ELAN REPLACEMENT

[alan.barker]

I've found a replacement for my Sprint as i get older. To still enjoy driving in comfort.
A Z3 2.2ltrs 6 cylinders for the music.
What would you boys choose as replacement.
Alan

[Fred Talmadge]

At 72 I'm still cruising in the Elan. I don't have trouble getting out of it and after an hour or so I have to get out and stretch for a bit. I think and hope I still have a few years.

[alan.barker]

Sure Fred,
A few more years. I'm 75 nearly 76 in Jan.
But i know in my Sprint after an hour it's time to take a break.
No problem getting in and out.
I also have a 1978 TVR 3000S + 1976 TVR 3000M. Both the TVRs are comfortable to drive for hours.
This is replacement for Elan not a +2.
I did think first about a Honda S2000 but most of them have been thrashed on a Circuit.
In my TVR 3000S i've just driven 1,000 kms over 3 days no problem with comfort.
Alan

[TonyA]

Alan, the Beemer will not break down; bits won't come loose or fall off..nothing to fettle and tinker..But if you keep the TVR you have the best of both..Happy motoring; enjoy while you can, and before the nanny state bans it..!

Tony

[alanr]

I think you have made quite a good choice there Alan!
Difficult isn't it as we age...Needs to be sporty with a bit of flair but also easy to get in and out of to cope with the creaky knees/back problems etc that we accululate as the years roll by.
I think for me though my choice it would have to be between a couple of vintage classics that I have owned previously...

I have a strong desire to own another vintage Alfa so possibly an an Alfa Romeo 2000GTV of '72-75 vintage or the earlier 1750 GTV. Obviously in Red. I had one in the mid 1970's but unfortunately it came to a sad end when I rolled it and wrote it off!
Alfa rust though is always a concern....

So..If I could find one, and it would be hard i think..
My first choice would be a car I really loved at the time and would really love to own one again and that is a BMW 2002tii, which of course has the Kugelfischer mechanical injection. it would have to be in Golf Yellow though as per my old car. It was brilliantly very quick with a 0-60 in 7.3 sec whch was quite amazing in the mid '70's and the handling was really superb.
The 2002tii was and still is a great car, however finding the right car nowadays could be challenging at a price I could now affford.
.
Today, right now though, I am quite happy with my +2S130 which I have no problems (Yet!) in getting in and out of and the 5speed gearbox I have fitted has improved it's useability enormously.

Alan.

[ericbushby]

Come back when you have got some time in you lot. I am 85 and love driving my Elan. I bought it when I was 72. My limit will come when I can no longer get under to fix it or more likely when I can`t get back up. If it had to go, I would buy an MX5.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[alan.barker]

Hi Eric,
Strange you say MX5 because where i bought my Z3 he sells only Z3 + Z4 + MX5 cars no others. I had direct comparison with fors and against of both all colours.
I cracked for Z3 and the 2.2 is not banned from Cities pollution.
Have a look at his Website " SPORTCARS" ROYAN France. Mr DeSilva has a fantastic choice of low Kilometrage/Mileage.
Brush the dust off your "schoolboy french" take a look. A glass of french wine might help.
Alan

[ericbushby]

Nobody offended then?
Thanks Alan, I can`t imagine myself buying a BMW.
I know they are good from friends who have them but I also know the workshop hourly rates and by then I would not be able to fix it myself. You have to take into account that I am a cheapskate.
I have driven a friends MX5 and I found it to be sublime, quiet, smooth and responsive. Nearby, there is a small backstreet garage who only works on MX5s. That is the sort of garage who gets my custom.
Meanwhile, for now, the Elan is in regular use. We do have two Fords for when it looks like rain.
Cheers
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[alan.barker]

Eric,
I had a ride in a freinds MX5 RF the one with the electric folding roof very chick.
I liked it.
My Z3 has only 47,000 kms on the clock and only 2 owners before.
Tour of Ireland and Scotland planned 2025.
Alan

[jono]

I ran an Alfa S2 Spider Veloce alongside my Plus 2 for a few years and quite liked it though it was a completely different driving experience to the Lotus.

Often fancied another one - they are very charismatic, along with the other 105 series models

[h20hamelan]

I enjoy BMW, I like many things about the later Volvo C70 (2006-9) like the roof engine and transmission. I suppose as I have many Benz too, I quite like them.
BMW quality I think was good in the Z3 -4’s
Same for pre 2014 Volvo, ViDa Dice ended then.
MB you can still buy Star, but when they were with Chrysler 2002ish till 2012ish’ crap.

I suppose it’s not 1960 and quality and reliability is a wee bit better.

Glad you can drive your 2.2 through the city, and dont need a trailer for your e-bike/scooter which takes its smog from outside the city.

[pianoderby]

I have a 2002 MX-5 I bought new and have put nearly 250,000 miles on. I’ve changed a lot of timing belts, plenty of fluids, one alternator, the diff, a few sets of shocks, brakes, wheel bearings, and I had to reweld a cracked weld in the exhaust. The original clutch finally gave up and needs replaced now.

Though I can’t speak to the newer generation of MX-5 the first two provided a great analog driving experience and are dead simple and cheap to work on. My mother had a 2001 BMW M roadster at the time and that thing was a hoot with 315 horsepower. It was a more refined driving experience than the MX-5 and sounded great, but was also a bit of a tank.

The Elan makes the MX-5 look like a Viper, but they’re a pretty good match.

[elans3]

I too, sway between (sometimes both at the same time), an Elan and Alfas.
I've had two 105 Giulia Coupe's, and for the last nearly 8 years, have had a '63 Giulia saloon, all with the 2 litre engine, gearbox & LSD.
They're just as nice a driver's car as an Elan, but in a different way.
A couple of years ago I owned both at the same time.
Currently looking for another S3 Fixed Head, preferably a pre-airflow, but not essential. I wouldn't say no to a good DHC again though.

[alan.barker]

What about Lancia Fulvia
Alan

[Jason B]

How about an Abarth 124 Spider? It has the advantage of not being an MX5 (even though quite a lot of it is really, but those are the bits that you want to be Japanese) It is nearly as loud as an Elan, loves to rev, and almost practical. Not everyone likes the shape, but I do, which is what I find really counts.
Weirdly though there is less room than the Elan - except for shoulder width. Mind you I am 6ft4in and not exactly skinny so have to lever myself into quite a few things.
This photo was taken in Yorkshire on the way to going round the North Coast 500 (the wrong way, naturally) shortly after Covid restrictions were lifted, a trip that was the very essence of freedom again.