What's the best summer car?
Discussion
Running with the Mrs this morning and seen literally squillions (no, honestly, literally!) of cars with their roofs down and people smiling. Having had a few drop tops over the years it got me thinking about which was the best.
What do PHers reckon is the best convertible?
Obviously the MX-5 has to be in with a shout, but if it was your money, what new drop top would you buy and why?
What do PHers reckon is the best convertible?
Obviously the MX-5 has to be in with a shout, but if it was your money, what new drop top would you buy and why?
Baldchap said:
Running with the Mrs this morning and seen literally squillions (no, honestly, literally!) of cars with their roofs down and people smiling. Having had a few drop tops over the years it got me thinking about which was the best.
What do PHers reckon is the best convertible?
Obviously the MX-5 has to be in with a shout, but if it was your money, what new drop top would you buy and why?
Best at what though? Do you need it to carry people, be comfy, be focused, be speedy, cost under a certain amount, be able to live outside, etc etc.What do PHers reckon is the best convertible?
Obviously the MX-5 has to be in with a shout, but if it was your money, what new drop top would you buy and why?
MX-5 is an obvious and almost only choice for a sub £30k new 2 seater sports car.
Used market opens up a huge array of cars.
Plus there are some less obvious oddball cars such as:
Which will probably get slated on here, but probably only by those with a chip on their shoulder about something.
Personally this type of thing has an appeal to me:
But then so do things like these:
The best road car I've ever driven is probably the Lotus Elise. The way it drives is just perfect and there's no substitute for lightweight. Running it a close second for me are the V6 Exige and NSX, but they're both coupés, so if you're after fresh air the Elise is my choice.
Here's the one I owned (and still miss!):
Here's the one I owned (and still miss!):
Baldchap said:
Running with the Mrs this morning and seen literally squillions (no, honestly, literally!) of cars with their roofs down and people smiling. Having had a few drop tops over the years it got me thinking about which was the best.
What do PHers reckon is the best convertible?
Obviously the MX-5 has to be in with a shout, but if it was your money, what new drop top would you buy and why?
Lots of choice for decent handling 2 seater convertibles, but given the impossible brief of a car that can comfortably seat four for long distances while also having the stiffness, compact footprint, and low weight needed to be a real drivers car I think for a four seater you're better off going for comfort and effortless progress rather than sacrificing those chasing a goal that can't be achieved. Almost all of them, including quite large cars like the 6 series convertible, are cramped in the back so for real comfort it has to be enormous.What do PHers reckon is the best convertible?
Obviously the MX-5 has to be in with a shout, but if it was your money, what new drop top would you buy and why?
A GT then, and accept that it's going to have to be large and heavy to have enough room for a decent cabin, plus the roof gubbins, and all the extra bracing. Maserati GranTurismo would do nicely, thank you.
Behold, a truly usable four seater.
300bhps suggestions are, of course, crap. The Evoque is very cramped in the back and is a 2+2 like the mini convertible, and the Wrangler would also be an awful thing to be stuck in the back (or front) of for more than an hour or so by anyone with 21st century Wester standards of motoring. Fine if you're just mincing around a beach town in a better climate that ours though. Her you want something where the roof can be back up in 30 seconds for when it starts pissing down.
Edited by dme123 on Friday 29th March 12:19
I have an 1989 e30 convertible (2.0 straight six) which I only use on sunny days. Family friendly and enjoyable to drive, despite not being quick by modern standards. When the suns out it’s nice to cruise around in, motorbikes are for thrills!
I need to a few jobs doing on it but I hope to have it pretty mint in 3 years time.
I need to a few jobs doing on it but I hope to have it pretty mint in 3 years time.
From experience:-
MG Midget: Good fun. You'll get waves from people, and other drivers will be friendly. Somewhat unreliable by today's standards. A bit small for a holiday that involves taking a suitcase or two.
Caterham 7(2): Huge fun. You get waves from kids, but white van man and yoofs will insist on driving as close as possible. Injections versions reliable, carb versions less so. Totally impractical. You need to have masochistic tendencies - when it's cold you'll freeze, when it's hot you'll fry, when it's wet so will you be.
Wrangler: You can take the (hard) top off, but that's a two person job, and fold down the screen if you're prepared to take a stone to the head. Many people will hate you because you are killing the planet in their opinion. Others will assume that you're gay. Fantastic off-road, but I assume that's not what you're looking for. 13 mph from mine (9 mpg off-road).
MX5 (2 so far): Inexpensive. Practical (for a 2 seater). Comfy (aircon, heated seats, efficient heater, etc). Reliable. Good fun. Other motorists tend to leave you alone. Roof goes up in 12 seconds when you hit a thunderstorm or it's just too hot to leave the top down. My pick of the bunch.
MG Midget: Good fun. You'll get waves from people, and other drivers will be friendly. Somewhat unreliable by today's standards. A bit small for a holiday that involves taking a suitcase or two.
Caterham 7(2): Huge fun. You get waves from kids, but white van man and yoofs will insist on driving as close as possible. Injections versions reliable, carb versions less so. Totally impractical. You need to have masochistic tendencies - when it's cold you'll freeze, when it's hot you'll fry, when it's wet so will you be.
Wrangler: You can take the (hard) top off, but that's a two person job, and fold down the screen if you're prepared to take a stone to the head. Many people will hate you because you are killing the planet in their opinion. Others will assume that you're gay. Fantastic off-road, but I assume that's not what you're looking for. 13 mph from mine (9 mpg off-road).
MX5 (2 so far): Inexpensive. Practical (for a 2 seater). Comfy (aircon, heated seats, efficient heater, etc). Reliable. Good fun. Other motorists tend to leave you alone. Roof goes up in 12 seconds when you hit a thunderstorm or it's just too hot to leave the top down. My pick of the bunch.
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