Roadsters

[Jim Mahan]

Mine was yellow.





These are pics from the web not photos of my own cars, and the mg is what it would look like after paint, etc., minus the roll bar.

In order, over the years, I've had a '77 Fiat 124 Spider, a '91 Miata, an '01 Boxster S, and now a '69 MGB. (With a couple of hardtops interspersed.)
I bought the MG for under three thousand knowing that I would have a schedule of repairs and upgrades, most of which needed to wait for money. Now I have a small windfall and I would put the money into the MG but I am disappointed with the fact that the top comes off instead of folding down. And I am unwilling to do the body work and prep for a paint job, and that would probably blow my budget.

Both the Fiat and the Miata were great cars that could have greatly benefited by the additon of more horsepower. The Miata gets more points for reliability. The Boxster was by far the most powerful and fastest but had a major meltdown and needed an engine replacement—too expensive. But nice. I hated the power top. The Miata's one-handed operation was quick and easy. Same for the Fiat.

Swmbo wants me to get a roadster, but she also wants a back seat for grandkids and the big dog. She thinks I should consider a Thunderbird or similar. I think if she wants a convertible with a back seat she should consider trading in her Focus.

Now I'm in the market for another roadster and I'm thinking BMW Z3. There are plenty for sale locally within my budget. I would consider an S2000 but they are generally out of my budget. I test drove an Audi TT but I didn't like the driver position, the window edge was too high for my taste. I would consider another Miata, holding out for a supercharged one. I would love to have an Alfa but I'm not looking for a restoration candidate and probably can't afford one that doesnt' need restoration.
So does anyone have any advice concerning the purchase of a used Z3, or other comments on roadsters?

[Paul Pless]

I've owned a '69 TR-6, '65 Spitfire, '67 GT-6 and currently a '75 MG.

Swmbo wants me to get a roadster, but she also wants a back seat for grandkids and the big dog.

If you want a BMW and need a backseat, I actually like the 3 Series convertibles better than the Z3.

So does anyone have any advice concerning the purchase of a used Z3, or other comments on roadsters?

On the generic subject of roadsters, I really like the M-Coupe 'roadster'.



And as much as I want to dislike, its hard not to like a Miata when your behind the wheel.

[Norman Bernstein]

I have owned a 1970 MGB.... and had a two year lease on a Miata.

The MGB was great fun to drive, in the 'traditional British sportscar' fashion... and an incredible misery to keep running. I'm sure I spent far more time repairing it (clutch and brake master cylinders, head gasket, starter motor, wiper motor, choke cable TWICE, etc...) than I did, driving it.

The Miata was a nice car to drive on a sunny Sunday afternoon, with the top down.... not especially powerful or fast. It has a reputation as a 'chick car' (not really deserved, in my opinion). My problem with the car: shortly after the lease started, my client shifted my work location to Wilmington, MA, a 35 mile drive in HEAVY traffic... and the Miata was a misery for that commute.

[Old Dryfoot]

I've owned a '69 TR-6, '65 Spitfire, '67 GT-6 and currently a '75 MG.



If you want a BMW and need a backseat, I actually like the 3 Series convertibles better than the Z3.

On the generic subject of roadsters, I really like the M-Coupe 'roadster'.



And as much as I want to dislike, its hard not to like a Miata when your behind the wheel.

I like that car a lot, IMO BMW got everything right when they designed it. A rolling piece of art in my book.

And speaking of rolling art, you can't talk about roadsters without mentioning the E-Type.



This one is a series 3 and some purists might balk at it, but stylistically, it's the best looking of the lot IMO.

[ron ll]

I've owned mostly roadsters in my life, starting with an Austin Healy 100-4, various Alfas and a Porsche. Back when I was driving a '67 Alfa Duetto, some of my friends were driving Fiats. So it's easy to remember the Fiat 124, but reading this post something was gnawing at me about another Fiat roadster of that era that was very common, but I couldn't recall it. So I googled images of Fiat roadsters and after a whole page full of 124s, finally near the bottom was this one lone picture of a Fiat 850. Believe it or not, these were very common for a while. Obviously they didn't have a lot of longevity.

[Paul Pless]

and now a '69 MGB. (With a couple of hardtops interspersed.)
I bought the MG for under three thousand knowing that I would have a schedule of repairs and upgrades, most of which needed to wait for money. Now I have a small windfall and I would put the money into the MG but I am disappointed with the fact that the top comes off instead of folding down. And I am unwilling to do the body work and prep for a paint job, and that would probably blow my budget.

Here's another thought on your MG. Almost every decent sized city has a 'Euro Import Car Repair Shop'. Seems like the shops often have a decent running and looking MG for sale out front. Its a little side project that they buy one that needs work and when they have spare time or parts they get one going. You might look around and find one that's really in quite good shape and trade them yours along with some cash for it.

[Norman Bernstein]

Here's another thought on your MG. Almost every decent sized city has a 'Euro Import Car Repair Shop'. Seems like the shops often have a decent running and looking MG for sale out front. Its a little side project that they by one that needs work and when they have spare time or parts they get one going. You might look around and find one that's really in quite good shape and trade them yours along with some cash for it.

Ehhhh... owning one is the purest form of masochism, IMHO.... unless you have gobs of money to let restoration specialists repair it. Let's face it, it ain't any kind of 'performance' car (not much power, and a truly mediocre suspension)... it's really all 'style', and it's certainly a style that I loved... but the price paid was simply too high.

[Paul Pless]

Ehhhh... owning one is the purest form of masochism, IMHO.... unless you have gobs of money to let restoration specialists repair it. Let's face it, it ain't any kind of 'performance' car (not much power, and a truly mediocre suspension)... it's really all 'style', and it's certainly a style that I loved... but the price paid was simply too high.

I actually in many ways consider my current MG and my older Triumphs to be more fun than my Corvette - which was just too capable and too fast to be really fun to drive at anywhere near the legal limit. But you can't realistically own just an MG these days without an alternate form of transportation.

[pipefitter]

It's kind of weird and the MG's and such always seemed to me that they were almost sports cars for people who considered croquet, badminton, or curling a sport. If it's really exhilaration someone is seeking in sports car fashion, even a kit car cobra would be a lot less of a chick car, and that silly beret would finally get blown right off the top of one's head. And nothing sounds quite as proper as true header side pipes. My older brother had an MG for awhile that had no reverse. To be cool, he had to either strategically park it for a forward exit, or wait until nobody was looking.



I used to work next door to a place that built these. I got to ride in them occasionally. One of these with the Boss 351C/4spd would cure whatever sports/muscle car urge anyone could ever have.

[Paul Pless]

My older brother had an MG for awhile that had no reverse. To be cool, he had to either strategically park it for a forward exit, or wait until nobody was looking.

My Triumph had no starter my junior year in college. It gave me a creative pick up line that worked as often as it didn't. "Would you mind popping the clutch while I push my car?" "Thanks, can I buy you a drink? Your choice, you're driving."

[wharf rat]

Well, to stir the pot a little, my understanding is that the definition of a roadster is that the top is an add-on (if it even has one)--as in the Cobra pictured above, Tops that are integrated into the design (fold down) make the car a convertible (as in all the other cars pictured above).

I've owned a few--both convertibles and roadsters--but I miss my 1959 alfa giulietta spider the most. Not mine but close enough:

[Old Dryfoot]

Hehe I knew that the convertible roadster thing would come up soon.

[Bob Adams]

The roadster of my youth:



I can't beleive I have no pictures of my '65. This is a 64, a 66 is my dream car.

[Gerarddm]

I owned a 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 LE, the one with the bigger engine and fuel injection. What a great car! Much better than English sports cars ( better tech, and way more interior room ). And reliable, too.

But apropos of the last post, my dream roadster would be a '62 Thunderbird, cream/red. Or a Jag XK-120 with Brooklands windscreens.

[Dan McCosh]

These days, it's tough to beat a Miata--gets better all the time.

[fishrswim]

Take a look at the Mercedes SLK. I've got an 07 SLK350. It's a great car. Goes from steel roof to open roadster in seconds. Very quick and tops out at ridiculous speeds. If the 350s aren't fast enough for you try the 5.5. That'll give you whiplash.
Fits my requirements for sports cars. All I have to do is have the oil changed, and drive it.
Fast
Fun
Sexy
2 seats
Low maintenance
I've done the British thing, MGs and big Healeys. Fun, not so fast and the maintenance hour per driving hour is ridiculous.
Done the Italian thing, Alfas and Fiats, funner than the Brits, but maintenance and rust, OOF.
Did the Miata thing. Way fun, no maintenance issues. Great car, just not so comfy for my frame and not really quick. Plus everyone has one.
Also did the Beemer Z3 thing. Great car, quick, fast, sexy etc. Finally sold it because if I parked it in the sun, it wouldn't start. it lived at the BMW shop more than at my house.

[Bob Cleek]

Did somebody say "roadsters?"

I had a ball with this one for a short while. It was a top end kit car. Mustang II frame. Chevy 350, 4bbl with a Hurst transmission. Somebody made me an offer I couldn't refuse at a car show. He was happy. I was very happy. I do miss it once in a while, though. It wasn't the sort of thing you'd want for a daily driver, but it was a hoot to take out on the windy back roads on the weekends.

[Dan McCosh]

Isn't that Brooks Stevens' ?

[John B]

I've only ever had one roadster.


drove like a truck.

[woodpile]

Some nice $$ cars here, grew up in the 60's scrounging parts to keep a ride "RAT RODS RULE".

[Canoeyawl]

Mine's green, dark green.

[John B]

Mine's green.

colour of my face.

[LeeG]

I had a 1980 Alfa Spyder, heavy for such a little car.

[Lew Barrett]

I've been in that kit car; driver's a pussy...car is excellent!

There are only two choices for me in affordable roadsters today, which is one choice more than there is in cheapo kid cars, by the way. Miata of any stripe or a Boxster. Sure, I like the M Coupe too but since when is it a roadster? The TT has never done much for me though I read that the new one is going to be good.

The Miata could use more power even though it is satisfying as is. You really have to spin them, and at that point they thrash a bit, but what else can you buy used for under 10K that is so satisfying?. And around here, SLKs are almost as common as Mazdas (not really, but still plentiful), and Boxsters aren't all that far behind. Come to think, I see more Boxsters than any other upmarket roadster, but indeed, Miatas are plentiful. Doesn't bother me. It takes something truly exotic to be distinctive in this city, it seems.

Fiat 124 is a great looking car. Very pretty lines, best of class. In British, I always preferred the TR3 or TR4 to the MGA or MGB simply because the Triumph's tractor motor was more powerful than the MG's tractor motor, and I think the TR3 is a nicer looking car than the MGA, even though the MGA is a nice looking car! I just like how cobby the TR3 is. Disclaimer: I have owned a TR3A, a TR4A, and currently have a Miata (among others). I have owned several Mercedes, but nothing with an AMG plate. I guess I am not generally speaking a Mercedes guy, even though there are a couple I would like. But none of those are affordable to me. I am sure any Mercedes roadster is a very nice car but they have never been high on my radar.

[Keith Wilson]

I've had a Fiat 850 (even rustier than the one in the picture), a Triumph Spitfire, a TR6, a later MG Midget, and now a Miata exactly like the one in the first post. They were all great fun, but the Miata is a VASTLY better-engineered car than any of them. The new Miatas are definitely more serious cars, but roadsters (and please, spare us the quibbles about how the top attaches) aren't really about great speed or power, but about tooling down a twisty back road on a warm fall afternoon, or around the lake on a summer evening at sunset.

[Ross M]

... On the generic subject of roadsters, I really like the M-Coupe 'roadster'. ...

Whew. I thought I was the only one who likes 'em.

... Sure, I like the M Coupe too but since when is it a roadster? ...

Honorary membership on account of low WAF, in my book

[Lew Barrett]

Whew. I thought I was the only one who likes 'em.



Honorary membership on account of low WAF in my book

I would have one, by the way! But I am really gunning for a Porsche; I've been very patient about this, never having owned one, but one of these days......

[Lew Barrett]

Keith, my father had a Herald convertible; you know, the Spit's horrendous brother. At that time I thought it was the silliest car imaginable but I would probably enjoy having one today for the novelty factor.

[Keith Wilson]

I really liked the Spitfire, although it had plenty of flaws - maybe because at 6'2" I fit into it better than the others. And it was pretty.

Mine looked almost exactly like this one, with a bit of rust.

[Ross M]

I would have one, by the way! But I am really gunning for a Porsche; I've been very patient about this, never having owned one, but one of these days......

[Old Dryfoot]

I know how much this crowd loves an electric car, so how about that Tesla roadster.

[John B]

As I tell my wife, 'you have to get one while you can still get in it'.

[Lew Barrett]

I really liked the Spitfire, although it had plenty of flaws - maybe because at 6'2" I fit into it better than the others. And it was pretty.

Mine looked almost exactly like this one, with a bit of rust.

Another very well drawn car, whatever might be said about it in other respects, I have always liked their lines. English cars are charming, which is why we endure them. Truth, my TR4 was very reliable but I owned it almost from new, and sold it when it turned 35000 miles. I drove it all over the east coast with great pleasure. Talk about drifting......

[John B]

I know how much this crowd loves an electric car, so how about that Tesla roadster.

Just get an Elise.

[John B]

Honda S2000. I know it was mentioned before but they have held their value and have all the potential of becoming a collectors car sorta like but not quite 240 zed. They have quite a following.

[wardd]

I've been in that kit car; driver's a pussy...car is excellent!

There are only two choices for me in affordable roadsters today, which is one choice more than there is in cheapo kid cars, by the way. Miata of any stripe or a Boxster. Sure, I like the M Coupe too but since when is it a roadster? The TT has never done much for me though I read that the new one is going to be good.

The Miata could use more power even though it is satisfying as is. You really have to spin them, and at that point they thrash a bit, but what else can you buy used for under 10K that is so satisfying?. And around here, SLKs are almost as common as Mazdas (not really, but still plentiful), and Boxsters aren't all that far behind. Come to think, I see more Boxsters than any other upmarket roadster, but indeed, Miatas are plentiful. Doesn't bother me. It takes something truly exotic to be distinctive in this city, it seems.

Fiat 124 is a great looking car. Very pretty lines, best of class. In British, I always preferred the TR3 or TR4 to the MGA or MGB simply because the Triumph's tractor motor was more powerful than the MG's tractor motor, and I think the TR3 is a nicer looking car than the MGA, even though the MGA is a nice looking car! I just like how cobby the TR3 is. Disclaimer: I have owned a TR3A, a TR4A, and currently have a Miata (among others). I have owned several Mercedes, but nothing with an AMG plate. I guess I am not generally speaking a Mercedes guy, even though there are a couple I would like. But none of those are affordable to me. I am sure any Mercedes roadster is a very nice car but they have never been high on my radar.

there are upgrade kits for the miata

[purri]

^ Here in Oz there is a turbo option.

[Lew Barrett]

John, Teslas are starting to show up (in small numbers) here. There is a dealership in town. I love seeing them, but wonder why they are always in our right (slow) lane on the freeway! The owners must take some pleasure in nursing the miles out of them! I have just been fruitlessly searching for used Hondas (of a more pedestrian stripe) for my daughter. Retained value? It's borders on silly!

The Miata boards are full of guys who have heated them up, but ours is bone stock, and likely to stay that way. I have reserved the mods for the GTI, which has been very responsive to extra boost.

[tigerregis]

28A Ford. No roll-up windows. If you have them, you don't have a roadster, you have a convertible.

[Fitz]

I was at the gas station tonight filling the Ford Exploder, when what pulls up, but a mint 1956 Ford Thunderbird. The owner was apparently a 40 something brunette sprawled all over the front seat. She had very short cut off jean shorts and a straw cowboy hat with the brim rolled up on the sides. She was very hot, even though the temps today were only in the low eighties. Her "driver" was a 20 something guy with camo shorts and that is it. I was surprised that he knew where the filler was on the car, but he did find it. Then she posed for some photos for a high school kid working the pumps. All I could think about was "Thelma and Louise" and how lucky the guy "might" be. Seems to me there is always a catch.

While maybe not a roadster, it sure did look like fun.

[Ted Hoppe]

Then again... BMW is making a 1213 r1250r which is now called a HP2 Classic Roadster, which is diverging from the air cooled boxer to a water cooled boxer. As a traditional airhead rider... It may take time for me to come around. a roadster to me comes from the development after the introduction.

Note the top secret bike below has a misleading r1200r sticker. The engine is clearly different.

[fishrswim]

Did somebody say "roadsters?"

I had a ball with this one for a short while. It was a top end kit car. Mustang II frame. Chevy 350, 4bbl with a Hurst transmission. Somebody made me an offer I couldn't refuse at a car show. He was happy. I was very happy. I do miss it once in a while, though. It wasn't the sort of thing you'd want for a daily driver, but it was a hoot to take out on the windy back roads on the weekends.

Never set a price on a car you don't really want to sell. I learned that way back when someone kept asking what I'd sell my 54 Corvette for. Then I learned it again when somebody wanted my Healey. I think it stuck the second time. Still miss both those cars.

[fishrswim]

Those Cobra kit cars look and sound just great. I keep drifting over to their web sites and looking... and thinking. But I just bought a boat last year. Too many toys. Too small garage.

[AnalogKid]

How about the Bell-Aurens Longnose? Based on a 109" Series II Land Rover, driven from the back seats. I think the few that were built were Rover V8 powered (3.5 litre) but the intention with the styling exercise was to put a big aero-V12 in there.

[pipefitter]

Those Cobra kit cars look and sound just great. I keep drifting over to their web sites and looking... and thinking. But I just bought a boat last year. Too many toys. Too small garage.

With those, nobody cares whether they are original or not, or that it does not have the 427. Even the 289 is still a favorite among buyers. The 289 versions they built were quite fast at that. The 351c to me was the best of all aftermarket worlds with such a ride.

[purri]

I drive an OZ designed and made VW Country Buggy. Definitely uber Bauhaus. Anyone got a pic to post?

[Paul Pless]

a few more favorites. . .

[Paul Pless]

Swmbo wants me to get a roadster, but she also wants a back seat for grandkids and the big dog.

Just how big a dog?

[Paul Pless]

[Paul Pless]