What's the best sports convertible for $60K in cash, new or used?
- Thread starter caesar
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So many nice cars being mentioned.
Sort of depends if you want a "driver" (993/911 turbo) or an "investment" (some Ferrari) or just the newest and lowest maintenance with the highest reliability levels.
The NSX is a beauty despite it's age. It's a Honda, I bet it's dependable too.
Sort of depends if you want a "driver" (993/911 turbo) or an "investment" (some Ferrari) or just the newest and lowest maintenance with the highest reliability levels.
The NSX is a beauty despite it's age. It's a Honda, I bet it's dependable too.
The only thing it's missing is an amazing engine sound to go with it.
This is where Porsche and Ferrari excel at in my opinion.
The Elise is difficult to get in and out of, but I'm told once you are driving it, it all makes sense and feels right. I've only sat in one, I'm a small person and I liked it.
The Evora is even better, but it's a hardtop. It has storage behind the seats........they call them rear seats, but I have my reservations about that.
Oh yes George I totally agree. I am fairly tall and I had major difficulty getting into the Elise with the roof on. To wit: the opening is very small, the sill is high, and the roof is low. It is like trying to mail yourself into a postbox. To get in, I had to push my torso all the way to the passenger seat (over the high centre console) before I could pull my legs in, all the while resting my body weight on the handbrake, gearknob, kicking the door trim and steering wheel, etc. With the roof off, it is easier. You get in, stand on the drivers seat, grab the windscreen, then ease yourself into the seat.
Once you are in, everything feels unfinished. You can see that the trim is a thin piece of plastic attached to the aluminum bulkhead and it may fall off any moment. The seat has little padding but is not uncomfortable. All the bits - steering wheel, gearknob, looks as if it came from a boy racer catalog. The engine itself, as you say, sounds like an angry Toyota because that is what it is.
But once you are moving, it is a totally different animal. The car is simply amazing to drive! It is more like a road legal go-kart than a car. But ultimately it is a little too purist as a daily proposition. Getting into the car to drive home from work every day will drive you crazy. It takes 5 minutes to mount the roof, and it isn't exactly secure. Anybody can simply unbutton the fabric roof and it comes off.
Once you are in, everything feels unfinished. You can see that the trim is a thin piece of plastic attached to the aluminum bulkhead and it may fall off any moment. The seat has little padding but is not uncomfortable. All the bits - steering wheel, gearknob, looks as if it came from a boy racer catalog. The engine itself, as you say, sounds like an angry Toyota because that is what it is.
But once you are moving, it is a totally different animal. The car is simply amazing to drive! It is more like a road legal go-kart than a car. But ultimately it is a little too purist as a daily proposition. Getting into the car to drive home from work every day will drive you crazy. It takes 5 minutes to mount the roof, and it isn't exactly secure. Anybody can simply unbutton the fabric roof and it comes off.
super car status, and you can drive into a Honda dealership for a $75 oilchange.. that's hard to beat.
and I think they hold their value really well - so you can play, and sell it for not much loss when it's time to move on the the next flavor.
Ferrari 355 spider iw/ A manual transmission can be considered also. Just make sure it has a FSH and you can pay somebody from the dealership or independent to do an inspection. Check the prices of these cars.
FSH = Full Service History 
Here in Australia, nearly all secondhand Ferraris are very low mileage. I asked a Ferrari owner why. The reason - the insurance cost is sky high, about AUD$15k per year for a F355. Because of this, most owners opt for "weekend" insurance, meaning that the car can only be driven on weekends. This cuts the insurance bill significantly but means that you need another car as your daily driver. It is wise not to use your Ferrari as a daily driver anyway.
I really do love Ferraris and came close to buying one. Unfortunately I am not willing to meet the running cost of a Ferrari, and my wife thinks they are too flashy. They really do stimulate the follicles, Steve
Here in Australia, nearly all secondhand Ferraris are very low mileage. I asked a Ferrari owner why. The reason - the insurance cost is sky high, about AUD$15k per year for a F355. Because of this, most owners opt for "weekend" insurance, meaning that the car can only be driven on weekends. This cuts the insurance bill significantly but means that you need another car as your daily driver. It is wise not to use your Ferrari as a daily driver anyway.
I really do love Ferraris and came close to buying one. Unfortunately I am not willing to meet the running cost of a Ferrari, and my wife thinks they are too flashy. They really do stimulate the follicles, Steve
apart from insurance its the maintenace that will kill the joy of owning a 355:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198430
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198430
If your going to use it as a week end car and your car came w/ a FSH and w/ low mileage I think its not that bad. And own it for the next 5 yrs who knows, the 355's might be a collectible. Maybe you may be able to sell it at the same price or higher. And even if your not driving it and just looking at the fine details of the355 while drinking coffee or spirits you will have a smile on your face. Ask any Ferrari owner and they know what I mean.
FSH = Full Service History
I really do love Ferraris and came close to buying one. Unfortunately I am not willing to meet the running cost of a Ferrari, and my wife thinks they are too flashy. They really do stimulate the follicles, Steve
Wrong follicle, methinks, unless you have ovaries. In men, FSH stimulates spermatogenesis. Your wife probably doesn't like the Ferrari stimulating the follicles of other females.
That's a beaut, BUT I doubt you can buy an early car like that one for $60K. Certainly not in great condition. BUT like I said before, a sorted later version ( I'm thinking of a '68 and later version) should be doable.
How about a mid year corvette convertible (63-67) w/ a small block their price around $60k these days. Maybe even lower w/ a non matching engine number.
Indeed. The sight of a Ferrari (or so i'm told) is enough to cause women, even those in menopause, to ovulate. But what would I know, I am but an oncologist. Steve is the women's doctor here
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