Looking into a little sports car

[Bob Denman]

Thanks for the advice, I'm thinking I'm on the right track with my two initial choices. I do need to take some test drives though. I'm not sure I want to be bothered with shifting and am leaning towards an automatic. I like the Miata and Spitfire, as they both would fit in the Spyder trailer I already have in case we wanted to travel with it..

So I guess the search begins........

Happy hunting; let us know what you find!

[zuni]

Over the years I have had a few. 1972 Triumph TR6, 1979 Mazda RX7, Fiat X 1/9, and 1997 BMW Z3. Drove a early Miata for a bit that belonged to a friend that had a 6 month contract overseas. All were a blast to drive and fairly easy to maintain. Handling on newer tends to be a bit more precise. I loved my Z3 with the inline 6 but for power to weight and front to rear balance the Miata is number one.

CJ Jax

[Rogue Hawk]

I wish there was an affordable, modern mid engine car. I had a 87' MR2. The engine would howl right behind you head. It was great. Here is an example. Mine was red.

[Bob Denman]

The Fiero wasn't nearly as refined...

pontiac fiero.jpg

But they sure looked great in RED!

[cmbspyderrss]

The Fiero wasn't nearly as refined...

pontiac fiero.jpg

But they sure looked great in RED!

I really liked the look of the GT but it was as reliable as trying to wipe your stubble face with a wet tissue. Even the pee wee V6 was a turd and Citation suspension. Too bad cause it Looked great.

[kngfsh27]

Have you looked at Audi or Nissan?

[Brentc]

Have you looked at Audi or Nissan?

Im leaning more and more towards the Mazda Miata. Seem to be plentiful selection and I like the style. Parts should be readily available, and the price range is anywhere from 2-32k. So I'm only limited by budget. I'm thinking right now to save up through the winter and see what the 6-7k market looks like.

[JerryB]

Hi Rogue Hawk,

Re: I had a 87' MR2. Mine was red.



I had a '86 MR-2; in white. That was a fun car,

Jerry Baumchen

PS) The one in this photo has a T-top, mine had a sunroof; much better.

[Bob Denman]

Im leaning more and more towards the Mazda Miata. Seem to be plentiful selection and I like the style. Parts should be readily available, and the price range is anywhere from 2-32k. So I'm only limited by budget. I'm thinking right now to save up through the winter and see what the 6-7k market looks like.

Hi Brent!
They're a good choice... IF you've got enough room in them!
Are you able to get into one, and have enough room for your legs?

[cognaccruiser]

The Miata is a nice little car but have you and your significant other (assuming you have one) sat in one? We considered one back in 2007 and found that my 5'3" wife had very limited space to stretch out her legs with the way the dash came down in her foot well. We wanted to be able to do some longer trips and that was a problem with the limited space. The trunk was also quite small for anything longer than a short trip.
We ended up with a Z4. We kept it 6 years plus a little. It was great but the cost of operating a BMW after the warranty was up scared the **** out of us.
Also I really liked the Honda S2000 but again the comfort for the passenger is less than great. Really a drivers car.

We also decided that a small convertible was nice but could never duplicate the feeling of a bike or trike.

Gary

[Brentc]

Gary, and Bob, your both solid on your advice. I did test fit a 2017 last week and was actually surprised that my 6'2" self fit in quite well. I do see what you mean about not being able to stretch out. That was one of the reasons I am leaning towards the Miata actually. It will fit in my enclosed trailer and we can tow it on long trips and would plan to use it more as an around town type vehicle when we don't want to take Spyder.

The Miata is a nice little car but have you and your significant other (assuming you have one) sat in one? We considered one back in 2007 and found that my 5'3" wife had very limited space to stretch out her legs with the way the dash came down in her foot well. We wanted to be able to do some longer trips and that was a problem with the limited space. The trunk was also quite small for anything longer than a short trip.
We ended up with a Z4. We kept it 6 years plus a little. It was great but the cost of operating a BMW after the warranty was up scared the **** out of us.
Also I really liked the Honda S2000 but again the comfort for the passenger is less than great. Really a drivers car.

We also decided that a small convertible was nice but could never duplicate the feeling of a bike or trike.

Gary

[blacklightning]

This is the one convertible that I truly wish I had kept. The sound of that s/c winding up was music to my ears. This is a photo taken at VIR doing some charity laps for Toys for Tots.

test.jpg

[asp125]

Not a sports car per se, but I don't have to shoehorn myself into it like I did with my 91 Miata.
audicab.jpg

[granpa in Cincy]

Not a sports car per se, but I don't have to shoehorn myself into it like I did with my 91 Miata.
audicab.jpg

Mine is white.

[Bob Denman]

Shaguar.jpg
The British DO know how to build a really beautiful sports car!

[classicvw]

Shaguar.jpg
The British DO know how to build a really beautiful sports car!

Agree, but generally high maintenance!

[Bob Denman]

If it's a "Toad" that you want :

Toad.jpg

Not pretty, but compact, low maintenance, and cheap to keep!

[cmbspyderrss]

This is the one convertible that I truly wish I had kept. The sound of that s/c winding up was music to my ears. This is a photo taken at VIR doing some charity laps for Toys for Tots.

Love the Terminators. I needed a DD in 03' and was looking at the Cobra and a SVT Focus. I test drove the Cobra and glad i chose the Focus otherwise i would be 6ft under right now or still walking to work. An unGDly amount of power and pure addiction. Should have got that and a 500cc motorbike with the resale values now. Live and learn i guess.

[Cavman]

Have you looked at some pre-owned Subaru WRX with a sun/moon roof? They will scoot right along.