by "Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
Published 02/01/2017 at 15:42
by "Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
Published 02/01/2017 at 15:42
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STARS: 0
Now that it’s February, the official activity of the month here in Wisconsin is getting irritated that even though it’s already been winter for over two months, the weather won’t be decent again for another two months. Which has me thinking about convertibles!
Many years ago, I DD’d an NB Miata year-round. But since then I’ve been much more inclined to have awd and snow tires in the winter. It’s...safer. But I always think in the back of my head about getting a convertible again.
I drive a 2011 BMW 335xi M Sport coupe with a bunch of mods on it. My wife doesn’t drive it, because it’s stick shift. She has a 2016 Subaru Impreza Limited hatchback. We used to be a 3-car household but I consolidated my former Jeep Grand Cherokee and BMW 135is into this 335xi, and my wife’s car handles the hauling duties, which mostly consist of bringing large quantities of cardboard boxes from online shopping to the dump, or retrieving random pieces of old furniture from my mother-in-law’s house, garage sales, or Craigslist. Juggling 3 cars, one of which didn’t get driven in the winter, when we live in a townhouse with a 1-car garage, was kind of a pain in the ass.
Many things would have to fall into place before we could return to being a 3-car household, namely the restaurant I’m working on opening , and buying a house. But hey, doesn’t hurt to dream!
The realistic part of me knows that if I wanted to get another stupid car (my car in its current modded form is definitely stupid) it at least has to be something my wife can drive. Hence, flappy paddles.
So...what’s a fun convertible, with good handling, above-average power, and a not-shitty automatic transmission? Dual-clutch preferably, but torque converters are acceptable if they are part of a ZF 8-speed or some other particularly good option. Budget in the $25k-ish range, or at least potentially could be there in the next few years. A used 2011-2014 Audi TTS Roadster comes to mind. What else?
Go!
"Tripper" (tripe46)
02/01/2017 at 15:50, STARS: 0
Besides the TT, there is an A3 ragtop.
"Rico" (ricorich)
02/01/2017 at 15:52, STARS: 0
https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/WBSDX9C59BE399059/2011-bmw-m3/
2011 M3 convertible, $25k.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
02/01/2017 at 15:54, STARS: 0
I think you’re already spot on with the tt. Ttrs would be a blast, but expensive.
Maybe the fiata?
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
02/01/2017 at 15:54, STARS: 1
Well hell, I guess the convertibles are immune to the “it’s an NA V8 not the stupid turbo I6 like the new one” tax.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
02/01/2017 at 15:55, STARS: 0
They sell those here now? I’m getting strong VW Cabrio vibes from it, just needs a basket handle roll hoop.
"Brian Silvestro" (BrianSilvestro)
02/01/2017 at 15:58, STARS: 2
2009-2012 Boxster
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
02/01/2017 at 15:59, STARS: 0
I definitely like the PDK 987.2, particularly in Boxster S form. Have those gotten cheap enough yet?
"Mid Engine" (jdlogan2006)
02/01/2017 at 16:03, STARS: 0
TT is a chick’s car, get a Boxster or an unmolested S2000
"Milky" (jordanmielke)
02/01/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 1
IIRC the S2k is manual only.
Also: http://jalopnik.com/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-chick-car-1631006638
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
02/01/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 0
As much as I like the S2k it only came with a (fantastic) manual transmission.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
02/01/2017 at 16:15, STARS: 0
Yep, I’ve seen a couple. They’ve all been white though.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
02/01/2017 at 16:16, STARS: 0
SL55 because who doesn’t want a ~500hp supercharged V8
"Mid Engine" (jdlogan2006)
02/01/2017 at 16:29, STARS: 0
yeah, I know. Couldn’t help myself :)
"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
02/01/2017 at 16:57, STARS: 0
I’m seeing some 2016 V6 Camaro Convertibles under $30k already.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
02/01/2017 at 17:09, STARS: 0
Meh.
"RT" (rt-p)
02/03/2017 at 06:16, STARS: 0
These things have depreciated to TT prices, and Italian style wins against all.
Maserati Spyder, yes it has a flappy paddle gearbox. Life is short, enjoy it.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
02/03/2017 at 08:38, STARS: 0
I feel as if the initial purchase price won’t be the last time a Maserati would make a big dent in my wallet.
Also, aren’t the flappy paddle transmissions in those a terrible single clutch setup?
"RT" (rt-p)
02/03/2017 at 09:24, STARS: 0
This was made after Ferrari got control of Maserati, so DeTomaso-era Biturbo horror stories are long gone. It’s made in a different factory to boot, and the press seemed to claim that the build quality was fantastic. The car is certainly not bulletproof, but it’s just like any other used luxury car.
You got me with the transmission though, though many owners claim it’s so bad once you get used to it. http://www.maseratiforum.co.uk/Flappy_paddles%3F/m_62265/tm.htm
It’s probably the riskiest choice here, but I guess with risk comes reward. Up to your judgment in the end though, I may have overlooked something.
…And the 3200GT had sexier tailights, but it was Coupé only.