Choice of convertibles
Discussion
Here's the scenario, myself and the OH are thinking of getting a new convertible between us, spending up to £8k. We want to be able to drive from Cambridgeshire, up to Scotland and complete a 1,000 mile tour.
What choice of car would you go for? I know the obvious answer is MX-5, it's an option but she's already owned one.
So far my preference would be Honda S2000, any thoughts? Other options?
What choice of car would you go for? I know the obvious answer is MX-5, it's an option but she's already owned one.
So far my preference would be Honda S2000, any thoughts? Other options?
Depends what you mean by 'tour'. If I have to do several hundred miles on a motorway, I would chose my wife's diesel Octavia instead of my S2000. If I was buying a car to do this it would be something like a Jaguar XK8.
On the other hand, if you're sticking to country roads and will both enjoy taking it in turns driving then the S2000 is great.
On the other hand, if you're sticking to country roads and will both enjoy taking it in turns driving then the S2000 is great.
Oh the tour is most definitely off the beaten track 
over Glenshee and the Lecht, through Aviemore, to Inverness onwards to Tongue, down the west coast to Ullapool, and back across to Pitlochry.
Did it a few years ago in a Caterham over a weekend, we're going to take a week to do it and see the sights.
over Glenshee and the Lecht, through Aviemore, to Inverness onwards to Tongue, down the west coast to Ullapool, and back across to Pitlochry.Did it a few years ago in a Caterham over a weekend, we're going to take a week to do it and see the sights.
@JuniorD - ideally 2 seater, we have no use for 4 seats and we both prefer smaller cars
@mnkiboy - Boxster is interesting, but surely at £8k it'll be an old model? Does that not come with drawbacks?
@Gaz - My Seven had a windscreen, heater, and half hood which was fine on the original tour, but it was just myself in the car so didn't care about weather.
I am drawn to an S2000 and the used prices are looking quite attractive these days.
@mnkiboy - Boxster is interesting, but surely at £8k it'll be an old model? Does that not come with drawbacks?
@Gaz - My Seven had a windscreen, heater, and half hood which was fine on the original tour, but it was just myself in the car so didn't care about weather.
I am drawn to an S2000 and the used prices are looking quite attractive these days.
I have recently spent £6700 on a 2000MY Boxster S, 57k miles and lovely history (1 owner). Since purchase have done over 2k miles in it and love it. This weekend did from Surrey to Durham (via North Yorkshire) and back and it was brilliant. Cant recommend them highly enough. Immensely practical too.
Edited by billzeebub on Monday 10th February 15:55
I'd have the Z4 3.0 myself.
On the roads I'd say it's quicker than the S2000, because of the ease of driving and confidence, but I await getting shot to pieces. It has a double skinned roof which means it's quieter and warmer. You can get toys like cruise control (or fit yourself for £80), heated leather memory seats, heated mirrors, auto dim mirrors, the straight sixes are more comfortable at low-mid range, they'll do 29mpg on 95 RON so much better on fuel, and most importantly you can move the bloody steering wheel. I felt like I was being crushed in the sodding S2000. They're also bloody cheap for what you get.
MX5s are great but having driven every incarnation, it would only be my budget choice between the three.
Boxster would be my choice but only if I could afford a seriously good one. When they go wrong, and they do, you can kiss your wallet goodbye.
Favourite convertible I've driven was a TVR Tamora, but they're definitely not for everyone.
On the roads I'd say it's quicker than the S2000, because of the ease of driving and confidence, but I await getting shot to pieces. It has a double skinned roof which means it's quieter and warmer. You can get toys like cruise control (or fit yourself for £80), heated leather memory seats, heated mirrors, auto dim mirrors, the straight sixes are more comfortable at low-mid range, they'll do 29mpg on 95 RON so much better on fuel, and most importantly you can move the bloody steering wheel. I felt like I was being crushed in the sodding S2000. They're also bloody cheap for what you get.
MX5s are great but having driven every incarnation, it would only be my budget choice between the three.
Boxster would be my choice but only if I could afford a seriously good one. When they go wrong, and they do, you can kiss your wallet goodbye.
Favourite convertible I've driven was a TVR Tamora, but they're definitely not for everyone.
I'm biased, but you should be able to get a pretty decent 3.0 Z4 for that budget. Not as focused as some but probably comfy enough over the long haul.
Been up to Scotland a few times and quite suprised at how comfy and entertaining it is. Tempted to take it to Biarritz for a long weekend when the weather cheers up!
Left field choice 350Z convertible? Might get an early one within budget?
T1b
Been up to Scotland a few times and quite suprised at how comfy and entertaining it is. Tempted to take it to Biarritz for a long weekend when the weather cheers up!
Left field choice 350Z convertible? Might get an early one within budget?
T1b
Gaz. said:
alock said:
Depends what you mean by 'tour'. If I have to do several hundred miles on a motorway, I would chose my wife's diesel Octavia instead of my S2000. If I was buying a car to do this it would be something like a Jaguar XK8.
On the other hand, if you're sticking to country roads and will both enjoy taking it in turns driving then the S2000 is great.
I don't have a problem doing several hundred miles in my S2000 in one go. If it was a Westfield with an aero screen & no weather protection I'd understand.On the other hand, if you're sticking to country roads and will both enjoy taking it in turns driving then the S2000 is great.
T1berious said:
I'm biased, but you should be able to get a pretty decent 3.0 Z4 for that budget. Not as focused as some but probably comfy enough over the long haul.
Been up to Scotland a few times and quite surprised at how comfy and entertaining it is. Tempted to take it to Biarritz for a long weekend when the weather cheers up!
Left field choice 350Z convertible? Might get an early one within budget?
T1b
You'd get a very decent spec'd and tidy example of a 350z Roadster for that kind of cash, slight snag is that they only run on super and if you've got a heavy right foot you'd be lucky to see high teens mpg (though I still want one myself) so finding the right fuel could be a slight issue in the highlands.Been up to Scotland a few times and quite surprised at how comfy and entertaining it is. Tempted to take it to Biarritz for a long weekend when the weather cheers up!
Left field choice 350Z convertible? Might get an early one within budget?
T1b
I did a very similar trip a few years ago in my Boxster & it was brilliant. Very comfortable on the long journeys (I had a 7 series as well, so I'm used to comfortable motorway cruising). Also the Boxster is one of the few two seat convertibles that will swallow loads of luggage & still allow you to put the roof down. Can't say the same for the SLK or the Z4.
JuniorD said:
I had one of these and did the same trip the OP is mentioning. The car was comfortable, and epic fun.AndySuperSport said:
Oh the tour is most definitely off the beaten track over Glenshee and the Lecht, through Aviemore, to Inverness onwards to Tongue, down the west coast to Ullapool, and back across to Pitlochry.
Did it a few years ago in a Caterham over a weekend, we're going to take a week to do it and see the sights.
Did very similar in our Mk3.5 MX5 Coupe, was a brilliant trip. would be enjoyable in anything though, Box, Z4, S2K. You don't really need to consider motorway comfort when it's so irrelevant to the main enjoyment of the trip. over Glenshee and the Lecht, through Aviemore, to Inverness onwards to Tongue, down the west coast to Ullapool, and back across to Pitlochry.Did it a few years ago in a Caterham over a weekend, we're going to take a week to do it and see the sights.
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