Which fast convertible for 15k?
Discussion
.Here's my old one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/danyeates/sets/721576...
Rare in Monaco blue. One of just 7 IIRC
Rare in Monaco blue. One of just 7 IIRC
300bhp/ton said:
Kinda curious, but doing what you do and being mindful about safety to a degree that you'd say no to certain makes and age of vehicles. Why are you even looking at verts? Surely any tintop version of the same car has to have superior crash protection?
Maybe something like a BMW M Coupe (Z3) or Z4MC or even a Lotus Europa S would be better cars to consider?
The modern convertibles are pretty good safety wise, not the best but good, I like no roof and I like a good drive, it all about compromises and balance, and it is an individual choice for everyone.Maybe something like a BMW M Coupe (Z3) or Z4MC or even a Lotus Europa S would be better cars to consider?
blindswelledrat said:
Redeemed!
I love that and have never heard of it.
Does it have similar weight to an MX5?
Slightly heavier, but it's a bit bigger and more roomy.I love that and have never heard of it.
Does it have similar weight to an MX5?
Similar weight to an RX-8/GT86 I think.
EDIT:
1297 - 1369kg according to Carfolio. Compared to say 1365kg for a BMW Z4 3.0i
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Tuesday 17th April 14:40
Mark300zx said:
Like I said I have seen post 2000 TVR in a crash and I remember thinking to myself, this had absolutely nothing going for it terms of protection, both sills had completely broken and the car was virtually in two separate halves, both occupants were in a very bad way and this was not a good advert for TVR. I think their injuries were not something insurance companies could look after, after a decade specialising in this work this has to be one of the most memorable RTAs I have been to, only because of the poor car construction.
Eh?? A TVR doesn't have 'sills' as such - it's got a massively strong tubular backbone chassis with outriggers - and although there are certainly areas on which I have genuine safety concerns, structural integrity of the chassis is not one of them, especially not compared to steel monocoque construction convertibles that would fold in the middle long before a TVR chassis - assuming it is not rusted to buggery - would give in. If you feel this strongly about cars folding/splitting in the middle I would advise against a (full) convertible, full stop.
900T-R said:
Eh?? A TVR doesn't have 'sills' as such - it's got a massively strong tubular backbone chassis with outriggers - and although there are certainly areas on which I have genuine safety concerns, structural integrity of the chassis is not one of them, especially not compared to steel monocoque construction convertibles that would fold in the middle long before a TVR chassis - assuming it is not rusted to buggery - would give in.
If you feel this strongly about cars folding/splitting in the middle I would advise against a (full) convertible, full stop.
Ok well after the crash the front and the back of the car were moving very easily and independently of one another, and there was nothing left of the doors, this was not a high speed crash, all I can tell you is what I saw, and it is not a reflection on you or your car choice.If you feel this strongly about cars folding/splitting in the middle I would advise against a (full) convertible, full stop.
I know modern convertibles are stronger as I have experience of trying to cut them up, and a lot of our tools fail to do so. Although this isn't a perfect test, it does give food for thought!
http://www.euroncap.com/tests/bmw_z4_2004/186.aspx
Sorry, but if the front and rear of a TVR with a chassis that is not significantly weakend by rust are moving independently, this was patently not a low speed crash. Simple as that. It takes one hell of an impact to seriously bend the backbone chassis, and probably none that would be surviveable no matter what the car is.
As said, I've got a good few safety concerns with TVRs, but chassis backbone strength is patently not one of them (and GRP is a highly impact absorbing material - until it breaks at least...).
Apart from the roll cage, virtually identical chassis have been used in Tuscan Challenge cars - I suggest you look at some crash footage from that series.
Conversely, look at some crash pics of 'modern' steel monocoque convertibles in a serious crash - at the very least they look like bananas afterwards, breaking in two pieces is not uncommon either.
You are aware of the fact that the Tuscan was one of less than a handful of vehicles to be driven away from the UK Vehicle Approval frontal crash test, with the very same car being used subsequently for the side impact test - right?
A lot of 'nibbling' tools fail to cut through the pillars of old Saabs too, but by 2012 standards they're probably not the safest vehicles, either...
As said, I've got a good few safety concerns with TVRs, but chassis backbone strength is patently not one of them (and GRP is a highly impact absorbing material - until it breaks at least...).
Apart from the roll cage, virtually identical chassis have been used in Tuscan Challenge cars - I suggest you look at some crash footage from that series.
Conversely, look at some crash pics of 'modern' steel monocoque convertibles in a serious crash - at the very least they look like bananas afterwards, breaking in two pieces is not uncommon either.
You are aware of the fact that the Tuscan was one of less than a handful of vehicles to be driven away from the UK Vehicle Approval frontal crash test, with the very same car being used subsequently for the side impact test - right?
A lot of 'nibbling' tools fail to cut through the pillars of old Saabs too, but by 2012 standards they're probably not the safest vehicles, either...
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