Best used convertible sports cars?

[Oso]

Okay I guess it's time for my .02.

As a child of the sixties I lusted for a Triumph TR6 or an MGB. Someday I thought. Riding in my uncle's Austin Healey 3000 reinforced my desire for a two seater sports car. Fast forward 45 years or so, I've sold my BMW GS and need something to fill the hole. Ah ha maybe it is time for that sharp handling two seater. As usual I research everything to the nth degree. I want everyone's opinion and every test comparo before deciding.

You must decide what YOU want. I wanted a sharp handling, reliable, fun to drive sports cars. Picking up a vintage TR6 or MGB didn't really check the boxes except fun to drive when it's running. I narrowed it down to Boxster S, Z3, S2000, 350Z, MX-5 Miata, Audi TT. Now if I had deep bank than the Boxster S would have been a no brainer. Alas, I am on a budget and want the biggest bang for the buck and low maintenance costs. Z3 and Z4 very nice but not as sharp handling as the Miata or S2000. Also maintenance would be higher. Ruled out the Audi for similar financial reasons. Reading driver reviews of the 350z shows impressive handling and power but a harsh ride and still not a sharp as a S2000 or MX-5. I love the looks of the S2000 but if you start looking for them they are always at least $10,000 more than a similar year and mileage Miata. Some say the ride is not as comfortable and there is the fact the that the power doesn't really kick in unless revving high and over the speed limit anyway. Which brings you back to the MX-5 Miata. Really hard to find a bad review of this car. Down on power, yes compared to others. Fun factor - through the roof. Handling - incredible, comfortable - I think so but that's relative. Reliable - absolutely. Chick magnet - not so much, review what YOU want. Tremendous after market support if you want to improve the handling or horsepower. You can even super charge one for less than you would have into one of the other choices. I bought a 2009 with 7k miles. I then added anti sway bars and a Good-win Racing exhaust. I love it. It checks all of MY boxes.

 

[Bounce]

the power doesn't really kick in unless revving high and over the speed limit anyway

just down shift. no one's considering a slush box for their sports car. are they?

 

[blassoff]

My two favorite convertibles (owned both-I do midlife crises every 10 years). Porsche 914, two litre 4 banger. 1860 lbs, 98 horses, 50/50 weight distribution. An absolute blast to auto cross.

Or........early century Saab 93. 200 turbocharged horses, great tight suspension.

Id have to get divorced to buy another Porsche, hmmm, might be worth it.

 

[James Burleigh]

My dad, a civil engineer who loved a carburetor, owned a couple of TR3s when I was growing up. He retrofit seat belts into the "back seat" and stuffed his three kids back there. He always maintained the British never learned how to install an electrical system in an automobile.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Got a line on a 1980 Triumph TR 7 here.. I know most of it's history as my sister bought in new.
However it's been sitting for 5 years and looks like it may need a lot of love. But he only want's 1200 bucks.

There is one born every day. Make sure you put one foot on top of the other one before you pull the trigger dumb ass.

Noted and walked away from.. Damned expensive parts and lack thereof.

Unreal what a trashcan costs today.

 

[Eric L]

you can get a nice miata for 10K. I drive one, it is the closest i could get to a 4 wheel motorcycle with a roof and heated seats. Lots of fun on twisties. Not so much fun on the highway.

 

[Panman]

My dad, a civil engineer who loved a carburetor, owned a couple of TR3s when I was growing up. He retrofit seat belts into the "back seat" and stuffed his three kids back there. He always maintained the British never learned how to install an electrical system in an automobile.

I've had two of these, a lot of fun to drive it wasn't fast just the old classic handling where you could step the back end out six inches or two feet. As far as the electrical system was concerned I took to hart what my High School Auto class taught me, 95% of all electrical problems are ground problems and never have had many problems with the electrics on my British stuff.

When I get to old to ride I may buy another one along with a crane to get me in and out.

you can get a nice miata for 10K. I drive one, it is the closest i could get to a 4 wheel motorcycle with a roof and heated seats. Lots of fun on twisties. Not so much fun on the highway.

Top up on a Miata and I don't fit, a little person car.

 

[Just Krusen]

2010 Mini Cooper.

 

[HotRodZilla]

You know, those little VW Bug turbos are crazy fast, and they come in convertible. 2005 or 2006, maybe newer may be in the $10k range.

 

[Fred W]

A love bug? That would be perfect!

...for your daughter!

 

[James Burleigh]

A love bug? That would be perfect!
...for your daughter!

Funny you should mention this....

May have to postpone the sports car because I just bought a bug for my daughter in the deal of the century! Talk about your Little ol' Lady From Pasadena story...!

A few months ago my good friend said he was trying to talk his mom out of continuing to drive her VW bug. I asked if I could have right of first refusal. So a few weeks ago he said he finally convinced her to sell it: a 2002 with 29,000 miles on it! Only owner. Driven to the store once a week and to church on Sunday, no lie. The car has a few scratches (inevitable when driven by an 89-year-old); but the interior looks like it just came off the show room floor. Picked it up for $4,800. Deals like that don't come along very often. My daughter's over the moon, and her parents know she has a safe, reliable car.

 

[James Burleigh]

When I get to old to ride I may buy another one along with a crane to get me in and out.

Yes, they are very low to the ground. You can drag your knuckles on the ground while driving them.

 

[DennisJ]

One of the guys in my senior class in high school had a TR-6 in red that I thought was the best car around and there were a lot of imports in Carmel, CA in the early 60's. There was a DB-4 down the block, a Porsche across the street, a early MG the next block over and a pre-WWII big French thing on the same block. Rolls Royce were not exactly common but didn't get more than a casual glance. Mecedes were everywhere. Fun place to grow up.