Looking into a little sports car

[Brentc]

I'm thinking about getting a little convertible sports car for days when we don't feel like gearing up. Speed is of no concern, more looking for a little summer fun car. I've started looking at Triumph spitfires and Mazda Miatas, I'd like to be between 4,000 and 5,000 if possible.
Any advice, or suggestions?

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

If you really, really, really, like working on old cars yada, yada get the Triumph...... on the other hand the Miata is almost bulletproof in comparison............... Mike

[Arion]

What BlueKnight said! But, if you're set on a Triumph I have a 1974 TR-6 I'd be happy to sell you.

[canamjhb]

I had the same thoughts a while back. Have been riding Goldwings for over 30 years. Bought myself a BMW Z4. Great handling, good looking, spirited and a ton of fun. Soon found out my pockets were not deep enough to support the BMW lifestyle. Bought the Spyder and sold the Beemer. Actually got a couple of grand more for the BMW than what I paid.... As for my sunny day sports car phase..... well, I got over it. Hope you do too without too much aggravation.

[pitzerwm]

I suggest that you look at a 350Z, loved that car. As for a convertible, since I've flipped two cars where the seat belts saved my life, a convertible would have been fatal. Some people think that you won't flip/roll a convertible, you leave the highway at 75+/- you could flip anything.

Also had a Mazda RX7 that was a great car too. The Wankle engine was a bomb. The RX8 is ugly, IMO

[soaring hawk]

Miata's are great cars we're on our third one. Earlier models have flip up headlights

our second one one was a 5 speed manual we hated it sold it found a 2006 with 14k miles in perfect condition auto trans.

Gary

[UtahPete]

If you really, really, really, like working on old cars yada, yada get the Triumph...... on the other hand the Miata is almost bulletproof in comparison............... Mike

Wot 'e said

[Chupaca]

I loved my TR 3 and later TR 4.

[Fat Baxter]

Back in 2014, when I was thinking about moving off my BMW RT and on to something with 3 wheels (bad knees), I almost said "screw it" and looked at a Miata, because I still wanted a fun factor and wind in my hair. The Mazda dealer had a clean one, two years old, with less than 20,000 miles on it. It wasn't selling because some guy had bought it for his wife and ordered it with an automatic transmission. It had everything: the high-end interior, folding hard top. They wanted $22K for it, and I figured since it wasn't moving, I might be able to haggle the price down a bit.

I mentioned it to my wife, and her concern was "where are you going to park it? We already have two cars." The nugget that I was willing to get off motorcycles went clean over her head!

She thought a sidecar rig was stupid, so I wound up with a Spyder.

[cptjam]

Find a S2000 Honda. Bulletproof, great car. Mazda is very good, but it is not a Honda. If I were getting one, it would be the Honda!!

[rudym]

What BlueKnight said! But, if you're set on a Triumph I have a 1974 TR-6 I'd be happy to sell you.

Ok you got a nibble here - send me some pics, condition, price and so on to: sanctuaryinmobile@comcast.net

Meanwhile - the Mazda Miata is still the top dog convertible 2 seater according to consumer reports for like 10 plus years. but beware all rag tops will leak in bad rain.

[cmbspyderrss]

For a rear drive a Mazda Miata in your price range is the best bang for your $$ and smiles per mile. Having owned a Honda S2000 it would be nice but you would have to double your $$ or more to find a decent one. Mellow car till Vtec kicks in and then über fun letting her sing.

Dont discount Front wheel drive. A ton more options in that area.

Perfect Example

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/...268101296.html

[Bob Denman]

The Miata is the way to go. Cheap and plentiful: you'll have lots of fun kicking through all of the ones that are available.
Happy Shopping!

[Rogue Hawk]

You could look at an Mr2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_MR2

[Bob Denman]

Brent,
Personally speaking: I hope that you hit for a winning PowerBall ticket.
It'll open up the playing field a bit more for you!

Super Snake 01.jpgSuper Snake 02.jpg

[blacklightning]

I also like the 350Z convertible, but just like the Honda 2000, it will be about double the investment that you mentioned. To stay in that price range for a little convertible you will need to look at either the miata or possibly the eclipse. Both of those can be had in the price range that you mention. I looked into doing the same thing this past spring. Once I got into the miata (at 6'-2", 255), I could not move once the door was shut. The miata would be my choice if I was small enough to fit into one.

[asp125]

Don't discount the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky (and turbo versions). A friend who races Corvettes and Solstices in SCCA speaks highly of the Solstice. I've driven both the turbo and normally aspirated versions. They handle every bit as good as the Corvette on twisty tracks. Think of them as 3/4ths scale vettes.

[Bob Denman]

I've always like the looks of the Sky...
Saturn Sky.jpg
And they've been discontinued for long enough, that you should be able to find one that's cheap!

[jwulf74]

I saw a Cobra on I-90 a couple days ago.. been a long time. No idea if it was original or a kit, but still loozed awesome nonetheless.

Brent,
Personally speaking: I hope that you hit for a winning PowerBall ticket.
It'll open up the playing field a bit more for you!

Super Snake 01.jpgSuper Snake 02.jpg

[Bob Denman]

They truly are, "Too cool for School"!

[blacklightning]

I've always like the looks of the Sky...
Saturn Sky.jpg
And they've been discontinued for long enough, that you should be able to find one that's cheap!

I like those, but they fall in the same group as the 350z, they run higher than the $4-5k range that he stated in his OP.

[Joe T.]

I've always like the looks of the Sky...
Saturn Sky.jpg
And they've been discontinued for long enough, that you should be able to find one that's cheap!

More fond of the Pontiac Solstice myself.

I ALMOST bought one of these, since I knew it would be an instant collectable once Pontiac was killed:



https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...Code1=SOLSTICE

Too bad I'm so cheap - - - - -


Joe T.

[pegasus1300]

I find little sports cars are real fun to look into but not to climb into. When we first had out accident and before buying the Goldwing Trike I bought a Mustang GT convertible. Very fun car,but too hard to get in and out of. Same with Miata. I have a friend who has one,Hardtop convertible auto,so much fun,but too hard to get in and out of. Spyder on the other hand is much easier.

[Brentc]

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........

[WilderThomas]

If you really, really, really, like working on old cars yada, yada get the Triumph...... on the other hand the Miata is almost bulletproof in comparison............... Mike

Years ago my family and I were in Thompson, Michigan over the 4th of July. A young couple drove in, driving an MGA. You could sit in it, with your legs virtually resting on the floor, stretched out straight. They were on their way to Colorado University in Boulder on a fellowship. But since that day, I've always wanted a mint condition, 1980 MGB. But as nice as they are, the Miata is fairly bulletproof, in terms of soundness, and reliability. I owned a 1995 and a 2002 Miata, and would without qualms, drive the Miata across country before I would the MG.