RE: SOTW: Convertibles For Autumn

RE: SOTW: Convertibles For Autumn

Author
Discussion

marc2

109 posts

176 months

Friday 9th September 2011
quotequote all
Threeh said:
Jumping in on the MX5 vs MR2 (Roadster) debate.

Obviously the MX5 is the greater commercial success, but the MR2 with more power and the engine being in the middle they are both quite different. As someone else mentioned the MR2 can be quite unforgiving when wet.

Anyway, pointless argument saying one is better than the other as they are both brilliant in their own right.
the voice of reason, I have slapped myself on the wrist for such a pointless debate. thanks Dad.

PS: MX is best evil

CDP

7,460 posts

255 months

Friday 9th September 2011
quotequote all
Threeh said:
Jumping in on the MX5 vs MR2 (Roadster) debate.

Obviously the MX5 is the greater commercial success, but the MR2 with more power and the engine being in the middle they are both quite different. As someone else mentioned the MR2 can be quite unforgiving when wet.

Anyway, pointless argument saying one is better than the other as they are both brilliant in their own right.
When I had to pick it was the MK2 MR2; they're available for shed money too. Can be really twitchy, nothing wakes you up on the way to work like the odd near death experience. Fun.

Out of the first three, it would probably be the Audi as the other two would most likely be too rusty. Sort out the hood on the BMW and it would definitely exceed the thousand pounds.

Frances The Mute

1,816 posts

242 months

Friday 9th September 2011
quotequote all
Part of me really wants that Audi.

KM666

1,757 posts

184 months

Saturday 10th September 2011
quotequote all
Mate of mines got 2 e30 cabs one a 2.4 conversion (not sure what it is really badged as an alpina d3) and a 325 the 325 sounds the nuts and the obvious risk of death if it rolls adds to the excitement feels quicker than his 2.4 one too but cramped for 4 adults and they dont attract the girls as well as you'd expect. Great cruising around with the roof down doesn't matter if nobody thinks you look stylish you feel it. O/T there was an mx5 for sale near me at a dealer for around 500quid but then another car they were selling had 3 15" wheels and one 16" so not the most reputable outlet

KM666

1,757 posts

184 months

Saturday 10th September 2011
quotequote all
Mate of mines got 2 e30 cabs one a 2.4 conversion (not sure what it is really badged as an alpina d3) and a 325 the 325 sounds the nuts and the obvious risk of death if it rolls adds to the excitement feels quicker than his 2.4 one too but cramped for 4 adults and they dont attract the girls as well as you'd expect. Great cruising around with the roof down doesn't matter if nobody thinks you look stylish you feel it. O/T there was an mx5 for sale near me at a dealer for around 500quid but then another car they were selling had 3 15" wheels and one 16" so not the most reputable outlet

ITech

111 posts

155 months

Saturday 10th September 2011
quotequote all
thewheelman said:
That is much nicer than the other 3 imo, good spot! As long as it isn't suffering from the bulkhead issues that these car can have (cracks). Then, with a bit of aftermarket bulkhead re-inforcement, that is a very nice, motor, that should last many more years.

Always seems to be a lot of support for the mx-5 on here, but not my cup of T really, no idea if it drives as well as folk say, but I will never want one.

The e30 is a nice car, the Audi looks posher than it is, but the Saab is the best.. by far.

anything fast

983 posts

165 months

Saturday 10th September 2011
quotequote all
marc2 said:
Threeh said:
Jumping in on the MX5 vs MR2 (Roadster) debate.

Obviously the MX5 is the greater commercial success, but the MR2 with more power and the engine being in the middle they are both quite different. As someone else mentioned the MR2 can be quite unforgiving when wet.

Anyway, pointless argument saying one is better than the other as they are both brilliant in their own right.
the voice of reason, I have slapped myself on the wrist for such a pointless debate. thanks Dad.

PS: MX is best evil
on the same subject, what's better hair gel or hairspray? wink

Tvr33

18 posts

159 months

Saturday 10th September 2011
quotequote all
I would take the e30 ! 4 seats, the most reliable and the coolest IMO... smokin

marc2

109 posts

176 months

Saturday 10th September 2011
quotequote all
anything fast said:
marc2 said:
Threeh said:
Jumping in on the MX5 vs MR2 (Roadster) debate.

Obviously the MX5 is the greater commercial success, but the MR2 with more power and the engine being in the middle they are both quite different. As someone else mentioned the MR2 can be quite unforgiving when wet.

Anyway, pointless argument saying one is better than the other as they are both brilliant in their own right.
the voice of reason, I have slapped myself on the wrist for such a pointless debate. thanks Dad.

PS: MX is best evil
on the same subject, what's better hair gel or hairspray? wink

Lol, if I had enough hair left to justify either I'd be a happy man laugh

Mouse1903

839 posts

154 months

Saturday 10th September 2011
quotequote all
Audi looks ok but is slower than the moon

thewheelman

2,194 posts

174 months

Saturday 10th September 2011
quotequote all
anything fast said:
marc2 said:
Threeh said:
Jumping in on the MX5 vs MR2 (Roadster) debate.

Obviously the MX5 is the greater commercial success, but the MR2 with more power and the engine being in the middle they are both quite different. As someone else mentioned the MR2 can be quite unforgiving when wet.

Anyway, pointless argument saying one is better than the other as they are both brilliant in their own right.
the voice of reason, I have slapped myself on the wrist for such a pointless debate. thanks Dad.

PS: MX is best evil
on the same subject, what's better hair gel or hairspray? wink
Hair wax.....fool! wink

PaulFontaine

629 posts

155 months

Saturday 10th September 2011
quotequote all
Threeh said:
Jumping in on the MX5 vs MR2 (Roadster) debate.

Obviously the MX5 is the greater commercial success, but the MR2 with more power and the engine being in the middle they are both quite different. As someone else mentioned the MR2 can be quite unforgiving when wet.

Anyway, pointless argument saying one is better than the other as they are both brilliant in their own right.
I don't know if an MR2 sypder can be had for this sort of money but what a fantastic car. When manufactures make cars too easy to drive people cry about them being souless when they dial in a little character that has the chance of biting back people also cry.


I have and do love everything about the slightly odd looking MR2 spyder. Thought it was great when it came out and still think. Mid-engine, convertible, decently quick for what it is and toyota build qaulity and if you are feeling real froggy even an SMG gearbox

CDP

7,460 posts

255 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
quotequote all
thewheelman said:
anything fast said:
marc2 said:
Threeh said:
Jumping in on the MX5 vs MR2 (Roadster) debate.

Obviously the MX5 is the greater commercial success, but the MR2 with more power and the engine being in the middle they are both quite different. As someone else mentioned the MR2 can be quite unforgiving when wet.

Anyway, pointless argument saying one is better than the other as they are both brilliant in their own right.
the voice of reason, I have slapped myself on the wrist for such a pointless debate. thanks Dad.

PS: MX is best evil
on the same subject, what's better hair gel or hairspray? wink
Hair wax.....fool! wink
After I bought the MR2 my hair started to drop out. Now I've got the MG it's almost gone.

So much for mid-engined cars, maybe I should have bought the MX5 afterall.

Edited as somehow I'd really messed up the formatting.

Edited by CDP on Sunday 11th September 10:44

TTTOPTOTTY

5 posts

183 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
quotequote all
I have owned 2 of the cars mentioned so feel I can comment on them both equally having had one from being just under 18 months old from new the MX5 with less than 10k on it and the Audi cabby 2.6 V6 manual.

The Mx5 was the by far the WORST car I have ever had the misfortune to own let alone drive, it was always breaking down if it started in the morning it was a bonus, the central locking used to lock it's self if you got out of the car and just shut the door so you had to climb through the back windows after unzipping it, it had no power steering and the seats were so low your a** was on the carpet, so petrol and a match for that one. Now I have the best car in the world I have an Audi 80 cabby 2.6 V6 with 1 owner from new and it goes like stink nto the "slow barge" you gusy say they are Ive had her 5 years and she is my show car within my club I have had at least 10 people wanting to buy her but she is not for sale she gets attention where ever she goes and is in pristine condition so get an Audi at least it wont rot around you like the BMW and the MX5. Dont believe me take a look

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad308/tttoptott...

VeeFour

3,339 posts

163 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
quotequote all
You obviously had a snotter of a hacked about with MX5.

Anything without PAS but with central locking would be using an aftermarket locking kit, which probably explains random locking and failure to start... Someone with more enthusiasm than skill cocking about with auto electrics rarely has great results.

I'd hardly say low seating position was worthy of criticism, although if you want to perch on top of the car, then an MX5 isn't for you anyway.

The wife's Alfa was in for a major service this week, so I chucked her the keys to our MX5.... She had never driven it before, but is now a convert. (ours is a Mk1 1.8iS with PAS but no central locking)

Hellbound

2,500 posts

177 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
quotequote all
The Audi does have a certain look. But come on people, let's face reality here. Cabbys like this aren't renowned for their handling, and the Audi is probably up there with the most benign, anti-handling cabs of that time. I've had a fair few Audi's and each one has fallen way short of the mark. Sure it's pretty chic for the money, but badge snobbery aside, you won't be getting one of these to put a smile on your face. Compared to the BMW though, you're more likely to find one that's in decent condition for not a lot of outlay.

The MX5 is the only one I haven't driven or owned out of the three. I've read that the driving position is too high. But now we're complaining about it being too low! God, I really need to scratch this MX5 itch. Even the douche bags on Jalopnik can't get enough of the Miata.

GravelBen

15,696 posts

231 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
quotequote all
Hellbound said:
The MX5 is the only one I haven't driven or owned out of the three. I've read that the driving position is too high. But now we're complaining about it being too low! God, I really need to scratch this MX5 itch.
Sure its not the MGF with the too-high seating position? I've heard it said about them but never about an MX5 - though drivers over about 6'3 sometimes find height an issue which lower seats can help with.

Either way, you're right about scratching the itch! Fantastic pure driving fun, but try one and find out for yourself. smile

CDP

7,460 posts

255 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
quotequote all
GravelBen said:
Hellbound said:
The MX5 is the only one I haven't driven or owned out of the three. I've read that the driving position is too high. But now we're complaining about it being too low! God, I really need to scratch this MX5 itch.
Sure its not the MGF with the too-high seating position? I've heard it said about them but never about an MX5 - though drivers over about 6'3 sometimes find height an issue which lower seats can help with.

Either way, you're right about scratching the itch! Fantastic pure driving fun, but try one and find out for yourself. smile
I don't think it's much of an issue with the MX5 so you're probably thinking of the MG. It's a shame, one of the areas where they really let down. Apparently they were thinking of the Japanese market, women and old people. Whoever decided that was a priority should have had "It's supposed to be a sports car" tattooed on their foreheads.

If you can put up with the position (it's perfectly comfortable and lower than a hatch) you'll get a good F for this money too. A TF for this price will be very ropey or broken.

Dagnut

3,515 posts

194 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
quotequote all
TTTOPTOTTY said:
I have owned 2 of the cars mentioned so feel I can comment on them both equally having had one from being just under 18 months old from new the MX5 with less than 10k on it and the Audi cabby 2.6 V6 manual.

The Mx5 was the by far the WORST car I have ever had the misfortune to own let alone drive, it was always breaking down if it started in the morning it was a bonus, the central locking used to lock it's self if you got out of the car and just shut the door so you had to climb through the back windows after unzipping it, it had no power steering and the seats were so low your a** was on the carpet, so petrol and a match for that one. Now I have the best car in the world I have an Audi 80 cabby 2.6 V6 with 1 owner from new and it goes like stink nto the "slow barge" you gusy say they are Ive had her 5 years and she is my show car within my club I have had at least 10 people wanting to buy her but she is not for sale she gets attention where ever she goes and is in pristine condition so get an Audi at least it wont rot around you like the BMW and the MX5. Dont believe me take a look

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad308/tttoptott...
Th Audi doesn't go like stink ..you can have subjective opinions about how a car handles and looks but you can't argue performance..less than 100bhp per tonne

CDP

7,460 posts

255 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
quotequote all
Dagnut said:
TTTOPTOTTY said:
I have owned 2 of the cars mentioned so feel I can comment on them both equally having had one from being just under 18 months old from new the MX5 with less than 10k on it and the Audi cabby 2.6 V6 manual.

The Mx5 was the by far the WORST car I have ever had the misfortune to own let alone drive, it was always breaking down if it started in the morning it was a bonus, the central locking used to lock it's self if you got out of the car and just shut the door so you had to climb through the back windows after unzipping it, it had no power steering and the seats were so low your a** was on the carpet, so petrol and a match for that one. Now I have the best car in the world I have an Audi 80 cabby 2.6 V6 with 1 owner from new and it goes like stink nto the "slow barge" you gusy say they are Ive had her 5 years and she is my show car within my club I have had at least 10 people wanting to buy her but she is not for sale she gets attention where ever she goes and is in pristine condition so get an Audi at least it wont rot around you like the BMW and the MX5. Dont believe me take a look

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad308/tttoptott...
Th Audi doesn't go like stink ..you can have subjective opinions about how a car handles and looks but you can't argue performance..less than 100bhp per tonne
In traffic a small Fiat's about as quick a car as you can get.