What car - convertible for euro roadtrip

[ctid]

I'm planning on driving around Europe with my girlfriend for 2-3 weeks this Summer and we're thinking it will be a bit nicer to do it in a convertible than my current daily (E36 318is coupe). I've had a look around this weekend and have pretty much narrowed it down to either a Z3 as a bargain choice, or Boxster 2.7 / Z4 if I stretch my budget a bit.

I'd be looking at spending 3 - 5k on the car and want something that'll be fairly decent as a cruiser but fun to drive on the twisties too. I discounted the MX-5 as I can't see them being too fun to drive 2500 miles in?

Here's some of the insurance quotes I've been getting for comparison (24 years old, 4 years NCB):

Z3 1.9 - £1100
Mk1 MX-5 1.6 - £1150
Boxster 2.5 - £2200
Boxster 2.7 - £1179
Boxster S 3.2 - £1800

Is there anything glaring that I've missed? I'd love a Chimaera and have wanted one for about 12 years now but the insurance is still prohibitively expensive.

[Grenoble]

Well the MX5 will be very similar in comfort to the Z3.

If you want convertible and fun, how about a Saab 900 or 93 with some mods?

[wiliferus]

Honda S2000? Will get a tidy one in budget, it won't let you down, plus you get V-tec yo!

[garos]

How about a Honda s2000

[garos]

Hah beaten to it, but there you go thats your car

[Grenoble]

Try a specialist as well for some of those quotes - via owners club, etc...

[Benrad]

Those insurance quotes seem expensive to me, I'm 21, no NCB and £750 on a 1.6 MX-5?

I'd go for spending significantly less than your budget but then getting it right. Make sure it won't let you down on the trip

[ajh38]

What about an e46 330? Don't know how much an e36 m3 would be on insurance but they've got to be the best value for money at the moment.

[ctid]

I did look at the S2000 but the insurance quote was over 3k! I live in Manchester and insurance companies don't seem to like my postcode too much, even though it's not a bad area.

Yeah I agree with buying something a little cheaper and making sure it's right which is why I'd pretty much settled on a Z3, spending some extra money on the suspension setup. An added bonus being I know the M44 engines quite well, having the same in my E36.

[krunchkin]

An s2000 more to insure than a Porsche? Extraordinary

[billzeebub]

Have you considered a 4 seater? practicality etc..That will get you a 'best of breed E36 328 Convertible, late plate 99 or 2000 with low mileage and high spec. £3k should do it this time of year. Best time to buy any Vert, whilst snow is coming down. A great touring car with plenty of space, lovely soundtrack and a nice cabin...the M3 is also just about in your price range ( for a good one that is)..much better to get a really stunning E36 with that kind of budget than a ropes or average E46..

..though if you can find a nice Boxster 2.7 that is the way to go, for sure. Though I think you will be lucky to get a good un in budget, these generally start at around 6/7 for a really nice one..

Edited by billzeebub on Sunday 27th January 22:50

[nagsheadwarrior]

Got to be an alfa spider shirley,preferably the v6 one,great looking, a good cruiser,plenty quick and sounds awesome.
Budget should get a late and really nice one too.

[Bohally]

Out of interest - Assuming you are just buying this for the Eurotrip, would it be cheaper putting the car/insurance in your girlfriends name with you as a named driver? Assuming you are both sharing the driving?

(Also assuming your GF Drives!)

[wiliferus]

/dons flame suit/ Is your girlfriend doing any of the driving? Have you tried getting quotes for her with you as named?

Obviously not promoting fronting, but if you are going to be sharing pilot duties it could be an avenue to explore.

Eta - beaten to it, good minds think alike!

[Grenoble]

If it's any help, I've had both a Z3 1.9 and an MX5. I personally think the Z3 is underrated. The 1.9 is a very relaxed car, quite well balanced and weighted. Not going to set the world on fire for performance, but for 2500 miles, I would be torn between that and the MX5 for a "tour"... Both good, just different strengths.

[E24man]

Have you considered an Audi? Either a B6 A4 cab or the classic Audi 80 cab.

[Grenoble]

E24man said:

Have you considered an Audi? Either a B6 A4 cab or the classic Audi 80 cab.

That's kind of where I was going with the Saab 900... ;-)

Classic, fun, swift (but not quick) and some boot space for a tour... All would work.

Or Left field, Fiat Barchetta - would be LHD as well - set up for Europe....

[snotrag]

I've had MX5s and driven Z3...
Can I suggest, an MR2 with a T bar top?

I'm really impressed with mine and the one thing it makes me think is - this car is perfect for a big euro trip. Big boot, fantastically comfy cabin with storage space, good ride etc. But still exciting and special, junior super car style.

Could be in a really really tidy t-bar turbo for your budget.
There also bizarrely cheap on insurance for some reason too. More mx5 than s2000...

[ctid]

I will be adding my girlfriend to the insurance as long as she passes her test by summer. As she's got no driving history, it's a bit more expensive to have her as the main driver but it's definitely an option as I was thinking of letting her use the car afterwards anyway.

E36 convertible: This seems like a good option too, shame I can't take the roof off my coupe as it's immaculate!

MR-2: Great suggestion, what's the luggage space like on these once you've stowed the t-bar away? The insurance is dirt cheap for some reason, I just assumed they'd be ridiculous.

Cheers for the suggestions guys, a few things here I'd not thought about.

[Riknos]

ctid said:

I will be adding my girlfriend to the insurance as long as she passes her test by summer. As she's got no driving history, it's a bit more expensive to have her as the main driver but it's definitely an option as I was thinking of letting her use the car afterwards anyway.

E36 convertible: This seems like a good option too, shame I can't take the roof off my coupe as it's immaculate!

MR-2: Great suggestion, what's the luggage space like on these once you've stowed the t-bar away? The insurance is dirt cheap for some reason, I just assumed they'd be ridiculous.

Cheers for the suggestions guys, a few things here I'd not thought about.

Go for the MR2. They're cheap to insure, purely because they're not crashed as often as you'd think (well not claimed through the insurance, any way) T bars get stored behind the seats, but can leak!