What's the most user-friendly roadster?

[cantdrv55]

Something that's cheap to get into, cheap and easy to maintain, great handling, won't break the bank to mod (gots 2 P-cars for that), parts available for years to come, drive it year 'round and park it anywhere, great HVAC, easily upgradeable stereo system and can be a weekend track dog/autox candidate. Which one fits the bill?

M3 convertible
Boxster
Corvette convertible
Z3
Z4
S2000
Mustang GT convertible
MINI convertible
Miata
Eclipse Spyder
MGB
Alfa Graduate
Fiat 124

What am I forgetting?

[pwd72s]

Bug-Eye Sprite! And Kurt V's may still be for sale!

[cantdrv55]

How can I forget about the Sprite?! Should also list the TR6 and Spitfire.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

968.

Or 944 Cabrio.

Or 914.

Or Karman-Ghia.

[Won]

I'd say Boxster but that'd be your 3rd Porsche, so Miata should fit the bill perfectly. Z3 if you want the "grown up" Miata but I doubt there's as big an aftermarket for modding Z3s.

[raj911]

What about the SLK ?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Actually there's a large aftermarket for the Z3/MZ3. You didn't say, do you want a car that you can bring people along in? If so, that nixes all of the two seaters.

My short list would be:

Boxster S
MZ3/MZ4
Miata (new bodystyle)
M3
SLK (new bodystyle)

I would eliminate the Mustang and Corvette because they're both too mullet-worthy for me, though the Corvette would be the fastest for the least cash. The Mini screams "chick car", and an Eclipse is by no means a sports car. S2k isn't my personal cup of tea because everything happens up high, but I've seen too many people heap praise on it to write it off as a bad car.

Others in the same range: 350Z, Crossfire SRT-6, Solstice/Sky (but wait for the high HP versions), Audi A4, S4, and TT, VW Eos.

For me, I'd have to go with the M3 because I have a family, 4 seats would be a big plus. Otherwise, it would be between the MZ4 and new Boxter, that's a choice that would have to come down to a test drive. Good luck!

[Porsche virgin]

Miata, Miata, Miata.
Cheap to maintain. Loads of aftermarket goodies. Great A/C and heat. Great fun to race/autox. They run forever, even if abused. Just change the oil occasionally and change the timing belt every 60k.

[Rot 911]

Originally posted by pwd72s
Bug-Eye Sprite! And Kurt V's may still be for sale!

Nope it's sold. And the AC sucked in it anyway! As for a more modern car I would go with the Miata as it meets each and every requirement on the list.

[legion]

I would vote Miata as the most likely to meet all your requirements.

A 944 S2 cab or 968 cab aren't bad cars either, but they will break the bank to mod and aren't the cheapest cars to get into.

[Dantilla]

Miata!

I've got a '93, and it puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

-It's underpowered, so I can drive it pretty hard and not cause trouble. Light, nimble. quiet. I can't romp on the gas with the 911 without attracting way too much attention.

-It has no prestige. Park it anywhere, and not worry. I've got some rentals, and if I ever pulled up to them in the 911, instantly I'm the "Rich Landlord". No problem with a Miata.

-Cheap! I've got a hard top, soft top, leather, cruise, air conditioning that will make 911 owners weep, and I bought the whole thing for $4500!

-30+ reliable mpg.

Bottom line is, the 911 is sitting under a cover waiting for the next autocross. The Miata will see a bunch of street miles between now and then.

[masraum]

Originally posted by cantdrv55
Something that's cheap to get into

Miata

cheap and easy to maintain

miata

great handling

miata

won't break the bank to mod (gots 2 P-cars for that)

miata

parts available for years to come

miata
[quoete][b]drive it year 'round and park it anywhere
miata (especially with the optional hardtop for winter)

great HVAC

miata

easily upgradeable stereo system

not tons of room in a miata, but I think the speaker situation is probably adequate, and it's gots plenty of space for a stereo. I'm sure some of the others would probably be better.

and can be a weekend track dog/autox candidate.

definitely miata

Which one fits the bill?

M3 convertible -- too expensive
Boxster -- too expensive
Corvette convertible -- pretty fast
Z3 -- too expensive
Z4 -- more expensive
S2000 -- probably ok
Mustang GT convertible -- track/autox car? compared to real sports cars??
MINI convertible -- probably decent, but I dunno about cost and reliability
Miata -- I think this probably fits the bill
Eclipse Spyder -- FWD
MGB -- reliable? cheap?
Alfa Graduate -- reliable, cheap?
Fiat 124 -- reliable, cheap?

What am I forgetting?

other possibilities
Toyota MR2
Honda CRX

As mentioned, the miata is very easily modded. There's a site much like this one for Miatas, so there's tons of support. You can turbo or supercharge em for $3500 and up. Lots of handling upgrades. Much like some 911 engines, the miata bottom end is based on a turbo engine, so the bottom end is really sturdy. The miata is very, very easy to steer with the throttle. I was really surprised at how eager the rear is to step out when you let off the throttle.

[onlycafe]

maybe too early yet to tell, but the pontiac solstice is looking good so far. potential is there.

[TheMentat]

Miata. and if you're looking for a Miata that's been to special forces camp, get the s2000.

[Rodeo]

Gonna break ranks here: Honda S2000.

I think used S2000s are the best bang for the buck in roadsters today. More power than a Miata, better interior, better styling (subjective I know), solid Honda quality, and the sound from 6,000 RPM on is sweet, sweet music.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Toyota MR-S is another one that hasn't been mentioned, very Miata-like. A turbo Miata would be pretty tempting, and the price hard to resist. Solstice has gotten good reviews so far, comparing well to the new Miata. Within a year they're supposed to be coming out with a hi-po version with over 200 HP, that would be a fun car.

[legion]

Originally posted by onlycafe
maybe too early yet to tell, but the pontiac solstice is looking good so far. potential is there.

Those are still rare and pricey.

And compared to the Miata, they are heavy. They are also underpowered, though a 260 hp turbo version is due out next year.

[raj911]

Wasnt it Colin Chapman who said "To add speed, just add lightness"?

Lotus Elise .............

[Dantilla]

Before buying my Miata, I considered an S2000 until I sat in it. I actually fit in a Miata better. When using the clutch in the S2000, my knee would be squeezed pretty tightly between the arm rest and the steering wheel. The other thing that swung me towards the Miata was my insistance on having a hard top. For the S2000, it is a $4000 option. Finding a Miata with a hard top for $4500 turned it into a no-brainer.

The only "fit" issue with the Miata is the windsheild header blocking vision of traffic lights. Removing the visors fixed that. Couldn't be happier.

An uncle recently bought a Z4, and wanted me to drive it. In just about every catagory, the Z4 looks like a better car. On paper. More power, bigger brakes, yada yada, but it simply isn't as much fun to drive. I'll stick with the Miata.

Another plus- The Miata's tail will drift out beautifully. Most cars have so much understeer dialed in today, it was a pleasent find for a 911 driver.

[onlycafe]

there is a tuner upgrade for the solstice from mallet. you can throw large amounts of extra cash at them and get quite a car. if low price is not a rule how about the lotus elise? a friend just got one last week and is quite smitten. i've driven it and was amazed. also a tuner version of that. at 1900 lbs. and 190 hp. it moves nicely stock. 275 or 380 hp upgrades are out there.
if new and under warranty is not a hard and fast rule you could find a nice late 60s corvair conv. with the corsa or turbo spyder options. i had one a long time ago and still would like to have another. if practical is not a rule i like my beck 550 spyder replica, though it is the least practical car i have owned.