What convertible? £5k or less
Discussion
Flip Martian said:
FlipFlopGriff said:
350i Wedge (TVR) or an "S"?
FFG
Again, reliability would be a worry for me with TVRs. Only from friends' experiences.FFG
Edited by FlipFlopGriff on Sunday 30th November 21:35
Re: MX5 boots - managed a week away for 2 of us without too much drama. Rear shelf holds a lot!
Also, how about en e36 m3 cabrio?
NiceCupOfTea said:
5k will get you a properly sorted S. If looked after and driven regularly they are very reliable in my experience.
Re: MX5 boots - managed a week away for 2 of us without too much drama. Rear shelf holds a lot!
Also, how about en e36 m3 cabrio?
First thought - bit big? My idea was to have a little runabout sports car-that-looks-like-a-sportscar for weekends (albeit one that can hold more than a pair of shoes as luggage). Nice cars yes but a bit "full size" (as is the Boxster I guess)Re: MX5 boots - managed a week away for 2 of us without too much drama. Rear shelf holds a lot!
Also, how about en e36 m3 cabrio?
Have you had a look at the Elans for sale yet? There are several nice examples on Autotrader from £3k upwards, well within your budget. They're an ideal weekend toy and something you're not likely to see when you're out and about. They look different, will stand out from the crowd (especially from the Boxster brigade) and they have a superb chassis, great fun to drive and won't cost a lot to maintain.
RowntreesCabana said:
Have you had a look at the Elans for sale yet? There are several nice examples on Autotrader from £3k upwards, well within your budget. They're an ideal weekend toy and something you're not likely to see when you're out and about. They look different, will stand out from the crowd (especially from the Boxster brigade) and they have a superb chassis, great fun to drive and won't cost a lot to maintain.
Must admit I know nothing about Elans and hadn't had a look yet. Will take a look at lunchtime, ta.fezst said:
You could get a good condition Z3 3.0L for that money.
Did you mean Z3 or Z4?I was in a similar position and ended up with the Z4 3.0. The reasons? I liked the way it looked, I wanted a 'sufficient' amount of power and I wanted a degree of refinement for the occasional longer journey I need to take. Oh, and the boot surprisingly practical when needed.
I'm pleased with the Z4 but I don't know if it's a long terms thing. I've had a MX-5 mk2 and a 2.5, felt them both a little slow. Boxster I discounted due to engine woes, I know they're rare(ish) but was enough to put me off. Not a great fan of the looks of the older/in budget ones either.
S2000 too small (I'm 6' 2"), MR2 was tempting but I preferred the additional power of the Z4.
Tracked the Z4 at Bedford a few weeks ago. According to the OBC I got 38mpg on the way there and back, 13 on the track....
I would say the ride can be a little harsh though - I think mine has been lowered. Feels a little 'sanitised' sometimes too but was entertaining enough on the track!
There's a bargain of a MK III MX5 over on MX5Fun on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MX5FUN/
2007 plate, 33,000 miles.
£3500
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MX5FUN/
2007 plate, 33,000 miles.
£3500
I'm 6 ft 2 and know I can fit in the MX5 now - not sat in an S2000; I guess they must be a bit smaller in the cabin then.I was in a similar position last year and ended up with a mk3 MR2. The luggage space is restricted, but I've been away for plenty of long weekends away with the missus in mine, and took it down to Le Mans with my old man (including tent etc).
The other options I considered and ruled out were:
Mk3 MX-5 - If I wasn't coming from a mk3.5 MK-5 this is what I would have gone for, brilliant cars, but I fancied a change. If it was to be an everyday car I'd choose this over an MR2 Roadster, however mine is a weekend/fun car, and the MR2 feels more special. The MX-5 is also a better GT car, I did a few 10+ day trips with the missus.
Boxster 2.5 - Great cars, feels a lot more grown up than the MR2/MX-5, and has much more luggage space, with 2 decent sized boots. However, it feels heavier to drive and things like tyres and brakes are more expensive. My Dad got rid of his as it was facing new tyres, brakes and suspension bushes which would have been a £2k job on a £3.5k car.
Z4 - The main reason I ruled the Z4 out is that my 2 closest friends have them and I wanted something different. Like the Boxster, they feel more grown up than the MR2/MX-5 and I like the look of the long bonnet and the 6 cylinder sound, but they just aren't as good to drive.
Mercedes SL - I had been planning a long european trip, so this would have been ideal, but no where near as good as a fun sports car the rest of the year. Probably a good investment choice though. Watch the Harry's Garage video on YouTube.
Honda S2000 - I've not driven one of these, but everything I heard was about how great the engine is, but that the steering feel and handling aren't as good as the MX-5. Steering feel and handling are more important to me than power.
The other options I considered and ruled out were:
Mk3 MX-5 - If I wasn't coming from a mk3.5 MK-5 this is what I would have gone for, brilliant cars, but I fancied a change. If it was to be an everyday car I'd choose this over an MR2 Roadster, however mine is a weekend/fun car, and the MR2 feels more special. The MX-5 is also a better GT car, I did a few 10+ day trips with the missus.
Boxster 2.5 - Great cars, feels a lot more grown up than the MR2/MX-5, and has much more luggage space, with 2 decent sized boots. However, it feels heavier to drive and things like tyres and brakes are more expensive. My Dad got rid of his as it was facing new tyres, brakes and suspension bushes which would have been a £2k job on a £3.5k car.
Z4 - The main reason I ruled the Z4 out is that my 2 closest friends have them and I wanted something different. Like the Boxster, they feel more grown up than the MR2/MX-5 and I like the look of the long bonnet and the 6 cylinder sound, but they just aren't as good to drive.
Mercedes SL - I had been planning a long european trip, so this would have been ideal, but no where near as good as a fun sports car the rest of the year. Probably a good investment choice though. Watch the Harry's Garage video on YouTube.
Honda S2000 - I've not driven one of these, but everything I heard was about how great the engine is, but that the steering feel and handling aren't as good as the MX-5. Steering feel and handling are more important to me than power.
Flip Martian said:
IanMorewood said:
Mercedes SL? R129 versions hewn from stone and inside your budget, running costs could be heavy but you didn't specify that was a concern.
Running costs - well, the lower the better really. I'm not minted. But I guess a well looked after high mileage SL would be a possible. Feel the love, spare grand for any little jobs all you need is fuel. I don't think over the next 12-24 months you would loose money.
That SL is tempting. There is something about them but having just sold my Camaro I don't think I want another auto box. Would be a sound investment though.
And thanks, Craikeybaby - I think I can also now discount the Boxster on cost grounds. Undoubtedly a great car by almost all reports; I can't justify the running costs/any repair costs which would be far higher than anything else being considered, by the sounds of it. So something slightly more budget friendly for me.
And thanks, Craikeybaby - I think I can also now discount the Boxster on cost grounds. Undoubtedly a great car by almost all reports; I can't justify the running costs/any repair costs which would be far higher than anything else being considered, by the sounds of it. So something slightly more budget friendly for me.
My golf clubs fit in the back of the MX5 with room for a couple of bags packed in behind them. There would be plenty of room for a couple of cabin style suitcases and some smaller bags. MR2 storage space put me off but not the MX.
I'd try and get a 2.5 for around £2k leaving £1k to sort out the rust and £2k to super or turbo charge it. Or get a blown car for c.£3k and leave yourself some cash to sort out any issues and rust proof it.
Alternatively I'd be looking at the S2000.
I'd try and get a 2.5 for around £2k leaving £1k to sort out the rust and £2k to super or turbo charge it. Or get a blown car for c.£3k and leave yourself some cash to sort out any issues and rust proof it.
Alternatively I'd be looking at the S2000.
350Z I did look at but discounted on the basis of thirst really. Elans discounted on age grounds - the ones I saw were mid 90s or older and I was really after something a bit more recent.
I asked a similar Q about MX5s recently - ie should I get one cheap and budget for rust sorting/proofing, or go top dollar for a sorted one? And those who replied all said "go top dollar". But I can see the sense in getting a "bargain" and doing it up.
Been really useful getting all the opinions and suggestions, cheers all. I have 4 or 5 different things to consider now. Nice position to be in, I know.
I asked a similar Q about MX5s recently - ie should I get one cheap and budget for rust sorting/proofing, or go top dollar for a sorted one? And those who replied all said "go top dollar". But I can see the sense in getting a "bargain" and doing it up.
Been really useful getting all the opinions and suggestions, cheers all. I have 4 or 5 different things to consider now. Nice position to be in, I know.
Prof Prolapse said:
BMW Z4 3.0
Don't touch the Boxster unless you can afford potential bills. Most people can't afford a cheap one.
I think that's a little unfair. A good Boxster S is now a sub £6k car. That's pure market forces, and not down to those ones at that price point being dogs. Yes, they cost more to run than an MX5/MR2, but no more than, say, a large-engined Audi of similar vintage. Don't touch the Boxster unless you can afford potential bills. Most people can't afford a cheap one.
The only 'big' bill that might be looming on a Boxster is potential IMS failure. But at these prices I'd say you either budget for a rebuild by the likes of Hartech or accept that the car then becomes scrap.
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