which rag top car to buy? Help Needed!

[rsvr1000]

I'm just about to buy a new car, preferably a convertible/targa top.

Options so far are
tuscan (test drive done),
brutal, expensive to run, depreciation?, fast fast fast, build quality?

boxster S(test drive done)
good handling, fairly fast, top build qualtiy, cheaper to run, good residual value
M3 conv (not done the drive yet)
quick? good handling? Build qualtiy and residual good.

Any other cars that I should consider?
Anyone got any experience in choosing a similar car, any help for me?

Confused and dazed.

[thelemming]

Have you considered a Ferrari 355 spider?

Could be had for a similar sort of money as the others (assuming your thinking of buying them new that is.)

The running costs might be a little scary but they have already done most of their depreciating so doesnt have to be as expensive a proposition as it looks (Compared to a new Tuscan).

[grahambell]

Depending on your budget (which from the cars you've mentioned looks fairly large) you might also want to consider the Marcos TS250, FBS Census or Honda S2000, all of which have been featured on Pistonheads.

[incorrigible]

Are you only considering new ?
A tuscan (or even a boxter s) is going to depreciate ITRO £15k in 4-5 years, you could buy mine and keep it for ever for that much :shamelessplug:

[rsvr1000]

I'm looking and newish (prob <1year old) somewhere around the £40k mark. found a 6mth old boxster S with goodies for £39k. Newish tuscans are pletniful around £35k, 2002 M3 conv around £40k. Might look at the 355 idea. now where are those classifieds...

[Don]

incorrigible said: A tuscan (or even a boxter s) is going to depreciate ITRO £15k in 4-5 years

I think those estimates are a little low actually. I reckon either the Tuscan S or Boxster S will depreciate 25K in that time....

[spunagain]

If you are looking at a Boxter you should give a Lotus Elise 111S with a sports exhaust a go!

[summs]

alot depends on what you will use it for - how many miles you will be doing, in all weathers(?), need for back seats/luggage blah blah. They all look like good choices, but I would be buying each one for a completely different purpose.

[Deester]

I bought a 355 not all that long ago and its my favourite thing in the whole world. Provided you can put up with the odd freak making abusive hand signals.

[gargamel]

Trident Iceni - V6 with targa top

Lotus 111s get my vote too - admitedly its a slightly different animal - but less expensive to run and insure and the most fun to drive, less good at pub bhp talk though admittedly

Jag XK8 ?

[plipton]

Boxster S - wonderfully built and great handling BUT bl00dy slow compared with a Tuscan or Incorregible's Chimp. Hey, you could afford his chimp AND my P1 and still have change

355 - are you a hairdresser by trade?

SLK 320 - Hmmmm. a bit like a 4 wheeled Harley Davidson (i.e. agricultural)

Tuscan - Fast as f*** and brilliant to drive (if a little challenging!) but have "had a few engine problems, sir"

M3 rag top - too common

Noble M12 rag top - due to be launched soon. Interesting!!

£40K would get you a nice Dodge Viper. Hmmmmm !!

Tough choices. If I were you I'd buy with my heart NOT my head. Ultimately the sensible option is always a compromise and you'll eventually regret buying it.

Whatever you get make sure YOU enjoy it. Sod what anyone else thinks !!!

[CHN]

rsvr1000 said: I'm looking and newish (prob <1year old) ...

Why limit the age to that? You are cutting yourself away from some very unique and classic motors, Astons, Ferraris etc

[Imelda]

There's always this little beauty........

www.redlinesportscars.com/BRGMantislarge.jpg

www.redlinesportscars.com/used%20car%20page.htm

[CHN]

506BHP? Come on, the guy wants something with oomph, not a hairdresser car...