Country roads, convertible, but which.?...

[MrH]

....car under £15k would you opt for for the best driving pleasure? Not for quickest 0-60', but that will give you the best smile! Journey a Mix of A and B roads, scenery etc.

Classics excluded, car must be no more than 10 years old.

What would you opt for???????

[sinizter]

Z4. Only because I had one. MX-5 (Stock PH answer for everything).

To be honest, I have not driven any other convertibles, so cannot offer a good comparison.

[miniman]

That's a healthy budget - a good Griff 500 or an excellent Chimaera 500 will give you a huge grin at that money. Or a decent Caterham.

[DrTre]

For that money, an OK Tamora

actually, no. ignore that suggestion.

[MGZRod]

Either a Tuscan or E46 M3 I think!

[odyssey2200]

A bit off the wall but what about a TD2000?

Classic looks with modern mechanicals.
Sounds brilliant trundling along at about 50ish (but will go a LOT quicker)

[kambites]

An Elise or Caterham, depending on how much practicality is needed.

[Jasandjules]

It's going to be a TVR Chimaera.

[Grey Ghost]

Jasandjules said:

It's going to be a TVR Chimaera.

This. £15K will get you a seriously good one

[RESSE]

Grey Ghost said:

This. £15K will get you a seriously good one

+ 1.

[Spitfire2]

Excluding classics robs you of the wonder that is an overdrive switch. Cruising along country loads flicking the OD on and off as required in 3rd is one of the best things about classic sportscars - even MGs :-)

[Baryonyx]

Depends on the type of covertible you want. If you want a soft top, I'd get an S2000 or a mk3 MR2. If you're happy with a T-Bar roof I'd get a mk2 MR2.

[MrH]

Lots of TVR suggestions then! Borderline on age but hmmmmm.......

[ewenm]

kambites said:

An Elise or Caterham, depending on how much practicality is needed.

[Bonefish Blues]

Give it a couple of months and make a cheeky offer on this:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3220193.htm

OK, strictly 1972, but yes but no but...

[CaptainSlow]

OP, are you talking about cruising along rather than 'hooning'?

If so something softer like the Z4, Chim or Boxster are good shouts. Maybe even a 944 or 968, or Jag XK?

[Snowboy]

What sort of reliability, seats, luggage, speed, running costs, fuel economy etc.
Daily drive or weekend car?
Just summer days, or winter rain too?
Small and nippy or a big old cruiser.

TVR's are great cars (I've never owned one) but I'm lead to believe their running costs can be quite high, and if you scrimp in them the reliability can suffer.

A BMW 1,3,5(6) cabrio will be a decent car. Although perhaps it would lack some of the flair and magic you seem to be looking for.

You can get a nice S2000 for that money – they are great cars.
Although, can be problem for the taller chap.

You could possibly get a Jag for that money – though you might be pushing your 10 year rule.

Lotus – apparently great cars – but I think the design doesn't give it a convertible look – it's more of an extra big sunroof.

[Mr Gear]

Something like this: http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C249912

It looks good and annoys the beardy-types.

[kambites]

Snowboy said:

Lotus – apparently great cars – but I think the design doesn't give it a convertible look – it's more of an extra big sunroof.

The Elise is a targa really, but it feels the same as a convertible with a (badly designed) wind deflector in place when you're driving it. The roll bar is entirely behind the driver's seat so you can't see it in your peripheral vision. You can even take the rear window out on S1s, although no-one ever bothers.

[Garlick]

CaptainSlow said:

OP, are you talking about cruising along rather than 'hooning'?

If so something softer like the Z4, Chim or Boxster are good shouts. Maybe even a 944 or 968, or Jag XK?

I'm not being an over-protective owner here but I must comment.

My old 986 Boxster S was far from soft, proper B-Road hooner that car
My old Z4 3.0 Si was much the same and had a nice lust for oversteer
My current TVR Chim 4.0 has been on hoons and is always able to keep pace towards the front of the pack

They are easy to live with, but all can hoon with the best.

Standard 944 maybe (had an S2) but set up correctly they are fun, but not that fast.
XK - With you on that
968 - CS or S are fantastic