Ragtop suggestions???

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W

whitewaterguy

Well-known member
Aug 30, 2005
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Looking to buy a newer/used convertible, strictly as a toy rather than any need for practical reasons. I have narrowed down to the:

Miata, (but they seem a tad underpowered):

Mini Cooper S, (however that might mean trips to the BMW dealership for complex issues, and i have had too many bad experiences with BMW service in the past so i have to factor that in):

350 Z...although i have sworn i would never buy another Nissan after reliability issues with a Maxima and Altima

Ford Mustang for a lot of practical reasons, like good old fashion reliability and dealer networks...this may have to be the car i go with even though the fun factor might not be go-kartish in nature like the above and there seem to be a hell of a lot of them on the road..plus the whole muscle car thing that i'm not a big fan of. Anyways. I dont do GM nor Chrysler and dont think i want to get into any of the issues associated with Audi/porsche when it comes to service/expense issues. Any experiences with the above and or recommendations are appreciated.

One last possibility might be a HOnda S2000 but there are not that many around...

Although a few women at the office informed me i am not the muscle car kind of guy, a few others loved the 2013 mustang i brought to work as part of a a test drive day i had been offered a few weeks back. yeah they gave it to me for a day and i quite enjoyed the v6 autobox even though i am a stick guy...must be aging!
 
J

james t kirk

Well-known member
Aug 17, 2001
24,059
4,062
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Triumph TR250



The best of the Triumph line, appreciating in value.

A classic British roadster, modern lines, you drive it, it does not drive you.

Failing that:

Triumph TR6

MGA

Austin Healey 3000 (very expensive)

British Car Day is Sunday September 16'th at Bronte Park. I'm sure that there will be several classic British Roadsters for sale at the show.

http://www.torontotriumph.com/BCD/
 
G

goldfinger

Member
Feb 25, 2004
112
3
18
ontario
get the miata and drop a v8 into it and you would have one heck of a sleeper.

Ragtop season is comming to an end and people are trading them in for hard tops.

Talk to some sales men and see what they can find fo you. dealers use networks even on used cars that you like could be found for you.
 
C

Celticman

Into Ties and Tail
Aug 13, 2009
8,896
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Durham & Toronto
My first car as a teenager in England. Mine was red (of course!). It is a Triumph TR2.

 
J

james t kirk

Well-known member
Aug 17, 2001
24,059
4,062
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There are not too many TR2s around. Quite a few TR3s though. They are truly from a different era though. The TR 4/250/6 are a more modern vehicle with the 6 obviously the most modern. The beauty of all of these cars is that they are appreciating in value and a hell of a lot of fun to drive. And of course, there is "the smell" of a British car. A combination of gasoline, oil, leather, wood, and mouldy interiors produce this unique smell that no other car can ever possess.
 
S

Sherpa63

Member
Aug 21, 2009
51
10
8
there is always:



sweeeeet ride.

What about and older M-3, SLK, or 3 series? Maybe even a 1st gen Audi CC. Ton of them around, and especially for the Audi, pretty cheap, being just a Golf with a strange body.

of your list, I would go with the honda 2000. It stands out in terms of appearance, rarity, quality, and fun factor.
 
T

TeasePlease

Cockasian Brother
Aug 3, 2010
7,723
7
38
LOL! A buddy of mine had a Krap car convertible in high school. Good times!

Miatas are not underpowered. They are light and chuckable. But...it's still a chick car.

My short list for a 'vert is:

1. Boxster. Very affordable used and a joy to behold.
2. Z4 or 128/135i - Very fun to drive, and fairly practical with a hardtop.
 
B

Butchers Dog

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2006
1,046
185
63
wwg,
I went thu the same line of questioning a few years ago. I wanted a toy to complement my Jeep. Now I didn't research too many convertibles and the Mustang was kind of ho-hum when I was shopping but ...

I got a 2008 MX-5 (Miata) with the power retractable hard top. I absolutely love it. Let me run down the pros and cons. Cons are minor.

Pros.
- yes, lowish horsepower but it weighs next to nothing. Take one for a spin.
- the center of balance is 50/50. Try cornering at full speed in a macho Camaro. The car corners on rails. Take one for a spin.
- the roof takes up zero space in the trunk. Take you care on to the airport no problem or gather groceries.
- the go-cart feeling is huge. I love the low riding profile.
- not a tire burner off the line like a 'stang but the high rev power available is a rush.
- girls like it. The chick car comment is a little odd. First off, get some balls if you care what anyone thinks. Second, I've got countless chick comments loving the car and one got me a date. Chicks like the car ... think about it.

Now, no personal experience on the other cars but I will still comment.

Cooper S:
Personally I love them but even thought I bought a "chick" car, I could not drive a convertible Cooper. They are trying to get racier but I am not onboard yet. The last generation of coupes are just weird but I am not giving up on them.

350Z: I got nothing to add. If it is a great car go for it.

S2000: Seriously thought about it. Went with the MX-5 because of cost, rating (very high) and yes ... awesome gas mileage. Oh, and I liked the retractable hard top.

Mustang: This is where it gets tricky. This is where I think the decision lies. There are times, I want a third or fourth passenger, though they better not have long legs. The 'stang would be my choice. There are times I want to revisit my teens and smoke the tires off the line. The MX-5 will do this sheepishly but the 'stang is the car for this. I understand Ford has really improve MPG as well.

So, have I wondered about the Mustang? Yes. Would I trade my MX-5 .... nope.

So it may come down to your driving style. If you are a straight line drag strip power guy, get the Ford. If you like the high speed cornering rally style, the MX-5 is your toy.

Send me a PM if you have specific questions.

BD
 
W

whitewaterguy

Well-known member
Aug 30, 2005
3,258
177
83
Butchers Dog said:
wwg,
I went thu the same line of questioning a few years ago. I wanted a toy to complement my Jeep. Now I didn't research too many convertibles and the Mustang was kind of ho-hum when I was shopping but ...

I got a 2008 MX-5 (Miata) with the power retractable hard top. I absolutely love it. Let me run down the pros and cons. Cons are minor.

Pros.
- yes, lowish horsepower but it weighs next to nothing. Take one for a spin.
- the center of balance is 50/50. Try cornering at full speed in a macho Camaro. The car corners on rails. Take one for a spin.
- the roof takes up zero space in the trunk. Take you care on to the airport no problem or gather groceries.
- the go-cart feeling is huge. I love the low riding profile.
- not a tire burner off the line like a 'stang but the high rev power available is a rush.
- girls like it. The chick car comment is a little odd. First off, get some balls if you care what anyone thinks. Second, I've got countless chick comments loving the car and one got me a date. Chicks like the car ... think about it.

Now, no personal experience on the other cars but I will still comment.

Cooper S:
Personally I love them but even thought I bought a "chick" car, I could not drive a convertible Cooper. They are trying to get racier but I am not onboard yet. The last generation of coupes are just weird but I am not giving up on them.

350Z: I got nothing to add. If it is a great car go for it.

S2000: Seriously thought about it. Went with the MX-5 because of cost, rating (very high) and yes ... awesome gas mileage. Oh, and I liked the retractable hard top.

Mustang: This is where it gets tricky. This is where I think the decision lies. There are times, I want a third or fourth passenger, though they better not have long legs. The 'stang would be my choice. There are times I want to revisit my teens and smoke the tires off the line. The MX-5 will do this sheepishly but the 'stang is the car for this. I understand Ford has really improve MPG as well.

So, have I wondered about the Mustang? Yes. Would I trade my MX-5 .... nope.

So it may come down to your driving style. If you are a straight line drag strip power guy, get the Ford. If you like the high speed cornering rally style, the MX-5 is your toy.

Send me a PM if you have specific questions.

BD
Click to expand...
nice balanced commentary..thanks..do you drive your mx5 in the winter or store it?
 
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