*NA* Roadster recommendations

I have a 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i. I get 28ish MPG on my commuting cycle (combination city/highway) on 91. Very fun to drive. I test drove a Z3 and found I liked the Z4 a lot better, mostly due to the fact it was quieter and had a nicer interior (I like the exterior of the Z4 better).

I test drove a Boxster and didn't much care for it. I found it louder than I was looking for (wind noise, not engine noise). While fun to drive, the maintenance on it is also a pain. The Z4 is easy to work on, when it needs work (which so far has been rarely).

I'd give the BMWs a strong look.
 
Hank S said:
Here's what you need. The good engine was made up through 1994, the same year that a "decorative" backseat was added "for insurance purposes." Mine has the original V-12, no back seat, and with the top down will carry luggage for my wife for a week. In fact, we took it on our honeymoon.

It's fun, acceleration is good on the road but not so much from a standing start. I get 17-18 mpg on Super when traveling, 12-13 around town. There's not a hill in western NC, east Tenn or WV that she won't go up at or above the speed limit. People in the next lane talk to me at red lights, asking about the car. Power everything, ABS, airbags, safety galore.

Pedal to the floor, she does 50 in 1st gear. Press it hard, she won't shift until 62. Two doors, two seats, two air bags and two AC compressors. The Brits can make good cars when they really want to. Just like a plane, though, you gotta know that you're buying a good one; I just got lucky. Run away from one with a Chevy V-8!!
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I've spent more time under the bonnet of an XJ-S than I care to admit, having worked on them professionally and owned 6 of them. The V12 is a magnificent engine, but it is not easy to work on. You do get used to it. It does not get good mileage. The best thing you can do with the TH400 or 4L80E is relocate it to the dumpster and put in a Tremec TKO. In roadster form, it has the structural rigidity of a wet noodle.

I had a lot of fun with them, but there's a reason I didn't buy another one. Well, actually there are many reasons.
 
Decide on your drive/fix ratio. If it's higher than 20/1, get the Honda S2000 or the Mazda Miata. I've had the Mazda for a short time, good car and easy to fix. Honda will require some whining in the gears to make it really go.

If you go for the Boxster, make SURE that the IMS bearing has been upgraded, and the main seal is not leaking. There were also issues with some other parts of the engine, but don't want to belabor it.

For a few more bucks, I would move up into the Porsche 996 Carerra cabrio. Gobs of power, can get auto or 6 sp, and light years beyond the Boxster.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/ctd/5116686565.html

Just up the road from you. Again, you MUST insure the IMS bearing is upgraded. If not, budget $1200 for the job at an indy repair place and drive in comfort.

Higher mileage, but looks well kept.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/ctd/5097027217.html

I'd go for this way before the Boxster or Boxster S. Some come with AWD as well as auto.
 
As an outlier I'll post this. For the last 10 years I have been driving this-

Solstice%20Front_zps8gpwyqzk.jpg


These are the pictures taken the day I brought it home from the dealership with 36 miles on it. Here's the back side-

Solstice%20Back_zpselvgvprr.jpg


Some will tell you this is the worst car ever built. Mine is car 51, meaning the 51st one to roll off the line and I'm still driving it as a daily driver with no serious issues at all. I'm here to tell you it's not the horror story some will tell you.

It is not perfect and has some minor, annoying issues, but the GXP version (factory twin scroll turbo) will beat a Porsche Boxster, a Nissan 350Z, a Honda S-2000, any factory Miata or an Audi TT on the track. However, I understand that many don't actually want just performance when they buy a sports car, they also want prestige and brand recognition. Buying GM is poison to many. So I'm just throwing it out there.

The only new car (within reason) I personally would trade this car for is a 2015 C7 Corvette drop top. However I'm can't spend $65,000 on a car. So likely I will drive it another ten years I guess. The auto industry is not exactly wowing me right now.

It should be pointed out that there is are several awesome V8 conversions using the LS series engines for my car that turn it into a monster. Google Mallet V8 Solstice for one of them.
 
Wow, the price on that Solstice has really gone in the tank. Last time I looked they were all well over $20k. At under $15k for a low mileage turbo that's a ton of perf and pretty decent styling(except for the int which is basic Pontiac plastic crap).
 
I always thought the Sky/Solstice platform was a pretty decent one.
 
docmirror said:
Wow, the price on that Solstice has really gone in the tank. Last time I looked they were all well over $20k. At under $15k for a low mileage turbo that's a ton of perf and pretty decent styling(except for the int which is basic Pontiac plastic crap).
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That's what happens when your name plate goes extinct. Buyers get unfounded fears.
 
The Porsche will get you more attention, the S2000 has more speed, but the Miata is stone simple and a perfect toy - light, quick, cheap. Everything else listed here has the potential to become a monkey on your back. It's also the best car in the list with which to learn performance driving IMO - well balanced and won't bite you too hard; I can't say the same for the Honda (I've tracked both).
 
If I was going to buy a roadster to really have fun with, I would buy a Miata on the track. There is a very large (and several other) league to race these in, they are also a 'showcase' league for talent to move up from. The Miata for a race car is a hell of a lot more fun than a Miata as a street car. On the track you really get to let it hang out and that's where a Miata shines hard for the money. You can probably get a car and trailer along with spares for the $15k already set up to race from a guy moving up.
 
silver-eagle said:
On the other hand, they did have the Fiero. Lots of people ducked that one too.
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Fiero was a good car. The V-6 would plow turns, but a turbo on the Iron Duke with the mod head, and the 4cyl was a hot little machine. The Fiero was the proof of concept car for the entire Saturn lineage.

I always wanted to put a Cosworth Vega engine in a Fiero.
 
Henning said:
I always thought the Sky/Solstice platform was a pretty decent one.
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They are. The Kappa platform has very good 51/49 weight distribution and is very stiff. The handling and chassis was set up by the folks that did the Corvette C6, so it is very competitive. On the down side is, the chassis is made of steel for economies sake and pretty heavy. On the up side it is very stiff (zero cowl flex) and can easily handle lots of HP. People building 400-600 HP Solstices with either the LS V8, or with forced induction is common and nobody has to do anything to strengthen the chassis. It is indeed competitive on the track.

If anybody is interested in the Solstice, or Sky, there are lots of clubs and forums and after market mods. If you just want a stock one, go for the GXP/Redline versions with the 260 HP turbo. You won't be disappointed with performance. The base 177 HP model is on par with the Miata and a little slow.
 
Henning said:
If I was going to buy a roadster to really have fun with, I would buy a Miata on the track. There is a very large (and several other) league to race these in, they are also a 'showcase' league for talent to move up from. The Miata for a race car is a hell of a lot more fun than a Miata as a street car. On the track you really get to let it hang out and that's where a Miata shines hard for the money. You can probably get a car and trailer along with spares for the $15k already set up to race from a guy moving up.
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Yep. Miata racing is pretty neat because they have their own sort of "formula" class. It keeps costs down and makes it more driver against driver instead of money against money. Like you said, it's easy to get into and you can buy already prepared cars.
 
Dav8or said:
They are. The Kappa platform has very good 51/49 weight distribution and is very stiff. The handling and chassis was set up by the folks that did the Corvette C6, so it is very competitive. On the down side is, the chassis is made of steel for economies sake and pretty heavy. On the up side it is very stiff (zero cowl flex) and can easily handle lots of HP. People building 400-600 HP Solstices with either the LS V8, or with forced induction is common and nobody has to do anything to strengthen the chassis. It is indeed competitive on the track.

If anybody is interested in the Solstice, or Sky, there are lots of clubs and forums and after market mods. If you just want a stock one, go for the GXP/Redline versions with the 260 HP turbo. You won't be disappointed with performance. The base 177 HP model is on par with the Miata and a little slow.
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Yeah, playing with that kind of horsepower league though and you're now talking I can choose an airplane instead though.:lol: I wouldn't mind a 260 turbo Solstice or Sky though to have as a daily driver. It doesn't take much to make the stock engine take it. The bottom ends are pretty strong.

Is the racing league as big as for the Miata?
 
Henning said:
Fiero was a good car. The V-6 would plow turns, but a turbo on the Iron Duke with the mod head, and the 4cyl was a hot little machine. The Fiero was the proof of concept car for the entire Saturn lineage.

I always wanted to put a Cosworth Vega engine in a Fiero.
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Better choices now. The current GM Ecotec four bangers blow the Cosworth engine away. They have a very robust bottom end and can easily handle a lot of boost without any internal mods necessary, plus you get electronic direct injection.
 
Henning said:
Yeah, playing with that kind of horsepower league though and you're now talking I can choose an airplane instead though.:lol: I wouldn't mind a 260 turbo Solstice or Sky though to have as a daily driver. It doesn't take much to make the stock engine take it. The bottom ends are pretty strong.

Is the racing league as big as for the Miata?
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I don't think they have their own league like Miata. They have to race with everybody else and from what I've read, can hold their own just fine.
 
masloki said:
Oops, forgot one.
Porsche Boxster - 2002-2008 (check other forums for exact years) had some issues with engines grenading and getting no support from the mothership.
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Ah, the old intermediate shaft bearing issue. Way overblown, according to my research. Tended to happen in cars driven with the car in too high a gear.

I love my Boxster. Reliable. Fun. The right combination of form and function. And did I say reliable? Mine is now 13 years old and looks and runs like new. I actually like the older ones cuz they're not all dripping with touchscreens and gimmicks like the new ones are.
 
Dav8or said:
Better choices now. The current GM Ecotec four bangers blow the Cosworth engine away. They have a very robust bottom end and can easily handle a lot of boost without any internal mods necessary, plus you get electronic direct injection.
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Oh, for sure, but it doesn't have a valve cover that says Cosworth in raised aluminum fins.;):lol: I had a 75 CV, $700 across the auction. People saw Vega and ignored it. That was a $4000 find for the lot.
 
Tom-D said:
There hasn't been a late model factory built car that can compare with owning and driving this.

http://bellingham.craigslist.org/cto/5113220515.html
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True. However those are fair weather, short distance drivers. They are more about attracting attention to yourself and polishing than anything else. They are not practical cars, just toys to play with and there is nothing wrong with that at all in my book.

Here is a practical daily driver that can give you a similar "breaking the law go cart in the street" driving experience for a fraction the cost-

0207vwt_01zoom%2BMeyers_Manx%2BFront_Driver_Side%20(1).jpg
 
I lived in San Diego for years and drove an early 90's Miata. Great fun for the windy coast road up near Carlsbad, and had some fun driving out into the desert after sunset.

I never liked the v-8 conversion, too much for that size car. I'd go for a V-6 if you must, and really prefer just the add-ons for the four. (I really liked the Mazda Speed version)

Bolt on a few nice suspension parts and your good to go.

Only issue is if you're tall, 6' is about the limit, depending on torso size. The window frame starts to get in the way at that point.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
I've spent more time under the bonnet of an XJ-S than I care to admit, having worked on them professionally and owned 6 of them. The V12 is a magnificent engine, but it is not easy to work on. You do get used to it. It does not get good mileage. The best thing you can do with the TH400 or 4L80E is relocate it to the dumpster and put in a Tremec TKO. In roadster form, it has the structural rigidity of a wet noodle.

I had a lot of fun with them, but there's a reason I didn't buy another one. Well, actually there are many reasons.
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Agreed. The MIL has a nice XJS sitting in a barn in almost new condition (visually), but the vehicle is a mechanics nightmare and parts aren't particularly cheap. However, when running they are a wonderful car to drive.
 
Had a lot of fun in this one, but they're pretty heavy. Loved the way it handled and ran, though.
IMG_0740.jpg
 
docmirror said:
www.imsporschesettlement.com/
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That is a link farm, but you can read about the class action suit on TTAC


  • Cars through 2001-2005 are covered.
  • But if they were put in service more than 10 years or 130,000 miles ago, they’re not covered. So unless you bought your 2001 Boxster as a four-year-old dealership dust bunny, you can go directly to hell.
  • If you bought it used and failed to pay for a Porsche warranty, you are not covered.
  • The amount of financial assistance from Porsche is limited and may amount to less than half of the actual costs.
  • All the usual Porsche warranty exclusions apply as well.
 
masloki said:
That is a link farm, but you can read about the class action suit on TTAC


  • Cars through 2001-2005 are covered.
  • But if they were put in service more than 10 years or 130,000 miles ago, they’re not covered. So unless you bought your 2001 Boxster as a four-year-old dealership dust bunny, you can go directly to hell.
  • If you bought it used and failed to pay for a Porsche warranty, you are not covered.
  • The amount of financial assistance from Porsche is limited and may amount to less than half of the actual costs.
  • All the usual Porsche warranty exclusions apply as well.
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Trust me, I know all this. Had one of them. The fact is, IMS failures are happening all the time. It's a little time bomb back there, unless remediation steps are taken. Porsche has effectively washed it's hands of the problem now, but that doesn't mean someone isn't stuck with a mule every week of the year when it grenades.
 
FastEddieB said:
I actually owned a Monster Miata with a Ford 5.0 V8.

It was a hoot!
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Here is one of the Solstice V8 conversions available-

p9090002-500x375.jpg


It's a pretty simple kit you can do yourself and accepts any of the Chevy LS engines. It is a big project though. They say it only adds less than 200 pounds over stock and handles better. I have not driven one to confirm that though. The Mallet folks offer a number of kits for the Solstice that go all the way up to a turbocharged LS7 engine making 900 hp!! :yikes: Most stick with the LS2.
 
I'd likely use an LS-3 around 450hp. I don't think I could stick much more performance than that and keep it on the street.
 
I've had MGB and S2000. Currently have an '84 MB 380SL which is fun but automatic.

So, if you want "newer" go S2000 or maybe Z3 (my friend and I argue those two often)

If you want classic -- Add the MGA to the suggestions from the TR crowd. Of course Sunbeam Tiger would be my dream classic roadster. Haven't seen one of those in my price range for a while
 
Ken Ibold said:
Ah, the old intermediate shaft bearing issue. Way overblown, according to my research. Tended to happen in cars driven with the car in too high a gear.

I love my Boxster. Reliable. Fun. The right combination of form and function. And did I say reliable? Mine is now 13 years old and looks and runs like new. I actually like the older ones cuz they're not all dripping with touchscreens and gimmicks like the new ones are.
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I drive a 2014 cayman base. 275 hp. With a PDK trans. I've owned several stick shifts including a 911 and a healey. I now have 10 grand on the cayman. It's a great car, plenty of power for everyday driving, goes to 100 MPH quickly, glued to the road and better in a curve than the 911. You can order it with a lot of absurd extras or with very few. It's up to the buyer. The PDK , with paddles is very fast, much faster than you can manual shift and the downshift, etc. Is superb. No problems so far. The engine was changed in the 2009 model. The bearing and seal problem are no more. Great car. Excellent reviews.( it would eat my 3000 healey alive)
 
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rolivi said:
I've had MGB and S2000. Currently have an '84 MB 380SL which is fun but automatic.

So, if you want "newer" go S2000 or maybe Z3 (my friend and I argue those two often)

If you want classic -- Add the MGA to the suggestions from the TR crowd. Of course Sunbeam Tiger would be my dream classic roadster. Haven't seen one of those in my price range for a while
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My buddy in San Diego finally got his Sunbeam Tiger.
 
Since everyone is all over the map here and have completely strayed from the original premise of a simple $15,000 roadster I may as well go on record stating that my absolute favorite has always been and will always be the 246 Dino <-video link

Yes I know they go for ridiculously stupid money and even in 1972 you could have bought four TR6's for the price of one but for me the sight and sound of it could never be paralleled. No it's not the fastest car in the world but the mechanical sound of that normally aspirated 2.4 liter V6 mounted just behind your head is like music to my ear. It's not all about absolute speed and g-forces, it's about having fun and looking good doing it.

md_Ferrari_246GT_Dino_(blue)_-_front_left_(Birrung_Marr,_Victoria,_19_April_2009)a.jpg
 
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If we're going insane classic Ferrari, I'll have one of these please: :D
http://classiccars.com/listings/vie...-250-gt-for-sale-in-monterey-california-93940

There are 2 somewhat neglected Italian sports cars that can be had for reasonable money and they're the Fiat 128 Spyder and the Alfa Romeo Spyder Veloce. I used to drive the crap out of both of those and hardly ever had problems. The Fiat had a Ferrari 4cyl in it and would run really hard on FI or a pair of Webers.
 
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