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?
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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 todayAs 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 - MemberOP 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 [b]wet themselves over them [/b]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 😉
Don't get the desire to own a drop top in the uk whatsoever, id be after a coupe all day long... 🙂
My current boss has one, apparently it's fun to drive but fuel hungry, and its last service cost 2.5k as it had killed its catalytic converter and there were some engine issues, according the main dealer he uses this isn't unusual!
Something to bear in mind
If I was buying a small 2-seater American soft-top, I wouldn't be able to look past the Pontiac Soltice. Gorgeous cars, and rare as rocking horse poo.
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RX-8? Was looking at cars recently and couldn't believe how cheap they were. About 15mpg though 😉
Vx220 or wasp Elise? Might be out of price range though
Good god man, just NO.
Pointless bit of badge engineering that is worse than the SLK it was based on.
If you want something interesting to look at and a nice place to sit in then a TT would be a good start. Lovely interiors that do feel special. Poo if you are looking for a truly entertaining driv though.
MX5 are just great cars but interiors are not that special though I was always smiling when I drove ours.
MR2 just too compromised on space for us as was a daily driver but fun and from memory a nicer interior.
Porsche Boxster would be nice but can imagine expensive to service and maintain even on low mileage.
No idea re S2000 but reputation is good.
If soft top is not essential then could look at VW Sirrocco or Mitsubishi FTO as alternatives.
Ive had an Elise, wouldnt have another. Very crude engineering and very expensive for fixing too and a dog to work on. VX is probably the same althought panels are next to unavailable now.
Caterham Seven.
S2000, now lock this thread 😆
I'd b very reluctant to bu another American car.