What two seater sports convertible?

[mercGLowner]

I am on the lookout for a two seater sports convertible. It's my mid life crisis car, will be used daily on shortish runs, approx. 140 miles per week and about 8000 miles per year in total. Budget - £15K-£25K dependant on how I finance it. It must be reliable, new ish model with decent tech, reasonable running costs, petrol engine, automatic, and will live outside.

My shortlist as follows:

BMW Z4 20i/28i M Sport Auto
Audi TT/TTS Roadster S Tronic - probably old model, but could stretch to early new shape
Mazda MX5/RF new shape this would be a manual
Porsche Boxster 987.2 PDK
Merc SLK - this is a real outsider as they are too much of a hairdressers car!

I really like the Z4 (E89), like the tin top and the looks. Audi TT is also good looking but .... Mazda is a left field choice and probably a little small and would have to be manual. Porsche is lovely, but expensive to run and maintain. I did look at stretching the budget to a 981 but that's £30K+.

Any opinions?

[G944S]

For me it would have to be the Porsche, for that budget you will get a really nice Boxster or a 997 like this one if you can cope with four seats rather than two:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

I own a new BMW and old Porsche so would tend to disagree with the opinion that the Porsche would cost more to maintain, have you used a BMW dealer recently because I've certainly been shocked by their prices!

Find a decent Porsche independent garage and it won't cost you any more than the others on your list.

I'm considering replacing my 944 with something a bit more modern so will follow this with interest, good luck.

[mercGLowner]

Thanks. I currently drive a new BMW 335d so am familiar with BMW dealers, prices for Z4 are all over the place and suspect some dealers try and cash in on the summer sales.

I've owned a 997.1 C4S Cab in the past, that would be lovely but OTT for a daily driver.

[G944S]

It's a 2015 335d I have too, my first diesel but it's on the way out, I'm going back to a petrol car next month.

[ZX10R NIN]

I wouldn't discount the Mercedes they drive quite well & with your budget you could get a very good SLK55 AMG for your budget which is definitely not a hairdressers car.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Or a last of the line S2000

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

If you're looking at a TT why not go for the Full Fat TT RS

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

One you forgot to list was the Nissan 370GT it's often overlooked but it's a very good car:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

I'd take the 55 but I'm bias.

Leftfield:

Abarth 124

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

5.0 XKR

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

TVR Tuscan

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Corvette C6 (don't buy from Motorhub ever)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Wednesday 3rd May 21:01

[flight147z]

If you want a z4 don't get the 2.0. Far too underpowered for a sports car and you will regret it knowing better engines are available. Although I would still rather have an underpowered sports car than an overpowered hatch!

[Strudul]

ZX10R NIN said:

(don't buy from these ever)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Particular reason why?

[CubanPete]

It would be the Porsche or the Mazda for me if it was a second car.

I would add in the Z4 too if it was my only car.

What sort of roads is it on? Motorway and around town I would be looking at the Z, twisties, definitely the Mazda or Porsche

[ZX10R NIN]

Strudul said:

ZX10R NIN said:

(don't buy from Motorhub ever)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Particular reason why?

Because Motorhub are one of the worst companies ever to be in business I won't go into detail but do a search & the answers will come flooding in as to why not to buy from them.

[Strudul]

ZX10R NIN said:

Because Motorhub are one of the worst companies ever to be in business I won't go into detail but do a search & the answers will come flooding in as to why not to buy from them.

Gotcha

[300bhp/ton]

mercGLowner said:

I am on the lookout for a two seater sports convertible. It's my mid life crisis car, will be used daily on shortish runs, approx. 140 miles per week and about 8000 miles per year in total. Budget - £15K-£25K dependant on how I finance it. It must be reliable, new ish model with decent tech, reasonable running costs, petrol engine, automatic, and will live outside.

My shortlist as follows:

BMW Z4 20i/28i M Sport Auto
Audi TT/TTS Roadster S Tronic - probably old model, but could stretch to early new shape
Mazda MX5/RF new shape this would be a manual
Porsche Boxster 987.2 PDK
Merc SLK - this is a real outsider as they are too much of a hairdressers car!

I really like the Z4 (E89), like the tin top and the looks. Audi TT is also good looking but .... Mazda is a left field choice and probably a little small and would have to be manual. Porsche is lovely, but expensive to run and maintain. I did look at stretching the budget to a 981 but that's £30K+.

Any opinions?

I think you need to have a bit more of a crisis tbh

Modern, reliable, automatic... lets not be too adventurous

For the low mileage you are talking TVR or Lotus should be on the cards IMO.

[Deerfoot]

ZX10R NIN said:

I wouldn't discount the Mercedes they drive quite well & with your budget you could get a very good SLK55 AMG for your budget which is definitely not a hairdressers car.

I'd echo this. My cousin has a SLK350 and it's a delight. I'd imagine the SLK55 AMG to be a hoot.

I'd definately have a drive before you discount them.

[mercGLowner]

It will be my only car and daily driver. If it's Z4, the 28i is the front runner, but they are pretty rare as an Approved Used Car - only 6 auto 28i on the BMW website this morning. SLK55 is too old for me, so is the S2000 and the 370GT.

I really do like the 981 Boxster with 20" wheels, but it just pushes the budget too much, I keep looking, but it ain't happening unfortunately. Therefore the earlier 987.2 falls short, although I can certainly see the value of these 6cyl Boxsters holding up quite nicely.

Keep being drawn to the Mazda, so I am stopping off at a dealer on Friday to take a look.

[Heaveho]

As I understand it, the Gen2 Boxster addressed all of the earlier models potential engine related issues, and you would get a very nice 3.4 within that budget. I've seen 50k mile cars 3.4s at 20k at specialists.

[mercGLowner]

300bhp/ton said:

I think you need to have a bit more of a crisis tbh

Modern, reliable, automatic... lets not be too adventurous

For the low mileage you are talking TVR or Lotus should be on the cards IMO.

Good point well made My crisis has to have a few boundaries! TVR and Lotus are not an option as I do appreciate a little comfort and they will probably not make the best daily drivers. As a second car yes......

[flight147z]

mercGLowner said:

It will be my only car and daily driver. If it's Z4, the 28i is the front runner, but they are pretty rare as an Approved Used Car - only 6 auto 28i on the BMW website this morning. SLK55 is too old for me, so is the S2000 and the 370GT.

I really do like the 981 Boxster with 20" wheels, but it just pushes the budget too much, I keep looking, but it ain't happening unfortunately. Therefore the earlier 987.2 falls short, although I can certainly see the value of these 6cyl Boxsters holding up quite nicely.

Keep being drawn to the Mazda, so I am stopping off at a dealer on Friday to take a look.

28i is the sensible e89 to get. They aren't as common as some of the other engines though as they were launched partway through the e89 life cycle.

I wouldn't discount the 370 but the interior won't match some of your options

[300bhp/ton]

mercGLowner said:

Good point well made My crisis has to have a few boundaries! TVR and Lotus are not an option as I do appreciate a little comfort and they will probably not make the best daily drivers. As a second car yes......

I drove the MX-5 a couple of years ago, 2.0 litre manual. It was brilliant. Compromised, but brilliant. It is a small car, not sure an Elise is really any less practical if I'm honest. But aside from that the MX gets a thumbs up from me.

That said, not sure how an auto would suit one. Maybe a little too trashy and lacking low end grunt. Plus the manual gearshift is half the fun of the car IMO.


I guess what you seem to be wanting is a GT style car, but in a sports car size. Jaguar XK would do the GT bit well, but maybe a little too cruisy and higher mpg.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned these yet, or even if they are in budget.

Mustang convertible.

Doesn't even need to be the V8, the 2.3 Turbo is actually very good.

I was expecting to be very disappointed by this:





Turned out I loved it. It actually had the appeal and feel of the MX-5, just slightly bigger, slightly faster and slighter more comfy. But still the same sense of fun. I found it pretty good on fuel too.

[diluculophile]

If it's a proper sports car you're after, I'd being erring on the side of a boxter (or 911).

S2000 is also a good call, but obviously a manual and by the sounds of it, might not be what you're after.

If it's more of a GT car you're looking for, you could go Merc SL or Jag XK/XKR

[antspants]

G944S said:

Find a decent Porsche independent garage and it won't cost you any more than the others on your list.

+1

I've owned my 987.2 S for 2 and a half years now and have been delighted with the running costs. I have a good independent nearby in Leicester and minor service is £240 and major £480.

The only 'big' bill I've had was front discs and pads (£600) plus rear tyres plus a major service which totted up to about £1600, but that's just a combination of things coming at once, and very reasonable for what was done.

I bought it with 27k on the clock and it's just ticked over 60k. It has been 100% reliable during that time and only needed consumables and servicing. I average 26.5 mpg with a combination of A/B roads for my commute, and I don't hang about.

Apart from a company car (when I had no choice) this is the longest I've owned a car, I absolutely love it!

Find one with a PSE (sports exhaust) it's a big improvement IMO, the noise still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

[mercGLowner]

antspants said:

+1

I've owned my 987.2 S for 2 and a half years now and have been delighted with the running costs. I have a good independent nearby in Leicester and minor service is £240 and major £480.

The only 'big' bill I've had was front discs and pads (£600) plus rear tyres plus a major service which totted up to about £1600, but that's just a combination of things coming at once, and very reasonable for what was done.

I bought it with 27k on the clock and it's just ticked over 60k. It has been 100% reliable during that time and only needed consumables and servicing. I average 26.5 mpg with a combination of A/B roads for my commute, and I don't hang about.

Apart from a company car (when I had no choice) this is the longest I've owned a car, I absolutely love it!

Find one with a PSE (sports exhaust) it's a big improvement IMO, the noise still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

Thanks, useful stuff and I might take a closer look at the 987.2 S. I had some figures on a 981 S and non S today and was slightly surprised. Its out of budget, but maybe not as much as I thought. Maybe I should delay and save a few more pennies for one of these!


The Mustang wasn't on my list, I hadn't considered it and its not really my cuppa tea