I am currently after a roadster/sportscar thing, because I am going on a European road trip with me bird, and because I am a tart Fear not, I shall be back in a scoob soon though.

Anyway, I don't want some prissy little slow thing (my scoob had 313bhp) and am looking at the Lotus Elise, TVR Chimaera and Griffith, oh and I guess a big power BMW Z3 or 3 series convertible (my sensible side).

I love the Elise, and it'll be great on petrol for the trip, but I just know it'll be bloody uncomfortable, and the lack of luggage space will irritate the fair one.

TVRs, are lovely, and quite practical, but I am obviously paranoid about buying a lemon and it being an absolute reliability nightmare - I don't want it breaking down on the top of a mountain somewhere, thousands of miles from a TVR dealer...

Now to the beemers. Well I only really like the M versions (pricey) and I'm only considering them because they're practical and won't break down (hopefully).

Can you all comment on each of the above please? Rather confused about what to go for.

Mike

 

Surely the only 3-conv with power to match the others is an M3? Is that in your range?

Otherwise why not S2000?

 

You could try and find an Alpina 3-series drop top, they certainly have the speed and comfort equation sorted. Or maybe an older Mercedes SL, not sporty but again can cross continents in a day.

 

Personally I would choose the elise for the exclusivity.
Also the fact that the new one can supposedly get 51 mpg on extra urban cycle.
Have read that some people do big mileage in them as a company car

 

ok - point out first that I am an elise owner.

The elise is NOT uncomfortable even on long trips since the driving position is superb - however it is not civilised either. hard to get in and out with the roof on. and obviously more noisey esp on motorways.

Fuel economy is excellent and its easily one of the best handling/performance cars around for the fun factor.

Boot space is limited even in the s2 version- however many people do tour using this car - you just need to cut out the crap.

The NEW s2 version is the 160bhp vvc unit which is a big improvement power wise. this has only been annouced this week and you can have aircon if you wish.

second hand s1 is about 16k for a mint one.

hth

 

911.

 

MGF? I did Leeds->Hull->Zeebrugge then all over Europe in mine a few years ago, got a surprising amount of stuff in the car!






[Edited by gregh - 5/24/2002 2:53:08 PM]

 

How about the rather lovely BMW M Coupe I have just spotted in Top Marques, for the even lovlier price of £14000? Apparently a RHD Belgian import with 60 odd thousand miles in silver. Dribble.

I'm tempted meself.

 

Blimey! I'd have been tempted by that, BUT I now have an Elise!!! Fun!!!