convertible/soft top for E3000

TimMac · 09-09-2010 8:40pm #1

lads
looking to buy a convertible/softtop for someone as a present I am leaning towards a mazda mx5 or a mr2.

has anyone any experience of either of these or know of any problems to look out for?

cheers

09-09-2010 8:46pm

I doubt you'd get a rag top MR2 for that budget, you'd get an old T bar roofed one but they are a different beast entirely really.

djimi · 09-09-2010 8:51pm

Ive no experience of either but the general consensus seems to be that the MX-5 is the best you can get in that price range.

jaffa20 · 09-09-2010 8:52pm

Yeah if they can get by with only 2 seats, the mx5 is a great car. I've no regrets anyway.

CharlieCroker · 09-09-2010 8:54pm

Mx5 is a great car, drove a 20 year old one recently and gearbox was still as tight as a drum!!

MR2 has no boot!

TimMac · 09-09-2010 9:21pm

actually its quite manageable on that sort of a budget, loking at a 00 & a 01 soft top mr2 for that sorta money.

plenty of MX5,s for that sort of money as well.

RoverJames wrote: »

I doubt you'd get a rag top MR2 for that budget, you'd get an old T bar roofed one but they are a different beast entirely really.

TimMac · 09-09-2010 9:23pm

would ye go for automatic or manual gearbox in mx5, i see all the jap imports are automatic?

Plates365.com · 09-09-2010 9:29pm

Personal preference but I hate automatics. A manual mx5 would be a superior machine IMO

CharlieCroker · 09-09-2010 9:31pm

not all, but all auto's are imports. Defeats the purpose imo. Its a drivers car and needs a manual gearbox for it to perform properly. AFAIR, most Jappers came with an LSD.

TimMac · 09-09-2010 10:09pm

That would be my thoughts as well automatic gearboxes are boring made for lazy yanks, also I presume the 1.6 automatic gearbox version wouldnt be as lively as the manual.

Esel · 10-09-2010 1:48am

TimMac wrote: »

...automatic gearboxes are boring made for lazy yanks....

No experience, then? Not referring to the MX5 auto, btw.

E39MSport · 10-09-2010 7:58am

If its a gift, you could consider getting a nice classic MGB GT roadster in the UK (or indeed here). Then they won't have to fork out a mammoth yearly sum to keep your 'gift' on the road.

2 Espressi · 10-09-2010 8:41am

Aye, but a 5 wll be more reliable than an MG, and usable daily.
Eunos Roadsters tend to be better specced (A/C, LSD, leather), but dont have the same level of rust protection from the factory, so check the sills (cills?) and wheel arches for tin worm.
There's a really good buyer's guide on Pistonheads:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=185&t=803271&mid=102836&nmt=Common%20MX5%20Faults%20/%20Buying%20Guide

There's not a lot of benefit in going to the UK for one at the moment, many irish cars are being offloaded as the topless season comes to an end.

Anan1 · 10-09-2010 9:37am

CharlieCroker wrote: »

not all, but all auto's are imports.

Not all JDM imports are auto, i've seen a lot of both. Agreed on manual being the way to go, though.

@OP - Much as I love MX-5s, it's a completely crazy idea to buy a car for someone without their input.

CharlieCroker · 10-09-2010 9:55am

Anan1 wrote: »

Not all JDM imports are auto, i've seen a lot of both. Agreed on manual being the way to go, though.

@OP - Much as I love MX-5s, it's a completely crazy idea to buy a car for someone without their input.

Didn't say all imports are auto, I said all autos are imports!
I.e. Anything with an auto box is an import

Anan1 · 10-09-2010 10:01am

CharlieCroker wrote: »

Didn't say all imports are auto, I said all autos are imports!
I.e. Anything with an auto box is an import

Sorry, I read that arseways!

TimMac · 10-09-2010 12:09pm

ya I have driven a few vehicles with automatic gearboxes, theyre ideal if your doing long trips on motorways or towing trailers or driving around large cities but not in the context of a small sports car.

esel wrote: »

No experience, then? Not referring to the MX5 auto, btw.

TimMac · 10-09-2010 12:12pm

would love a roadster but I dont think its feasible on a budget of 3500 euro

E39MSport wrote: »

If its a gift, you could consider getting a nice classic MGB GT roadster in the UK (or indeed here). Then they won't have to fork out a mammoth yearly sum to keep your 'gift' on the road.

TimMac · 10-09-2010 12:14pm

Thanks for that very helpful, I agree no better value to be had across the pond at the moment

2 Espressi wrote: »

Aye, but a 5 wll be more reliable than an MG, and usable daily.
Eunos Roadsters tend to be better specced (A/C, LSD, leather), but dont have the same level of rust protection from the factory, so check the sills (cills?) and wheel arches for tin worm.
There's a really good buyer's guide on Pistonheads:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=185&t=803271&mid=102836&nmt=Common%20MX5%20Faults%20/%20Buying%20Guide

There's not a lot of benefit in going to the UK for one at the moment, many irish cars are being offloaded as the topless season comes to an end.

TimMac · 10-09-2010 12:15pm

Thought about getting an mg roadster but I dont think its feasible on a budget of E3500 but with the cheap tax & insurance youre losing more modern features like power steering, air bags etc.

Has anybody any experience of Saab convertibles I presume they could be very troublesome second hand???

I think 1.6 manual MX5 is probably the way to go, thanks everybody for your input

convertible/soft top for E3000

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