What convertible?
Discussion
Early days, as I'm looking to replace the 916 Alfa Spider next spring rather than this year.
Must be convertible.
Must be relatively sporty / relatively quick. (if I want a bimble, I'll take the B out)
No diesels.
Can't be garaged (my MGB has to live in the garage)
Price range ~ £10k
Will be my main car. (note MGB)
Big enough boot for me and the missus to disappear off for a dirty weekend i.e. no caterhams.
No requirement for 4 seats - prefer a sports car to a chopped saloon, hence the lack of BMW, Audi, Saab etc.
Have I missed something from this list?
Porsche Boxster (like everything about them apart from bland interior and the looks)
Jag XK8 (bit too old man like)
TVR Chimaera / TVR generally - will it be reliable enough living outdoors? Can I live with sub 20mpg?
Lotus Elise (a little bit too hard core, roof issues on the S1, price on the S2?)
Merc SLK (bit too girly, no manual option, boot WAY too small) Don't think I can afford the newer shape.
Alfa Spider V6 (same as I've got, just quicker and different noise)
Nissan 350Z (slightly above budget)
BMW Z3/4 (Z3 not enough fun, don't like the looks of the Z4)
Honda S2000 (just doesn't quite do it for me, bland looks)
And no, I can't sell the MGB and move the budget up to Porsche 911 territory. I've inherited it and I'm stuck with it for a few years yet.
If fuel wasn't £6 a gallon, I'd just get a Chimaera. Or an Elise.
Thoughts?
Must be convertible.
Must be relatively sporty / relatively quick. (if I want a bimble, I'll take the B out)
No diesels.
Can't be garaged (my MGB has to live in the garage)
Price range ~ £10k
Will be my main car. (note MGB)
Big enough boot for me and the missus to disappear off for a dirty weekend i.e. no caterhams.
No requirement for 4 seats - prefer a sports car to a chopped saloon, hence the lack of BMW, Audi, Saab etc.
Have I missed something from this list?
Porsche Boxster (like everything about them apart from bland interior and the looks)
Jag XK8 (bit too old man like)
TVR Chimaera / TVR generally - will it be reliable enough living outdoors? Can I live with sub 20mpg?
Lotus Elise (a little bit too hard core, roof issues on the S1, price on the S2?)
Merc SLK (bit too girly, no manual option, boot WAY too small) Don't think I can afford the newer shape.
Alfa Spider V6 (same as I've got, just quicker and different noise)
Nissan 350Z (slightly above budget)
BMW Z3/4 (Z3 not enough fun, don't like the looks of the Z4)
Honda S2000 (just doesn't quite do it for me, bland looks)
And no, I can't sell the MGB and move the budget up to Porsche 911 territory. I've inherited it and I'm stuck with it for a few years yet.
If fuel wasn't £6 a gallon, I'd just get a Chimaera. Or an Elise.
Thoughts?
Edited by alfa pint on Tuesday 25th January 15:13
You can get an S2 Elise for the money, but I don't think it really fits the brief since you have the 'B in the garage for fun. If the Elise does interest you, it's worth looking at the VX220 too. The Elise is pretty cheap to fuel (you should average MPGs in the high 30s or low 40s). The VX is a bit worse, probably mid to high 30s.
The Audi TT may be worth adding to your list?
ETA: There's a few of the new SLK getting close to your budget. Here's a manual 350 up for 12k: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2420044.htm
The Audi TT may be worth adding to your list?
ETA: There's a few of the new SLK getting close to your budget. Here's a manual 350 up for 12k: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2420044.htm
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 25th January 15:28
OP,
Boxster is quite roomy, due to the "2 boots" setup. Ours lives outside, and has no issues, stays dry, no big bills (touch wood). I'm actually afte flogging it and getting an Elise, but it's my wife's car, and she took 1 look at the elise luggage space, and the big sills, and cried no =( - the Elise is a wonderful car, but to run one day to day you'd have to really, really love the thing to put up with the uncompromising design.
If you are looking at Boxsters, you basically have a dilemma - a better 2.7, or an older 3.2. We went 2.7, because it meant a glass rear screen, 2 year intervals (although I do the oil once a year), and other minor refinements. The wife also preferred the look. I've not looked at prices, but an 03 onwards 3.2 would be brill for what you're after IMO. Just avoid your local Elise owners club, they tend to take the piss a bit =)
Boxster is quite roomy, due to the "2 boots" setup. Ours lives outside, and has no issues, stays dry, no big bills (touch wood). I'm actually afte flogging it and getting an Elise, but it's my wife's car, and she took 1 look at the elise luggage space, and the big sills, and cried no =( - the Elise is a wonderful car, but to run one day to day you'd have to really, really love the thing to put up with the uncompromising design.
If you are looking at Boxsters, you basically have a dilemma - a better 2.7, or an older 3.2. We went 2.7, because it meant a glass rear screen, 2 year intervals (although I do the oil once a year), and other minor refinements. The wife also preferred the look. I've not looked at prices, but an 03 onwards 3.2 would be brill for what you're after IMO. Just avoid your local Elise owners club, they tend to take the piss a bit =)
At £10k you have quite a bit of choice.
Personally I'd go for the TVR and enjoy it before petrol gets even more expensive. A well looked after one can be very reliable, they aren't 'cheap' to run, but they are relative to the performance / grin factor.
Agreed that an Elise may be too hardcore for the OH (mine HATED the Elise with a passion). A slightly less hardcore alternative might be a VX220? Also I think a Honda S2000 should be on the list
ETA - Ahh it seems the S2000 was on the list, but I failed to read the OP - oops.
Personally I'd go for the TVR and enjoy it before petrol gets even more expensive. A well looked after one can be very reliable, they aren't 'cheap' to run, but they are relative to the performance / grin factor.
Agreed that an Elise may be too hardcore for the OH (mine HATED the Elise with a passion). A slightly less hardcore alternative might be a VX220? Also I think a Honda S2000 should be on the list
ETA - Ahh it seems the S2000 was on the list, but I failed to read the OP - oops.
Edited by skoff on Tuesday 25th January 15:28
With the roof up the boot is huge, and with it lowered it isn't too shabby.Just such an obvious choice that I completely overlooked it. But it would never make the list due to ubiquitousness and depreciation - a 10k MX5 will lose a lot of dosh over 3 or 4 years.
The Boxster ticks all the boxes apart from the fact I don't like the rear end and the interior doesn't make me feel special. The Chimaera would be ideal if it wasn't for petrol heading for £7 a gallon.
Completely forgot about the TT, which is why it was such a good idea to post this. Nice interior, not particularly rewarding to drive, poor image. Worth a look though I think.
SLK has a tiny shallow boot with the hood down - I've got the other half used to squashy bags, but I can't see her liking the idea of packing everything in briefcases. Got a mate with one and I knew straight away that it was no good - fine for most merc drivers, as the roof is almost always up.
The Boxster ticks all the boxes apart from the fact I don't like the rear end and the interior doesn't make me feel special. The Chimaera would be ideal if it wasn't for petrol heading for £7 a gallon.
Completely forgot about the TT, which is why it was such a good idea to post this. Nice interior, not particularly rewarding to drive, poor image. Worth a look though I think.
SLK has a tiny shallow boot with the hood down - I've got the other half used to squashy bags, but I can't see her liking the idea of packing everything in briefcases. Got a mate with one and I knew straight away that it was no good - fine for most merc drivers, as the roof is almost always up.
I'm with you. I love everything about a Boxster except the way it looks.
A TT can be made to be a bit better with some choice mods. They are never going to be the last word in driving dynamics but they should be good enough for most.
Not sure why you've discounted the S2000. In my mind one of the convertible greats.
A TT can be made to be a bit better with some choice mods. They are never going to be the last word in driving dynamics but they should be good enough for most.
Not sure why you've discounted the S2000. In my mind one of the convertible greats.
For your budget, if you are considering a Chimaera then I say you will not regret it. I am obviously biased as I have one, but it lives outside as I have no choice until I move, with no problems so far. Just make sure the hood is waterproofed & it will be fine. Mine is a modified 4.6, so about the same power as a 500, & I am getting more than 20 to the gallon, not sure exactly how much as my fuel gauge has been sent for repair (again will be done Monday), but I reckon on 24 mpg at the moment. A Mark Adams chip remaps the fuel to give better mpg too I believe. I am having one fitted on Monday so i will soon know for sure!
As you no doubt know the boot is surprisingly large for a convertible, easily big enough for most situations. I drive mine every day too, with no problems re reliability to report. I was prepared for a few niggles, should they happen, but other than sorting a relay out it has been perfect.
Just be prepared to have a permenent smile on your face, the noise alone is sublime
As you no doubt know the boot is surprisingly large for a convertible, easily big enough for most situations. I drive mine every day too, with no problems re reliability to report. I was prepared for a few niggles, should they happen, but other than sorting a relay out it has been perfect.
Just be prepared to have a permenent smile on your face, the noise alone is sublime
)Speedracer329 said:
For your budget, if you are considering a Chimaera then I say you will not regret it. I am obviously biased as I have one, but it lives outside as I have no choice until I move, with no problems so far. Just make sure the hood is waterproofed & it will be fine. Mine is a modified 4.6, so about the same power as a 500, & I am getting more than 20 to the gallon, not sure exactly how much as my fuel gauge has been sent for repair (again will be done Monday), but I reckon on 24 mpg at the moment. A Mark Adams chip remaps the fuel to give better mpg too I believe. I am having one fitted on Monday so i will soon know for sure!
As you no doubt know the boot is surprisingly large for a convertible, easily big enough for most situations. I drive mine every day too, with no problems re reliability to report. I was prepared for a few niggles, should they happen, but other than sorting a relay out it has been perfect.
Just be prepared to have a permenent smile on your face, the noise alone is sublime
Being a TVR fan I would say this.As you no doubt know the boot is surprisingly large for a convertible, easily big enough for most situations. I drive mine every day too, with no problems re reliability to report. I was prepared for a few niggles, should they happen, but other than sorting a relay out it has been perfect.
Just be prepared to have a permenent smile on your face, the noise alone is sublime
But if the thought of leaving outside worries you, then I would go for the 350z.
It gets great reviews(EVO mag love it!) I love the styling, the big V6, jap reliability, good RWD handling, and the best bit...
the noise they make http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6c-poiHz6c&fea...
Another option is a mint BMW Z3M roadster
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2174250.htm
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