THSCC Forums

As many of you know, I have been wavering on both my daily driver replacement and my Track car. The biggest issue I have had on both is I like driving the Miata on the street, but there isn’t room for the family, so I have both and haven’t committed on anything. This really affects the Miata on track because it still has all the conveniences that make it heavy. So I thought about what I like about the Miata and can I get that in a larger car that can fit the kids and wife.

So these are the things I decided I want in a replacement daily driver:
1) Convert
2) Fun to drive..but I don’t need a full fledge performance sedan, because then I will be tempted to take it on track, stack on a bunch of go fast but uncomfortable parts, and end up with another track car instead of a daily driver
3) Seating for 4 is acceptable, seating for 5 is great
4) Manual Transmission (Unbelievably hard to find in a modern convert)
5) Reliability is key since this will be a daily driver
6) Would like to keep it Under $40K
7) Doesn’t have to be new

I have done my research, and as many know I do know a bit about the cars themselves and their histories. I would like to hear opinions though, plus I might have missed a couple of choices. So here are the choices I have come up with.

Audi A4 Compact Convertible
BMW 3 Series Compact Convertible
Chrysler Crossfire Compact Convertible
Chrysler PT Cruiser Compact Convertible
Chrysler Sebring Midsize Convertible
Ford Mustang Midsize Convertible
Jaguar XK-Series Compact Convertible
Lexus SC 430 Compact Convertible
MINI Cooper Compact Convertible
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Compact Convertible
Pontiac G6 Midsize Convertible
Saab 9-3 Compact Convertible
Toyota Camry Solara Midsize Convertible
Volkswagen Eos Compact Convertible
Volkswagen New Beetle Compact Convertible
Volvo C70 Compact Convertible

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Update!!

Well, after a bit of research, looks like my search will not include any new cars. As far as I can find, there is only one 5 passenger Convert made, and it's a modified 300C costing over $55K. No thanks.

So it's either used, or we need to decide going to a 4 passenger. Or scrap the idea all together.

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Marty Howard
2011 NASA SE Factory Five Challenge Champion
Track Events Logistics Coordinator - TZC/THSCC
2007 Factory Five Challenge Car.
http://www.mh-motorsports.com

I have some experience with some of these:

Lexus SC430 - The rear seat angle is nearly greater than 90 degrees from horizontal. Although 'designed' for 4 seats, the rear seats were put in there for insurance costs and to hold groceries or golf clubs. This was sold in a automatic only to boot.

Crossfire Convertible: Great engine and decent out of the box handling. Recirculating ball steering sucks, but can be bandaided with a bigger front bar and some alignment tweaks. Traction control and Stability Control cannot be fully disengaged and would be invasive on track. This is only a 2 seater too. 18" front - 19" rears causes for interesting tire choices too. If you ran 18's all around you could run the same brand without cording issues. If you ran stock sizes, you'd be forced to run Kumho fronts and Hoosier rears (at least for now).

If I were to buy any on this list, I would buy a current gen Mustang GT convertible. Solid engine/tranny. The car has nice lines and aren't outrageously expensive. I've sat in the rear of the hardtop and it's surprising comfortable. The car is on the heavy side, but you will gain a lot of respect for it's 'handling down the straights'.

The Volvo C70 is beautiful, but heavy with a relatively small engine and an automatic only. Don't even think about a PT Cruiser or a Beetle if you want to have any respect on this board - AB

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

My first thought was a Saab.

E46 M3 convert. Seats 4 and goes like snot.

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Silver Honda
Green Ford
Blue/White Suzuki
Red Triumph
Grey BMW

"Never let life be shaped by fear of its end"

No, you're a towel!

That will be my daily driver once Rachel can climb in and out of a car seat by herself.

For Sale in 2009: 2000 BMW 540i, 125k miles. 0-60 in 5.6 seconds. $10,000

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Dibs.

I went through a similar thinking process recently and came to the same conclusion essentially as Aaron. Mustang GT convert, though I was thinking more S/N 95 since they are soooo much cheaper, you do give up a lot in ergonomics with that over the new gen though, and not modifying it would be difficult.

Mustang V-8's are good, cheap, practical daily drivers that in primary highway driving get well over 20 mpg (I get 23 plus on mid octane with my 01 manual driving from I540 & Leesville Rd to Tryon Rd just off 1 & 64). Open highway was easily over 26 mpg. Around town think mid to high teens depending on usage.

Weight is not that bad compared to many more "sophisticated" cars. How many new "performance" cars weigh around 3.5K lbs? My 2001 GT is less than 3300 lbs.

With the big V-8 an automatic (like our 97 GT) is "almost" a dream to drive in traffic. No clutch issues or worrying about being in the right gear (not that the V-8 cares anyway). Get a second set of wheels and put snow/ice tires on it if you must get around in the snow/ice.

We have over 100 K on the 97 and close to 50 K on the 01. Very few problems.

Wheels and tires swap from about 95 through 2004 (SN 95 and SN 99). 99 through 04 are the fastest of the GT's (prior to the 2005's of course)with the best brakes (i.e. just fine for street use with the oem Ford pads).

By the way, Laser Red (or the newer similar color) is the best color

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

FYI if you get serious about considering a Mustang GT convert, go rent a six cylinder version for a weekend. Tons of them should be available to give you a good idea if the "concept" works for you. Then you can test drive GT's to see/feel the difference.

Stop by Capital Ford, etc. on a Sunday to compare colors, interiors, etc. without mobs of salesmen and customers.

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

I rented one in NY about 2 years ago when the 2005's hadn't been out for very long. Even the V6 had good power. If it had a standard tranny, I think it would be pretty cool. The top was powered and went up and down quickly and easily with just a single touch of the button. - AB

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

BUZZZZZZZZ!!!!! WRONG!!!!! Yellow is by far the better color!! Especially the new yellow that they have. Much better than my yellow.

I'll second the Mustang GT being a good daily driver. I have let my father borrow the Subaru for a few days so the Mustang gets the nod for daily use. I have 2 car seats in the back and the girls are more than comfortable.

Plus the V8 roar is intoxicating!!!!

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Todd Breakey
STS 42 - 1992 Sunburst Miata
Dammit!
"You souldn't play leap frog with a porcupine. You might get hurt." - Eliza

Definitely. The old pastel looking yellow is pale in comparison (literally) to newer yellow.

YELLOW FTW!!!!

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

Yeah I think if you want fun per dollar and you are buying new the Mustang is number 1. YOu can put a roll bar in it and you will be the Lewis Hamilton of the Cobra club.

If you are comfortable with used; BMW, will out last the mustang even if it is new.

My wife loves her mini cabrio, holds it's value better than anything but the rear 2 seats are really 1.5 preferably individuals with .75 asses.

The majority of the rest are old lady cars (don't come back with the Mini stuff I've already heard it.)

Is the new Camaro coming out next year and will it come with a soft top. If so, I would wait for that.

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2002 MCS, 2003 MCS Track Rat, 2003 Generic White Yukon, 2003 BMWk1200rs, 1973 CB350F, 02 996. 08 Cayenne Turbo
http://www.clinehallagency.com

a convertible owner's two happiest days are the day they bring it home and the day they sell it. sure wish i could take credit for that statement, but i believe it is older than i am.

i had a 2001 mustang GT vert. weekend car, fun to drive. almost never drove it with the top up. sweet ride for the front seat passengers, conversation was possible. forget about being able to talk to your kids in the back seat however Marty. my daughter who by the way has a passion for speed and wind really did not enjoy the buffetting she took from the turbulence generated by whatever generates it.

new body style may be different. oh, let's not forget about the noise factor when it is raining and all you can hear is the top being slammed by a solid rain storm.


were i to get a convertible today i think i would consider the new BMW 3 with the retractable hard-top. i think i saw something about it in the recent Roundel. come to the dark side.

I disagree. I loved and miss my Miata(s) and long to add a convertible daily driver back in the mix. I often said that the Miata cost less than therapy sessions with better results. Tooling around with the top down on nice days works wonders on a stressed brain.

IMO

_________________
Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1