02-03-2012, 08:37 PM | #11 |
lawn boy
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer
Location: Maryland
Posts: 14,029
|
|
03-02-2012, 03:28 PM | #12 |
Crotchety
Join Date: Aug 2007
Carmudgeonly Ride: 22 Tiguan, 11 328i
Posts: 912
|
I'm still not sold on anything yet, but I'm hoping to find something before Memorial Day. I recently tested an MR2 Spyder and a Solstice GXP. I've also seen that early Boxster prices might fall into my range.
Spyder- I liked it, but the clutch on this one felt well worn. The car had 117k miles which does not scare me away, but the car felt like it had a hard 117k miles on it if that makes sense. Solstice GXP- Wow. This car really surprised me. It was VERY fast and handled quite well. I REALLY liked it! Though I really liked this car, I had a list of things I thought were dumb: 1. WTF were they thinking with the top?!?!? I'm sure I *could* get used to putting it up and down, but it is a huge chore on this car. 2. The interior quality is just awful. 3. The wheels are atrocious (chrome, had to be anvils, and why 18s?) 4. Price is slightly out of reach That said, I need to drive a Solstice/Sky non-turbo because they are more in my price range, but they will still have my three complaints above. |
03-05-2012, 02:10 PM | #13 |
Jeeped
Join Date: Sep 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Modified Jeep Tj and '07 Miata
Location: Seattle
Posts: 10,214
|
I picked up an '07 Miata (3rd gen) with the LSD, 6 spd manual, and 17" rims for $11,500 recently in a private party sale. It had 54k on the clock and but for a nick in one wheel and a scratch on a side mirror was in excellent condition inside and out.
I know you can get cheaper NCs (3rd gen Miatas) if you're flexible on milage. RE the NCs, some info:
From a purely bang-for-the-buck stand point it will probably be tough to beat an NB Miata (which I used to own). Their prices are dropping pretty low. But get an 01+ if you do. That was the last time the interior was updated and I think there was some engine improvements. But I love the NC. If you're interested in the NCs I can supply more info, including what features were on what cars. * That is, 20% more vs. the "regular" NBs. The Mazdaspeed Miata NBs have a touch more power than the NCs, IIRC.
__________________
. "Jeep is the only true American sports car*" - Enzo Ferrari * Or something to that effect. Last edited by lupinsea; 03-06-2012 at 03:11 PM. |
03-05-2012, 03:27 PM | #14 |
No more BMWs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8
Location: Glenwood, MD
Posts: 14,753
|
It's really hard to beat the early NC Miatas for fun per dollar ratio. I would argue that an S2000 is in that ballpark as well. They do exist around the 10k mark, but I don't know how nice of a car you get for that $10k.
|
03-06-2012, 02:54 PM | #15 |
Jeeped
Join Date: Sep 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Modified Jeep Tj and '07 Miata
Location: Seattle
Posts: 10,214
|
I was considering the S2000s . . . briefly.
A few things with the S2000 vs. NC Miata deliberations in my head (random pros and cons):
Ultimately, as appealing as the S2000 is I just couldn't pull the trigger. It's not me.
__________________
. "Jeep is the only true American sports car*" - Enzo Ferrari * Or something to that effect. Last edited by lupinsea; 03-06-2012 at 03:09 PM. |
03-06-2012, 03:07 PM | #16 |
Jeeped
Join Date: Sep 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Modified Jeep Tj and '07 Miata
Location: Seattle
Posts: 10,214
|
So.... Out of curiosity, I punched up the S2000s in Edmunds.com.
Not sure if it's a priority but as of the '04 model year there was no passenger airbag shut off switch. So, it's not particularly well set up for hauling a kid around with you. Otherwise, prices seem good (per Edmunds TMV suggestions). 2004 S2000 w/ 96k miles in "clean" condition $10k private party, $11k dealer 2002 S2000 w/ 120k miles in "clean" condition $6100 private party, $7500 dealer
__________________
. "Jeep is the only true American sports car*" - Enzo Ferrari * Or something to that effect. |
03-08-2012, 12:46 PM | #17 |
dogged
Join Date: Dec 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC
Posts: 13,297
|
|
03-08-2012, 01:27 PM | #18 |
No more BMWs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8
Location: Glenwood, MD
Posts: 14,753
|
The more I think about it, Chris, I think you need to go buy a cheap old NA / NB Miata and throw some coilovers and wider wheels / tires at it. You'd be way under your target cost and you would have something incredibly fun to drive every day.
|
03-08-2012, 05:43 PM | #19 |
Alphanumeric
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,584
|
I'd go with Lup on this one. His numbers seem hard to beat. A $10k s2000? No, thanks.
|
03-09-2012, 12:08 PM | #20 |
Crotchety
Join Date: Aug 2007
Carmudgeonly Ride: 22 Tiguan, 11 328i
Posts: 912
|
Thank you lup & everyone for your insights. I have two test drives scheduled tomorrow (non-turbo Solstice and an '06 Miata/MX5). I've eliminated BMW roadsters from my list. I've driven and autocrossed an S2000 (once), but the ones I've seen in my price range seem well used. I plan to make a decision by the end of the month, preferably sooner. It's down to the NC Miata, Solstice (with that dumb top design), and S2000.
|
Bookmarks |
|
|