Advice on buying fun convertible

[ghamilton]

So; Wife and I looking for a fun little convertible to just tool around in. Have owned past Triumph verts, 2 TR 250's.

Would love another TR, prob. a TR 6, but decent ones are $10-$15k.

Looking to spend under $10k.

So, with "stuff you always have to do to a new car, $7-$8k + a little $ for needed work.

I've heard great things about Miatas; cheap, reliable and plentiful. Known to be a Japanese MGB.

Then their is the Z-3. I haven't done much research on them, but I know they run the venerable 2.5 BMW 6.

I'm guessing the Z would be a little more money and maintenance.

Keeping the German make out of the equation would like some personal advice opinions.

Thanks:

[DanielDudley]

The MX-5 Miata Forum

I have a Miata. They are well built. NB Miatas are a little better than the NA, and the NC is much more car. The BMW is a great car, but was not initially designed for the six cylinder engine, so it is a bit nose heave, but a good GT. The Honda S2000 is a stellar performer also.

If you go to the link above, you will find many threads about all of these cars, and many comparisons.

[bbinder]

+1 on the Miata. I owned one for 13 years and it was bulletproof, and cheap to run.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by bbinder

+1 on the Miata. I owned one for 13 years and it was bulletproof, and cheap to run.

Miata/S2000 is the go to for sure.

If you have a sense of adventure and are risk tolerant, why not a Datsun Roadster from the 60's. Alfa spyder?

Since you are married, you must not be looking for hot young babe pick-ups. So, skip the K car.

[ghamilton]

Yea, the s2000 is killer, but not a lot of them and pretty pricey. I prefer the older body style on the Miata.

Looking for something simple & reliable; so think the Miata is probably a better choice, but not quite as much comfort as the Z3.

[Jack Stands]

Another thumbs up on a Miata as a great, reliable, inexpensive choice.

We had a 96 Z3 back in the day, and it was a great, fun little car as well. The early ones had a four cylinder engine and were pretty bulletproof as well.

[uwanna]

Look for a 2004-2006 Nissan 350z convertible. Most are 9- 13K. My cousin got one and he loves it!
They are really good performers. Look up some reviews

[darrin]

how close is the op's budget to an older boxter with an IMS fix?

[Derek911]

10-15k?? Miata?? Is this the Porsche technical forum??

[ghamilton]

Guys; read my post; looking for all in under $10k, my 911 is my go to car for performance; wife & I approaching 60, so it's nice to have a car that feels like you are going 20 mph faster than you are to just have a good time with some wind in our hair.

Bob:

Had a '88 Alfa I found from Fla after I sold my 911; I was a fun little car, sweet sound, great cruiser, not expensive parts, but again the tin worm will do them in. Mine had bleached out paint & the cost of $4k would have put me upside down on the value of the car; but now I kinda wish I had kept it.

[zedsn]

I have a 1996 NA miata and love the car. I beat on it all the time and it doesn't skip a beat. I even bought a set of snow tires and mounted them on seperate wheels and bought a used hardtop and drive it in the winter as well. Mine has ac, power windows and cruise control.

[Tremelune]

Look at all the generations of Miata, choose the look and color you like the best, put a zillion miles on it. I've heard nothing but good things. Cheap parts, extreme knowledge and enthusiasm, and an inarguable hoot to drive. The NA is on my short list.

[faverymi]

97-99 2.5Lt manual Boxster

[Pstallo]

Just as an aside, why wouldn't you consider a porsche cabriolet?

[SCadaddle]

One of my "other cars" is a 92 Miata I've had for the past 14 years. They are great little cars. Plenty of reasonably priced suspension upgrades (I've got the dial-a-struts) but stay away from the 90-91 models as those are prone to having the keyway in the nose of the crankshaft go bad. My 5 speed turns right at 4k at 76MPH and it is just singing happily at that speed. I bought it with 108k on the clock and now she's at 194k....nothing but scheduled maintenance required. It might be worth $2500 to the right buyer but I surely can't replace the fun and utility it gives me for that kind of money.

I can drive it faster on the twisties than my SC, but not quite as fast as my Subaru Outback AWD wagon.

Figure about $800-$1000 extra for one with a nice hard top. At 6'-4" 260# with the top down I look like the proverbial circus bear on the tricycle.

[COLB]

The first car I bought out of college was a 1990 Miata in white. It had been a dealer demo, with 2K miles on it. Paid $12,300 for it.

I drove it for 6 years, put 70k miles on it, and never did anything to it except oil/filter changes, tires, and spark plug wires.

They are reliable, and a lot of fun to drive.

In the sub 10k market, I would try on a 99 boxster -- I've seen some nice ones under 8k. But in terms of long term ownership costs, you won't beat a Miata.

[fiminod]

Bugeye Sprite?

[mgatepi]

Here is exactly what you are looking for!!!!
FS 1987 BMW 325i Convertible

[NYNick]

The Miata is an absolute blast to drive. The older ones are a bit underwhelming on long trips, what with the noise and lack of 'comfort', but around town, lotsa fun.

They are very small inside. Very. Might want to snuggle into one of them first, both of you, to see how you like the feel of the interior cabin. On the highway, you're up against the semis and the Mega SUV's.

Wonderful cars. Well engineered and cheap to own. I love em, but have too many cars already.

[Fabspeed Motorsport]

Miata is a proven sportscar! The S2000 would be my choice but it's a little outside your price range.