Is it mx5 time? But must be auto

[Norton850]

Hello,

Now I have sorted my everyday commuter and spent a little less than I thought I would I have approx £10k kicking around burning a hole.

At 6ft3" I expect to find a mx5 a bit cramped but I fancy a weekend toy to just enjoy driving again.
Problem is due to a motorcycle injury and knee surgery I must have a auto (I know it does hinder things somewhat but it is what it is).

Merc slk,Bmw z4 are on the list but what else? Does not have to be convertible but something enjoyable.

Any suggestions?

[d_a_n1979]

Sit in the cars before looking at them

I know I'm not average sized; but at 6ft 4, just my height alone I cannot fit into an MX5, never mind the width of my back/shoulders/legs and fat arse etc...

The BMWZ4 was more roomy, but only just...

[Wheel_Turned_Out]

What about an Abarth 595? I think the 500 platform is pretty good for taller drivers. Proper little grinmaker, too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101027...

[Norton850]

Wheel_Turned_Out said:

What about an Abarth 595? I think the 500 platform is pretty good for taller drivers. Proper little grinmaker, too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101027...

I nearly bought one of those last year for my wife and yes I fit just fine,on the list..

I've seen the Renaultsport Clio 1.6t edc 200 is in budget and have liked those for some time despite lots of negative reviews.

[healeyneil]

6'2" and fit a Z4 (E85) just fine. Creamy smooth straight sixes and auto boxes available 😀

[WarnieV6GT]

I'm 6ft 4in and fit in a mk1 mx5. There's a few things you can do to give yourself more room as well for little outlay.

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

Why about a Boxster? They are bigger than an MX5. MX5s are great though!

[culpz]

Norton850 said:

I nearly bought one of those last year for my wife and yes I fit just fine,on the list..

I've seen the Renaultsport Clio 1.6t edc 200 is in budget and have liked those for some time despite lots of negative reviews.

Deffo give the Clio a go, as that was gonna be my suggestion. The auto's in the Abarth's are single clutch 'boxes and not really the best, whereas the Clio is a dual-clutch.

Ignore the bad press and give one a go. I had a quick drive in one and i really liked it.

GT86 has an automatic option with paddles, which isn't supposed to be too bad.

[Om]

Your budget should stretch to a 370Z auto which is the 7 speed paddle shift:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012137...

You may be able to find a convertible auto too though they are a bit rarer.

[samoht]

I hired an NC (pre-facelift) MX-5 2.0 Auto for a few days, back when they were new. To be honest, the gearbox annoyed me; it's a standard torque converter unit and it seems to unlock the torque converter on overrun, which really loosened the feeling of control, despite the option to shift with buttons on the wheel. The auto in my C55 AMG now is better as it stays locked up on the overrun (I imagine the SLK55 AMG has the same box as it's the same engine).

On the plus side, the 2.0 in the NC does at least have enough torque to give perfectly adequate performance/response through the auto box, you're not left screaming the nuts off it to go anywhere like some smaller four-pot autos. But based on that experience, I wouldn't really recommend an MX-5 automatic as a fun weekend car.


A possible option is an MR2 mk3 SMG auto
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102118...


It's an automated manual, single clutch jobbie so should be a lot more direct and fun than a torque converter. On the downside, apparently it's slow and jerky, and goes expensively wrong fairly frequently. No idea how MR2s are for lanky folk, either.


Talking of slow, jerky gearboxes reminds me of the Smart Roadster
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008152...
Brabus version gets 100hp and those fab dished wheels

[Pistonheader101]

10k weekend toy for a tall driver

E46 M3 maybe?

[maz8062]

370z roadster, if you can get one.
R171 SLK 350 2008 refresh onwards.
Z4 35is
Boxster 987 2.7

[Norton850]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions and after some negotiations with the boss I have the green light to up my budget to £20k if I promise to hold off buying for a while.

Now with that in mind ??

[Wheel_Turned_Out]

Boxter?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101027...

Running costs might be a bit steep though, but it'd give you plenty of smiles!

[Wheel_Turned_Out]

How about a C63 as a wildcard? That noise will never fail to put a smile on your face. Plus a 'bit' more space, if you ever need it.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011276...

[Jeenyus161]

I've just bought a 2.0ltr nc today and absolutely love it.

It is just a play car for the weekends - lightyears away from tye skoda superb diesel I drive during the week to cart kids/dog/pram/bikes etc.

Tomorrow I will have to find an excuse to go for a drive!

[ZX10R NIN]

370Z GT a very good steer & the auto box is a very good unit:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103200...

Or if you want a slighty more practical version of the above then there's the Infiniti G37

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012076...

Jaguar XK very good chassis & a nice V8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010285...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103110...

3.2 TT Convertible these are a nice car with a sweet V6 which'll add to the enjoyment with the roof down.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102269...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007301...

Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102289...

135i Convertible something different & an enjoyable little steer

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101268...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011176...

Or if you don't mind a modern classic the the CLK55 AMG ticks a lot of boxes:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103180...

2.7 Boxster

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102259...

R32

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103069...

More mainstream:

E350 Sport Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103120...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103150...

35i Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011246...

S5 Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102038...

Convertible

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102229...

[thecremeegg]

I'm 6ft 5 and have had a couple of NA MX5s....it was a tight fit but doable. My mum has an NC and I can't fit in it, my head hits the roof. I've driven an ND but not sure they're in your budget.
I currently have an E85 Z4 that I fit in fine, plus you get a 3.0 straight six and it comes in auto, and you save a few quid. The E89 is smaller inside, my mate has one and it's tight!

[ZX10R NIN]

thecremeegg said:

I'm 6ft 5 and have had a couple of NA MX5s....it was a tight fit but doable. My mum has an NC and I can't fit in it, my head hits the roof. I've driven an ND but not sure they're in your budget.
I currently have an E85 Z4 that I fit in fine, plus you get a 3.0 straight six and it comes in auto, and you save a few quid. The E89 is smaller inside, my mate has one and it's tight!

Is the auto MX-5 any good?

[Norton850]

thecremeegg said:

I'm 6ft 5 and have had a couple of NA MX5s....it was a tight fit but doable. My mum has an NC and I can't fit in it, my head hits the roof. I've driven an ND but not sure they're in your budget.
I currently have an E85 Z4 that I fit in fine, plus you get a 3.0 straight six and it comes in auto, and you save a few quid. The E89 is smaller inside, my mate has one and it's tight!

As my budget is now £20k (mentioned earlier) the ND is doable but I sat in one and found it cramped and uncomfortable.

Shame as I like the RF

Edited by Norton850 on Sunday 21st March 09:48