2 seater convertibles

[edwardbear]

I'm looking an affordable 2 seater convertible. £3000 or less. I don't mind a bit of a project or some welding.

Preferably something where the seats are set far back into the car

Any suggestions

[piguin]

Any preference on the era, engine, driven wheels?

Late 80's and forwards brought as you know a revival of the roadsters, with MX5's (ideal if you like welding ), MGf's (seats not far back because mid engined but perfect if you like projects), Z3's (long hood and seats far back, but in that awkward period of BMW's design that makes them a love or hate affair).
Fiat Barchetta's are enough of an odd ball to stand out and they are a decent drive with some interesting features like the door handles, but are front wheel drive and don't know if that is your thing.
MR2's also fit the bill somewhat, but they are either too small, or not fully convertible.
Mercedes does have some interesting offerings, with older SL's being rather good value for what they are right now, and various generations of SLK's although I never liked the way they drove.

If all the above are too modern for you, could I perhaps suggest the rear wheel drive Alfa Romeo Spiders? They have the look you ask for, and you might be able to grab a relative bargain if you are prepared for a lot of welding and tinkering.

If you prefer something older and more British, a Spitfire might fit the bill, along with MGb's, and you might be able to rescue an XJS, although I don't know how close to your budget those might be...

[georgeb]

And throw one of these into the mix


Got the long bonnet/rearwards seating your looking for.

[stuey]

BMW z4's are coming down alot now into the sub £3000 category and having owned one for 3 years I can well recommend them and being based on 3 series mechanicals they aren't expensive to get parts for and work on, this is mine-

[edwardbear]

All good suggestions

I was looking for some old-ish but have no problems with some modern and retro.

Its the rear-ward seats I'm key on. We are a Honda household so the s2000 is a great call. prices have remained relatively high as these seem to be slightly rare on the roads and don't seem to get resold

I've never had a BMW, wouldn't say no to one but its unknown territory.


One other thing reverse gear needs to be right and back.

[thebaron]

I can't restrain myself and have to ask..... why?

Sept 5, 2017 8:25:24 GMT edwardbear said:

All good suggestions


One other thing reverse gear needs to be right and back.

6 Speed on the Z4 is left and up. You have to get the S2000 now

[paul99]

My Quantum up for sale?

www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C473032

Ford mechanicals (XR2 based) in a lightweight fiberglass body (no rust) mechanically complete but need recomissioning for the road. Legroom a plenty (I'm 6' and don't need the seat all the way back)

[scimjim]

Sept 5, 2017 8:25:24 GMT edwardbear said:

One other thing reverse gear needs to be right and back.

and anything with a Ford type 9 is out

[Rebuilda]

Dutton Phaeton series 1 or 2 (1 would be better) Zetec and MT75.
Rear seating, Your backside is between the front half of the rear wheels.
Zetec give enough poke to make life interesting without breaking the bank on parts
MT75 gives right and back reverse gear.
Priced so that if the zetec / MT75 isnt fitted you could afford to modify it.
Very few about built to that spec but can be done for sub £3k.

Now I've looked at that again i'm not sure about the right and back on the MT75 so checking with someone who did one.

Yup right and back on MT75 but with a lifting collar.

[adam73bgt]

If you can bring your budget up a bit, I might have just the thing

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192296104634?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Sept 5, 2017 8:25:24 GMT edwardbear said:

One other thing reverse gear needs to be right and back.

Got that covered too

[Midland Performance & Retro]

I'll have an MG TF coming up for sale shortly. I like MX-5's and MGF's/TF's in terms of small roadsters that are relatively cheap to buy and run. The MX-5's have their advantages, but as a fun driving tool I've always preferred the mid-engined MGs.

S2000s and Z4s are great, I've had an S2000 and several Z4s, but I wouldn't want to buy either of those anywhere near a budget of £3k and the running costs are way higher too.

Anyway, the TF. It'll be within your budget, with change, is low mileage, low owner, new glass heated rear screen, just had a full respray, wheels refurbed, new MLS head gasket and water pump, new cam belt, new brakes all round, full MOT and is the best colour (trophy blue). If you want a project it's not that as everything has been done, but it's an enthusiasts/tinkerers car and a proper modern classic British sports car and a hell of a lot of fun for a simple, cheap to run/easy to maintain car.

[sweendog]

Is it a perhaps a clever way of simultaneously ruling out autos and modern 6 speeds

I'm a big fan of my recent mx5 purchase but it is a wee bit underpowered if you like quick stuff (who doesnt). Pile on the revs, attack a twisty road with the top down and you'll be grinning.

Cheap early TT?

Or some British stuff giving you both a car and a full time job in one?


I'm 6ft tall and have put 5k miles on a '93 mx5 with no nasty surprises or discomfort. Been surprised by how much I like it.

Love the z3s but the 2.8 is the one to have (had it in a 328 - super smooth). Not sure they'll be as reliable as Japanese though?

S2000s will blow the budget but MR2s could be a shout
Mk1s rust
Mk2s are a personal favourite
Mk3s maybe a bit soft?

All opinions are my own no warranty given or implied. Subject to status. Terms and conditions apply.

[edwardbear]

Sept 5, 2017 14:45:44 GMT thebaron said:

I can't restrain myself and have to ask..... why?

Sept 5, 2017 8:25:24 GMT edwardbear said:

All good suggestions


One other thing reverse gear needs to be right and back.

6 Speed on the Z4 is left and up. You have to get the S2000 now

There's no logic in reverse being forwards. It just doesn't make any sense.

[VIP]

Sept 4, 2017 23:51:42 GMT georgeb said:

And throw one of these into the mix


Got the long bonnet/rearwards seating your looking for.

You're not going to find an S2000 for sub-£3000 anymore, that ship has long sailed.

[SmokeEm]

SLK Merc? Auto but still very affordable. 3k would get you a minter.

[hurnleft]

This one cost me £1500 a month ago, I'm very pleased with it.

[levismerc]

I picked this up late last year for half of your budget. Manual flavour - the later six speed box is decent.

Reverse is back and to the left though.

I had to get rid of the 18" wheels as the handling was a bit jiggly. Standard 16" five spokes means it's a bit less of a handful :-)



edit; It looks more like this now...

[edwardbear]

Yes! The slk is looking like a good shout

[Littlepixel]

What about a nice VTEC Civic Del Sol?

[edwardbear]

I do have a soft spot for a del sol, however have been warned away from them as heavy, oil leaking cars.

Also good condition del sols are getting hard to find