What sporty convertable to buy?

haggis catcher · Post by **haggis catcher** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 3:32 pm

Having two cars sat in the garage not getting used seems perhaps to be a waste of good money. I am considering selling the SAAB Convertible and the S1 Elise, and only having one car. I will be looking for a sporty practical convertable and not really sure what will do the job. Can I ask if anyone else has moved on from the Elise, and what they bought? Does anyone have a Z4,SLK, or a Boxter? Is there also any cars to avoid?

Post by **Shug** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 3:40 pm

Remember what you told me when I sold the S1?

In reality, as a road car, Elaine's 111R with the supercharger does everything. Comfy enough to do journeys, sporty enough to track. However, it depends what your good lady thinks of the Lotus experience...

Potentially Boxter would be a good buy, if you can get one in budget, that's not a shed - seems quite a few on here have moved in that direction and not regretted for a minute.

Doc883 · Post by **Doc883** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 3:42 pm

haggis catcher wrote:Having two cars sat in the garage not getting used seems perhaps to be a waste of good money. I am considering selling the SAAB Convertible and the S1 Elise, and only having one car. I will be looking for a sporty practical convertable and not really sure what will do the job. Can I ask if anyone else has moved on from the Elise, and what they bought? Does anyone have a Z4,SLK, or a Boxter? Is there also any cars to avoid?

I'd be looking at a Boxster S personally

j2 lot · Post by **j2 lot** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 3:42 pm

That age old chestnut - one car to do it all

Although your criteria does seem fairly straightforward - 1 convertible to replace 2

Broon · Post by **Broon** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 5:25 pm

I was in exactly the same position myself recently. It's a difficult decision. Options I looked at and test drove were :
Merc SL 63 - bonkers
Porsche spyder
Audi s5
All good but the Audi was the better option due to space, performance, 4 wd compromise

Ultimately I ended up keeping the Volvo and buying a caterham !!

haggis catcher · Post by **haggis catcher** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 9:34 pm

I had a look at a Z4 on my way home tonight. Sorry Z4 owners, but inside is

Shug Remind me what I said ?

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 9:50 pm

Boxster is a very good option! Just ask Mr Boag.

douglasgdmw · Post by **douglasgdmw** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 10:51 pm

Agree with a Boxster as it ticks all the boxes.

Sounding like a broken record but if you can get a Spyder, with the limited production run the residuals should be better than a Boxster and are practical except for the soft top being more S1 Elise like. Also being a little bit lighter and with more hp should be a tad quicker but still have the practicalities of the front/rear boot of the Boxster S.

Chris was thinking of selling his but don't know whether he has decided to keep his. However one bit of advice is to go for a paired down Spyder (less is more ethos) as they are likely to keep their value better than one with all the Porsche trinkets of air on, cruise etc (which if that's your bag then a Boxster S is more suited)

We love the Spyder as it does all things we want from tootling around to having great fun on the back roads.

George

Ps may be selling the 964 Targa if you want to go down an older vehicle route?

renmure · Post by **renmure** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 10:52 pm

Just get an MX5 and be done with it.

ClarkyBoy · Post by **ClarkyBoy** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 11:00 pm

z4m with brushed steel trim... whats not to like?

2006 Z4M Roadster Interior by DavidKillion, on Flickr

BMW Z4M Coupe Interior by iDavid27, on Flickr

Claws · Post by **Claws** » Thu Aug 22, 2013 1:16 am

E46 M3

Post by **Shug** » Thu Aug 22, 2013 8:50 am

haggis catcher wrote: Shug Remind me what I said ?

Something along the lines of "NOOOOOOOO, don't do it! The S1 is the one to keep"

j2 lot · Post by **j2 lot** » Thu Aug 22, 2013 9:29 am

ClarkyBoy wrote:z4m with brushed steel trim... whats not to like?

Unbroken expanses of brushed steel trim

philthy · Post by **philthy** » Thu Aug 22, 2013 11:52 am

SLK55 would be a good shout if you don't mind an auto box.

Money would be fairly safe in it too, can buy a nice early one for 14-15k easily

flyingscot68 · Post by **flyingscot68** » Thu Aug 22, 2013 2:51 pm

I had a SLK350 with the six speed manual for nearly five years.
It was a great car, couldn't fault it.
The new one is more powerful and great on fuel too.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

Scottish Elises