Got an S-Max for any actual transport needs, but we could do with a second car for occasional times when we both need a car. Doesn’t need to be massively practical so as well as MR2s and MX5s, this thing loomed on the radar. Anyone got any experience of them?

Seems it’s 80% Merc SLK320 with an American style body built by Karmann, the German soft top specialists. The mid-life crisis is really kicking in, obviously.

Top gear et all pretty much wet themselves over them when they were new.

I’ve always liked the look of them, alas my Mrs is looking at a new car “for work” but has decided there’s no need for 5 doors on her vehicle!

Girl in work had one, fast and guzzled fuel she drives a fiesta now

Oh tyres were very very pricey

nah, don’t like it.

It’s based on the original SLK, not a good thing. You’ll also get mocked even worse than the guy picking up a Z3 today 😉

As you’ve already been thinking about an MX-5 that’s what I’d be going for if you want a drop-top.

On the costs side of things, our last second car did 6000 miles in two years, so not drastically worried about petrol or tyres. If there was a Car Club/sharing scheme in town we’d just join that.

It’s based on the original SLK, not a good thing. You’ll also get mocked even worse than the guy picking up a Z3 today

As you’ve already been thinking about an MX-5 that’s what I’d be going for if you want a drop-top.

Amen.

Even accepting that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, they are incredibly fugly cars. And American.

Is that the one with bigger wheels on the rear?

Yup. But the MR2 had that too, from 2002 facelift onward, just smaller and cheaper on the MR2.

OP are you gay?

Is that the one with bigger wheels on the rear?

You’re thinking of tractors.

Tractors are more attractive than the car above…

hora – Member

OP are you gay?

Not yet love, but I’d make the switch for you, sweetie. 🙂

Started looking at second cars, Yaris, C1, Clio and thought sod it, let’s have something a bit more fun. Open to other suggestions, I’m not looking for a car to rag about, just something which is a nice place to sit and a bit more fun. Do you need your highlights touching up?

Honda S2000?

Reading up on the handling of them suggests they are genuinely not a nice place to sit, I did this a little while ago.

I’d punt for S2000, MX-5, even a second hand Boxter over that fugly beast.

Why not a Clio182 or TypeR? 🙂

Was gonna suggest them myself, don’t really tick the “nice place to be” box though. Obviously huge amounts of fun of course

Mk1 TT

Top gear et all pretty much wet themselves over them when they were new.

Not sure wether that’s meant to be a positive or a negative ?

But Clarkson HATED it when he tested about 10 years ago !

Mazda RX8…with a 1.8T VAG engine? Not the ideal engine but cost effective.

Audi TT? Shit! The engine is great tuned though 😉

Toyota Sera for the flippy doors

Dont think there are any big problems with them. Something a bit different with some unique details.
Not one for the track but I guess you werent looking for that.

They look like a schoolboy’s doodle of a sportscar circa 1990 I reckon.

no.
just no.
have a word with yourself.

audi tt?
see above. do leave off.

cheap and fun = mx5.
bit more expensive and fun = boxster s

worried what people think? hope you’ve got deep pockets and short arms.
that is all. 😀

Yak! used to have an MR2 though loved that car 🙁

For Crosshire money theres a few V6 mk1 TTs floating around. A mate used to have a 225 Quattro and it was stunning. Silver with red leather interior. Not the quickest thing in the world but a whole world away from many other cars mentioned above in terms of nice places to be. Plus they have a semi decent boot and back seats…

I’d be all over one like a rash if we needed a second car.

No don’t.

MX5 Mk2 but not Mk3 though

If you ride a spesh, buy an MX5 ( and eat Vanilla Ice cream)

If you like it, do it. Who doesn’t love a square exhaust pipe?

Had the MR2 roadster when they came out back in 2000 , great fun but wont carry more than two people and two carrier bags

I had two MX5’s, rode Santa Cruz and only like Dixons ice cream 8)

MR2 is nippier but if I was buying again?

A small engine turbo-charged car imported from Japan.

NO! Surley the only real choice for a driver focused rag top is
Boxter
Z3/4
S2000

sure a few others BUT not that heap of crap

Ok. See your point. S2000.

My dad has a chrysler. Its sh!t.

Sorry Z4 isn’t in the same league as an MX5 it feels big, heavy, numb, etc in comparison. Not driven the proper fast ‘M’ version though

S2000s keep their price VERY well.

Mk1 TT hard top with a bike rack on the roof. Super cool!

VAG fanboi alert! 🙄

Boxsters are nice my missus had one, be prepared for people telling you thier Clio/GTi/s-whatever is quicker around a track.
MR2 is our current fun car, I prefer it to the MX5’s is replaced. But MX5’s deserve all the praise they get.
Z4 feels huge by comparison
Crossfire is for people who don’t really like cars or driving but want a drop top.

350/70z?

I’ve owned a Boxster, Boxster S, Z4 3.0 SE, and a Z4 M Coupe.

If you want to mince around in comfort with something that sounds great and handles superbly, a Boxster is the car for you, if you want to add speed to that, then Boxster/Cayman S is the way to go. If you want reliability, a great sound a much better interior and a fully electric roof, then get a Z4, but ditch the RFTs straight away. If you want an out and out sports car the Z4m is unbeatable for the price. The noise, the handling, the speed…it’s awesome.

Servicing for the standard Z4 is far cheaper than the Boxster/Cayman and both BMWs are immeasurably more reliable. I wouldn’t have a 986/987 Boxster/Cayman without a full manufacturers warranty. Stories of engine failures are rife, and mine needed all the coil packs replaced at 30k miles…not cheap!

Z4 is a totally different animal to a Z3.

I want a s2000. I’ve no idea why. But I do want one. It’s that or risking ‘spousal assault with a rolling pin’ by going back on my promise not to buy anymore motorbikes.

I like that Chrysler. No idea what it drives like but looks like the kind of car Batman would drive on his days off 😉