BMW Z3 and Others

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Drive a TR6! I looked at one with a Pelican friend 10 years ago for Chocoholic. It was represented as a nice driver. It was absolutely the most rickety piece of crap I have every driven. Both of us were amazed how bad it was. It could have just been that car but I think it has more to do with British engineering and assembly. Driving German and Japanese spoils us I think.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Drive a TR6! I looked at one with a Pelican friend 10 years ago for Chocoholic. It was represented as a nice driver. It was absolutely the most rickety piece of crap I have every driven. Both of us were amazed how bad it was. It could have just been that car but I think it has more to do with British engineering and assembly. Driving German and Japanese spoils us I think.

That is the rub: The last non-German "sports car" I have owned was never

The guy I sold Mike's 560SL to has owned a foreign auto repair shop for over 35 years and he has some cars for me to look, not test drive, but to get a sense of other makes I haven't thought about since HS. Also to sit in!

Headed there this afternoon.

[unclebilly]

Anything like these would be pretty incredible...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2000-mazda-mx-5-miata-65/

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2000-mazda-mx-5-miata-33/

[Matt at Pelican Parts]

Personally I prefer the mechanics of the older Z3 models with the M52. They're just easier engines to work on and less plastic components that the M54. Both great engine though

Originally Posted by KNS

The M52 and M54 inline sixes are the same engines used in the E36 and E46 3 series models and are very long-lived engines.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

gonna make a plug for my dream old man roadster for toodling ... TR6. terrible at everything, but man do i want one.

My two favorite old Brit roadsters



and

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I am looking at:

- Miata. I think they are great and a complete no-brainier. There are some Grand touring Miatas's that look amazing.

- Z3. I know nothing about them. Good years, bad years?

- Boxsters. Same as the Z3.

- Also, any websites for the above three?

I’ve owned the Z3, Z4 roadster, Z4 M Coupe, Pontiac Solstice GXP and 987 Boxster S. I’ve driven a friend’s Miata. The Z3 and 986 are much less stiff than the 987 and Z4, and the Z3 has issues with the E30 rear subframe. The Miata has a better chassis than the 986/Z3, but not as stiff as the 987/Z4.

Personally, in terms of performance the Boxster had better brakes than the Z4, and that was pretty much it. The Z4 has an issue with the drain plugs for the roof clogging and killing the motor for the top, but otherwise is no worse off than an E46 3-series in terms of maintenance.

I’m 6’2” with a 34” inseam, weight under 200 lbs and I’ve yet to fit properly in a Miata.

The Solstice GXP/Saturn Sky Red Line have great looks and performance (with manual) and are cheap to maintain, but the interior of my Solstice was a let-down, and the trunk space is small even for the class.

Of all of them, my top “would buy again” pick would be the 987 Boxster. In Silver over black with Chrono package… not that I’ve thought about it. ;-)

[berettafan]

Just in case you want to quadruple your budget...

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by epbrown

Snips

I’m 6’2” with a 34” inseam, weight under 200 lbs and I’ve yet to fit properly in a Miata.

Of all of them, my top “would buy again” pick would be the 987 Boxster. In Silver over black with Chrono package… not that I’ve thought about it. ;-)

Excellent, thank you.

I sat in a Miata last week and made car noises. The fit is just not there, unfortunately, for my build. It is at my friends shop and the owner knew.

He gets in a Mini Cooper this week so I'll drive up and see.

Drove a friend of mines Boxster this weekend, coincidentally a 987 and really liked it.

I am at least a year away so next up is finding older British convertibles...again, performance is less important that the top off. I offered to buy Chocs old Mercedes 560SL back and the shop owner just laughed.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Those things are a dime a dozen for low mileage excellent cars in the mid teens $. 20 seconds on FBMP found many. This one has a ton of pics, very well cared for. They all were being the boulevard cruisers they are.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Those things are a dime a dozen for low mileage excellent cars in the mid teens $. 20 seconds on FBMP found many. This one has a ton of pics, very well cared for. They all were being the boulevard cruisers they are.

Oh, 100%. I owned it for years and never had an issue, Bill bought it for his wife, who loves it!

Chocs is the only one 560SL I'd want given the color combo and past history.

Onward!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

The hunt is terribly fun, no question there, but just get a 2006 Boxster S now and enjoy it for the rest of the summer.

[Seahawk]

Some Aussies tried to steal it years ago

[berettafan]

that is so nice. i really like the slightly older style (or maybe just lower trim level?) with the steel looking wheels. Kind of a benzy minilite look i guess you'd call it?

and of course at the bottom of that particularly deep rabbit hole is the oh so beautiful pagoda.

[Googam]

If considering a MB, don't ignore the CLK series. There's plenty around. My 07 CLK 63 AMG is a 475 hp cruiser that will actually hold 4 people. There's proven reliability for hand built AMG engines.
https://bringatrailer.com/mercedes-benz/clk-class/

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Googam

If considering a MB, don't ignore the CLK series. There's plenty around. My 07 CLK 63 AMG is a 475 hp cruiser that will actually hold 4 people. There's proven reliability for hand built AMG engines.
https://bringatrailer.com/mercedes-benz/clk-class/

Uh-oh!

Great suggestion. I am off I go to CLK land to get my bearings.

[Chocaholic]

I miss that 560SL!

Have owned a couple of Miata's and didn't keep either. Not for me either.

I'd own a TR6 again in a heartbeat. Not as a long-distance driver, but as a weekend toy to tinker with and go get ice cream in. Not German engineering, but worth driving a "nice" one. It was kind of Shaun to check out the one mentioned above, but I suspect it wasn't a loved car.

[Norm K]

Unless you're looking for a true sports car experience you'd do yourself a disservice by not at least investigating the early Lexus SC convertibles.

The looks might not be everyone's cup-of-tea (although only your taste matters here) but these are damn fine cars ... damn fine.


And they're widely available for well under twenty-grand, in nice condition with decent miles.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Norm K

Unless you're looking for a true sports car experience you'd do yourself a disservice by not at least investigating the early Lexus SC convertibles.

The looks might not be everyone's cup-of-tea (although only your taste matters here) but these are damn fine cars ... damn fine.


And they're widely available for well under twenty-grand, in nice condition with decent miles.

Uh-oh again!

I have been on the phone in a Zoom listening to demo planning for next moth for a client in Oakridge, TN area...my preference is to listen and not get in the weeds with them, the only way they will "get it".

So, I have been looking at CLKs and now, thank you, Lexus SC convertibles: Were you referencing the SC 430?

Excellent!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I mentioned the Lexus earlier but forgot to say that if you get one, make sure the Ann Taylor 20% discount is transferable.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

I mentioned the Lexus earlier but forgot to say that if you get one, make sure the Ann Taylor 20% discount is transferable.

Made me laugh...after I looked up Ann Taylor