Marcos Maniacs

--- In MarcosManiacs@y..., "guess..." <z_o_r_o_25@y...> wrote:
> 
> HI all 
> 
> I'm new to this usergroup, but was wonding if any of youcould 
answer a few of my questions. . 
> 
> 1) Is the Marcos an everyday car, By this I mean if maintained well 
able to do 12,000 miles + a year?. Or is it just a Sunday runabout 
(lotus 7 esque)

Many people do run them everyday. I'd recommend a coupe (if you can 
find one) if you want an everyday car in the UK, just because they're 
more watertight.

> 
> 2) Has marcos gone out of business recently?. . .I read in this 
month's "which kit magazine" (july 2002) that they had, Article is on 
page 81
> 

The Marcos who made the Mantara(y) and Mantis has gone out of 
business, but there's a thriving Marcos support business and Jem 
Marsh announced (last Sunday) that a new car, with the Marcos name 
will be available soon.

> 3) I have about £20,000 to spend and am looking at 2nd hand Mantara 
or Mantis or LM. . What are the Service/Maintenance costs annually of 
owning such a car (considering my estimated milage)
> 

Can't answer this one - Probably similar to a low-end TVR, I'd 
imagine (unlike the Cerbera and Tuscan, the engine's are not bespoke 
on a Marcos - V8 Rover on the Mantara/LM and Ford Mustang V8 on the 
Mantis) - If you can live with the looks, the Mantis is lovely to 
drive and would be easily civilised enough for everyday use.

> any help would be useful

A little, anyway. 

Check my site (or my recent-ish post) for the URL of the UK Marcos 
forum - there are some Mantis/Mantara owners posting on there.

Cheers,

Mark