What's equivalent to a 4 seat miata?

...Because I'm pretty sure that's what I'm looking for. I love my Miata in ways that a man shouldn't love a tiny red under-powered borderline go-cart, but with a wife/5 year old/2 dogs it's becoming more of an alone driving thing rather than the original beach/backroads cruiser my wife and I envisioned having.

So, I'm considering trying to replace it with something the whole family can enjoy. I do not, however, want to give up the 'fun' aspect of it- light, kinda slow, but also fun. I'd love input as to something of similar-ish value(~5000), convertible, rwd, 4 seats, manual, and fun on twisty roads.

I was thinking BMW, but those seem to garner big $$ lately. I'm honestly open to anything.

Thanks in advance.

I'd be shocked if you couldn't hunt down an E36 for that money. A friend just bought a (admittedly rough) E36 M3 for $1500.

Trust me, I'm in the same boat as you golfduke. I've owned several NA, but sold mine a few months ago when we moved 800 miles. I want to get another one, but my life is going to make it difficult. Commute is 50 miles each way, not ideally suited for an NA Miata. Plus after work, I usually have to drive 2 kids to football practice....so it's 3 people plus a decent amount of gear. Miata won't work for that either. If I get one, I'll be limited in when I can use it.

There are no true 4 seaters that will give the same feel as the Miata. Closest I can think of will be a MINI Cooper 'vert, but they're a bit more expensive and quite a bit less reliable.

Get while the get'ens good...
BMW M3/4/5

I already have an e36 M3c. I'm looking for a vert specifically.

Um.....a convertible M3?

Yeah, I think BMW is your answer. You can get an older one for pretty cheap, and they're not all that hard (or expensive) to maintain. An E30 vert would be fun, an E36 vert would probably be cheaper, but a little more maintenance intensive. Hell, you could get a 325ci for pretty damn cheap now, they're about at the bottom of the curve. You'll have to spend a little bit on parts, but nothing obscene.

I think a $5k MINI Cooper vert would be an expensive thing to live with. A non-S would be pretty slow. E36 vert would likely be a better buy.

mazdeuce wrote: Um.....a convertible M3?

My thought exactly. I've been shopping e36 M3s again (although I think I'm going with an e46 instead) and the 'vert versions carry a pretty big price break over the coupes and sedans. I bet you could find a sweet one for $5-$6k.

V6 Mustang Convertible?

Close enough?

On a more serious note, if forced to go big, I would drink the whole glass of Kool-Aid and go down this route. Maybe even look for a Station Wagon variant of the genre. Purchased as a completed car, your budget will be in the Mid 20k for a nice example.

dyintorace wrote:

mazdeuce wrote: Um.....a convertible M3?

My thought exactly. I've been shopping e36 M3s again (although I think I'm going with an e46 instead) and the 'vert versions carry a pretty big price break over the coupes and sedans. I bet you could find a sweet one for $5-$6k.

I haven't seen a whole lot of nice E36 M3s for that price range. Most at that price are beat to E36 M3, "modded" by a 19 year old with a Pep Boys credit card, or have a laundry list of "little issues". The E36 is on my shopping list, but I just haven't seen one that's truly a "nice" car for the money I'm looking to spend.

Klayfish wrote:

dyintorace wrote:

mazdeuce wrote: Um.....a convertible M3?

My thought exactly. I've been shopping e36 M3s again (although I think I'm going with an e46 instead) and the 'vert versions carry a pretty big price break over the coupes and sedans. I bet you could find a sweet one for $5-$6k.

I haven't seen a whole lot of nice E36 M3s for that price range. Most at that price are beat to E36 M3, "modded" by a 19 year old with a Pep Boys credit card, or have a laundry list of "little issues". The E36 is on my shopping list, but I just haven't seen one that's truly a "nice" car for the money I'm looking to spend.

You're right. My price estimate may be a little optimistic. I think some are out there, but definitely not common. For the OP, what about a non-M e36 convertible? Still fun.

mazdeuce wrote: Um.....a convertible M3?

Even when the E36 M3 convertibles were new, I heard all kinds of awful things about the combination of cutting off the roof and installing M3 springs and dampers. I doubt that they've become any better with time.

This will be my next car because I'm still searching ever since I sold my Miata.

I hated my M3 convertible. Think of it as having even more things to break.

Not $5k, but the FR-S is pretty much like a 4 seat miata.

RX-8. The convertible aspect has to go when you get to four seats IMO.

The closest analog I've driven to a four-seat Miata is a Porsche 996 Cabriolet. Prices for these start from around $15,000. I can't think of anything under $5K that meets all of your requirements.

My 330i ZHP feels pretty awesome, and I've owned an NA Miata in the past...

**Edit - just saw the 5k limit

Look at a Mazdaspeed 3 - you'd be used to the make, they handle a lot better than any of the competition and they scoot very well indeed.

I feel like if you ditch the convertible requirement, this gets a lot easier. Otherwise, all you're really left with are BMWs.

But the convertible part is one of the (unexpected, admittedly) things I love about the car.

It's a tough one, I'll agree. I love the vert aspect though, and if faced with getting rid of the miata for a non-convertible 4 seater... the miata would stay in the first place.

I so much feel your pain. The drop top is one...of many...things I love about the Miata. There really isn't anything out there that's going to be just like it with 4 seats. So folks like us will either have to compromise on the driving experience or how often the Miata gets used. For me, there's no reason I couldn't use an NA to go to work, it just wouldn't be as much fun as it once was. Ride into work is at 4:45am and all 75mph highway cruising. Ride home is often bumper to bumper traffic.

I can certainly vouch for the FRS as being as engaging to drive, however calling it a 4 seater puts you in the Bill Clinton school of literal definitions. Your kids AND the dog will grow to hate you.

Also, I missed the 5k limit. Maybe a Mustang.

Mustang!! I think those are even less of a 4-seater than an FRS.