British-Cars.org

Welcome to the DMR Site for British Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite General - Modern Sports Car/s (USA)

Talking to a few friends this past weekend about modern affordable sports cars along the lines of Midget/Sprite here in the (USA), and the last one any of could think of was the MX-5, MK-1. Is anyone aware of anything in planning for a new sports car scheduled for the (USA)?

http://mx5-3rdgenerationlimited.com/photo.htm

Regards,

Larry C.
Larry C '69 Midget

Most of the lower end sports roadsters in the US more resemble the MGB in size and performance than the Spridget. The MX5 is just one of several in recent years that are pretty affordable and give good performance. The GM Solstice and Sky were very modern in appearance, but basically small front engine RWD four cylinder roadsters. The early RX7s were also pretty basic cars, but without a open top version available for years didn't have the allure of the MGs. Others that were mid engined but gave nice handling were the Toyota MR2 and of course the old Fieros. Honda's Del Sol being front wheel drive didn't seem to have quite what it took to capture the sports car types here and neither did the later Mercury Capris. I was hoping that Smart would bring over the Smart Roadster, but that didn't happen.
B Young

Affordable ????

That depends on what the defination of affordable is???

is 76 MPG affordable? it sure would make a dent in the fuel budget... granted its a plug in hybrid but does produce 218 HP

So to the right person this 2013 Porsche 918 Spyder is a steal at only $845,000

Prop

You guys probably missed out on below

Same size (except shorter) and power as a (1275) Spridet

A Spridget for the 90s and great fun to drive

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Cappuccino

Nigel Atkins

Pretty sure that the Cappucino went to the States didn't it - in more numbers than here:(

It almost tempted me off the Midget when I was about 18, but my mum wasn't scared enough :)!

What about the BMW Z3?
rachmacb

Capp had steering wheel on the wrong side for USA

Z3 might be affordable now, Z4 better car IMO, but neither much fun to drive compare to Spridget or Capp, Alpina much more fun but not that affordable

I had to wait a good few years to get my Capp even then the s/h prices were high - until I sold it off course
Nigel Atkins

No, we didn't get the Cappuccino over here. Looks like a neat little car.
B Young

Never mind - we only got 2000 - 1500 were red and 500 were silver - and that ruddy Jeremy Clarkson had a silver one ...!

Even now, past their sell-by date, they make about £2000 at least.

Not sure that the Smart car roadster is really an equivalent - terribly uncomfy for starters, and everything is more cramped than in a spridget.
rachmacb

smart roadster - another I'd forgot

My wife wanted one as she'd had the original (lhd) City Coupe but instead bought a very early official import Diahatsu (659 cc) Copen (nearly a sports)

State side you also miss out on most of our affordable British built sports and kit cars such as the Lomax and so many more (7 copies factory and kit builds)

http://www.sportsandleisurecars.co.uk/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_Fortwo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_Roadster

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daihatsu_Copen

Nigel Atkins

Smart roadster is what I was thinking, but we never saw that one here either. Used MX-5, and possibly Z-3 fall into the right price range, but what if anything new is either in design phase or production. Here in the States the modern version, amongst many others might be the VW/Polo/GTI. But, not a roadster, and is this a 'modern' sports car?

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/16/report-volkswagen-to-sell-two-versions-of-polo-in-u-s-in-2011/

L.C.
Larry C '69 Midget

This thread was discussed on 04/04/2011

MG Midget and Sprite General index

This thread is from the archives. Join this live forum now