What sportscar would you give to your 21 year old?

[eclectic]

Hypothetical question. You have a budget of £8,000 to cover purchase and insurance of a present for your 21 year old. (Son/Daughter, God Daughter/Son).

So, its got to be fun, reliable, insurable, and a good 'trainer', furthermore,you can't expect the greatful 21 year old to be skilled or patient enough to build up a kit or 'special'.

I suggest a well sorted Porsche 924. The engines in the right place, parts are from VW..... Otherwise perhaps a Fiat 124 2000cc Pininfarina Sports, but they are getting a bit long in the tooth and are lhd. If I lived in the USA perhaps a Pontiac Fiero, with the optional European Sports pack, I once had a wonderful day with one borrowed from the late Mark Dees, zipping through the California Sierras!

Whether the age to be the donor or recipient, let your fantasies rip!

[gfm]

I think you’ve probably hit the nail on the head right first time Eclectic, although if you get the wrong 924, you’ll blow your complete criteria list out in one go.

Otherwise I’d suggest a 205/GTi hot hatch, on model down – the one that’s not got the badges and trick name, but the same engine and running gear – the ‘lux’, not the GTi. Good for learning on.

It sounds like the perfect excuse to go to Italy and pick up a sweet Barchetta and live with lhd, I’d have thought? I still fancy 3 litre Capris. Next step up would be 968 Clubsport which was a super car, right next to RSs in fact.

[Lee Janotta]

I'd say a 1.8 MX-5. But if this is a son/godson, he'll hate you forever.

Second generation RX-7s are quite nice.

My fantasies (right at that age) currently revolve around early long wheelbase 911s.

Fieros are actually worse to insure than 911s here.

And of course, there are the ubiquitous ponycars. Mustang, Camaro and Firebird/Trans Am.

[TimD]

This isn't turning into much of a debate, I'm afraid. I would have said a Porsche 924 or an early 944 would be an ideal choice.

Curiously, the opinion of the clubs is that an early production 944 is going to be more bullet-proof than a later one.

Another possibility, for the UK, anyway, is the Rover 220 Turbo coupe. They're getting cheap now, but the youngest ones are still really quite recent. They're quick, while not being too quick, and while the engine does drive the wrong pair of wheels, the chassis is sound and forgiving, and will help the youngster out of most situations they put themselves in.

[Hans.ca]

At 21 years old I would get them a Lada and with the rest of the money send them to a really good racing school. Let them learn in a save enviroment. After the school buy them some rides at a few race tracks.

[Lee Janotta]

Hmm... If you really want to teach them a few things about mechanical maintanence and driving skill, try a later Spitfire.

[eclectic]

Ouch! My first everyday car was a five year old Triumph Herald, which I believe shares its rear suspension with the 'Spit'. What a horror it was, all it taught me was what not to drive! My first car that was a good drive, was a Fiat 124 Sport Coupe' 1600cc twinkie, but what a rustbucket. So much better than the Triumph so maybe Hans.ca's suggestion of a Lada is not so far out?

Anyway keep up the suggestions, I think I could stretch to the racing school as an extra over the budget!

[gfm]

The Herald would have taught you a thing or two about oversteer - and that steering lock. In more drunken moments I thought they would make a great 'one-make' series !!
The 2 litre 6 cyl. Vitesse was OK when they redesigned the rear end!

[Heebeegeetee]

MG Midget. BTW, the later Spittys had the rear end sorted out, but they haven't stood the test of time like an MG. Consider the classic insurance, spares availability, access to the biggest single marque clubs in the world, simple maintenance etc. etc.
I mean, if he really prangs it, you can even buy a new body shell for these cars...

[D-Type]

I had a Herald once. That rear end was lethal, particularly if the bolts fixing the radius arms (?) to the chassis had worked loose. The biggest fright I ever had was taking a corner at the same speed as I had in my previous car, a Mini. I got round (just).

Better still I would give our 21 year old a Skoda Octavia GT. With the swing axle rear end this snapped into terminal oversteer quicker than an early 911, but at half the speed. Once he (she) had scared themselves a few times and learnt to drive properly, I'd let them have the rest of the money to get whatever they wanted.
Could you get a Datsun 240Z for under £8000

[Lee Janotta]

Ooo! Can't believe I forgot the 240Z!

Speaking of Japanese cars, the early Celicas the last rear-drive Corolla/Sprinters are very nice handling cars, and have a certain quirky coolness about them.

With petrol costing what it does, you could improve mileage, performance and mechanical skill by swapping in a more recent powerplant!

[GTRMagic]

With 8,000 pounds you couldnt go past a Ford Sierra Cosworth could you? There seem a fair few around for somewhere near the 5,000 pound mark, the rest can go on rebuilding the engine or indeed insurance

[Lee Janotta]

Ooo! Can't believe I forgot the 240Z!

Speaking of Japanese cars, the early Celicas the last rear-drive Corolla/Sprinters are very nice handling cars, and have a certain quirky coolness about them.

[dretceterini]

If he likes older cars, you should be able to get a very nice 105 series (1970s) Alfa GTV or Lancia Fulvia for that kind of money..

[simon drabble]

at last someone showing some taste! 1750 Bertone 105 is the probably the best and if you buy one with a good body you will have given hiim a first class investment as well! Plus he can then get it out racing in Julius' excellant GTA Challenge in the strada class!

[Nordic]

I would have suggested a mk1 Toyota MR2, if you can find a straight rust free one, a great car just wish I never sold mine.

[Hobson]

Spend £800 on a RWD '86 Toyota Corolla from Ireland and drift into the night...

[ss_collins]

go east - a classic skoda.

[Liz]

None -- they should earn their own car and then they'd take care of it. Also pay their own insurance.

But I agree that after he/she had bought that car, I'd give the money for a course at a really good driving school like the Porsche School.

[GTRMagic]

I agree Liz, nothing is ever truly respected unless it is earned

[dretceterini]

Simon (and all):

I've actually been looking for a nice Alfa 105 series 1750 (only imported to the US from '69 to '71) or an early stepnose 1600 (GTA body style) for some time that hasn't been butchered with modifications, but here in the US they are very difficult to find unless you want to buy one and restore it yourself....and difficult even then.

[Lee Janotta]

Well Liz, public transport being nearly nonexistant here, my parents buying me a rusty but dependable car for $500 was dependant on my finding a summer job (3 years ago), but necessary to commute back and forth from that job.

[eclectic]

OOOOh its gone all political! Where os the fantasy thread I started! Of course its better to earn your own car, my first was a VW splitscreen van in which I set off with 5 friends for Khatmandu--- we never got that far but thats another story. Still I was hoping to unearth opinions on the affordable sports cars of today.

Incidentally dretceterini a friend of mine in the USA has a little Alfa from the 70's called a Velocissima, don't know much about it except I borrowed it for a track day once and it was FUN!

[simon drabble]

If you are looking for a Bertone Alfa there are two reliable specialists in UK, Alfaholics (who have a web site) and Gran Turismo (who dont but advertise in the mags). I have dealt with both of them (I am on my 4th one now!)and they are both very good and in the case of Alfaholics will know good contacts in US. From my experience (which is primarily racing them)they are great cars and fantastic to drive!

[M Coupe]

You could also pick up early MGF's for that money.