Lets Rank Roadsters

"CAR_IS_MI" (car-is-mi)
07/29/2014 at 13:23 • Filed to: None

We all know how much we love the Miata becasue it is an affordable, reliable, lightweight, well handling roadster but we can't forget about all the other roadsters and roadster-like-vehicles out there.

Now I am not talking about the ultra rare, insanely expensive, never going to see one never mind own one roadsters like the beautiful 507 above. I am speaking more on the mostly affordable, fairly available, sometimes occasionally reliable, light(ish), well handling roadsters (and the like).

I tried to figure out the fairest way to do this, so I have come up with a list of roadsters (major models, we are not going to delve into a list of hundreds of submodels), and provided three identical voting ballets. Each ballet is good for one vote so everyone gets 3 votes, effectively your #1, #2, and #3 picks for roadsters. Once voting is completed we should have a fairly fair and concise overall ranking.

Please please please try to keep this as fair as possible by being honest and not voting for the same car three times.

The Cars:

BMW Z3

BMW Z4

Mazda Miata

Porsche Boxster

Lotus Elise / Exige

Jaguar F-type

Alfa Romeo Spider

Fiat Spider

MG MGB

MG Midget

Saturn Sky

Pontiac Solstice

Mercedes SLK

Audi TT

Honda S2000

Vote #1:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Vote #2:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Vote #3:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

DISCUSSION (66)

trmoore09 > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 13:26

Your poll is invalid; S2000 is not listed.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 13:27

It's interesting that the only one with multiple votes is the F-Type in 3rd place.

Alfalfa > trmoore09
07/29/2014 at 13:29

He makes a good point.

trmoore09 > Alfalfa
07/29/2014 at 13:30

Not sure if it would make top 3 or not, but it's definitely worth adding.

Moves-Like-Senna > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 13:30

Why no Z8?

Kinja'd!!!

CAR_IS_MI > trmoore09
07/29/2014 at 13:31

Added

CAR_IS_MI > Moves-Like-Senna
07/29/2014 at 13:32

Too much $ and too rare for your average person

trmoore09 > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 13:33

Thanks! I'll rethink my rankings.

Party-vi > Moves-Like-Senna
07/29/2014 at 13:33

Because MSRP was over $100k, and they're still selling for over $100k.

It's a "Porch-uh" > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 13:33

The Exige is a hardtop. Only the Elise is a roadster.

CAR_IS_MI > It's a "Porch-uh"
07/29/2014 at 13:35

Yes but it is a "roadster-like-vehicle" as the share the same platform. Thats also why they are on the same line.

trmoore09 > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 13:38

Not that I mind (because I may or may not have voted for it), but wouldn't it be more like a Targa?

Schep9d > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 13:40

No Datsun 1600, Austin Healey, Triumph? 370z?

deekster_caddy > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 13:41

I'll have to excuse myself from this poll. My roadster is too much fun, but they are not that easy to own. Not all that expensive either, but let's just call it a "mechanic's dream car"... MG TF

Kinja'd!!!

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 13:41

I'd rank them as follows; MG MGB, BMW Z4, Mazda Miata (followed by a shared fourth place for the S2000 and the Boxter, with the Alfa Romeo Spider on a fifth).

CAR_IS_MI > trmoore09
07/29/2014 at 13:44

Yea but its hard to not throw the car in the running knowing what it is.

CAR_IS_MI > deekster_caddy
07/29/2014 at 13:47

Yes this is an awesome roadster but a little to rare in original (not replica) form.

trmoore09 > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 13:49

If anything it qualifies on being light and nimble.

chuck07 > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 13:51

Nice idea for the poll and good choices.

I always saw the F-type as more of an SL competitor than a SLK competitor. I see it as being in a different class than most of these roadsters.

If the Fiat Spider doesn't take first, second and third then yall are crazy.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 14:04

No E-Type?

TxBrumski > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 14:06

My honorable mention: Triumph Spitfire

Kinja'd!!!

CAR_IS_MI > Where have all the lightweights gone?
07/29/2014 at 14:10

The roadster version is fairly rare and rather pricey

CAR_IS_MI > TxBrumski
07/29/2014 at 14:11

I discluded the Triumphs as they are still relatively rare. Although I do like them.

CAR_IS_MI > chuck07
07/29/2014 at 14:19

True, but it's the closest thing to a modern British roadster.

2222222222212 > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 14:31

What about an MG TF?

2222222222212 > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 14:34

Anyone who nominated a Sky or Solstice in any spot probably owns one and has never tried any other roadster.

TxBrumski > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 14:36

I thought Fiat Spider's were more rare but a cursory eBay Motors search disproves my theory. Maybe I've just noticed them more after lusting after one...

Moves-Like-Senna > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 14:36

I get the price limitation but they aren't that rare? I see them more than most cars on that list aside from the Miata and F-Type.

CAR_IS_MI > Moves-Like-Senna
07/29/2014 at 14:37

Really? I haven't seen a wild Z8 in probably 3 years.

CAR_IS_MI > TxBrumski
07/29/2014 at 14:38

There is an abundance of them, you just rarely see them anywhere but the owners garage or the shop thats fixing them from the one time a year it gets driven...

Moves-Like-Senna > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 14:38

Wow, that sucks! I'm in Vancouver, Montreal, Northern Quebec/Ontario on a regular basis and I keep seeing them everywhere this summer.

TxBrumski > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 14:40

Haha there is an abundance of them, it's just the abundance are all broken down.

CAR_IS_MI > Moves-Like-Senna
07/29/2014 at 14:52

Are you sure its the Z8? I believe they only sold just over 2,500 in North America.

Moves-Like-Senna > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 15:32

Positive. I actually know an owner of one in Vancouver and even he's baffled but the number he's seen.

CAR_IS_MI > Moves-Like-Senna
07/29/2014 at 15:37

Must be a bunch of James Bond fans...

Moves-Like-Senna > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 15:43

Wait!? James Bond drives a Z8? I thought he drove Astons and Lotii (plural for Lotus) - sidenote: I've never seen a James Bond film long enough to see a car

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 16:14

Forgive me, OPPO. I voted not once for the Miata.

Also, not twice or thrice.

CAR_IS_MI > Moves-Like-Senna
07/29/2014 at 16:14

Kinja'd!!!

I don't remember which movie but yes.

Moves-Like-Senna > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 16:27

MY GOD! I must find this movie.

Andrew P. Collins > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 16:30

Fiat Spider needs more votes! My old man has one, and it basically introduced me to "fun with making your own tools."

And it's so much prettier than the Alfa spiders (flame suit on).

CAR_IS_MI > Andrew P. Collins
07/29/2014 at 16:33

Hey now. Alfa fan boy here. (I also enjoy the Fiats, and am supposed to be keeping my personal opinions out of this for reasons of ranking, but...)

crowmolly > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 16:36

Hey, if the MGB and such is on there, why not? Replicas are not THAT expensive. LOL.

Kinja'd!!!

Audi-os, Amigos! > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 16:37

Isn't the F-Type in a totally different league than all these others?

CAR_IS_MI > crowmolly
07/29/2014 at 16:37

becasue replica. I mean they probably could count but...

Kanaric > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 16:39

1 Miata 2 S2000 3 everything else.

Cars are rank highly are cars I can afford so I would never vote for F Type despite how much I like it.

Kanaric > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 16:39

Ive seen one never, lol

CAR_IS_MI > Audi-os, Amigos!
07/29/2014 at 16:39

Yea but its the closest thing to a modern British roadster

Audi-os, Amigos! > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 16:42

Well then let's hope they build this (technically German, though it may be):

Kinja'd!!!

Audi-os, Amigos! > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 16:48

Also why not this guy?

Kinja'd!!!

CAR_IS_MI > Audi-os, Amigos!
07/29/2014 at 16:56

Becasue I forgot that it existed

Enginerrrrrrrrr > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 17:13

I would prefer the reliability of a Factory Five over an MG, Alfa, Fiat, etc, any day.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 17:58

S2000 is the best #Bias

It's a "Porch-uh" > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 19:25

Not sure I agree that it's "roadster-like" since it has a fixed roof, thus it's not a roadster. With the logic that it's the same platform you would have to include the Z3 clownshoe, F Type Coupe, and Cayman along with their roadster counterparts.

lucky's pepper > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 19:42

Ummmm... did you forget someone?

CAR_IS_MI > lucky's pepper
07/29/2014 at 19:46

Not a roadster, just a convertible.

lucky's pepper > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 20:04

Main Entry: road·ster

Pronunciation: \rd-str\

Function: noun

1 a : a horse suitable for riding or driving on roads b : a utility saddle horse of the hackney type 2 a : a light carriage : buggy b : an automobile with an open body that seats two and has a folding fabric top and often a luggage compartment or rumble seat in the rear.

Seriously, how is the drop-top Corvette NOT a roadster?

CAR_IS_MI > lucky's pepper
07/29/2014 at 20:50

The definition being used is more closely suitable to "Alight carriage" otherwise this list would be 30 miles long.

lucky's pepper > CAR_IS_MI
07/29/2014 at 21:26

It's your list and you can arbitrarily put on or leave off whatever car you want, but don't use weight as the reason. Car & Driver lists the F-Type's curb weight as 3550-3700 lbs (I assume that's the difference between V6 and V8 versions) while the C7 ROADSTER is 3500 lbs.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Moves-Like-Senna
07/29/2014 at 23:59

The World Is Not Enough - and it might look gorgeous, but during filming, no Z8 was present because BMW actually hadn't made any available yet. So the car you see in the movie is a DAX Cobra with Z8 panels.

Moves-Like-Senna > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
07/30/2014 at 09:21

Thank you and interesting. Did BMW provide the panels or were they one offs built by a third party?

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Moves-Like-Senna
07/30/2014 at 09:39

It's most probable that BMW provided the panels, since they had product placement deal with the Bond producers for three movies. This meant that for three movies, all Bond drove were BMWs.

Moves-Like-Senna > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
07/30/2014 at 10:00

Thank you! Now I have a true reason to watch James Bond

Clay...Bill Clay > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 12:27

What, no love for the Capri?

Kinja'd!!!

HillStaffer > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 13:00

1988 Corvette Roadster is missing, making the poll invalid. Was a solid well built machine of decent power and amazing handling. And today can be had pretty cheap.

KSEGGFTW > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 13:05

There are only 2/15 in this entire list that have the option of having V8's.

I wonder which 2 I voted for? :)

EtrnL_Frost > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 14:05

Kinja'd!!!

Why is it that when I look at this thing, I feel like I cheated on my wife