Which Convertible? Old Elise S1/BMW Z3M or New MX5/Fiat 124?

[as400]

£15-18K ish to spend

Not sure if to go old skool Elise S1 or BMW Z3M wich seem to be certainly holding their price or even gently appreciating but are 20 year old cars....or just go for something modern and trouble free like an MX5 or Fiat 124?

Would the running costs of the older models be more trouble than they are worth?....with my head its go modern....with my heart its go classic?

[golfer19]

What about Z4m convertible.
Should hold their value and still fairly modern.

[ChickenvanGuy]

An S2000 might fit the bill - buy a late, good, low mileage one and you shouldn't lose any money, quite the contrary. (Well, that's what I told Mrs van Guy when I did this last year!)

[Integroo]

I would say that if you go classic spend a bit less so you have a maintenance buffer. I would be very tempted by an S2000 at a 10-14k ish budget.

[Cold]

A 20 year old Elise will have had most of the potential problem bits replaced at least once if not more often by now.

[SidewaysSi]

Elise. As a driver's car, particularly on road it kills the rest.

[WJNB]

as400 said:

£15-18K ish to spend

Not sure if to go old skool Elise S1 or BMW Z3M wich seem to be certainly holding their price or even gently appreciating but are 20 year old cars....or just go for something modern and trouble free like an MX5 or Fiat 124?

Would the running costs of the older models be more trouble than they are worth?....with my head its go modern....with my heart its go classic?

Elise might be a bit basic for you, few creature comforts the emphasis being on the driving.
BMW Z3M a bit 2 seat 3 Series-ish. Not very elegant.
BMW Z4M very much so IF well serviced & well looked after. Pricey when goes wrong. Shape not to everybody's taste.
MX-5 or Fiat copy, the former SO common BUT very safe. The latter silly & overpriced.
Fiat 124 no idea.
Honda S2000 without a doubt. Hard core, few comforts. Dodgy on the limit but burstable engines.(run-out 2009's questionable) . Unmolested examples now difficult to find as too many now in the hands of yobs. A modern day classic with superb club support.

[KelWedge]

I have driven the new MX and have had a series 2.5 for many years and a mate has a S1 Elise.

So how often will you use it might need considering and how tall you are and fit !
have you got in and out of an S1 elise both with and without the roof on, Its not easy !!!!!
Also not much space in the boot in an elise.
But both great cars to drive and fling around, If you go Elise, they go better and smoother if you put an Emerald on.
Both cars are backed up with lots of specilists and extra bits available.