Cheap roadsters for fun driving.

[markyb_lcy]

So I own a half decent main car (Golf7) but I'm considering splashing some modest cash on a 2 seater convertible later in the year.

Looking at

< £ 7500 (but more like 5k would be awesome)
< 75k miles
>2003(ish)

I've got a shortlist of

Mazda MX-5
Porsche Boxster
Honda S2000

What else should I be considering alongside these?

[blue_haddock]

5k will be scraping the barrel for a boxter or an S2000.

For 3k you could get a cracking mk3 MR2

[markyb_lcy]

blue_haddock said:

5k will be scraping the barrel for a boxter or an S2000.

For 3k you could get a cracking mk3 MR2

Yea, the Porsche will be more like 5.5k-6k, but autotrader has a good few! I will look at the MR2, it was one of my fave cars as a kid.

[Jamescrs]

I've been in a very similar position myself and I'd say unless your going to push the budget to 10k I'd say MX-5 (infact I do own one).

I've considered a Boxster on more than one occasion myself but I'm of the opinion a 5k boxster is going to be a money pit. MX-5's are cheap and parts even cheaper, 5k will buy you an awesome condition MX-5 or probably a very rough Porsche or Honda

[jjwilde]

The Smart Roadster Coupe (Brabus is available) is a great fun car. Worth every penny at their current prices.

[Frimley111R]

blue_haddock said:

5k will be scraping the barrel for a boxter or an S2000.

For 3k you could get a cracking mk3 MR2

This.

I have had MX5, SLK x2, MR2, Z4 x2, Boxster. The MR2 was easily the most fun to drive, the type of car you get in a drive to the shops and it puts a smile on your face. The SLK,Z4,Boxster were all nice but couldn't touch the MR2 for fun. I didn't really like the MX5. The MR2 is the only one I consider buying again, plus its cheap as chips to run and buy.

However, a friend bought a nice 100,000mile Z4 3.0 recently for about 4k which seems nice but again, not fun to drive IMO

[RSTurboPaul]

Was there a convertible 350Z/370Z?


I think a lot depends on if you want a waft-y barge experience (that terrible Lexus 2-seater convertible thing), a 'secure handling' sports car (Audi TT), or a 'fun at any speed but can mess around in' sort of car (MX5).

[TheJimi]

blue_haddock said:

For 3k you could get a cracking mk3 MR2

Aye, if you can find a cracking one.

I've had my nose I'm the various classifieds for a MK3 for the past couple of months and it's all just crap. Nothing has jumped out at me - at any money.

[thel33ter]

Can get an excellent MGF/TF and have a slush fund left over for running it for that much money.

[Frimley111R]

RSTurboPaul said:

Was there a convertible 350Z/370Z?

Yes. Might be pushing the budget though and I am sure a 370Z is way over it

[bx14]

I picked up an immaculate mx5 nc 2.0 sport for £4k. Low miles, fsh etc... Will spend another £1k getting it fettled how I want and job's done.

[markyb_lcy]

Frimley111R said:

This.

I have had MX5, SLK x2, MR2, Z4 x2, Boxster. The MR2 was easily the most fun to drive, the type of car you get in a drive to the shops and it puts a smile on your face. The SLK,Z4,Boxster were all nice but couldn't touch the MR2 for fun. I didn't really like the MX5. The MR2 is the only one I consider buying again, plus its cheap as chips to run and buy.

However, a friend bought a nice 100,000mile Z4 3.0 recently for about 4k which seems nice but again, not fun to drive IMO

You're definitely bucking the trend by demoting the MX-5 ... what was it about the car you didn't like out of interest? It's hard to find bad words against the MX-5 ... it seems to be pretty universally loved.

[Frimley111R]

markyb_lcy said:

You're definitely bucking the trend by demoting the MX-5 ... what was it about the car you didn't like out of interest? It's hard to find bad words against the MX-5 ... it seems to be pretty universally loved.

They are VERY light at the rear and Mrs 111R spun hers and after that wouldn't drive it in the rain. It was ok but perhaps just over hyped. I don't look on it with same fondness as the MR2. Ours was a Mk2 model. I just don't remember it for its handling, more for not having the handling I expected. As i said, probably over hyped. Not a bad car but also not the amazing fun machine it was supposed to be, for me anyway.

[markyb_lcy]

Frimley111R said:

They are VERY light at the rear and Mrs 111R spun hers and after that wouldn't drive it in the rain. It was ok but perhaps just over hyped. I don't look on it with same fondness as the MR2. Ours was a Mk2 model. I just don't remember it for its handling, more for not having the handling I expected. As i said, probably over hyped. Not a bad car but also not the amazing fun machine it was supposed to be, for me anyway.

Well thanks for your take on it. I'll definitely consider the MR2!

[mike9009]

jjwilde said:

The Smart Roadster Coupe (Brabus is available) is a great fun car. Worth every penny at their current prices.

I have just bought one (normal one, not Brabus) for just under £1500. Needs some work, which I am slowly tackling but it runs well and is good fun.

[kuro]

mike9009 said:

jjwilde said:

The Smart Roadster Coupe (Brabus is available) is a great fun car. Worth every penny at their current prices.

I have just bought one (normal one, not Brabus) for just under £1500. Needs some work, which I am slowly tackling but it runs well and is good fun.

£5 to £7k will get you one of the better Brabus cars but with less than 700 on the road it can be tough to find one. They are cheap on fuel, tax but insurance is higher than expected. Reliable enough if looked after but even simple things can be expensive to fix and are best left to a smart specialist.

[mike9009]

kuro said:

mike9009 said:

jjwilde said:

The Smart Roadster Coupe (Brabus is available) is a great fun car. Worth every penny at their current prices.

I have just bought one (normal one, not Brabus) for just under £1500. Needs some work, which I am slowly tackling but it runs well and is good fun.

£5 to £7k will get you one of the better Brabus cars but with less than 700 on the road it can be tough to find one. They are cheap on fuel, tax but insurance is higher than expected. Reliable enough if looked after but even simple things can be expensive to fix and are best left to a smart specialist.

My insurance is £135 per annum - which I did not think was too bad. Most stuff (so far) I have been able to fix myself and is usually some electrical gremlins/ contacts gone. A blown brake light can throw the engine management light, for example.

[bony_13]

Z4 3.0i, fits the description nicely.

You could buy a very nice one for £5k and then spend some budget on removing run flat tyres, fitting a few new bushes and have a cracking little car.

There's a great community at Z4-Forum with a number of cheap mods (and members offering to do them).

[CanoeSniffer]

MGTF is a surprisingly competent car at the expense of a minging interior unless you get one perfectly specced. But a tremendously good steer and one of the best kept secrets within this criteria.

As posted above, I've found my NA MX5 to be light at the rear and that the roadholding doesn't match the hype. However in contrast to that poster above it's for these reasons that I find it great fun to drive rather than being put off- 110hp isn't going to give you a fulfilling RWD experience without some traction-breaking assistance.

Boxster, Z4... Different kind of car really. Depends if you prioritise 'fun' or 'fast'.

[Pericoloso]

FIAT Barchetta....wrong hand drive and wrong wheel drive.
Not that I care,£5K will get a nice one.
Mine's great.