What's a $75K Replacement for an MR2?

"Rosco458" (Rosco458) 10/11/2015 at 20:44 • Filed to: toyota, mr2, spyder, porsche, audi, alfa, alfaromeo, 4c, r8, boxster, jaguar, astonmartin, vantage, ftype

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My dad has owned a 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder for the past eight years. He absolutely loves the thing: mid-engined, manual, reliable as hell. However he is looking for a big upgrade . Price range is $50K-100K, and he wants something that shares some of the great qualities of the MR2. He wants something sporty and with a removable top, anything else is pretty much fair game. Current considerations and why he is shying away from them:

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster (used) - too unreliable and not sporty enough.

Audi R8 V8 Spyder (used) - right at the upper edge of the price range.

Alfa Romeo 4C Spyder - reliability questions and pretty shitty interior.

Porsche Boxster - way too common, not special enough.

Jaguar F-Type Convertible - maybe not sporty enough, depreciates like wildfire.

Also he isn’t really interested in any classics. So Opponauts, what do you recommend? Are one of the listed contenders above the clear choice? Do you have better ideas? Fire away!

P.S. - I realize this is the ultimate “first world problem”, and I understand how fortunate one must be in order to be in this situation and I don’t take this for granted.

jkm7680 > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 20:48

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Lotus Elise.

Oh and you shouldn’t be buying a $100,000 car if you’re scared about reliability. Just putting that out there.....

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 20:49

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Personally, I think I’d go for an F-type. Manual, convertible, and that exhaust note.

However, he could go over to the Porsche dealer and see if he could get a Boxster Spyder allocation. If he can get one, go for that. They'll be nowhere near as common as regular ones. If not, the Jaaaaaaag.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 20:50

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Boxster Spyder

Or a Corvette

In either coupe or convertible as both have removable roofs

bob and john > jkm7680 10/11/2015 at 20:52

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what he said.

Alex from Toronto > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 20:52

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Mabye a used Lotus Evora?

bob and john > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 20:52

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lotus evora?

also, what JKM said. 100k and reliable. ehhh.

Rosco458 > Van Man, rocks the Man Van 10/11/2015 at 20:52

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Boxster Spyder is actually an awesome idea that never crossed my mind. However I dare you to find me one for sale anywhere in the US.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 20:54

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Just ask around at some nearby Porsche dealers and you could possibly get an allocation.

Tohru > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 20:55

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NSX. Motor in the same place, it’s supposed to be as reliable as an Accord, available as a targa, special and rare, Ayrton fucking Senna approves it.

Here’s a nice looking 1995 (converted to 2002 appearance) targa with 79k miles sitting at $40,500. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acura-NSX-…

Here’s a 2002 targa with 8,300 miles at a dealership, they’re asking $96k.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acura-NSX-…

dogisbadob > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 20:55

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Lotus Evora. Mid-engine manual Toyota :)

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 20:58

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I would go for an S5 Cabrio. Awesome car with a wicked engine and amazing platform.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 20:58

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Boxster

CRider > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 20:59

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Not a convertible (yet), but who cares? None of those other cars have a V10.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 21:02

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Corvette Z06. It’s a sporty, has a removable top, and is absolutely epic. Failing that, BMW Z4.

Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 21:02

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Boxter or Cayman.

Bandit > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 21:03

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Just do the 8C. What about a Lotus Exige S Roadster?

DrScientist > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 21:03

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elise. would suggest the beefier motor in the exige, but they only come in hardtop.

also, 50k might get you the best elise for sale in the US.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 21:07

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Lotus Elise with a built up turbo 2ZZ.

jariten1781 > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 21:11

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Upper trim Boxster is the correct answer.

Or

Used 911 vert.

Or

Z4M

daender > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 21:12

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987 Boxster with a 997 Carrera S or GT3 engine swap to be unique/rare.

Road and Track tested a swapped Cayman with a 54k$ MSRP. I imagine you could still be under 75k$ with a GT3 drveline upgrade.

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 21:13

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I’m gonna say either R8 Spyder or a 911 Targa (if they’re in that range.)

Another one might be older Gallardo spyders?

Dsscats > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 21:18

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C7 Corvette

Amoore100 > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 21:28

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I would say the Jag but just because I think it’s one of the prettiest and nicest sounding cars of the last decade or so...you would have to go with the V6 but that’s no big loss in my opinion...

It can get pretty pricey very quickly though, here is a V6 S which you can see I have specced right up to 100K not including delivery, so it may not be the best choice in terms of bang for the buck. That’s just my 2 cents though, in the end it’s really your father’s choice...let us know what he buys in the end!

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Bandit 10/11/2015 at 21:39

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Not sold in America

Bandit > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 10/11/2015 at 21:46

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Well shit. What do they sell here? Just an Evora?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Bandit 10/11/2015 at 21:50

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Yeah

DoYouEvenShift > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 21:57

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PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 22:17

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Used SL63.

It is a land missile that shares little of the go-kart feeling you get from the MR2 (I sold them and have had more than few of them at 90% on back roads thanks to ‘training.’) but holy cow, if I wanted a $75k roadster, it’d be hard to say it’s not amazing.

Rosco458 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 10/11/2015 at 22:55

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He defintely doesn’t want an American car. No point about debating it with him. Sadly I couldn’t find a used Boxster Spyder anywhere online. If you can then please show.

Rosco458 > jkm7680 10/11/2015 at 22:56

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Well it’s not a financial issue but rather a convience one. Regardless how much money you have, it’s a pain in the ass to need to go to the dealer for repairs often.

Rosco458 > Amoore100 10/11/2015 at 23:00

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Thanks! Like I said there’s definitely concern about how it’ll hold its value, but British Racing Green with the manual is amazing imo.

Rosco458 > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 10/11/2015 at 23:01

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Cool car but just not sporty enough. This would be his second car (his first being a daily driver), so he definitely wants something with two seats.

Rosco458 > bob and john 10/11/2015 at 23:04

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What’s wrong with $100K and reliable? I realize we wouldn’t get Toyota reliability with most things in this price range, but an old British car isn’t ideal either haha.

Rosco458 > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna 10/11/2015 at 23:07

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Gallardo Spyders start at just over $100K sadly, so it’d be a stretch. Good suggestion nevertheless.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 23:07

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Just have him test drive a C7

Rosco458 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 10/11/2015 at 23:11

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I failed to mention he refuses to get anything American, don’t ask me why. But is the Z4 much of a performance car? Seems more like a grand tourer. Thank you for the suggestion tho.

Rosco458 > Alex from Toronto 10/11/2015 at 23:12

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Definitely wants a convertible.

Rosco458 > dogisbadob 10/11/2015 at 23:12

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Definitely wants a convertible though :(

Rosco458 > Bandit 10/11/2015 at 23:16

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I love the suggestion but the US doesn’t get all of the nice things :(

Rosco458 > Tohru 10/11/2015 at 23:18

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Hmmmmm, interesting idea. Will bring it up to him!

Rosco458 > CRider 10/11/2015 at 23:22

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Convertible vs hardtop is definitely a deal breaker with him. I do agree with you that V10s are the shit.

Rosco458 > jariten1781 10/11/2015 at 23:26

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Like I said, the Boxster is so common that he doesn’t have interest (unless you can find a Boxster Spyder for sale haha). He wants something lighter than a 911 I think. Maybe a Z4M . . .

Rosco458 > Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) 10/11/2015 at 23:28

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But they’re so freakin common, they’re everywhere! An amount of exclusivity is important to him (very picky I know).

Rosco458 > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 10/11/2015 at 23:28

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But they’re so freakin common, they’re everywhere! An amount of exclusivity is important to him (very picky I know).

Rosco458 > DoYouEvenShift 10/11/2015 at 23:29

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Cool suggestion, but don’t batteries lose significant charge life after five years?

Rosco458 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 10/11/2015 at 23:38

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Holy shit, found a (last gen) Spyder within 10 miles of my house: http://www.primeporsche.com/car/481639/Use…

Rosco458 > Van Man, rocks the Man Van 10/11/2015 at 23:40

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Holy shit, found a (last gen) Spyder within 10 miles of my house: http://www.primeporsche.com/car/481639/Use…

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Rosco458 10/11/2015 at 23:50

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What about an SL65 AMG?

Amoore100 > Rosco458 10/12/2015 at 00:00

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Some others have mentioned a used Evora as well which I think would be a pretty good buy...it was highly praised when new to have driven pretty well and with a Toyota V6 it should probably be somewhat reliable (I guess the Evora is just like a big, more modern MR2 whereas the Elise is basically the MR2 +5 years)

Rosco458 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 10/12/2015 at 00:11

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Again, more of a grand tourer than a sports car.

911e46z06 > Rosco458 10/12/2015 at 00:17

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Haven’t seen anyone mention used DB9 or 360 Modena. That said, I’d go Corvette.

Rosco458 > 911e46z06 10/12/2015 at 00:20

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DB9 is definitely too grand tourer for him, he’s wants more of a sports car. Also Doug Demuro was pretty convincing about not getting a 360. If you haven’t read his articles I suggest you check them out.

911e46z06 > Rosco458 10/12/2015 at 00:22

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Can’t trust one dude who owned one individual car. I read them, but my neighbor who’s owned 3 360s and loved them all is more convincing.

ptak appreciates old racecars > Rosco458 10/12/2015 at 00:30

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alfaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Rosco458 10/12/2015 at 00:48

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A new Miata and $50k in mutual funds?

Rosco458 > ptak appreciates old racecars 10/12/2015 at 00:50

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The MR2 has a better interior and it costs five times lesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Rosco458 10/12/2015 at 01:11

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997.2 911 Turbo. they're reliable, fast, cool, awesome etc

NoahthePorscheGuy > Rosco458 10/12/2015 at 02:02

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Classic Porsche 911 Targa? 87-89 with the turbo look body

Dunnik > Rosco458 10/12/2015 at 02:38

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CPO non-AMG SL?

ptak appreciates old racecars > Rosco458 10/12/2015 at 03:29

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ALFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Rosco458 10/12/2015 at 10:34

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Boxster is too common?

ooook...

Aston, Audi R8 Spyder, and Jaguar F-type convertible are Grand Tourers, rather than lightweight simplistic sports cars.

In that list, Alfa is probably the closest, technically.

I might go for the latest Lotus Elise that was sold in the US, or an Evora S, instead, though.

Mostly because I think the lotuses look better, and are a bit more of a known-quantity than the new Alfa.

The GT cars:

R8 Spyder, if it is a 6-speed, would be tempting, It is a great car, but much more complex, from luxury items to it’s AWD system and engine.

Aston V8 Vantage Volante is gorgeous, but I would vet the reliability of a used Aston first.

A Jag F-type V6 supercharged 6-speed roadster would be compelling, also, but it is not going to be like a flyweight mid-engined MR2... it is a meaty front-engined luxury car. A gorgeous, lovely one, but not a flyweight, nor will the Aston or the Audi be, either.

And frankly, I love the new 981 Boxster, and a 2015 end-of-line atmospheric flat-6 car, before the advent of the All-turbo-All-the-Time Porsche lineup, is something that may make early 981s a bit rarer than 987s, or later turbocharged 981s that are coming up.

Rosco458 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 10/12/2015 at 10:39

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Two Miatas and gives the second one to his son :DDDD hahaha

jariten1781 > Rosco458 10/12/2015 at 11:11

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911 is lighter than the F-type, R8, or Vantage.

afca > Rosco458 10/22/2016 at 14:09

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Before I bought my boxster I looked very hard at the Z4M. Ultimately I felt that the base boxster was a better grand tourer than the Z4M. So if he wants an out and out sports car the Z4M should scratch that itch just fine.