Silly cams + ITBs + breathing + ECU = 220bhp

Definite potential for fun, and I love that its a no-BS sports coupe, with proven motor and running gear. If it was 10k cheaper I'd be buying one today but just not sure it's worth 30k for an MX5 in a better looking lightweight shell

 

It's closer to a Caterham with a (proper) roof - very important distinction.

 

Indeed - or a less expensive Exige.

No point in comparing it to a Toyobaru, either.

 

Absolutely nothing like an MX-5...at all other than it's a car and has the same engine.

Rest assured, you won't see one on your Revo site. Hella-w4nk.

 

Thanks Nexus, I thought the wink would denote I was being deliberately facicious, clearly need a </sarcasm> tag for you - but point I was making it is still a lot of money, compared to what else one could aquire but I'm still strongly considering it. Not sure what a "Revo site" is either?

Anyway, of interest might be some more info I received from their sales guys.

"Good afternoon Rich.


The power upgrade is not an option we will offer unfortunately, there is plenty of scope for after market tuning.

What you will not have heard is that we are looking to give the car more horsepower as standard and we are hoping for 215bhp which will make it very fun indeed!


The tuning option is to take the car on a circuit with a Ginetta factory racing driver and engineer and set the car up for you.


All upgrades are plus VAT on the upgrades.


We are offering a 1 years parts warranty on the car."

 

I want one.

 

270bhp/Tonne.

That makes it very interesting for the price. Cayman S and Exige S are nowhere near that, and both a lot heavier. £30k seems real VFM compared to them, if it's out and out pace you're after.

Would be a bonus if their 'factory driver' was Nigel Moore, too.

 

Front end looks Lotus/TVR/Jaguar-esque, side profile has hints of R35, but the back end is a little too Aero 8 for my liking. Still, an interesting proposition if it's reliable. Similar price to a new S, similar 0-60, mpg and top speed stats, but much lighter. And a bigger boot than the S, it sounds like the step towards an Elise that many S owners hanker for, but can't afford to lose the luggage space.The final question is 'how comfortable is it for 2-3hr journeys'? If it's reasonable, it'll be a great little car at an interesting market point. How many cars can boast all of the above?

 

As I said earlier, I would expect it to be less of a production car than the Elise and need a lot of looking after.

 

I don't think it would be taht bad as long as you limited your driving from April till October.

The engine/drivetrain is basic and well proven. No FREDs and other complex electronics.

You couldn't be using it as a daily though, nor would you want to really.

As for comfort - the Westfield, in anything other than severe rain, is pretty good for 2-3hr journeys.