Looking for convertible sports car (around 15k or under)

[Zowen03]

Ive been looking at corvette C5s but feel like there must be a better car or a similar right hand drive.

Id like it to be a car with power that catches eyes.

I have been looking at 325i or Z4

What Id like:

•mostly reliable (Im ok with general maintenance and will most likely be modding)

•Unique (I dont want like an mx5 i want it be unique)

•One that wont be horrible on insurance ( c5 is around 2k for me (20y/o driver uk))

• convertible (this is for a weekend car and I love convertibles although not against others Id like one)

[Jakg]

Not really sure a 325i or a Z4 (thinking E89 if £15k) is a sports car?

Not really sure they are comparable with a C5 Corvette either!

I'd be spending £15k on an E93 M3 - but I doubt you'd be able to insure it.

[Giulia Jon]

"Unique "

Unique means 1 of 1 ,not another the same .

Not possible for £15K ,unless you fancy designing and building your own car from scratch .

[ChrisH72]

I think 15k will get you quite a lot.

If you're wanting something less mainstream and it's just for weekend use then maybe an older car?

Z4 doesn't seem particularly unique unless it's a Z4M perhaps. Or if you like the later Z4 with the metal roof your money would get a 35is.

Older car, TVR? Not sure about insurance.

Something more modern, if you wanted a more exclusive mx5 then you're not far off an Abarth 124. There's a nice black Scorpione model on AT for 15995. Sorry but I don't have a link.

S2000?

SLK55?

Plenty of stuff to choose from.

[Zowen03]

I was thinking the convertible roadster feel with a z4 (plan was to engine swap it if i dont get the 3.0i model)

but i know what you mean c5 just feels like a dream its just a shame theres no right hand drive versions of it

[popegregory]

Lotus Elise. Looks great, you won’t often see another one, can modify extremely practically to enhance performance and great power (to weight…)

[CABC]

Elise better sports car. TVR more Corvette like. TVR insurance was very cheap via TVR Club, I'm not 20 but by comparison to all sorts of other cars it was a bargain.

[Belle427]

I’d go for something interesting like an S2000 and then supercharge it.
May tip you over budget though depending on how much the car costs you.
BMWs bore me senseless with their engines unless it’s an M car.

[ZX10R NIN]

Zowen03 said:

Ive been looking at corvette C5s but feel like there must be a better car or a similar right hand drive.

Id like it to be a car with power that catches eyes.

I have been looking at 325i or Z4

What Id like:

•mostly reliable (Im ok with general maintenance and will most likely be modding)

•Unique (I dont want like an mx5 i want it be unique)

•One that wont be horrible on insurance ( c5 is around 2k for me (20y/o driver uk))

• convertible (this is for a weekend car and I love convertibles although not against others Id like one)

I have to say that the SLK55 AMG will hit all of your briefs the only one I'm not sure about is the insurance cost.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209199...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208269...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209099...

[ZX10R NIN]

Belle427 said:

Epic cars those but would scare me to death if they went wrong!
I think one with a suspension refresh is a must on these due to the damper costs but what a machine.

Why would they scare you? They have a big N/A engine that has proven itself to be bulletproof, the suspension isn't overly expensive a pair of Bilstein B8 shocks will set you back £500 which I think is very reasonable (KYB's will be a smidge over £300) money.

A full suspension refresh on most performance cars will cost anywhere from £900-1500 depending on how far you go, like all convertibles the roof can be an expensive fix so make sure all the seals & drains are doing what they're supposed to.

Apart from that just enjoy it, one other thing to keep an eye on is the rear sub frame some are rusting but Mercedes seem to be honoring the cars (it's not just the SLK but the C/CLK/E as well but it is sporadic) affected,

[psychoR1]

I have an SLK350 the +300bhp one, its a great car but I keep thinking I should have bought the 55 - but then I think even that isn't special/unique enough in the looks dept! There are a lot of pensioners in SLK200's or 250D's

Also tempted by a TTS/RS or a 35is - more easy to upgrade?

S2000's - you would be missing 100bhp, very susceptible to suspension alignment and they rot - been there done that...

[Belle427]

ZX10R NIN said:

Belle427 said:

Epic cars those but would scare me to death if they went wrong!
I think one with a suspension refresh is a must on these due to the damper costs but what a machine.

Why would they scare you? They have a big N/A engine that has proven itself to be bulletproof, the suspension isn't overly expensive a pair of Bilstein B8 shocks will set you back £500 which I think is very reasonable (KYB's will be a smidge over £300) money.

A full suspension refresh on most performance cars will cost anywhere from £900-1500 depending on how far you go, like all convertibles the roof can be an expensive fix so make sure all the seals & drains are doing what they're supposed to.

Apart from that just enjoy it, one other thing to keep an eye on is the rear sub frame some are rusting but Mercedes seem to be honoring the cars (it's not just the SLK but the C/CLK/E as well but it is sporadic) affected,

I thought they had active damping similar to the SL 55 and these are £900 each so that’s good to know.

[coldel]

I am in a Z4 coupe at the moment, and despite having reservations about BMWs when I actually drove it in anger realised what a great bit of kit it actually is. Many write them off from afar without really knowing much about them, the N52 engine is sublime, probably the best NA straight six ever built. But for £15k you have a lot of options...

VX220 Turbo is in price range and is for the money more sporty than anything else I would imagine will end up in this thread. You will get the ignorant badge snobs but I actually enjoyed listening to their misinformed opinions on the car Brutally fast, cheap to run, parts plentiful and every drive is epic.

An S2000 is a nice option, although you have to wring the hell out of the engine to feel the pace of it. The cabin is tiny too, not sure how tall you are.

370z Roadster is also easily on price range, nice V6 NA, interior isnt great and quite plasticky but the car drives well and you wont see many about.

E46 M3 convertible? Still lagging behind the coupe in price rises so within budget but always be prepared for M level bills.

Fiat 124 Spider? It is an MX5 so has the great engineering but its in a guise which is much rarer.

[Belle427]

coldel said:

I am in a Z4 coupe at the moment, and despite having reservations about BMWs when I actually drove it in anger realised what a great bit of kit it actually is. Many write them off from afar without really knowing much about them, the N52 engine is sublime, probably the best NA straight six ever built. But for £15k you have a lot of options...

VX220 Turbo is in price range and is for the money more sporty than anything else I would imagine will end up in this thread. You will get the ignorant badge snobs but I actually enjoyed listening to their misinformed opinions on the car Brutally fast, cheap to run, parts plentiful and every drive is epic.

An S2000 is a nice option, although you have to wring the hell out of the engine to feel the pace of it. The cabin is tiny too, not sure how tall you are.

370z Roadster is also easily on price range, nice V6 NA, interior isnt great and quite plasticky but the car drives well and you wont see many about.

E46 M3 convertible? Still lagging behind the coupe in price rises so within budget but always be prepared for M level bills.

Fiat 124 Spider? It is an MX5 so has the great engineering but its in a guise which is much rarer.

The VX220 prices have almost caught up with the Elise now.
If you can get over the badge I still think they look great.

[Gary C]

coldel said:

Fiat 124 Spider? It is an MX5 so has the great engineering but its in a guise which is much rarer.

124 is a good call

but seriously, at 20, some of these suggestions are mental !

Insurance could cost more than the car for anything modified and powerful

[cerb4.5lee]

I was in a similar boat a few years ago. I went with this and I've been really happy with it for 3.5 years up to yet. Paid £13.5k for it with 46k miles on it.


It makes a nice noise and it is pretty rare. It is quick enough at 5.5 seconds to 60, plus it has been very reliable too. Servicing isn't expensive, but the tax at £630 is a bit on the heavy side though.

[Belle427]

cerb4.5lee said:

I was in a similar boat a few years ago. I went with this and I've been really happy with it for 3.5 years up to yet. Paid £13.5k for it with 46k miles on it.


It makes a nice noise and it is pretty rare. It is quick enough at 5.5 seconds to 60, plus it has been very reliable too. Servicing isn't expensive, but the tax at £630 is a bit on the heavy side though.

So often overlooked but a fantastic looking car.
My attention has been drawn to these lately.

[coldel]

Gary C said:

coldel said:

Fiat 124 Spider? It is an MX5 so has the great engineering but its in a guise which is much rarer.

124 is a good call

but seriously, at 20, some of these suggestions are mental !

Insurance could cost more than the car for anything modified and powerful

Well he said he was going for a V8 'vette so was already on pricey grounds! 370z wont be any more expensive for example.

[Gary C]

coldel said:

Well he said he was going for a V8 'vette so was already on pricey grounds! 370z wont be any more expensive for example.

True

[coldel]

Belle427 said:

The VX220 prices have almost caught up with the Elise now.
If you can get over the badge I still think they look great.

They will never catch up, because like for like people are always going to put a premium on the badge. They will follow in their wake though at a lower price. The thing with them is not to get hung up on mileage, no need to pay a huge premium for a low mileage car as the engines are understressed in a lightweight car and are designed to haul much heavier cars around for 200k+ miles. Focus on the key maintenance and stuff unique to them such as rear toe links etc. being done and even something with 80k miles on it will feel tight as a nut.

...and yes, they look stunning.