Sporty 2 door car advice for a 21-22 year old, please?
Discussion
So, I've decided after 4-5 years of messing around on small capacity motorcycles I want a car by year end 2015. Now, it will be my first car and as I am that sort of person who cannot bear to get rid of stuff I like and gets irrationally sentimental about mechanical objects, (See above 4-5 years on a series of small capacity motorcycles...) so unless something very bad happens to it I will keep it forever, so I don't mind waiting all year to get it.
Now, I make heart decisions - I do not do head decisions, every one of those I have ever made has always gone wrong - The short way to explain what goes on inside me is I have spent a decade or more in a place of mental anguish and pain, and I am now firmly on the road to recovery, and my next step on my path is sorting my car licence and buying my first car.
Now, I know the sensible answer is to inherit the Micra my parents have, but that does not appeal to me. I want to go the more expensive route of getting the car I want, not what I should get, and with that in mind, budget is variable, as this is about added self-motivation as I continue to drag myself out of my personal issues as much as it is about actually getting a car.
Actual money terms, and absolute max is 5k per year to include insurance - I could put in more but to do that would impact my quality of life, and well, I don't really want to do that. My opening find is an old flame in the Nissan 100NX as the little red one my parents had was the car which set my desire onto a car like this, and apart from it being front wheel drive it ticks all the boxes. And as I am nearly 22, it's affordability means I could have it as a 22nd birthday present, and that is a quite tempting idea.
So, what I am looking for a sports (or just sporty looking) 2 door, rear wheel drive, targa top convertible or T-top convertible. There is flexibility here, but the essence is that.
I suppose I ought to add that I am not that interested in performance, ability of a Nissan Micra would be fine, but more isn't a problem. Also, as I will be using this car when I find my future Mrs CBR JGWRR, 2 plus 2 seating and decent boot space to make the early years of my future marriage easier is a very good idea.
I am open to suggestions, and this being a heart decision man maths based answers are ok.
TL;DR - What second hand sports 2 door convertible for a 21-22 year old man with no car NCB, only provisional car licence for now, but a willingness to save up to get the right car.
To make it easier the cars I already know I like are, even if most are definitely not ones I should go for now, are Chevrolet Corvette, Lotus Elise, Nissan 100NX, Caterham 160, Ariel Atom; and the only car of this nature I know I don't want is the MX-5 - it is a great car, and somewhat unusually for a what car thread it for once actually is a correct answer to the OP's question, but it just doesn't grab my desire.
Thanks in advance, and sorry for rambling on.
Bit of a left field suggestion, but as you're not after the ultimate in performance, how about one of the little kei cars? Suzuki Cappuccino or a Honda Beat. Sporty looking and a bit of a giggle to drive, can't imagine the insurance is expensive.
Other suspects would be a Porsche 944 (classic insurance), MR2 of any of the three generations. If you don't need it to do anything practical get a lotus 7 style kit car. Tigers,early Westfields and all manner of other well engineered similar cars are well within your budget to buy and insure.
Other suspects would be a Porsche 944 (classic insurance), MR2 of any of the three generations. If you don't need it to do anything practical get a lotus 7 style kit car. Tigers,early Westfields and all manner of other well engineered similar cars are well within your budget to buy and insure.
Good, if expensive, calls so far. 
Insurance is definitely an issue for some, but if necessary I could do the sensible Micra route and get the better car later. I don't want to do it that way, but it is an option - I wouldn't discount a suggestion just because right now it would be horrendously expensive.
ETA - Kei and Puma options are definitely good choices for right now.
Insurance is definitely an issue for some, but if necessary I could do the sensible Micra route and get the better car later. I don't want to do it that way, but it is an option - I wouldn't discount a suggestion just because right now it would be horrendously expensive.
ETA - Kei and Puma options are definitely good choices for right now.
Edited by CBR JGWRR on Tuesday 30th December 20:58
MissChief said:
That is a nice colour. Probably already sold, but...Keep in mind that I still need to pass my test and stuff first - it should be a formality, given after 5 years motorcycling I will only need to adapt to being in a car, all other skills are basically transferable after all - but I am at least 4 weeks away from making a decision due to that.
georgefreeman said:
350z? I got mine at 21 and they are quite cheap (for a 3.5l V6!) to insure. Prices seem to have bottomed out now and winter will be your best time to buy, especially a convertible! I loved mine and still to this day regret selling.
I was going to suggest a 350Z as well, insurance was suprisingly cheap, but I am twice your age 
fueld consumption is horrendous and tax will be £500 post 2008, they are hefty but move quite well and are great fun.J4CKO said:
georgefreeman said:
350z? I got mine at 21 and they are quite cheap (for a 3.5l V6!) to insure. Prices seem to have bottomed out now and winter will be your best time to buy, especially a convertible! I loved mine and still to this day regret selling.
I was going to suggest a 350Z as well, insurance was suprisingly cheap, but I am twice your age fueld consumption is horrendous and tax will be £500 post 2008, they are hefty but move quite well and are great fun.A lot of good ideas to save up for and think about, thank you all.
I'm 20 and have a Smart Roadster Coupe.
2 Seats, roof comes off, rear engine and rear drive.
Insurance and fuel consumption are low because of the 700cc turbo toaster in the back. On the flip side, it means its slow as f
k. Its semi automatic and some people just can't get on with the (admittedly) slow gearbox, but if you can work past that then you could always use It as a half way car while you save for something more special.
Doesn't stop me wishing I'd bought a tidy MX5, though ..
2 Seats, roof comes off, rear engine and rear drive.
Insurance and fuel consumption are low because of the 700cc turbo toaster in the back. On the flip side, it means its slow as f
k. Its semi automatic and some people just can't get on with the (admittedly) slow gearbox, but if you can work past that then you could always use It as a half way car while you save for something more special. Doesn't stop me wishing I'd bought a tidy MX5, though ..
Another vote for the MK3 MR2, it has the added bonus of reliability and decent running costs (low 40s MPG is fairly common for me).
Just buy post 2003 (facelift), you can tell by 6th gear and foglights mainly. Colour coded air intakes and rear bumper inserts are also introduced, but easily retro-fitted to pre-facelifts.
Just buy post 2003 (facelift), you can tell by 6th gear and foglights mainly. Colour coded air intakes and rear bumper inserts are also introduced, but easily retro-fitted to pre-facelifts.
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