View Poll Results: Weekend vert?
Elise
14
27.45%
MR2
3
5.88%
AMG
16
31.37%
Other - post your suggestions
18
35.29%
Voters: 51. You may not vote on this poll
Weekend warrior convertible under 30k???
12-30-2010, 10:28 AM
#1
Weekend warrior convertible under 30k???
i have been toying around the idea of getting a toy... looking online and getting an itch, i have a few picked out...
which would you pick based on styling, bang for your buck, and an occasional sprint or two with the go fast pedal down... obviously they would all be used and preferably $25k or under but can push 30k if i really needed to and found a nice low mileage one...
1.) 05 Elise - pushing the budget
2.) MR2 Spyder - cheapest and can be made fast with engine swap
3.) SLK32 AMG / or higher mileage 55 AMG - scared of potential future maintenance costs and also on higher side of the budget (i had bad experiences with MBs in past)
no whiskers option since this isn't Ramblings...
which would you pick based on styling, bang for your buck, and an occasional sprint or two with the go fast pedal down... obviously they would all be used and preferably $25k or under but can push 30k if i really needed to and found a nice low mileage one...
1.) 05 Elise - pushing the budget
2.) MR2 Spyder - cheapest and can be made fast with engine swap
3.) SLK32 AMG / or higher mileage 55 AMG - scared of potential future maintenance costs and also on higher side of the budget (i had bad experiences with MBs in past)
no whiskers option since this isn't Ramblings...
12-30-2010, 11:00 AM
#6
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I would vote the Miata Mx-5 as well. Awesome cars for the money, one of the tightest handling convertibles on the road and is a constant winner of "funnest car to drive". Also come in a power hard top that doesn't sacrifice any trunk space compared to the non power soft top. Do the research, you'll be surprised...
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12-30-2010, 11:25 AM
#8
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You can find a 2010 Grand Touring which is top of the line with the exception of the Power retractable hard top in a 6spd for about $23-24K. That leaves plenty of $$$ to add the appearance package which is basically a lip kit but looks nice. The reason they're so much cheaper than the 2011's is because of the $3500 rebate. So if you can find 2010's I would jump on it.
Same version of the 2011's runs about $28K.
The reason I know so much about them is because I used to sell Mazda's. By saying that some might think my opinion is biased but it's just based on experience and pure facts. Test drive one and you'll love it. Dont know too many that haven't.
Last edited by Derk's K24; 12-30-2010 at 11:37 AM.
12-30-2010, 11:40 AM
#10
My first Avatar....
12-30-2010, 11:51 AM
#12
My first Avatar....
I've never really investigated them before, so I'm not familiar with their trim levels and pricing. All models run the same engine, correct?
12-30-2010, 12:10 PM
#14
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S2k 
12-30-2010, 12:30 PM
#15
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Yeah all the engines are the same but if memory serves me right the lowest trim level(sport) is a 5speed manual and the others are a 6speed manual. Suspension setup also changes when u get to the higher trim levels.
12-30-2010, 12:40 PM
#16
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x 3. Great car to start, and lots of mods are available for every generation if one is so inclined.There are actually two engine outputs, one for the manual and one for the automatic trans. Fortunately, you can just get a manual trans MX5/Miata and it comes with the higher output; the auto comes with the lower-power engine.
12-30-2010, 12:48 PM
#17
I drive a '99 SLK 230 (R170)
nothing like the top up... very quiet for a vert...
nothing like the top down so you can hear the supercharger!
I bought mine from my FIL and have zero regrets... I have spent about $300 bucks on the car (mostly cosmetics) and I have owned it almost a year...
go to slkworld.com
I am a member there... surf around and see what you think... I cannot think of any major problems anyone has had with an AMG SLK and that gang is truly an international bunch...
nothing like the top up... very quiet for a vert...
nothing like the top down so you can hear the supercharger!
I bought mine from my FIL and have zero regrets... I have spent about $300 bucks on the car (mostly cosmetics) and I have owned it almost a year...
go to slkworld.com
I am a member there... surf around and see what you think... I cannot think of any major problems anyone has had with an AMG SLK and that gang is truly an international bunch...
12-30-2010, 01:02 PM
#19
Not Registered
2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
$25,999
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
2005 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
$25,995
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
$25,999
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
2005 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
$25,995
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
12-30-2010, 01:05 PM
#21
i would prefer the car to be a MT... and my wife will drive it to, so i would want it to be easy to drive...
i would only settle on an AT if there wasn't a MT option like in the AMGs...
rick - i am a member of mbworld and looked around there... ill check out slk site you mentioned...
i would only settle on an AT if there wasn't a MT option like in the AMGs...
rick - i am a member of mbworld and looked around there... ill check out slk site you mentioned...
12-30-2010, 01:10 PM
#24
This car is no longer listed for sale.
The seller has removed this ad from the site. Keep searching! We update our listings constantly, so we're sure you'll find similar cars.
2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
$25,999
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
2005 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
$25,995
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
$25,999
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
2005 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
$25,995
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
i'm sure the lady would get a kick driving that car around and pulling up next to guys in a Z06...
12-30-2010, 01:38 PM
#25
Not Registered
Just throwing out some options you didn't list.
2006 BMW M3 Convertible
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
2005 Lotus Elise (you listed as your top pic, their not that badly priced)
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
2006 BMW M3 Convertible
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
2005 Lotus Elise (you listed as your top pic, their not that badly priced)
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
2010 MINI Cooper S Convertible
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
12-30-2010, 01:40 PM
#26
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+1 for S2000
You can grab a clean, low mileage one in the teens.
You can grab a clean, low mileage one in the teens.
12-30-2010, 02:32 PM
#29
Senior Moderator
S2000.
If you want torque, C5 or C6 Corvette.
Both are very reliable and the S2000 is super-easy to drive for your wife.
If you want torque, C5 or C6 Corvette.
Both are very reliable and the S2000 is super-easy to drive for your wife.
Last edited by neuronbob; 12-30-2010 at 02:36 PM.
12-30-2010, 02:49 PM
#30
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Seriously though, I cant believe noone voted for the MR2. Much more fun to drive than an S2000 or Miata. Sky Redline is also supposed to be pretty fast.
I would probably pick S2000 anyway because of the way it looks with the Spoon hardtop. Reminds me of a Z4 coupe
I would probably pick S2000 anyway because of the way it looks with the Spoon hardtop. Reminds me of a Z4 coupe
Last edited by ghttf; 12-30-2010 at 02:58 PM.
12-30-2010, 03:28 PM
#33
i would prefer the car to be a MT... and my wife will drive it to, so i would want it to be easy to drive...
i would only settle on an AT if there wasn't a MT option like in the AMGs...
rick - i am a member of mbworld and looked around there... ill check out slk site you mentioned...
i would only settle on an AT if there wasn't a MT option like in the AMGs...
rick - i am a member of mbworld and looked around there... ill check out slk site you mentioned...
the slk site is really nice b/c that is the emphasis... almost only r170 and r171's are discussed ( and of course the soon to be, r172).
12-30-2010, 05:32 PM
#35
'08 MX5 GT 6spd.
MX5 hands down.
You can get a brand new one for under $30k, with all the options....and there are a lot of options.
Im biased, but near 40mpg on the freeway and about $20 to fill up with ZERO issues from 65,000 miles of tracking and spirited drives...I can't preach more about it.
You can get a brand new one for under $30k, with all the options....and there are a lot of options.
Im biased, but near 40mpg on the freeway and about $20 to fill up with ZERO issues from 65,000 miles of tracking and spirited drives...I can't preach more about it.
12-30-2010, 06:35 PM
#36
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12-30-2010, 07:33 PM
#37
My first Avatar....
06 Boxter S $29,850 47Kmiles
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
07 Vette $33,684 27K miles
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
07 Vette $33,684 27K miles
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
12-30-2010, 08:43 PM
#40
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I think the best thing to do would start with a good-handling car, then modify it for power. You get better bang-for-your-buck, and you get more intimate with the car, and make it truly yours.
For that reason, my bet would be AP1 S2k, Miata, or MR2 (mid 90s). Those cars can be had for quite cheap, are all great-handling cars, and they leave plenty of extra cash to go fast with either some form of boost or a swap.
If not any of those, I'd get an Elise just for the bling factor. I think you'd be pushing the budget with a Corvette, and wouldn't have as good a car as the previous cars modified. My
I like the Boxster S idea too, but I don't know how much time you're willing to spend with it in the shop.
Audi TT, Crossfire, Mustang GT, 1-series/E46 M3. I wouldn't recommend them, but just tossing it out there in case they're your kinda thing.
Two cars I think you should seriously consider are the Solstice GXP/Sky Redline. I don't know how much used ones go for, but they're relatively new, pretty rare, and look nice. Give them a test drive.
For that reason, my bet would be AP1 S2k, Miata, or MR2 (mid 90s). Those cars can be had for quite cheap, are all great-handling cars, and they leave plenty of extra cash to go fast with either some form of boost or a swap.
If not any of those, I'd get an Elise just for the bling factor. I think you'd be pushing the budget with a Corvette, and wouldn't have as good a car as the previous cars modified. My
I like the Boxster S idea too, but I don't know how much time you're willing to spend with it in the shop.
Audi TT, Crossfire, Mustang GT, 1-series/E46 M3. I wouldn't recommend them, but just tossing it out there in case they're your kinda thing.
Two cars I think you should seriously consider are the Solstice GXP/Sky Redline. I don't know how much used ones go for, but they're relatively new, pretty rare, and look nice. Give them a test drive.