Roadsters 10k-20k

[ChrisH72]

On a wet winter weekend, what better than to start dreaming about 2 seat roadsters?

A roadster would be my preference over my current hot hatch if I can square it with the Mrs. But what would you buy between 10k and 20k?

I'm not fussed about big power and would rather have a fun car with enough power. My mileage is low at 4k a year but the car does get used about 3 or 4 days a week, year round. It also lives outside on the drive as we have no garage. Still, I've had a rag top in the past and it was okay with just an odd occasion when it would be frozen on the inside. Folding hard top is an option but I do like a soft top. Must be 2 seat, rwd and manual. I like the idea of NA but a turbo is okay in the right car.

Here are some I've found this morning...

Mx5
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022101206...

Boxster
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022081889...

Z4
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022082290...

Newer Z4
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023010228...

Abarth 124
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022112218...

I probably fancy the Mazda most because it'll be great to drive and own. Fairly new so reliable and cheap to run. The Boxster would be more special and is an itch I'd like to scratch, but I'm a bit scared. Always liked the Z4. N52 engine does appeal but is the 2.8 turbo a better car for the money? Abarth is a wild card but the rarity is nice.

What would you go for?

[Jamescrs]

I'd go Boxster, theres an owners club (more geared to the 986 variant) but the guy who runs it is called Nick Giles and he does prefessional Porsche inspections for all models and comes highly recommended.

The 2.9 engine is a sweet engine and generally accepted as being very reliable as long as its properly maintained.

[SuperNads]

Don't fancy an S2000?

[Mr Squarekins]

The 3.0l Z4 that you list above is a decent bet.

No turbo to go wrong, no adaptive dampers to go wrong, super smooth. I had one from new, did 150,000 miles in it without a single fault. Not one.

No other car I have owned did that.

I sold it to buy a twin turbo upgraded version. Not the same outcome.

[ChrisH72]

SuperNads said:

Don't fancy an S2000?

I do like them. But I'd want the cheaper tax model which means pre 2006 so possibly getting a bit too old. I will have a browse though thanks.

[plenty]

Do you prefer a lighter car to punt down a twisty road but with less interesting engine (MX-5, Abarth) or something to cruise along with a more interesting engine but heavier and not as sporty (Z4, 3x0Z etc.) ?

The Boxster offers the best compromise across both.

[ChrisH72]

plenty said:

Do you prefer a lighter car to punt down a twisty road but with less interesting engine (MX-5, Abarth) or something to cruise along with a more interesting engine but heavier and not as sporty (Z4, 3x0Z etc.) ?

The Boxster offers the best compromise across both.

That's a good question. I have a Fiesta ST at the moment so prefer light weight and fun handling. I'd lean more towards that but it would be nice if it were able to handle the odd longer drive. My previous car was an E92 325i coupe which did long distance cruises very well but was a bit lardy for my taste. I prefer the Fiesta to the E92.

A Porsche is tempting. Obvious downside is that it's older with potentially high maintenance costs.

My E92 was expensive to run and did develop some costly issues over 3 years ownership. The Fiesta has cost nothing but fuel and servicing which is nice.

Is the MX5 okay for occasional long drives?

[ajguk]

I've got a 2009 3.0 E89 Z4 with the N52. Got it in 2018 and struggle to think what I'd replace it with without spending £20K+. It's not what you'd call chuckable, and it does bog down sometimes especially when the traction control kicks in, but for a quick blast with the roof down I absolutely love it. Currently thinking about going from 2 cars down to one so that'll be me asking on here in a couple of months!

I can highly recommend them though. That engine with the manual box is a great pairing, and it does sound bloody fantastic.

Cost wise it's been pretty good. I've had a new battery fitted and coded, probably about £350. New front pads and discs I did myself, £250 ish. Alloys refurbed, steering wheel refurb from Royal (fantastic job). Servicing at my local very reasonable. And a full set of PS4S to replace the front runflats and the Jinyu winter rear deathtraps.

The biggest worry was probably when the roof stopped closing in one shot - after some forum searching and a very helpful chap from Z4forum I ended up replacing a sensor and it's been fine since. Actually used one for a 1-series cab, because it was £25 instead of £180 for the Z4 specific one, all we had to do was solder the old plug on.

edit - £9500 in 2018 with 77K on the clock, now on about 85K. Still feels tight as anything!

[Shinyfings]

I have an MX5 ND which came after an Elise Mk3 1.6 (not fast). The Elise was more of an event and looked brilliant with hard top on but harder to use as a daily. Mrs Shinyfings drives the Mazda but never drove the Elise. I have the 69 plate 2l so the most powerful available and a BBR back box. I’d not want the smaller engine of lower powered 2l. If I’d had the supercharged Elise I’d have kept it but whilst the Elise wasn’t about speed it was a poor car on French motorways (I know, not meant for this). The Mazda is a good compromise car and does much of what the Elise did in a more everyday way but if you’re over 6 foot 2 walk away (in my opinion).

[coldel]

What sort of roads are you going to be using it on? Mostly B roads or mostly bigger open roads? Mix of both?

Comparing a Z4 to an MX5 and asking for comparisons is hard unless we know what exactly you are using it for. For sure if you are bombing down A roads, the Z4 yes, tight twisty country roads no.

Some left field ideas you could look at if you want a proper driving experience is a VX220 or Elise. They will make all the above feel like you are driving a transit van I always advise any petrolhead to own one for a year and give it a go, amazing machines, although getting in and out 3-4 times a week...

S2000 I think has been mentioned, but bear in mind the engine characteristics i.e. wring the hell out of it

SLK55? Costly to run but oooof V8 heaven in an AMG is hard to beat

[Shinyfings]

Forgot to add to my reply. Check if that MX5 is really the 184 as it is a good price for one from a main dealer. Not beyond them to list the less powerful 2L and 2019 is the year where the model changed.

[ChrisH72]

Nice report on the Z4 thanks. My E92 had the N53 engine and although it was nice it did unfortunately suffer injector failure resulting in all 6 being replaced at eye watering expense. At least the N52 isn't direct injection. I do have a good local BMW indy which is handy. Any thoughts on the 28i? I know it's a 4 pot but reviews are quite favourable and I could get a slightly newer one for not much more cash. Hard top appeals for winter and any long journeys as well as for security. Soft tops seem more fun and lighter, more in the spirit.

With the Mazda I would only really go for the 184bhp from late 2018, probably a sport nav +. 6.5 to 60 is reasonable and similar to the Fiesta ST. I've sat in one and at only 5'9 I fit in it fine. I like the simplicity of the non electric roof. And there's more chance the wife would drive it which could be useful.

The heart still says Boxster. That black one I linked is fairly local and at a specialist dealer I visited a few months back. Their prices are not the lowest but the cars seem good and they are attached to PorschaWerks who offer indy service.

[ChrisH72]

coldel said:

What sort of roads are you going to be using it on? Mostly B roads or mostly bigger open roads? Mix of both?

Definitely a mix of both. My main commute is fairly urban with a bit of dual carriageway. About 10 miles total and would suit something like the Z4. Bur we have quite a few country lanes nearby which I often use and sometimes even take just for the sake of it. Probably doesn't help much!

I have looked at the SLK55. It's a bit much for me and I'd like to keep the manual box ideally.

[Shinyfings]

Before my MX5 I drove a mint 981 Boxster with a great spec at a good price. I wanted to think about it overnight and the seller who was very good throughout but had another viewing the next day. They had the car. I put a deposit on a second Boxster (nice but not as nice) and it failed the Porsche inspection for a warranty. Again, great seller and deposit returned. I gave up on Boxsters at this point and with hindsight a sensible choice as I suspect as well as £14k extra to buy (these were 14 cars) the running costs might have bitten me as my extension costs rose! The Boxster was however lovely and had a feeling of being in another league but with that possible maintenance costs to match. Money no object and the first Boxster I looked at then one would be on my drive.

[ajguk]

Like I say, mine does feel 'heavy'. Noticeably so in corners as you'd expect, but it really does shift when you want it to and you forget all that. When I decided I was getting one it was my first BMW, and as such I really wanted a straight 6, and a manual for a bit more fun. I'm really glad I stuck to that, I was lucky a blue one came up with the ivory interior local to me as that's what I'd set my heart on.

From what I gather the 4 cylinders are not much different mpg-wise, so your Youtube reviewers will generally recommend the 6-pots. And it does sound better. But yeah perhaps the lighter weight would be noticeable in the 4 cylinder. I haven't driven one unfortunately.

If you do your research I don't think you will go that far wrong. I can't really see the appeal of getting the base engines (18i?) but with a decent amount of power you'll be grinning, trust me.

[Scotter]

I’m not wanting to start an argument about which is better etc. but just to say I used to have a 987 2.7 boxster and ending up selling it due to running costs as it was used as a daily.
It had a few niggles along the way which were described as nothing unusual but the costs mounted.
I changed it for a MX5 NC sport tech hard top which I had for a few years with zero problems.
I changed that last year for an ND2 RF 184 and it’s the most fun I’ve had for driver ownership and hopefully peace of mind with regards to reliability (frozen door looks not withstanding).
I’d seriously suggest driving the boxster and MX5 and take into account running costs.
I can’t comment on the other cars mentioned but all look great nonetheless.

[ajguk]

I'd also add I think the Z4 interior is pretty timeless. My doesn't have a screen which helps as I'm not looking at some really old tech! People are often surprised it's a 13 year old car now and is probably worth a bit less than I paid. I'll be sad to see it go if the Mrs let's me get rid.

Looking at replacing my S40 and the Z4 with a BMW with the B58 engine, or possibly the 3L supercharged in an XF or XE. We'll see!

[ZX10R NIN]

I know you said you weren't interested in power but you'll get a very nice Z35l for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206016...

Or if a four pot is fine then the 28i is a nice blend:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208249...

Or a 2.5 N/A version of the above:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211091...

I must say although it's not as sharp as the Mazda but I enjoy driving them more:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211141...

370Z:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211121...

[Xcore]

Chimaera 500 or Griffith 430/450

[georgeyboy12345]

Out of those on your list, I'd probably go for the Porsche Boxster, looks like a good example as well.

Second choice would be the MX-5. I wouldn't bother with any of the others.