If you were picking a convertible...

most def need to make a list of priorities for this vehicle purchase and then figure out what serves each area best.

when i bought my S2000, i got the most fun to drive car i cold afford. smooth screaming engine, great handling, reliability, nice looks, and (where i'm located) they're rare - which i love.

Not the type of car to drive daily IMO, but certainly fun. Lots of guys have pics online of turbo kits and light mods giving them 300-450 WHP.

the boxter is a nice looking car and could be a blast depending on which model year you're looking at. the newer ones have outstanding ratings. even better reviews seem to be given to the cayman, but you're looking at something topless as noted.



the Z's are much more luxurious than the S2k. lots of nice little features, and the new ones are going to have that beautiful hardtop convertible. Additionally, the new engines in the Z4 are great as they're full of torque.



i don't full agree with an earlier statement about the look of rag-tops. I believe roadsters looks great, as they're designed to be convertible-only, vs cars that seem to have added a topless option in their after-thought (350z convertible) which don't look clean.



no matter what, you're list is full of cars that car enthusiasts love, and no doubt whatever you choose - it'll be a fun and great choice for you



BTW: Slick61 - SICK looking cobra. truly a beast. i'd love to go for a cruise in that baby.



to the OP - also don't forget to think about colors. While i love my New Formula Red S2000, I don't think I could get a porsche in red for example



IMG_1620.jpg
 
XRL said:
But it's not real :P Not at that price at least. Not something you'd want to drive around town in either.
Click to expand...



oh, it's REAL, all right... it's just not an ORIGINAL... which I wouldn't want anyway. Mine has a MUCH better frame, a BMW-sourced independent suspension, a BMW Racing differential, a custom-built aluminum 427Windsor engine, and a Tremec TKO-600 5 speed trans. AND... it'll hold its value much better than most anything rolling off the assembly line.



Actually, it's a hoot to drive around town. Running through the gears from light to light makes everyone smile... myself included. It a good workout for the left quad too!



:grinno:



I DO like the styling of the Sky, tho I think the top operation is overly convoluted. Little storage with the top up & even less with the top down. If I were picking a new convertible of this ilk, I'd go with a Miata with the power retracting hard top... OR soft top. You can put the top down while sitting at a light... can't do that with the Sky/Solstice. Like the S2000 as well.
 
Slick61 said:
Yowza... had no idea the Sky got that pricey... for a few thou more, I got this...



toy3.JPG




a 2240 lb, 612 hp rocket... both sounds like it and goes like it!
Click to expand...



I see your cobra and raise you a skool bus :nervous:





sg3.jpg




Since mine isn't painted yet, I feel obligated to post an idling video to increase my manhood as well :woohoo:



YouTube - 408w 65 FFR Cobra
 
I agree, the porsche box. says : I want to be seen in a Porsche the 911 says: I want to drive a Porsche.



I'm totally bias, here but nothing beats an M3 -Seriously, it was the only thing keeping me sane after I sold my Ducati -usually if I want to engage in "spirited" motoring, few things can win over a motorcycle.



-Note: sometime the convertible M3s can be found for less than hardtop -as in general, M3 buyers want a hardtop

With the M3, you'll find tons of support decently priced aftermarket & OEM upgrades and while it is definitely a looker, it doesn't beg for attention like a Lexus.

-which to me, is totally an image car, nothing more.



Ok sorry for the rant.
 
Out of those four I'd pick the 911, been kinda thinking about an older one of and on for a while. I'm finding myself drooling over a lotus Elise right now.



Have you thought about a Mini Cooper S vert? Mine's a blast and you can get a new one with lots of options (though maybe not loaded) in the price range you mentioned.
 
It's a tough choice for sure. When I was in this predicament, I drove the Boxster S and the S2k. For me, the S2K was a slam dunk. It doesn't have the low down torque of the other cars, but honestly, after driving a BMW and 2 Land Rovers, it felt plenty fine to me. The Boxter was very nice, but I absolutely HATED the shifter. A review had said it was like stirring oatmeal in a bowl, and they were exactly right. The S2K on the other hand had the best shifter I had felt. Period. Better than the 993, better than my BMW, better than anything.



My car was a daily driver. My daily commute was about 25 miles round trip at the time. I also drove the car on numerous road trips. Never had any issues at all, and I'm a pretty large guy.



The BMW Z Cars were ok, but I've always disliked the looks of the Z4. Far too angular and took on the Chris Bangle (Bungle) look of BMW styling.



The 911 is timeless. I love the 993, hated the 996, and like that they've gone back to more curves. But it's pricey. And maintenance is pricey.



In the end, you really need to decide what you want. If you're looking for a driver's car then the Honda is it. If you want the power and the luxury, then the 911 is king. The BMWs are compromise vehicles as is the Boxster, but all are capable and fun. Something tells me if you spent your money on the TT, the Honda won't ever make you happy. They are polar opposites. For you'd I'd bet on the Z4 or the Boxster.
 
I've driven the BMW's and while they have awesome power, they feel heavy.



I'd recommend a 2nd generation Miata with an aftermarket turbo from Flying Miata because:

-much cheaper than all your options

-the stage 2 turbo version puts out something like 225-250 hp at the wheels

-very reliable car

-cheap to insure

-better handling than BMWs or Audi TT

-better looking than S2000 (nothing like flirting with the girlfriend of the guy in the S2000 in the next lane who is oogling the curves of a Miata)

-at less than 2450 lbs, the 250hp version can be scary fast

-repair/maintenance costs are cheap

-top goes up/down in 2 secs as long as you're going less than 25mph.

-no attitude, chill out, enjoyment

-you will always get out of the car with a smile like you just enjoyed a joy ride (it is as close to a street legal go-cart as you can get for less than $10k)

-very strong aftermarket support if you decide to personalize or to turn into a rocket

-blah blah blah
 
JohnZ3MC said:
There are a lot of Boxters around, not that many Z3 and Z4 Ms though.

I have a Z3 M Coupe so I'm a tad partial to the Z4 M roadster. Huge power, huge handling (better if you swap out the run flats)-John C.
Click to expand...



The Z4M's don't come with fun-flats, only the standard cars.



In the case for the Z4 M Roadster against the Porsche, I'd argue that the Z4M is cheaper to buy and maintain, more exlusive (there are 3,042 M Roadsters in the US, and only 1,815 M Coupes), comes with a limited slip differential, and has 330hp. I chose the Z4 M Coupe over the Cayman S for these reasons, though it'd be a harder choice against the 2009 Cayman S, whch has more horsepower and the option for LSD now, but the BMW always offered more bang for the buck.



My personal opinion, and before you write me off as biased bear in mind I've owned 3 Porsches in the past, is that the Z4Ms would have been better received in reviews if they'd been fitted with the same tires as the Porsches - Michelin PS2s. Combine the improvement in ride and grip with the BMW's LSD, 35 extra horses and 8000rpm rev range and the argument for a same year Boxster or Cayman gets a lot weaker, especially in light of the price difference (which will more than make up for the costs of the tires).
 
NWS Alpine said:
I hate rag tops because to me they look horrible when the top is up. The only car that doesn't look like vomit but i still don't like in a rag top is the 911. The only convertible I would condsider is a Mercedes SL. The hardtop convertible looks better with the top up than most coupes do. You can find one in the 35K price range too for a used SL500.
Click to expand...



i like the ragtop on mine



J5.JPG
 
3000GT VR4 Spdyer :)



3.0L Twin Turbo

Retractable Hardtop

AWD

Way under your price

Unreliable

Heavy as hell

Poor balance



Not a bad deal! :rolleyes:





Seriously though, it seems like you have a lot of nice choices to pick from. I would just go and test drive each one in a short span of time and decide what is the most fun. It isn't your DD, so is reliability/etc. that important? Of course you don't want to be constantly fixing it, but I think as long as you don't completely abuse a car (there is a difference between abuse and driving hard :) ) and you do maintenance they'll hold together.



Good luck and let us know what you go with!
 
Haha ya. There not too terrible though. I go to car shows and see these old muscle cars and I'm just in awe of how much room there is. You can pull the plugs without taking anything else off! LOL
 
I third the corvette but im biased, its a bigger car than what your looking at, but it'll hold its own in the corners with what your looking for, and out accelerate everything else.



But test drive, and pick the car with the least compromises that way you wont have to spend alot on aftermarket mods (which will be inevitable)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top