Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Seeking advice on Ferrari alternative

[Tom Reynolds (kjtar]

The Boxster would be a good choice, don't know if they've solved the Rear Main 
Seal (and associated, tangential) problem, though.  Porsche Pete's Boxster 
Board might give you a current status on that. Otherwise, I did drive a '00 5 
speed and really liked it, a lot better than a M Roadster that I drove the same 
day just before I drove the Boxster. I did email a guy at Beck a few years ago 
about the car, it was my impression that he did all he could to make it handle, 
etc. like an old Porsche.  So, you'd probably be getting a modern, reliable (I 
suppose) car that handles like a '50s car.  Not bad in itself, but you'd better 
spend some time behind the wheel before plunking down the $ for one.  And I 
know that's your goal, to find one and test drive it for longer than just a 
spin around the block. Oh, that was the Beck Spyder, I believe, so 
Speedster/Spyder might be a different animal.
B.R.
Tom
Tulsa
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Britt2Asa [at] aol.com 
  To: kjtar [at] cox.net 
  Cc: ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com 
  Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2007 8:37 AM
  Subject: Re: [Ferrari] Seeking advice on Ferrari alternative


  Thanks Tom,
  To clarify I have thought of the Lotus but it just doesnt do anything for me 
(drives great though and about 11K so not bad). The MX-5 is great but to 
"hairdresser" for me. I actually am looking at the following 4 but really want 
any opinions on the speedster..

  Speedster Replica (new) or a Maser 4200  (about the same price here in the UK)
  Porsche Boxster
  Alfa Spider S4  (cheapest opion and a great looking car I think)

  Britt




    Hi Britt,
        Well, not knowing what's available in the U.K. it's difficult for me
    to get a proper handle on this question, but as far as I know, I think I
    might be pre-disposed to a Lotus.  Not sure how much you want to spend, but
    from what I've read and heard, they handle like slot cars and are a ton of
    fun if you can fit into one. I have a bias: a Camaro SS (circa 1996-2002)
    but petrol is more expensive there, and it is, all things considered, a
    rather big car compared to what's generally available/driven in the U.K. and
    Europe, so that might be a limiting factor.
        I suppose you've gone through and done a mental exercise on MG,
    Alfa, TVR, Griffith (if I'm thinking correctly), You said two key words,
    "simple" and "reliable" which directed my mind to a Lotus 7 or Caterham, but
    I don't know if you equate those with punishing or too spartan or too bare
    boned of a car.  The MX-5 also comes to mind, but those must be on every
    street corner, and I think you might want something less common.
        The U.K. is (or at least used to be) basically the home of the kit
    car (believe it was because the cars could be purchased for so much less in
    kit form than in final form?) so your choices should be very wide, perhaps a
    fellow U.K. lister (Francis?) could chime in on this, but those are my
    initial thoughts.
    Good luck, Britt. A wonderful connundrum. :)
    Best regards,
    Tom Reynolds
    Tulsa, OK





  BR in the UK
  1986 328GTS (LHD 89,940km) Died August 19, 2006 Shrewsbury UK
  1980 400i (RHD 72,000 miles)
  Searching for the right 512TR
  2003 BMW 530d 


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