I know you said you wanted to avoid a dual depreciation hit, but the new Mini convertables are nice, can seat two adults and two kids and will probably be just as tunable as the existing Mini.

That's what I would go for. They are fairly affordable as well.

-Ben

 

Re: (bcantana)

SLK 350.................drive one and you will see!

New Lotus Elise

3.2 DSG Audi TT convertible

Cayman S when she arrives....forget the soft top for this choice!

 

Re: (ES Trader)

Wait a bit for the new XK, or if you can't wait, go for the current one.

 

Re: what car to complement the R? (vizwiz)

S2000. In all the roadster comparo's I've seen it in, it keeps winning.

 

Re: what car to complement the R? (vizwiz)

Too bad.
I just sold my Prowler last week.
Not only are they FUN FUN FUN and the most outraegous looking car on the planet but they are finally APPRECIATING in price if you keep the miles low http://********************/smile/emthup.gif
I know of a couple or very low mileage ones for sale around here if you want to consider one.
They have no problems whatsoever and the fun qoutient is a 10

JRL

 

Re: what car to complement the R? (vizwiz)

Wait just a little bit. Then buy the new C70 with the retractable hardtop (which, by the way, will be available with a 6-speed manual tranny mated to optional AWD) and get two free airline tickets to go pick it up over in Europe.

 

Re: what car to complement the R? (vizwiz)

They just had an interesting comparison of drop-tops on Car and Driver TV today. The Porsche Boxster won out against the Crossfire SRT6, SLK350, and C6 convertible. Not as powerful, but an overall better driving experience supposedly.

 

Re: what car to complement the R? (vizwiz)

Dude, inexpensive second car thinking convertible....Ford Mustang GT convertible, only $30K. Read write up in new Car and Driver. They went nuts. 300hp, 320 lb-ft, 0-60=5.0 seconds, 1/4 mile=13.7 @ 103 mph, but what they kept talking about was body rigidity, how nice it handled, great short throw shifter and clutch action. Plus, you can take two kids along comfortably in back seat.

My second car after my 74 MGB was an 84 mustang convertible, and I said I would never own a live axel car again, but in a couple of years when Volvo is paid off, I'm back in the states and looking for a convertible, hard to pass on this much performance and looks at this price. other options are Suzuka Blue S2000 (a bit too expensive for 3rd car) or new Mazdaspeed Miata, but no back seat in either (which is good and bad).

 

Re: what car to complement the R? ("R" Kelly)

Quote, originally posted by "R" Kelly »

Dude, inexpensive second car thinking convertible....Ford Mustang GT convertible, only $30K. Read write up in new Car and Driver. They went nuts. 300hp, 320 lb-ft, 0-60=5.0 seconds, 1/4 mile=13.7 @ 103 mph, but what they kept talking about was body rigidity, how nice it handled, great short throw shifter and clutch action. Plus, you can take two kids along comfortably in back seat.

Plus, you have the retro look back to late 1960s as well. Personally, the late 1960s was the high point for Mustang design.

 

Re: what car to complement the R? (vizwiz)

The new stangs are pretty nice and if you are looking for a larger car that might be the way to go. I've always have had a convertible since moving to LA 8 years ago and you can't go wrong with one. However the first thing you need to figure out is, do you want a roadster or not?

If you do want a roadster I would look at a used SLK 320 (my girlfriend has one) which is a blast to drive and has never given us a problem (bought it new 4 years ago) or a Z4 3.0. At first I did not like the way the Z4 looked but they have grown on me. The Z4 was a blast to drive up the PCH and it handles really well.

Also I'd wait until later in the year when the new 3.0 engine comes out as I think you will find a better deal on the existing 3.0. With the Bimmer you can also extend the warranty and maintenance program (includes ware and tear items, ie: pads and rotors) like my buddy did for peanuts. BMW is really good about that.

If a roadster is not your thing then I would really take a good look at the new Mustang like R Kelly suggested. It's probably the best convertible for the money you can get… heck it also about $10k less (excluding the Mini) then any European made convertible.

Best of luck.

 

Re: what car to complement the R? (JRL)

What are the used low mile prowlers going for? Only one on AutoTrader (untitled) for $43K.

Problem is it's in MA and I'm in IL, and I m not sure about the color.

http://autotrader.com/fyc/mode...dptop

 

Re: what car to complement the R? (vizwiz)

Wow is that thing ugly. And where is the manual transmission?

The Corvette at 40 (along with the Prowler) screams mid-life crisis. The Mustang is a girl's car regardless of how fast the new ones are, and the current retro design screams mid-life crisis... I really don't know what you can do.

Wait... Get a motorcycle.

 

Re: what car to complement the R? (KMK454)

The Prowler would have been cool if Chrysler included the Viper's motor under the hood. Of course, that would not have been a wise decision from a business standpoint, but the car would have been respectable. Sadly, it's just a 300C with prettier body-panels. There is only one reason to buy a Prowler: Attention from non-enthusiasts. Around here, only poseurs drive Prowlers.

If you want the best roadster on the market for less than $50K, get an S2000.

 

Re: what car to complement the R? (vizwiz)

Quote, originally posted by vizwiz »

I love my R, but as I approach the big four-oh this summer I've got a hankering for a completely impractical car to park behind it in the driveway, a convertible. I was originally thinking a new Vette, but realistically anything faster than my R is likely to get me in big time license toubles, and also I am not comfortable with having two relatively new cars taking turns sitting in the garage while each is taking the big depreciation hit. So maybe something on the used market. I got inspired by the R&T piece on old Z3. Hmmm... that could be interesting. Or maybe an older vette if I could find one with a rag top and a stick shift. I don't mind if the new car is slower than the R, as long as it offers nice handling for kicking around town. A Miata might do the trick, but I've got it in my mind that that is a girls car, even though I know it isn't really. The real trick might be finding one that has a deactivatable passenger air bag (or a rear seat), as I'd like to be able to take my 5 year old for rides in it. Any suggestions?

1973 or 1974 VW Superbeetle Convertible is one thought, though it might not be the greatest car to put a kid in. Early model Miata is another.

Modified by kenschel at 11:12 AM 5-8-2005

 

Re: what car to complement the R? (KMK454)

Quote, originally posted by KMK454 »

Wow is that thing ugly. And where is the manual transmission? The Corvette at 40 (along with the Prowler) screams mid-life crisis. The Mustang is a girl's car regardless of how fast the new ones are, and the current retro design screams mid-life crisis... I really don't know what you can do. Wait... Get a motorcycle.

agreed re: ugly (that's a very polite word for that...thing) and vettes screaming mid-life crisis, but this guy has kids...I say leave the donor-cycle to people with less to lose

 

BMW 645. While the styling may be ugly to some, I think it is a stunningly beautiful car. 325HP 4.2L V8 with valvetronic, with all the usual BMW refinements.

 

Re: what car to complement the R? (KMK454)

Quote, originally posted by KMK454 »

The Mustang is a girl's car regardless of how fast the new ones are, and the current retro design screams mid-life crisis... I really don't know what you can do. Wait... Get a motorcycle.

Kurt, buddy, what are they feeding you in the chow hall?

A V6 automatic mustang may qualify as a "girls" car because of the powertrain, but hardly any girls are going to buy the GT with manual (320 lb-ft attached to a stick can be daunting).

Using your logic, we are all driving "Soccer Mom" cars, that's what the Volvo stereotype is...

Mustangs are still around because of musclecar people like my friend in CA who like to go out to the races on Sat night and want serious bang for their buck. Granted the new retro look is going to draw a lot more people into the showrooms (really like everything except nasty 70s gauges), but if you read the press, it really is an amazing car for the money, and the convertible has the best suspension, and was actually quicker than both the GT coupes C&D tested.

BTW, vizwiz was looking for a place to put a childseat, do they make those for motorcycles? Guess you don't have to worry about de-activating airbag.

 

Lotus Elise...not a true convertible but leaves me speechless everytime I see it in pictures.

 

Re: (bboy850)

suprised that the GT convertible could raise a controversy! my main complaint with it is that it is too practical, and no nimbler than my R.

guess I'd prefer a roadster, if I can find a cheap one with deactivating passenger air bag. a low mileage S2000 runs in the mid $20K range, that might be a good option, but I'm worried about the previous owner v-tecing their launches

on the other hand a cooper S convertible may be small enough to feel like a roadster

 

Re: (vizwiz)

Here's a 2004 with 9200 miles, for $28K.

 

Re: what car to complement the R? (vizwiz)

Prowler gold is the WORST colot they made. They look great in almost any other color they made
I can buy 2K to 4K mile cars from 30K to 33K,
Higher mile cars in the 20s
I can also buy you an (02-03) S2000 from the high teens to the low 20s with LOW miles,
04s with practically no miles cost the mid to upper 20s
JRL

 

I'd recommend a 3rd Gen RX-7. great cars IMO!

 

Re: (vizwiz)

cooper S convertibles are great cars as well, gal at work had one, looked good, handled great and there is a shelf for a back seat...

but, it is definitely a "girl car"

 

Re: (vizwiz)

That is the exact car I was gonna buy before we found out my wife was pregnant. I just freaking love that Suzuka blue and 9000 RPM redline...

However, my wife insisted on something with a back seat. So I looked at C70 HPT, but settled on the R. Figured that gives me an excuse to buy a convertible in a couple of years when R is paid off

 

Re: (bcantana)

Personally, I never liked convertables. After letting go a 1983 911 sc coupe, that I drove for 10 yrs, I find myself looking weekly for a 1996 911 Targa in the right color combination. I love the sound of the air cooled engine, shouldn't have a passenger airbag that yr. My girls enjoyed the tiny jump seats in back when they were little and it has a huge sunroof for a convertable feel, yet it closes right up when you want to enjoy some music. There should be little depreciation if you get into the car at a fair price and they are great cars.
Cheers