Convertable- 7.5k max

[Jamescrs]

I'm looking to buy a convertible as a second car.
Budget is 7.5k max- its already crept a long way from where I started so I have to set a limit now.

Prefer 2 seats to 4
RWD or AWD

Not too fussed about age or mileage within reason.

I'm looking for something to keep in the garage use on sunny days and maybe 5-6 track days a year.

I also want something that I will be comfortable enough in to drive from England to Germany have a play on the ring and come back again.

The issue is I'm 6ft4 so comfort can be problematic.
Previously owned a Mk2 MX-5 which was great but it was a bit too small for long distances to be comfortable and I'd loke something faster.

I'm considering:

Porsche 986 Boxter
BMW Z4 3.0 litre
Nissan 350Z
Audi TT 3.2
Mazda MX-5 Mk3 (feel not enough power though).

The only one I've sat in so far is the Mazda and I know I fit and am comfortable.

I do fancy the Porsche but I havent tried one yet for size. I love the styling of the Nissan but not many local to view.

The Audi I would buy is a Mk2 and is a good looking car in my eyes, seems well equipped and has Quattro which is interesting as I've never owned a Quattro Audi.

BMW Z4 is probably the safe option, I know BMW, my daily is an M240i and I'm told they are very good for taller drivers, seems to be a good choice of cars too in the budget.

Any opinions or experiences or anything else I may have missed?

Edited by Jamescrs on Monday 10th January 15:26

[narbles]

Following with interest. Going to be in a similar situation soon (except it doesn't need to be soft top) but generally found with those options they're all rather heavy/need mods to sort out for track days (cars like the Z4 and Boxster don't have LSDs AFAIK).

The only exception being the MX5 (isn't it ever?) as it has LSD, is light but is low on power, though that can be sorted.

[Jamescrs]

narbles said:

Following with interest. Going to be in a similar situation soon (except it doesn't need to be soft top) but generally found with those options they're all rather heavy/need mods to sort out for track days (cars like the Z4 and Boxster don't have LSDs AFAIK).

The only exception being the MX5 (isn't it ever?) as it has LSD, is light but is low on power, though that can be sorted.

As I understand it now the 2 litre mk3 MX-5s all have an LSD.
I know what you mean about them not being out and out track cars, doesn't overly worry me as long as I can go out and have some fun in them.

I started out considering Clio RS200s but I think I'd get a lot more use out of a Convertable I can have a nice drive out over the moors in on my days off local to me. Whilst such as the Clio would be better on track it doesn't excite me to want to just go for a drive on my days off on normal roads.

I'm thinking at the moment the Boxster is probably going to be best for track use.

[cerb4.5lee]

I've had a Z4M Roadster and a Mk2 Audi TTS Coupe, and I've currently got a 370Z Roadster, plus I've driven a 350Z Roadster. So I can definitely recommend the Nissan Z cars.

I really liked the size/weight and nimbleness of the TT though, the TT isn't the greatest car to drive dynamically(a great thing to live with though), and I'd put both the 350Z and Z4 above it in that regard.

[ZX10R NIN]

My pick would be the 350Z it's a better steer than the Z4 & the suspension is a better setup, the Z4's short travel suspension just doesn't work for me.

350Z

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109016...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111099...

The Porsche is a decent option you'll get a good 2.7 for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112310...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112040...

[cerb4.5lee]

ZX10R NIN said:

My pick would be the 350Z it's a better steer than the Z4 & the suspension is a better setup, the Z4's short travel suspension just doesn't work for me.

I echo this too, and the short travel suspension in the Z4 can be very unnerving if you are going quickly down a bumpy or uneven road. The 350Z/370Z ride really well in comparison for me.

[Collectingbrass]

I'm 6'2" and have a 2004 3.0 Z4. The only down side for me is the seat could go further back, particularly if I was contemplating a long trip so "try before you buy" - I had a 4 seat E36 convertible & 2+2 E63 645 (saloon) which weren't a problem.

[Jamescrs]

Thanks for the inputs so far all. I think it'd definately going to be a case of try before buying.

There is a garage not too far away that seems to have variations of the Porsche, Nissan and (I think) BMW on sale so I may go to have a sit in them all if I can.

[Jamescrs]

ZX10R NIN said:

My pick would be the 350Z it's a better steer than the Z4 & the suspension is a better setup, the Z4's short travel suspension just doesn't work for me.

350Z

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109016...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111099...

The Porsche is a decent option you'll get a good 2.7 for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112310...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112040...

Thanks for the links, all lovely looking cars. The black 350Z certainly jumps out at me.

[M.F.D]

Difficult to get a one size fits all I suppose, but none of your choices seem that track friendly without a bit of work. If you are doing 5-6 TD's a year and then Nurburgring etc, I would broaden your horizons.

350Z/TT/Z4 will likely be fairly heavy on consumables and will be a different experience to you're old MX5.

Have you thought about a Westfield or something similar? Or are they not in budget?

[ChrisH72]

350Z seems to fit the bill for what you want.

Is it possible to get into an S2000 on that budget? Got to be at the lower end but maybe doable for a leggy one which is okay if your mileage is low.

Another option if you fit into one is to spend quite a but less on an mr2 roadster and fo the 2zz engine swap. I owned a standard mr2 alongside a celica t sport and always thought the 2zz engine in the mr2 would be perfect track car. Then baby came along and I sold both to buy a 1.8 civic, oh well!

[Jamescrs]

ChrisH72 said:

350Z seems to fit the bill for what you want.

Is it possible to get into an S2000 on that budget? Got to be at the lower end but maybe doable for a leggy one which is okay if your mileage is low.

Another option if you fit into one is to spend quite a but less on an mr2 roadster and fo the 2zz engine swap. I owned a standard mr2 alongside a celica t sport and always thought the 2zz engine in the mr2 would be perfect track car. Then baby came along and I sold both to buy a 1.8 civic, oh well!

Thanks for the comment,

I did consider an S2000, if I could find a half reasonable one I'm sure it would be a winner but the ones I've seen are really rough, accident damage, one literally held in with duck tape.

[georgeyboy12345]

This Honda S2000 is the only other thing I can think of that you haven't listed. I think it's probably due some welding work soon as there are mentions of corrosion on the MOT history, so I'm guessing that's why it's fairly cheap for an S2000. Still, it has a year's MOT on it, that gives you time to save up for any welding work it may or may not be due.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201030...

Not sure if it'll be suitable if you are tall, they have mixed opinions - some 6'4 people say it's fine, some people as short as 5'8 say they are cramped! You'll have to test drive it

Out of the other cars you listed, I'd love a Boxster. The IMS issue concerns me a bit, it'll cost around £2500 to put right, or you could risk not doing it and hope you'll be ok. Just internet scare stories, right? The 350Z is great too, but a bit heavy potentially. Z4 is decent, but I have heard the ride isn't great, but then it isn't your daily and it'll go nicely with your 240i. Don't bother with the TT.

[Sticks.]

Hmm. I'm not sure that S2000 is a) a £7.5k car, compared to a Z4, and b) big enough for a man of 6'4".

I agree about the TT though. I've loved them as a DD but they don't really put a smile on your face as much as you'd hope. 3.2 might, at a push, because of the noise.

[Jamescrs]

Sticks. said:

Hmm. I'm not sure that S2000 is a) a £7.5k car, compared to a Z4, and b) big enough for a man of 6'4".

I agree about the TT though. I've loved them as a DD but they don't really put a smile on your face as much as you'd hope. 3.2 might, at a push, because of the noise.

I do wonder if it may be a little sedate, I did look at TTS versions but again its looking at bottom of the market for that model where as a 3.2 at the budget appears to get something in good condition

[griffter]

You won’t get an S2000 for £7.5k that doesn’t need another £7.5k spending on it.

My thoughts:

Z3 2.8?
330 cabriolet?
SlLK and Crossfire manuals occasionally crop up in budget with the 3.2 V6

Don’t think you can get a Brera Spider Q4 in budget anymore but it would be fun if you could.

A Boxster probably is the best bet, but whilst it would be the most competent on track, how much fun on track would it be?

[Sticks.]

Jamescrs said:

I do wonder if it may be a little sedate, I did look at TTS versions but again its looking at bottom of the market for that model where as a 3.2 at the budget appears to get something in good condition

The V6 is very old school, burbles along but sounds manic when revved. I kept mine 8 years. It was a bit thirsty, VED is high and window regulators failed or course, but otherwise fine. For pleasure I'd rather drive the Z4. EPAS and seats aren't very good, ditch the RFT's. Electricscan be very expensive unless you've a warranty and a nearby indy, or both. The auto is the best match to a car I've driven (maybe 330d too) and given the manual doesn't get good reviews, worth considering.

Most on Autotrader seem to be the 2.0 or have done 100k. I quite liked this https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110258...

[Mr Tidy]

I'm a serial Z4 owner but at your budget and for what you want to use it for I would have thought a Boxster/Boxster S might be the best option - assuming you can fit in one!

[Jamescrs]

I am favouring a Boxter in my head currently but I havent had chance to sit in one. Since I started this post my youngest had caught Covid so although I'm clear I'm stuck in the house looking after her until tomorrow.

I'm planning g on going to look at a boxter and 350Z tomorrow, the dealer I'm going to also has Z4 and TT's on the forecourt albeit the Z4 and the TT's are not in the spec I want but will at least be able to try them for comfort.

Will update tomorrow hopefully!

[Jamescrs]

Thought I'd provide an update to the thread, unfortunately no purchase yet.

I went to a dealer today who had both a Boxster and 350Z for sale. I was surprised to find I found the seating in the Porsche space wise to be much better than the Nissan which for me was very restricted for arm space, I couldn't get enough reach between me and the wheel, I felt like i needed T-Rex arms! So as a result I have given up on the Nissan.

The Porsche was very comfortable and relatively spacious, I could see myself doing some decent miles in one comfortably. The one I looked at was very ropey, both doot cards were loose, a wet patch in the passenger footwear, a suspicious roof repair on one side and the biggest red flag was two empty coolant bottles in the boot.

I didnt even bother taking it for a test drive.

I am on the look out for a decent boxster now having sat in one, will update again if and when I find one.