RE: SOTW: Convertibles For Autumn
Discussion
Hmm,no ta!
Cant help thinking there's better things out there, the Bimmers good if it really is rust free but a new roofs not cheap and they're a tad cliche'd, the Audi looks great for the cash but too slow/dull/german and there must be tidier/lower mileage/original MX5's around for under a bag?
Cant help thinking there's better things out there, the Bimmers good if it really is rust free but a new roofs not cheap and they're a tad cliche'd, the Audi looks great for the cash but too slow/dull/german and there must be tidier/lower mileage/original MX5's around for under a bag?
In order, first the MX5, one of the best drivers cars ever made, Evo magazine put it in their top 10 of their top 100 drivers cars. They are huge fun, & tidy this one up a little, you'll even make money.
Second would be the BMW, it's a rwd E30.....enough said. Then the Audi, a posers car in its day, looks good & that's about it.
Second would be the BMW, it's a rwd E30.....enough said. Then the Audi, a posers car in its day, looks good & that's about it.
Edited by thewheelman on Friday 9th September 10:59
Hellbound said:
...but...but....Chris Harris said the MX5 is sh*t 
I'd double the budget and get an MR2 Roadster. Both have equal scores on Evo.
BMW for me though. I've had a few E30's, but would only have the 325i.
Maybe i missed it, but no MR2 roadster on their top 100 list http://www.evo.co.uk/features/features/240343/top_... I'd double the budget and get an MR2 Roadster. Both have equal scores on Evo.BMW for me though. I've had a few E30's, but would only have the 325i.
Couldn't give a s
t for anyone elses opinion, i form my own, & the MX5 is a great car to drive, the MR2 was not even close on the handling stakes.
I can't help thinking that some are getting a bit carried away here!
We are talking about open top motoring for a grand or less:-
Is all out performance 0-60 or top speed really a priority in this category?
It was mentioned you could change out engine/gearbox on E30 - Why would you on a £750 car???
Anyone seriously going to buy one of these will only consider, looks, condition, reliability and consumption. Ok if you really want a "fun" drive and space is not a premium then the MX5 wins, but as reliable as they are, they can be rust buckets.
The Beemer will be gutsy - straight 6 and autobox, without any real performance gains!
For space, looks, reliability, relatively frugal 4cyl 2.0 and it's a manual, it has to be the Audi. Ok, bit boring to drive and not lots of oomph, but does that really matter in this category? It'll probably last longer and rust less than the others too.
We are talking about open top motoring for a grand or less:-
Is all out performance 0-60 or top speed really a priority in this category?
It was mentioned you could change out engine/gearbox on E30 - Why would you on a £750 car???
Anyone seriously going to buy one of these will only consider, looks, condition, reliability and consumption. Ok if you really want a "fun" drive and space is not a premium then the MX5 wins, but as reliable as they are, they can be rust buckets.
The Beemer will be gutsy - straight 6 and autobox, without any real performance gains!
For space, looks, reliability, relatively frugal 4cyl 2.0 and it's a manual, it has to be the Audi. Ok, bit boring to drive and not lots of oomph, but does that really matter in this category? It'll probably last longer and rust less than the others too.
Edited by Nors on Friday 9th September 11:54
1st: Audi
2nd: MX-5
3rd: BMW
Re Saab: Whatever you do, BUY A TURBO! If you get really lucky, you may even find an old shape 900 T16 Convertible which throws decent handling into the equation. It will have done 200,000 miles but that doesn't matter. It will also be rusty, and that does matter, but it's a much better drive than the GM one.
And as someone said, Autumn / Winter soft-topping is fantastic. I'll be taking mine to the Silverstone 6 Hours at the weekend
2nd: MX-5
3rd: BMW
Re Saab: Whatever you do, BUY A TURBO! If you get really lucky, you may even find an old shape 900 T16 Convertible which throws decent handling into the equation. It will have done 200,000 miles but that doesn't matter. It will also be rusty, and that does matter, but it's a much better drive than the GM one.
And as someone said, Autumn / Winter soft-topping is fantastic. I'll be taking mine to the Silverstone 6 Hours at the weekend
thewheelman said:
I like that too wheelman!
SimonV8ster said:
I've been looking at 95-98 Saab convertibles recently for about a grand. Loads of car for the money with full leather/electrics/ electric hood ,etc, probably the best value for money I reckon.
(would anybody think i'm mad to consider a Calibra ?)
ssshh !!
I think you would be mad! (would anybody think i'm mad to consider a Calibra ?)
ssshh !!
They are awful cars, just a re-bodied Caviler!! if you wanted a 90's coupe then there is no other place to be looking than a Celica GT ST202, the Calibra looks very very dated and they handle like a bucket of frogs.
Nors said:
It was mentioned you could change out engine/gearbox on E30 - Why would you on a £750 car???
Anyone seriously going to buy one of these will only consider, looks, condition, reliability and consumption. Ok if you really want a "fun" drive and space is not a premium then the MX5 wins, but as reliable as they are, they can be rust buckets.
The Beemer will be gutsy - straight 6 and autobox, without any real performance gains!
A decent 2.5 M20 with manual box can be had for £150, easily...perhaps add £30 for the ECU...The swap is straightforward all ancilliaries are the same and only a pedal box and clutch fluid reservoir would be needed as extras...You'd gain nearly 45bhp (that's 35% increase) plus better fuel consumption and a better drive...Anyone seriously going to buy one of these will only consider, looks, condition, reliability and consumption. Ok if you really want a "fun" drive and space is not a premium then the MX5 wins, but as reliable as they are, they can be rust buckets.
The Beemer will be gutsy - straight 6 and autobox, without any real performance gains!
You could sell the 2.0 lump and autobox to recover £75 or so...
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