Roadsters: Ranked

"CAR_IS_MI" (car-is-mi)
07/30/2014 at 13:50 • Filed to: None

Based on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! from yesterdays poll of 15 possible choices, here are your picks for roadsters; ranked.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

14: MG Midget

13: Pontiac Solstice

12 (Tie): Saturn Sky

12 (Tie): Fiat Spider

11: Mercedes Benz SLK

10: MG MGB

9: BMW Z3

8: Audi TT

7: Alfa Romeo Spider

6: BMW Z4

5: Porsche Bosxter

4: Lotus Elise / Exige

3: Mazda Miata (that's right, it was not #1 overall)

2: Jaguar F-Type

1: Honda S2000

Here are the top 5 winners from each round.

#1 pick:

5: Lotus Elise / Exige - 14 votes

4: Porsche Boxster - 17 votes

3: Honda S2000 - 25 vote

2: Mazda Miata - 29 votes

1: Jaguar F-Type - 33 votes

#2 pick:

5: Porsche Boxster - 17 votes

4: Mazda Miata - 18 votes

3: Lotus Elise / Exige - 19 votes

2: Jaguar F-Type - 21 votes

1: Honda S2000 - 30 votes

#3 pick:

5: Porsche Boxster - 14 votes

4: Jaguar F-Type - 18 votes

3: Mazda Miata - 19 votes

2: Lotus Elise / Exige - 21 votes

1: Honda S2000 - 23 votes

DISCUSSION (37)

camaroboy68ss > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 14:01

why no corvette or 32 Ford roadster?

trmoore09 > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 14:02

Main reason I voted for the S2000 over the F-type is the size. Clearly the F-type is nicer, faster, sounds better, etc., but it's not a small car. When I think roadster, I think Miata, S2k, MGB, etc.

CAR_IS_MI > camaroboy68ss
07/30/2014 at 14:03

Vette is more of a convertible sports car (although the earlier years were closer to a roadster, those are now rather out of the realm of general affordability. As per the Ford, even though it is called a roadster, it is a different kind of roadster than the roadsters being discussed.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 14:05

That's a pretty sweet top five, but I'm not sure the F-Type really belongs with the rest of these. More of a 911 Cab competitor.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > trmoore09
07/30/2014 at 14:07

I agree. Doesn't seem to fit with the rest. My top three were S2000, Boxster, Elise (which is also different, as it's a targa, not a true convertible.

trmoore09 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/30/2014 at 14:09

Yea, I kept going back and forth, but I think my final rankings were: S2k, f-type, elise (boxster a close 4th)

CAR_IS_MI > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/30/2014 at 14:10

Yea but I felt I had to include it as it is the closest thing to a modern British roadster.

chuck07 > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 14:14

Y'all are just jealous.

Kinja'd!!!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 14:15

Curb weights for the top five:

2800
3520
2480
2000
2910

One of these things is not like the others...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > trmoore09
07/30/2014 at 14:17

F-Type may be at the top for me as far as desirability, but I guess I DQed it because of weight/price.

CAR_IS_MI > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/30/2014 at 14:17

its the 2000 lbs'er isnt it

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 14:19

I can see that. Would have been interesting to see where a Caterham would have landed, but then you have to start including all kinds of other barely-road-cars.

trmoore09 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/30/2014 at 14:20

Yea, that's true. I changed my rankings so many times, I'm not 100% sure what I ended up with.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 14:21

You could argue both the top and bottom end are very dissimilar to the rest.

Wonder how power-to-weight stacks up for these five.

Redd, the RX-7 that could > trmoore09
07/30/2014 at 14:22

Miata is only 3rd???

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > trmoore09
07/30/2014 at 14:24

I'd be very happy to own any of the top 5 (assuming I'd fit in them comfortably).

trmoore09 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/30/2014 at 14:27

I'm 6'4 240, and I fit in all but the Miata (head is over the windshield). The S2k and elise are hard to get into, but not too bad once you're in. I can't say for the other two, but they aren't small cars, so it should be fine.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > trmoore09
07/30/2014 at 14:32

I've sat in all of them, but only driven two - the NC Miata and a Cayman S (I'm 6'1" 225). I'm long-legged, and not sure if I could live with the Miata on a regular basis. I would happily look goofy on egress and ingress to own an Elise - ha!

trmoore09 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/30/2014 at 14:33

Gotcha, I've only driven (owned) the S2k.

That big ass hump getting in: (elise)

Kinja'd!!!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > trmoore09
07/30/2014 at 14:41

But just look at what you get to play with once you get "over the hump"!

My wife likes the way they look, too.

trmoore09 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/30/2014 at 14:42

Buy one! Apparently they all cost $30k. lol

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > trmoore09
07/30/2014 at 14:45

Look, honey - no depreciation!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > trmoore09
07/30/2014 at 14:46

http://www.wirewheel.com/2005-Lotus-Eli…

trmoore09 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/30/2014 at 14:57

YELLOW: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

ORANGE: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

RACECAR: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

ALL $30K!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > trmoore09
07/30/2014 at 15:25

It's funny because it's true.

EL_ULY > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 16:18

whooo S2K

CAR_IS_MI > EL_ULY
07/30/2014 at 16:18

NOT MINE...

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 16:21

WOOOOO! #S2000VictoryLap

MIATAAAA > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 16:28

I've got two on the list.

Which one will be next!? S2000 probably (hopefully!).

Piero Giorgi > camaroboy68ss
07/30/2014 at 17:01

Becaiuse we are talking about real cars.

Supercharged-V8-Jag > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 17:39

No SLS Roadster!!?

Kinja'd!!!

CAR_IS_MI > Supercharged-V8-Jag
07/30/2014 at 17:40

Because super affordable for the masses.

472CID > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 17:53

The TT is definitely not a roadster, it's more like a sport coupe (effectively a fancy hot hatch). Even the Elise kinda isn't a roadster given the top, but if you really want to be strict a roadster has not top whatsoever.

I'm also noticing a lack of Triumphs and Elans.

Slave2anMG > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 20:46

The Midget deserves more love. Tiny, light, a road legal go kart. I had a nice B and my semi-ratty Midget; I still have the Midget. It's just too much damn fun.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 22:27

No 914?

Bluecold > CAR_IS_MI
07/31/2014 at 06:34

1. Alfa Spider Osso di Sepia

2. Alfa Spider Coda Tronca

3. Alfa Spider Aerodinamica

4. Alfa Spider s4

Everybody who has another roadster actually really wants an Alfa Spider, but chickens out due to reliability and rust concerns.

Stef Schrader > CAR_IS_MI
08/03/2014 at 04:27

No Datsun? Elise/Exige not #1? Zero vintage Porsche racers whatsoever? And THOSE aren't #1?

TRAVESTY.

All your base are belong to 356 Speedster.

Kinja'd!!!

Or 550 Spyder.