in the garage more than it was out.

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By *ild Bill Thickcock.Man
over a year ago

Wet Beaver Creek

I'm planning on getting an old (90's)Merc SL, or perhaps a Porsche when I saved a few more quids.

The MX5 is a great little car, but like most of the knowledgeable here, if you can afford it, go for the Honda

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By *mm_n_ZedCouple
over a year ago

Fareham

Zed has a Porsche Boxter 's' - lovely little car with bags of oomph. Not cheap to maintain though.

I have the more sensible Peugeot 307 coupe convertible because we do sometimes need 4 seats.

Can't help loving those little Mazda MX5s though (I'm a bit of a Mazda fan having owned three - not MX5s but 626s and an MX6)

Em x

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By *appyTrancerMan
over a year ago

Bristol

For me, and for sheer seat of your pants lunatic fun, it would have to be a Caterham R500. 0-60 in less than 3 seconds, 2 seater, astoundingly fun and relatively cheap at £40k. You could always build yourself a 7 style kit car to make it cheaper - looking at about £4k to £20k depending on spec, make and engine choice.

Oh and they look f*cking cool!

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

jay has an mr2 as his boytoy its a nice dark metalic blue same as his everyday car

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By *ighclassfunMan
over a year ago

Cheshire

1972 Stag - it's great for the sun - 2 small back seat though!!!!???

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"1972 Stag - it's great for the sun - 2 small back seat though!!!!???"

you probably already know theres a garage in chester who specialise in them,the lads there used to work for paddock the triumph specialist.

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By *ighclassfunMan
over a year ago

Cheshire

"1972 Stag - it's great for the sun - 2 small back seat though!!!!???

you probably already know theres a garage in chester who specialise in them,the lads there used to work for paddock the triumph specialist."

Thanks - takes some looking after!!!

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By *he_original_poloWoman
over a year ago

a Primark shoebox in Leicester

Get a Supra and get it modified..... neon lights the whole cajazzle.

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By *ushandkittyCouple
over a year ago

Gloucester

first thing to do when you get a stag is take out the original V8 engine and put a rover v8 in

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By *dmyamCouple
over a year ago

clevleys

Motor bike cheap tax 2 seats hayabusa 190mph out the show room nearly as good as sex but not quite

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Mazda MX-5 as already mentioned a few times. My friend has one and she does all the work on it herself. Two seater, soft top, but its rear wheel drive so be careful in wet unless you like some exciting fun. Not overly fast but sporty, with good handling and the Top Gear guys love them.

If you want more speed and ummph go for a 1998 Type R Subaru Impreza with low milage and no extra mods (in other words, not fucked about with by boy-racers).

Whatever car you go for do not buy one from some dealer or privately. Take your time to find an enthusiast in that make and model and they will find one worth buying. I made this mistake and paid for it! I then got an enthusiast in that make and model, he got one all the way from japan, and it hasnt given me one bit of bother since past three years exactly today.

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By *damandeve4funCouple
over a year ago

Glasgow

"I am on my second MX-5. Great wee cars

Of course, if we are talking of ultimate, dream sportscars, it would have to be a Morgan!

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By *he Ring WraithMan
over a year ago

Bradford

Who cares what make it is as long as the roof goes down and you wear short skirts when you are stopped in traffic jams.

As a biker i love riding slowly past open top sports cars with drivers or passengers in short skirts stuck in traffic jams.

Okay i am a perv i confess.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Dont buy a mg tf mine was a nightmare spent more time in garage then on the road.

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By *gentprovocateurWoman
over a year ago

leeds

im not a very confident or capable driver so I dont think a sports car would be a safe option for me!

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By *arkstaffsMan
over a year ago

Rugeley

"first thing to do when you get a stag is take out the original V8 engine and put a rover v8 in

Then end up in a hedge because the Rover V8 is lighter than the Triumph engine. The Stag can be reliable now with the original engine.

I've got a Spitfire that is good fun and very reliable, had several MGBs and Midgets, good mechanicals but prone to a little rust!!

MGFs are dirt cheap now, don't worry about the head gasket issue. Its easy to replace and the new type gasket solves the problem well.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Sports cars are generally regarded as being vulgar and are associated with the nouveau riche. Veteran and vintage sports cars don't have this stigma attached to them however, so I would advise something older.

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By *atisfy janeWoman
over a year ago

Torquay

"Sports cars are generally regarded as being vulgar and are associated with the nouveau riche. Veteran and vintage sports cars don't have this stigma attached to them however, so I would advise something older."

Generally regarded....or just in your utopian world?

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By *adgeeMan
over a year ago

Sw Scotland

"had an alfa romeo spider...

was in the garage more than it was out."

The new Alfa Romeo 4C looks lovely, at £45,000 slightly outside most folks budget for a weekend runabout I'd imagine.

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By *ushandkittyCouple
over a year ago

Gloucester

MGFs are dirt cheap now, don't worry about the head gasket issue. Its easy to replace and the new type gasket solves the problem well."
have found that the new type gaskets fail if/when the cylinder liners sink (even with the gasket spacer). have had it happen to 4 or 5 different cars, and there is a modified plate for the head bolts to bolt into.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Id never have a mid engine car ever again I was glad to get rid of mine. So was my mate who's garage it kept ending up in. Plus I could never park next to a cerb as being a tall Chubby chap I could never get out of it lol

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By *reenworld55Man
over a year ago

dorchester

"Who cares what make it is as long as the roof goes down and you wear short skirts when you are stopped in traffic jams.

As a biker i love riding slowly past open top sports cars with drivers or passengers in short skirts stuck in traffic jams.

Okay i am a perv i confess.

Heh heh me too (biker & perv)!

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By *reenworld55Man
over a year ago

dorchester

A vintage Lagonda or Alfa would be very nice but outside of most folks pocket, I suspect!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

For you I'd suggest the MG TF is a nice car ..still cheap and not as unreliable as people say. MX 5 is a lovely little car.

But for me has to be the Healey 3000....

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By *arkstaffsMan
over a year ago

Rugeley

"For you I'd suggest the MG TF is a nice car ..still cheap and not as unreliable as people say. MX 5 is a lovely little car.

But for me has to be the Healey 3000...."

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By *Ryan-Man
over a year ago

In Your Bush

I prefer the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 purely because it was manufactured using the Monocoque construction technique

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By *arambarMan
over a year ago

swindon

Fuck it - for all out fun get an Ariel Atom

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By *teborahCouple
over a year ago

warrington

Mrs _teborah drives an Mgf vvc everyday and she would not sell it for anything. It had a head gasket fitted long before we bought it and have covered over 30000 miles since. When I first bought it I moved the thermostat to the front of the car just like Lotus did with the elise and guess what Lotus never have head gasket issues and they used the same engine

They really are a cheap and fun car when the sun eventually comes out. Join up to the MG forum and they will advise you where to buy one from near where you are as they are a very helpfull community. We had a Mazda mx5 merlot a few years ago and that also is a really good car. if you go down the Mazda road stick with a british spec car as opposed to a Jap import as they tend not to rustproof there cars.

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By *arcafunCouple
over a year ago

Catalunya, Spain

No body has mentioned a lotus elise or vx 220 both great sportscars with good fuel economy

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have a 1977 Stag, original triumph V8.

The last thing I would put a Rover lump in it. It upsets the handling, insurance, they don't sound anywhere near ad good and worth less than half they value of the originals'

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By *abloBackMan
over a year ago

London

"I have a 1977 Stag, original triumph V8.

The last thing I would put a Rover lump in it. It upsets the handling, insurance, they don't sound anywhere near ad good and worth less than half they value of the originals'"

Stag is also more powerful even though the engine is smaller

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By *ighclassfunMan
over a year ago

Cheshire

"first thing to do when you get a stag is take out the original V8 engine and put a rover v8 in

Takes the fun out of it!!!

The original is more suited to the car and regular maintenance and tinkering keeps it ok

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By *amslam1000Man
over a year ago

willenhall

"first thing to do when you get a stag is take out the original V8 engine and put a rover v8 in

Takes the fun out of it!!!

The original is more suited to the car and regular maintenance and tinkering keeps it ok

True powerflush the engine new silicone hoses and a decent new radiator + electric fan and will run for years but beware one that has had the wrong antifreeze and your talking corrosion to the waterways and head = BAD

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By *empnbunkCouple
over a year ago

south coast

"first thing to do when you get a stag is take out the original V8 engine and put a rover v8 in

OMG why on earth would you put that lump of kack into such a beautiful classic

Sporty car for me would have to be an audi rs5 mmmmmmmm

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By *ashful BazMan
over a year ago

poole dorset

Red Corvette Stingray would suit me please.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Fuel economy!

Whats that?

Hows it pronounced?

Never heard Jeremy mention anything like that before on Top Gear.

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