talizman

iTrader: (1)

With winter upon us and the time for buying rag tops just right, the missus wants one for next summer and I've narrowed it down to

E46 M3 2004-2005 £11-£12k

Boxster 987 2005 £13k ish

Audi S4 2004-2005 £9-£11k

I've not driven any of them but I'm certain that they'll all sound awesome with the roof down, anyone had any experiences (bad or good) of any.

The S4 appeals in practical terms, ie 4WD and best back seat *should* the kids need taken in it.

The Boxster least practical but possibly most appealing to me

The M3 somewhere between the other two in terms of practicality and maybe even in general appeal...

Whats your thoughts?

stilover

Audi's always look the better soft tops.

Just just look a **** in a soft top BMW

legacy_gtb

iTrader: (3)

Audis are soulless euro boxes of drivelly sheeeee-ite! Very capable car but as interesting as chip board! and as envolving as sleep walking!

M3 .... as stiloversaid .... you'll look like a **** because anyone who knows what m3's are all about wont understand buying a roofless one!

The beetle .... impractical yes, but probably the best of a bad bunch!

Why not get her a mk3 mr2 to kick about in (theyre actually suprisingly enjoyable and available for peanuts) and spend the remaining £9k on your scoob?

spike69

iTrader: (1)

Slk 350 is in budget (2005) should be around £8.5k

272 Bhp and great fun to drive!

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

MX5 - less cost, less to maintain but as much fun if not more.

Try a MX5 Mk2.5 Sport with the 6 speed, Bilsteins, heated leather and LSD .

legacy_gtb

iTrader: (3)

What about 350z or s2000????

Or hows about a tuscan?

Dingdongler

If its only for your missus then fine, but no man should be seen driving one of these cars, they are as gay as ****! The Audi says you are gay AND have no personality

zip106

Get her an Elise and be done with it.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Honda s2000 best of the rag tops by far........

Saxo Boy

If you are considering a boxter you should also consider the Z4M Roadster. They are outstanding value just now with 2006/7 models on <50k miles starting at £12k. I'd much, much rather have one over a rag-top M3.

I've never driven a Z4M Roadster, just a 2.0 Z4. I have owned an S2000, which I loved, but I expect with 100hp more the Z4M would be a significant step above for power, acceleration, and willingness for hooliganism.

Shaid

+10000000000!

And if you want to go fast spend a couple of k on a supercharger conversion

Trout

iTrader: (1)

Boxster is an outstanding car - dull to look at, but an amazing depth of capability. Quite anonymous as well.

M3 is good - obviously better with a lid.

Audi - I reckon you will look like more of a **** in an Audi than you will in a BMW.

MX5 - very good, fun drive

Andy RB5

S2000

scatty

iTrader: (1)

elise 111r should do the trick. a car with some soul...

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

Mini cooper

































....joke

zip106

That's a good shout.

May possibly find a Z4 Alpina in your price range?

lozgti1

Sports car rag tops should only have two seats!

Love roof off motoring.Hate four seater roof off motoring.Just not right somehow!

SRSport

I was looking to choose between a BMW Z4 3.0, S2000 and boxster 3 years ago before the kids came along. After test driving and trawling forums the S2000 was the only one left in contention.

Used Boxsters had terrible problems with RMS and something else (cant remember what) that could lead to engine rebuilds £5000+,
BMW was nice but a lot of them around and not as well made as a S2000.
The ONLY issue that seemed to face S2000s were geometry adjustments siezing, not a massive problem really and most owners dont even realise.

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

z4m would be great. s54 lump out of the e46 = bundles of win i rekon.

Scrappy9

Out of those Boxster for me, our 3.2s has just been written off but as soon as insurance is sorted will be buying another.

RMS has been an issue but not as big as some say, but same with all/most marques always something E36 SMG - some scoobs engines - etc

Boxster's have surprising amount of luggage space and do handle very very well IMO

GC8

A six speed NB would be nice, but out of the list Id only consider the Boxster. The alternatives are both saloons with their roof cut off, whereas the 987 is a purpose designed open sports car.

By the same token, any other car that you consider should also be a clean sheet design (Z4, MX-5, S2000 etc).

Fulmentaljack3t

S2000 or Z4M which is a great car

Simon K

Audi S4 cab for me. Lovely 4wd, lovely v8 engine, lovely build quality and reliable. Room in the back for the kids too.

M3 are cheap now so driven by chav's or ****, S2000 is lovely but no back seats though and need to be thrashed, Boxsters mmmm I respect them for what they are but they have oil seal issues / engine re-builds. Ive never quite liked he look of them either.

So, audi S4 for me. Lovely car ! Nice roof fit too !

SBK

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

If you want a good mix of fun and practicality then the M3 is the way to go, if you are really after a sports car and are considering a Boxster then go and drive an S2000.

I owned a Boster S and was utterly underwhelmed by it. Not that great performance wise despite a great chassis and very expensive to run and unreliable (electrics). Porsche fanatics rave about them.... but that is to be expected I guess... I have no idea why!

Chopped it in for an S2000..... wow, what a car. More fun than the Boxster and everything works... forever..... it's bullet proof. Beautifully built, great to look at and cheap to run. Try one.

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

S2000 is a great car, I had one years ago which I took in px and just needed to move it on. I was really gutted to sell it actually, quite rare to get a reliable jap car that has that sort of character. Tyres and geometry are important to get right, mine had worn tyres and geo was out and it was scarey. I didn't even know until I got it up to 70 and backed off and it tried to change lanes on me I took a motorway journey in the wet the night I got it and hated it. A read online, some new tyres and an allignment job and it was a different car.

My mate has a boxster and moans about the negative attention, he also had an A4 cab before and never put the roof down for the same reason.

zip106

My Boxster has never attracted negative attention - sure it's not the way he drives it?

I very rarely have my roof on - if it isn't raining it's off (I can't be arsed to put it on as it's a manual roof, and it's in the garage now with the roof off)

I have noticed though that most cabs I see have the roof on - even in decent weather.


S2000 was always a car I wanted to try when they were new, but never did.

R12CYS

Boxer is nice but i would have to take up hair dressing, Out of the 3 i would have the m3 if not s2000....

zip106

You'd be better off taking up spelling lessons before hairdressing.

R12CYS

Guess you have one then..... Sorry mate great car I would deffo buy the wife one...

zip106

Ah, you're from Ripley.
No wonder you don't understand.

My conversation with you stops here.