Roadster of choice

[DrDrew]

So, I and the misses have occasionally thought about getting a 2 seat roadster for the summer months for a bit of fun. I particularly like the MR2 - though it's lack of practicality is a bit of an issue, as it would even be a consideration if you just stopped somewhere for a bit of shopping. MX5 is a good, obvious choice - though I've yet to drive a mk2 or 3 version. Have put a couple of others in the list that we've occasionally spoken about.

Thought I'd put this to a general discussion & vote to see what other people think/have experienced with these or others. So, what do you think is the best roadster out there for a bit of fun?

Before it's suggested - S2000 is still out (unfortunately) due to the group 20 nature.

 

[gsidave]

Unless you like doing head gaskets don't even think of the rover.
Later shape mr2 engines are very strong.
So in first place is mx5.

 

[weebob]

You have missed off the Alfa Spider

 

[DrDrew]

I'm not a particular fan of the older Alfa Spider, and the new one's probably going to be a bit pricey unless I chopped in the 133 which I'm not really intending to do

 

[Karl]

MR2

Use to work for Toyota before Renault. Loverly cars.

 

[singlespeed]

the Mk2 MR2 has a large boot and a usable space in the front. Just be carefull putting everything in the back, balance some weight in the front or it gets interesting. 93 onwards had more power and major suspension changes, which made them less likely to spin from oversteer. T top leaked and rattled compared to mine with a sunroof. Sunroof tilts or comes out and stows in the front.

2.0 16v gti is plenty of power to have fun and get yourself into trouble. Uprated suspension and bushes on an early car handled extremely well, but you had to be on the ball and it was tiring to do long distances

 

[maggi200]

I'd like a Brabus roadster v6 biturbo. But as they only made like 7...

Moving away from a smart :lol: id want a cappuccino or Honda beat purely cos I've always loved the pair of them!

 

[madmatt]

I'd definetly say MX5.
The MG can be fine, once you've replaced the thermostat and fitted a comp gasket.
The Hydrospastic suspension's a bitch on the early ones l.

So, out the box, MX5 RS - 6 Speed box and Bose Audio

 

[frediiii]

mx5 is no roadster... it has a folding roof... it's a cabriolet

the coice is obvious:

if a S2000 is out of the question, the boxster 'tent edition' spyder is out as well, I guess...

 

[gavin-h]

MX5 - that was my other choice when I went for the Twingo...

...but I went for the bigger bootspace in the end :lol:

 

[Karl]

Spider you need a Spider!

 

[Bones]

I went for "other" i.e none :lol:

Not a fan of roadsters at all! (personal opinion ofc)

 

[frediiii]

I went for "other" i.e none :lol:

Not a fan of roadsters at all! (personal opinion ofc)

glad you shared

 

[DrDrew]

Spider's are pretty awesome - but a bit out of the spectrum from what I was looking at. Looks like the mx5 has a fairly comfortable victory at the moment. I suppose one option is to wait a bit and get a wind (making sure to take the name off the back :lol: )

And James - a Suzuki Cappuccino? Sat in one of those and had a comfortable driving position when I was 10! They're tiny

 

[frediiii]

daihatsu copen maybe?

 

[MovingShadow]

Ariel Atom?

Probaly beats 90% of any car on the road

 

[DrDrew]

daihatsu copen maybe?

oh no

With the roof down - I think it has the most unusable boot in history. Makes an MR2 roadsters' boot look cavernous.

 

[Daveyb133]

the little turbo engine has a 9k rev limit though and the interior of them is all recaro and momo.

id never have 1 in a million years, they are awful things but they do have some positives

 

[maggi200]

What about a fiat barchetta? Lhd but looks gorgeous!!