best fun summer car?

nmulax · 01-06-2007, 01:50 PM

Not me, but my dad is looking for a 2nd car.

Basically he wants a fun sporty roadster to take out on the weekend and drive to work in the summer. Something he'll put at best 10k miles on each year. He really is just starting to look, and his only real requirements, are that it have a manual trans. Still undecided on buying a used vehicle or leasing a new one.

What we're looking at:
BMW Z4
Audi TT
Honda S2000
Chrysler Crossfire
Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice
Mazda MX-5

We drove the Sky (non-turbo) a few weeks ago... wow, it sucks. WAY underpowered, and lots of wind noise. It does have nice lines, and the interior is better then usual for GM. If he went with the Sky/Solstice, it'd have to have the turbo.

We drove a used Z4 (2003 2.5i) today and he loved it. Powerful, less wind noise. The only complaint we both had, is the aweful hollow sound when you close the doors -- sounds like steel hitting steel; it was this way on 2 used Z4s (both '03).

Neither of us know much about any of these cars.

Jaws · 01-06-2007, 02:10 PM

IMHO Z4 (3.0 or M), S2K, Miata (if power isn't too important), Boxster or new SLK

The TTs haven't aged well looks wise and are dynamically behind the others in the same price range (the new version is coming out though). I am not sold yet on the GM units, but I do like the looks of them.

Steer clear of the Crossfire. The CF uses is the same platform as last gen SLK, so it is really a MB cast off.

06330i · 01-06-2007, 02:43 PM

I like the srt-6 crossfire very much. Go test one out!

Jaws · 01-06-2007, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06330i

I like the srt-6 crossfire very much. Go test one out!

The OP's requirements are that it has a mt, I don't think the CF, or for that matter, the SLK, is available with one.

01-06-2007, 01:50 PM	#1
nmulax Brigadier General 379 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	best fun summer car? Not me, but my dad is looking for a 2nd car. Basically he wants a fun sporty roadster to take out on the weekend and drive to work in the summer. Something he'll put at best 10k miles on each year. He really is just starting to look, and his only real requirements, are that it have a manual trans. Still undecided on buying a used vehicle or leasing a new one. What we're looking at: BMW Z4 Audi TT Honda S2000 Chrysler Crossfire Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice Mazda MX-5 We drove the Sky (non-turbo) a few weeks ago... wow, it sucks. WAY underpowered, and lots of wind noise. It does have nice lines, and the interior is better then usual for GM. If he went with the Sky/Solstice, it'd have to have the turbo. We drove a used Z4 (2003 2.5i) today and he loved it. Powerful, less wind noise. The only complaint we both had, is the aweful hollow sound when you close the doors -- sounds like steel hitting steel; it was this way on 2 used Z4s (both '03). Neither of us know much about any of these cars. __________________
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01-06-2007, 02:10 PM	#2
Jaws Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,738 Posts Drives: 2006 325i mt Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (0)	IMHO Z4 (3.0 or M), S2K, Miata (if power isn't too important), Boxster or new SLK The TTs haven't aged well looks wise and are dynamically behind the others in the same price range (the new version is coming out though). I am not sold yet on the GM units, but I do like the looks of them. Steer clear of the Crossfire. The CF uses is the same platform as last gen SLK, so it is really a MB cast off. __________________ 2006 325i - Sparkling Graphite 2000 S2000 - New Formula Red 2007 Chev Silverado crew cab Z71
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01-06-2007, 02:43 PM	#3
06330i fresher den you 34 Rep 986 Posts Drives: 2004 x3 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: the shores, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 E90, 330i [0.00]	I like the srt-6 crossfire very much. Go test one out! __________________ 2004 x3, blue water metallic, sports pack, panoramic moonroof, xenon, hi-fi radio.
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