05-07-2004, 10:53 PM
I, of course, lean towards the beater convertible, which really is ok if it's an infrequently driven car. Of COURSE, I'm thinking E30. Probably a 90ish 318i with that newfangled twin cam engine. Two things I don't like about 'verts though: the complete lack of security, and troubles with the top mechanisms, cloth, plastic window, all that crap. SO I've often thought, why not find a real beat one, give up on getting the top working, maybe remove it completely, strip out the interior, put in some vinyl seats or old, uncovered race seats for max bling, remove stereo, and presto! Uber-beat but trouble free E30 convertable with self cleaning interior. For sunny weekends only.
Of course, a 318i convertable that's actually nice kind of appeals to my "not a 21 year old college guy anymore" side, so I've kicked that around too. I don't think about it that often, but on nice days down here (there are many), I'm often reminded how nice the old E30 convertables look with the top down. Very classic and fun.
On the "things to play with once Jess gets out of law school list", the MR2 Spyder is very high on my list. I've been eyeing those lately and window shopping. Prices are in the mid teens for nice used examples. Not as a daily driver, but a weekend car. And that of course includes track and auto-x duties. :wink: I think it'd be a great track car, with cage of course, a unique alternative to the miata, but still with some motorsport following and aftermarket, mid-engine perfection, sufficient power. I even really like the looks. If anyone knows a good site or sites where I can read up more on them, please share. I have trackability questions, ie, are the brakes good enough in stock form? Is the suspension any good? The struts all around make me curious. Obviously capable for auto-x from what I've seen in the hands of McGeorge, but I have never seen one on track. Are they easy to work on? Are they built for track use or do they fall apart? Sure, they're Toyotas, so I expect they're reliable, but are suspension mounts, drivetrain, and chassis ready for a pounding? Inquiring minds want to know so I can fill in the gaps in my underfunded fantasies.
Of course, the Lotus Elise is pretty much everything I could ever want. Maybe someday.... *sigh*.... but the MR2 spyder seems like 3/4ths the car for a lot less $$. Probably more realistic for me.
Of course, a 318i convertable that's actually nice kind of appeals to my "not a 21 year old college guy anymore" side, so I've kicked that around too. I don't think about it that often, but on nice days down here (there are many), I'm often reminded how nice the old E30 convertables look with the top down. Very classic and fun.
On the "things to play with once Jess gets out of law school list", the MR2 Spyder is very high on my list. I've been eyeing those lately and window shopping. Prices are in the mid teens for nice used examples. Not as a daily driver, but a weekend car. And that of course includes track and auto-x duties. :wink: I think it'd be a great track car, with cage of course, a unique alternative to the miata, but still with some motorsport following and aftermarket, mid-engine perfection, sufficient power. I even really like the looks. If anyone knows a good site or sites where I can read up more on them, please share. I have trackability questions, ie, are the brakes good enough in stock form? Is the suspension any good? The struts all around make me curious. Obviously capable for auto-x from what I've seen in the hands of McGeorge, but I have never seen one on track. Are they easy to work on? Are they built for track use or do they fall apart? Sure, they're Toyotas, so I expect they're reliable, but are suspension mounts, drivetrain, and chassis ready for a pounding? Inquiring minds want to know so I can fill in the gaps in my underfunded fantasies.
Of course, the Lotus Elise is pretty much everything I could ever want. Maybe someday.... *sigh*.... but the MR2 spyder seems like 3/4ths the car for a lot less $$. Probably more realistic for me.