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velocitas
Original Poster
20 posts
28 months
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Having no real need for a car these days due to work, I sold my BMW cleared the finance and after toying with a classic 911 idea I stumbled upon a very tidy 02' A3 to tie me over. That was 6 months ago but with the summer approaching and the thoughts of open top motoring on warm afternoons I can't shake the idea of buying a cheap ragtop. So I'm turning to the Pistonheads faithful for the age old what car discussion. So far the Z4 is leading due to the a masculine image and modern design with the "i drive a porsche" in 2nd place. Criteria are reliable, average mileage, relatively modern, not cripplingly expensive to run, easy to sell on and if possible that my mates won’t laugh at. Budget is around 5k. Possible: 03 BMW Z4 – Modern design and least girly option 98 Porsche Boxster - Prestige badging but worried about repair costs 04 Mazda MX-5 - Very girly, reminds me of my mate's ex. 02 BMW 320ci Convert. - Wobbly  Not possible: Lotus Elise - Not in budget, unfortunately. Honda S2000 - Again residuals too strong and a lot of ropey cars at the lower end. Merc CLK230K – Keep thinking rich housewife Looking forward to your suggestions...
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kambites
32,864 posts
90 months
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SLK? 350Z/370Z (not sure if the 370 is in budget)? TT?
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Krikkit
2,458 posts
50 months
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Snowboy
3,223 posts
20 months
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5k isn’t a lot of money for a roadster.
A 5k 03 Z4 is going to be a ropey old wreck. (probably).
For that money I’d suggest you rethink S2000 or MX5.
The S2000 and MX5 will be a lot cheaper to maintain, and at that age of car maintenance is going to be needed.
Or, perhaps go for a Kit car or caterham job.
Something that’s more nuts and bolts and less electrics.
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PaperCut
640 posts
16 months
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You won't find any decent Z4s for £5k. In fact you'll struggle to find any Z4 for that money that isn't a ropey high miler or a CAT-D/C special.
Most - if not all - small, modern, open-top roadsters are 'girly' so you'll either have to man up and get one or avoid completely.
I'll recommend a couple of Italian choices...(both FWD though)
Fiat Barchetta?
Alfa Spider 3.0 V6?
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collateral
6,847 posts
87 months
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jonno990
384 posts
47 months
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velocitas said: Lotus Elise - Not in budget, unfortunately. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3842796.htm 
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kambites
32,864 posts
90 months
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I'd be very wary of a 5k VX220.
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firman
1,376 posts
62 months
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I think you have discounted the SLK230 too quickly, they are comfortable places to be, good poke from the supercharged 4 pot and when required the folding metal hard top makes you feel like you are in a coupe Reuther than a convertible.
I have owned an MX5 which was hard, basic and with the 1.6 a bit noisy on a motorway run and replaced it with a 2000 SLK and would never look at a 5 again other than for a track toy.
Just my 2 pence worth.
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GregMac
144 posts
18 months
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Z3's are dirt cheap now, and a bit more grown up than an MX-5
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Shaw Tarse
19,171 posts
72 months
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kambites said: I'd be very wary of a 5k VX220. What could be wrong with a VXR220 
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doogz
18,686 posts
56 months
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I've just bought (collect on Saturday) an 02 plate MR2 with 87k on the clock. Plan is, lots of track day abuse, and some top down summer fun. Only paid £1800 for it.
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kambites
32,864 posts
90 months
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Shaw Tarse said: kambites said: I'd be very wary of a 5k VX220. What could be wrong with a VXR220 At 5k? I suspect the biggest problem would be that the car didn't actually exist.
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PaperCut
640 posts
16 months
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doogz said: 02 plate MR2 with 87k....Only paid £1800 for it. Eh? Is that how much they're going for now, or is there something wrong with it/mates rates etc, etc?
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doogz
18,686 posts
56 months
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PaperCut said: Eh? Is that how much they're going for now, or is there something wrong with it/mates rates etc, etc? I'll let you know when i see it  I placed a bid on eBay, expecting it to go for £2500 ish, like all the other ones I've seen seem to go for. No-one else bid. From a dealer too.
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C.A.R.
1,273 posts
57 months
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Avoiding an MX5 on the grounds that they are 'very girly' is very un-PH, as it is probably your best bet.
Z4 wil be ropey in your budget, expensive to insure / maintain
Other options include Fiat Barchetta (LHD only, front wheel drive)
206CC?!
My Mx5 MK1 was hardly girly, after fitting a rollbar (not a crappy chrome one) for £150. Being an import it had standard Bilstein suspension, LSD, and the coolest feature ever fitted to a car - pop-up lights.
Browse MX5nutz owners forum before deciding that the little Mazda isn't manly enough for you to uphold your hetrosexual image...
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Shaw Tarse
19,171 posts
72 months
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kambites said: Shaw Tarse said: kambites said: I'd be very wary of a 5k VX220. What could be wrong with a VXR220 At 5k? I suspect the biggest problem would be that the car didn't actually exist. Ah, yes, I just checked & even Imran wanted almost £20k for number 16
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Snowboy
3,223 posts
20 months
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The reason I didn’t got for the MX5 was it was too small for my manly frame.
S2000 didn’t have this problem.
For £5k you’re taking quite a risk on quality.
It’s plenty of money for a 4 door saloon, but it’s not a lot of money for a 2 seat premium roadster that’s had a few previous owners thrashing the nuts off it.
I’d say that roughly speaking a list of reliable 5k roadsters in ascending order would look a bit like.
MX5
S2000
Vauxhall Thing
Merc SLK
Z4
Porsche
If you looked at a lost of cheapest to run and repair the list would be about the same.
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Greg_D
4,342 posts
115 months
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your comments on the appropriate cars are very revealing, you are hung up on manliness/prestige/badge yet don't have the folding to get a chestwig special.
Either MX5 or GTFO
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Decky_Q
788 posts
46 months
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I bought my VX220 as salvage requiring rear window and clams for £5.7k!
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