preference in convertibles

[Maengelito]

Since school is winding down and this board wont be as active as it used to be, I thought I'd start a discussion to keep your minds stimulated.

i think the old school true definition of "sports car" is a RWD 2 door convertible. so if you wanted a convertible, what kind would you get? i've broken them down into the following categories that i made up on my own with a few examples. feel free to throw in more suggestions

econo-roadster - miata, mr2

old school roadster - fiats, sunbeams

luxury - boxster, Z3/Z4/M3 convertible, MBZ SLK or SL's, those volvo convertibles that i dont know the alphanumeric name for

beater roadster - E30 convertible, FC rx-7 convertibles

uhhh, regular roadster - audi TT/beetle, mustang convertible, S2000

as for me, I really would consider getting an old school convertible because they're dirt cheap (well, most of them) and I wouldnt drive it much except on nice days (so if it breaks down a lot, it wouldnt put me out of a car on days i wanna drive it) i also think having an s2k would be nice because i'm a ricer at heart and i'd like to rev to 9k without owning a motorcycle. (having a motorcycle would be nice too)

[.RJ]

Triumph TR3/TR4, MGA/MGB?

I think they'd be neat to own... provided I had a place to work on them, since they have a propensity to be perpetually busted.

[.RJ]

Bikes are cooler anyways

Mmm... CBR... fuck. I've got the disease.

[Kaan]

you've got ricer, b00st root, and biker boy ... damn you are all f-ed up!

[Maengelito]

I've got the disease.

yeah, evan's mom has been passing that around.

[Mike]

mr2 turbo

[Feersty]

The Volvo is, the C70. As for me I love that old school Infiniti convertible, M20, it was featured in Three Kings.

[KPWSerpiente]

mr2 turbo

-T

[REED]

911 turbo cabriolet.......

[Ryan T]

Corvette...

[BLINGMW]

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.

[Evan]

MR2 Turbo is not a convertible.


Miata > *

[Kaan]

call me what you want (loyalist, ricer, dumbass)... but i'm down with the S2k. i cant stand the look of the Z cars. The performance and style of the S2k is what takes the cake. although an older british racing green MGB would kinda be fun

[G.Irish]

As convertibles go I prefer roadsters. The roadster that I'd be most likely to buy is an S2000 but some fantasy roadsters would be:

-Turbocharged miata with a few cosmetic mods to make it a little more manly
-a nicely restored MGB or even, an S800
-Ferrari 360 Spider (okay its not really a roadster but its so sexy)

[Dave]

i'd definitely have to agree with G. A b00sted miata with something to make it look more aggressive would be hot.
S2000 ranks high with me, except for the cramped compartment and tiny seat. When I test drove one, my biggest complaint was the little seat.

I prefer to stick to stuff that I can get a hard-top for, or as some of you may have figured out, targa tops rank way up there with me as well.

[KPWSerpiente]

Miata > *

Good call Evan. By the way, that skirt you were wearing yesterday was pretty hot.

-T

And since the topic is convertibles and that does indeed leave the mr2 turbo out, I'd have to go with a S2000.

[Chris]

Boxster S hands down. Its more fun than you think and has 2 very usable trunks. Seats are the only complaint for me, and I'd opt for the 18" wheels for more tire

[Evan]

Miata > *

Good call Evan. By the way, that skirt you were wearing yesterday was pretty hot.

lol!

look at these girly men!


sissies I tell you!


real men drag race!


I wonder if he just wet his skirt?


everyone knows that driving in a straight line for 15 seconds is what real men do!

thanks Travis, for yet again showing how clueless you are.

so when are you going to bring that fwd pile to a real racetrack?

[Kaan]

Spoon colored miatas... sweetness!

[.RJ]

fucking ricer