What's a fun, cheap roadster

[misle]

I've been looking around for a fun little 2 seater convertible for a weekend car. Preferably older, cheap, and easy to work on.

I really don't know what to look for. I've been looking at MX-5's, MR-2's, etc. Older MX-5's (Miatas) seem like too much of a chick car.

I'm open to pretty much anything. What do you recommend?

 

[honkydory]

Miata. It wont cost you your man card believe it or not, and it is a fun car to drive.

 

[Malak]

S2000.

 

[angry hampster]

Triumph TR6.

 

[CurseTheSky]

I see far more guys driving Miatas (at least around here) than females.

 

[ballmode]

S2000

 

[brblx]

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
I see far more guys driving Miatas (at least around here) than females.

the stereotype is gay dudes, not chicks.

miata's really the only choice if it has to be cheap. and you're not tall. otherwise you'll have to spring for an s2000 or an older bimmer.

 

[Arkaign]

Well-kept BMW Z3s can be found for relatively cheap, and many were just used as weekenders.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

a used lotus 7

 

[CurseTheSky]

Originally posted by: brblx

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
I see far more guys driving Miatas (at least around here) than females.

the stereotype is gay dudes, not chicks.

miata's really the only choice if it has to be cheap. and you're not tall. otherwise you'll have to spring for an s2000 or an older bimmer.

Aha, didn't know that. Hey, at least there are several Miatas running around with LS1's under the hood to throw a wrench in the stereotype.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: brblx

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
I see far more guys driving Miatas (at least around here) than females.

the stereotype is gay dudes, not chicks.

miata's really the only choice if it has to be cheap. and you're not tall. otherwise you'll have to spring for an s2000 or an older bimmer.

Honestly, who gives a shit what the stereotype is...

The Miata is a fun little car. If you're so hung up on whether people think you're gay or not I suggest you just buy a Corvette...then people will just think you're a straight dude with a small cock having a mid-life crisis.

 

[brblx]

and i drive a jetta, which is stereotypically driven by females.

i didn't say i cared, i was just pointing out what it was. my experience has been that most miatas are actually driven by 30-50 year old married men.

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: brblx

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
I see far more guys driving Miatas (at least around here) than females.

the stereotype is gay dudes, not chicks.

miata's really the only choice if it has to be cheap. and you're not tall. otherwise you'll have to spring for an s2000 or an older bimmer.

Honestly, who gives a shit what the stereotype is...

The Miata is a fun little car. If you're so hung up on whether people think you're gay or not I suggest you just buy a Corvette...then people will just think you're a straight dude with a small cock having a mid-life crisis.

well played sir
:laugh:

but if you wanna beef up your miata, add a turbo, 15x8 rims and rolled out fenders.
http://media.photobucket.com/i...rCalendar/DSC00480.jpg

Or if you had an extra $10k to build up the engine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvxMSPNnzT4
I'd grow a new pair of balls if I drove that.

 

[brblx]

for well under 10k you could just drop a small block ford in it. if you go with aluminum heads and intake, i don't even think it increases the weight by much.

if i ever come across a dirt cheap miata with a blown engine, i WILL build a monster miata. i've not yet had the opportunity, but it's one of few automotive ambitions that i could actually afford.

 

[thescreensavers]

Jeremy Clarkson: "Honder S2000"

or the Miata both I hear are great.

 

[overst33r]

S2000. I've had both a 95 Miata and drive an S2000 currently. Since you can get S2000s for less than 10k now, it's really a no brainer. The miata feels like a noodle compared to the S2000.

It just depends on your budget. A good condition miata will cost you about 4-5k while a good condition S2000 will cost you about 11k. That said, I do not think the S2000 is 6000 worth of better car.

 

[Audiotherapy]

where do you find a good condition s2000 for 11k? most i've seen around that price are savaged or high miles 00'01 with plastic rear windows.

 

[exdeath]

91 MR2 Turbo. Not technically a roadster, but it's in the same class, <= $8k for a whole lot of potential. Though it doesn't meet your criteria for: convertible (it's a T top) and easy to work on (mid engine + turbo = 15 lbs in a 5 lb bag). Though there is a large aftermarket and support community.

If you are looking for something to modify and tinker with, the 3SGTE engine is several notches above what anything else in that class is packing, including the S2k (might not be high revving or as technologically advanced as far as materials and valve train go, but it has gobs of torque unlike the F20, and it can spank the F20 with a brute force approach. Additionally, parts and mods for the 5S/3S family of engines are widely available and cheap, unlike the F20.

And as a mid engine car it has a balance and handling advantage from the start.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

This is the only thing the OP should consider, everything else is crap

Link

 

[dawp]

how old would you go? I've always liked the old british sportscars such as the spitfire,tr6,tr7/8, austin-healey 3000 and the sprite, mgb, midget or even a late 60s vette, tho that ain't brit.

 

[fleabag]

Originally posted by: audiotherapy
where do you find a good condition s2000 for 11k? most i've seen around that price are savaged or high miles 00'01 with plastic rear windows.

it's funny that you mention plastic windows like a bad thing because the reason why they went from plastic to glass windows was actually to cut costs, not the other way around...

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: fleabag

Originally posted by: audiotherapy
where do you find a good condition s2000 for 11k? most i've seen around that price are savaged or high miles 00'01 with plastic rear windows.

it's funny that you mention plastic windows like a bad thing because the reason why they went from plastic to glass windows was actually to cut costs, not the other way around...

Switch from plastic to glass windows to cut cost on a $35k car...Honda's kinda dumb.

Anyway, in the Bay Area (in California), which is an expensive area, I found 2 2003 S2000's with ~80k miles for <$11k on craigslist.

A 2001-2003 Miata with ~100k miles is around $6k.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: exdeath
91 MR2 Turbo. Not technically a roadster, but it's in the same class, <= $8k for a whole lot of potential. Though it doesn't meet your criteria for: convertible (it's a T top) and easy to work on (mid engine + turbo = 15 lbs in a 5 lb bag). Though there is a large aftermarket and support community.

If you are looking for something to modify and tinker with, the 3SGTE engine is several notches above what anything else in that class is packing, including the S2k (might not be high revving or as technologically advanced as far as materials and valve train go, but it has gobs of torque unlike the F20, and it can spank the F20 with a brute force approach. Additionally, parts and mods for the 5S/3S family of engines are widely available and cheap, unlike the F20.

And as a mid engine car it has a balance and handling advantage from the start.

:thumbsup:

Plus they sound awesome.

 

[misle]

Wow, I did not expect so many replies! Thanks for the great info.

I'd say that the majority of the time I see a Miata, it has an older lady driving it, but this is Kansas City where many guys drive trucks regardless of that 30 miles commute downtown everyday.

I'll keep my eyes open for S2000's, MX-5's, and MR-2's. Who knows, I may run across a cool older roadster as well.

 

[VinylxScratches]

Porsche 914