MX5

[screenman]

Wow, they are available cheap now I like them and was tempted when I saw a sub £4k 06 with decent history and not mega mileage!

But, if you want an MX5 for fun motoring, it's just not the same thing, it will be much more refined like a Z4, but nowhere near as much fun.

Must admit despite having owned loads of MX5 I have never enjoyed driving them, this is more than likely because I dislike driving.

 

[Oldfentiger]

Must admit despite having owned loads of MX5 I have never enjoyed driving them, this is more than likely because I dislike driving.

Fair comment I suppose.
I dislike driving with a passion when stuck on a motorway conveyor belt, or crowded A roads, or when it's p1ssing down, etc. etc.
However, the flip side is top-down motoring around the Yorkshire Dales, or cruising over the Alps and Dolomites.
The MX5 isn't my sole vehicle, so when I can't take it out for enjoyment it stays in the garage.
That's why it's 7 years old, pristine with only 26K miles on it. They've been 26K enjoyable miles though.

 

[Tin Pot]

France seems to be a great place for driving, top down, cruising or roaring around the Champagne region, not traffic, no troubles...

 

[Cycleops]

France seems to be a great place for driving, top down, cruising or roaring around the Champagne region, not traffic, no troubles...

Just as long as you stay off the Champagne.

 

[screenman]

I used to enjoy driving in France, or riding the motorbike over there and fully understand that others can enjoy it, just now I do not but the pleasure may come back one day. The MX5 is a great little car, and I have done very well with everyone I have owned.

 

[Markymark]

I have a 335 bmw convertible. Awesome. With the roof up (solid) you'd never know it was a convertible.

Bored of convertibles now though.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I have a 335 bmw convertible. Awesome. With the roof up (solid) you'd never know it was a convertible.

Bored of convertibles now though.

Nice to have the option though. We miss not having one in the family. Tell me it's an i not a d?!

 

[Markymark]

Nice to have the option though. We miss not having one in the family. Tell me it's an i not a d?!

It's a i. I've had convertibles for the last 10 years. Probably prefer other cars as getting kids in an out of a 3 door is a pain and they don't get much room at the back.

 

[mustang1]

I used to drive a couple of these when they first came out. Three things I remember about them:
1. You should unzip the back screen and lay it flat when on the motorway as it really quietens things down.
2. They're very quick in the corners. The person in the vauxhall turbo 4x4 (can't recall name, it was the nice looking coupe) rocketed away from me in the straights but I was itching to over take on the corners.
3. You had to screw the aerial on. A girlfriend done this in the motorway with the backscreen down as she climbed out the back and fidgeted.

 

[mustang1]

I know it's silly but the pop up headlights would put me off. It's just a feature for the sake of it and would irritate.me. That said, a friend (stricly, his Mrs) had one and liked it and I gather it was perfectly fine. Never driven one or even been in one.

I quite fancy one of those Nissan 350z. Again never had a go in one, but somehow appeals

I always noticed the first model with pop up lights as having a huge gap in the bonnet shutline.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I used to drive a couple of these when they first came out. Three things I remember about them:
1. You should unzip the back screen and lay it flat when on the motorway as it really quietens things down.
2. They're very quick in the corners. The person in the vauxhall turbo 4x4 (can't recall name, it was the nice looking coupe) rocketed away from me in the straights but I was itching to over take on the corners.
3. You had to screw the aerial on. A girlfriend done this in the motorway with the backscreen down as she climbed out the back and fidgeted.

Calibra

 

[Drago]

Oh aye, those Calibra turbos were mental. Fragile drivetrains, but nutty fast. Pretty for a car, too.

 

[Piemaster]

Calibra turbos didn't seem to get the same following as the Sierra Cosworths, but there was potential for same sort of power. Or you could just go get the Lotus carlton

There are still people who think that driving a sports car means you are playing around, or having a mid life crisis - you can't help those people, they're stuck in the eighties, just move on.

My Alfa is from the eighties

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Calibra turbos didn't seem to get the same following as the Sierra Cosworths, but there was potential for same sort of power. Or you could just go get the Lotus carlton

Because not a fast Ford, which just seem to have some inexplicable cachet

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

I'd guess a few reasons.
UK buys more convertibles than a lot of europe put together. Think this may be weather related as we tend to get cooler summers than Southern Europe so maybe better convertible weather - everyone else wants aircon. I'd somewhat temper this with the amount of soft tops here that I don't see with the top down, despite costing more in the first place and opening with all the effort of pushing a button
There is some poseur factor. There is a fine line between looking good and looking like a knob though. I of course am
They have Alfas.
View attachment 363107

Actually just had a colleague return from Dubai. He was chatting to a doctor there who was saying vitamin D deficiency is becoming a problem as everyone goes straight from aircon transport to aircon buildings without actually getting out into any sun.

I love Alfa's, wanted one all my life since the Sud, that's a lovely car there. I'm more or less convinced that I'm going to get a 159 as my commuting car, a 2.0 JTD Sportwagon. I just think they're the the best looking saloon/estate on the road, although the Giulia, is truly stunning, but out of my price range, and I couldn't deal with the deprecation. I also like the Fiat Coupe from a similar era to the one pictured, or maybe they're a touch newer, not sure. Similar lines though.