also, one trend that's becoming annoying in my searching is that apparently 95% of convertibles are made as automatics as well.
Finding a not junk E30/E36 manual convertible in New England is all but impossible it seems.
also, one trend that's becoming annoying in my searching is that apparently 95% of convertibles are made as automatics as well.
Finding a not junk E30/E36 manual convertible in New England is all but impossible it seems.
I loved my Miata. I got a Mini Cooper S and liked it a lot, but it was a hard top and I missed the convertible.
I went with a newer Mustang GT vert. It is total just exactly unlike a Miata, but it is awesome in another way. And this is coming from someone who has always looked down on “pony cars” since I cut my mullet off around 1990.
Had I not wanted to take two kids and wife with me I would have went with another NB or NC without a second thought. But now that I have been corrupted by power, I know that I would miss it. The thing handles decent enough – I am too much of a neanderthal to get upset about a live axel. Sound is awesome with a cat delete and axel back exhaust and spining tires never gets old.
I considered a E46 M3 vert, but they are crazy with the asking price and I couldn’t find a clean one in stick close by that wasn’t silver with black leather seats.
golfduke wrote: 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.
E36 352ic/328iC E46 328/330 Early S197 Muswang Convertible?
Adrian_Thompson wrote: V6 Mustang Convertible?
I got married in one. "I do" with the engine running. It wasnt bad, but I certainly wouldn't buy one. Well, I might someday buy one for sentimental reasons, but not because they are desirable cars in any way.
dculberson wrote: Mustang!! I think those are even less of a 4-seater than an FRS.
Meh..put the top down and the kids can stand up. Problem solved.
Never driven a MINI convertible (the hard-tops are fun), but they seat 4. Prices seem to start around $6K, which puts you in the ballpark.
Ooooo Lebaron
.
Rear seats were an option for them I believe.
BMW is the answer.
similar handling dynamics, 4 seats. Trust me.
Saab 9-3 convertible?
Misses the light weight mark, but is fun (enough) to drive, can get for cheap, and they are easier to find in new england.
I have an E36 328. Fun car, but not a four seat Miata. More like a German Mustang - it's more of a "start with a practical, small-ish car, add large engine for its size" sort of thing. I think the closest thing to a four seat Miata would be a Fiat 124 Spyder. They do have a back seat... sort of.
A number of other cars nobody's mentioned:
irish44j wrote: similar handling dynamics, 4 seats. Trust me.
that is the one car we test drove (G37 vert). I had a G35 sedan before. the convertible was knocked out due to the fact that the hard top took up 95% of the trunk. there was no room in the trunk at all. If you are used to Miata or Mini Cooper levels of trunk space, then this is a problem. Also the rear seat leg room was smaller then my Mini and way smaller then my Mustang. This is with car seats - some seats with large bolsters make the car seat sit out more.
Rusnak_322 wrote:irish44j wrote: similar handling dynamics, 4 seats. Trust me.that is the one car we test drove (G37 vert). I had a G35 sedan before. the convertible was knocked out due to the fact that the hard top took up 95% of the trunk. there was no room in the trunk at all. If you are used to Miata or Mini Cooper levels of trunk space, then this is a problem. Also the rear seat leg room was smaller then my Mini and way smaller then my Mustang. This is with car seats - some seats with large bolsters make the car seat sit out more.
I think that's a Lexus SC430
You want 4 seats and fun like a Miata? Buy two Miatas.
I can't believe this thread got two pages before anyone suggested that.
Gieb wrote:Rusnak_322 wrote:I think that's a Lexus SC430irish44j wrote: similar handling dynamics, 4 seats. Trust me.that is the one car we test drove (G37 vert). I had a G35 sedan before. the convertible was knocked out due to the fact that the hard top took up 95% of the trunk. there was no room in the trunk at all. If you are used to Miata or Mini Cooper levels of trunk space, then this is a problem. Also the rear seat leg room was smaller then my Mini and way smaller then my Mustang. This is with car seats - some seats with large bolsters make the car seat sit out more.
Eww! That doesn't even come with a manual trans, does it?
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