Stupid, but fun!

[wincrasher]

I want a new car. A convertible car come Spring. A convertible sports car!

I have 4 cars already, 3 of them sensible type cars, so this will be #5.

My budget is greater than a college education, but less than a divorce - ~$75k. Cash moolah.

Problem is, I'm having a tough time deciding what I want. Two that have peaked my interest are the Corvette Grand Sport Convertible 4LT and the BMW M3 Convertible. Apples and Onions, for sure.

By now I've totally offended 75% of the forum. For the rest of you not wanting my head on a pike, (especially if you are an auto enthusiast) what would you recommend I look at as a good value/performance proposition in this price range? Friends have suggested looking at vintage cars, but not sure I want to go down that "road". My OCD demands, new, unblemished, virgin cars.

[bjl584]

I would definitely go European. The BMW would be a good choice.

[minnie1928]

Go for the Beemer. In black.

[cypher1]

I'm more of an Audi fan, but always liked the M3/M5 series. You've got your price range, and know you want a convertible, but do you have a preference of FF, FR, or AWD? Are you just looking for speed, comfort, handling, or attention ^_^? I'm not a big corvette fan, but if thats your goal, definitely go for it!

[Mr Nice Guy]

Another vote for the M3 right here. A used one of course....

[kork13]

M3 all the way... one day I'll have my own.

[wincrasher]

I like the idea of having space for 4 people.

This is a car I'll take for weekend trips to hotdog around in the mountains, so performance is paramount.

I go back and forth on roadsters. Performance and the style are great, but the lack of space can be hard to deal with.

Most of all, I want something that is special. Something that, when it's 5 years old, is still lust-worthy.

[autoxer]

Also consider Porsche... either the 911 Cabriolet, or the Boxster S.

[EEinNJ]

My friend has a Boxter, he must like it because it's his second. Myself, I'm on my second Miata- but I don't have your budget!

[cypher1]

I like the idea of having space for 4 people.

This is a car I'll take for weekend trips to hotdog around in the mountains, so performance is paramount.

I go back and forth on roadsters. Performance and the style are great, but the lack of space can be hard to deal with.

Most of all, I want something that is special. Something that, when it's 5 years old, is still lust-worthy.

In that case, go with an Audi A8. Luxury car, all aluminum chassis, quattro design, with plenty of room. Very classy car. Who throws 4 people in an M3? If you really want BMW and for the room, go M5

[wincrasher]

Wow, a 4 door A8 or an M5 as a convertible. That would be something... very 1963 Town Car...

I've had a couple Miatas in the past. They are fun little cars, but they refuse to put powerful engines in them.

Comparable cars though, are pretty expensive - a Z4 loaded up is around $70k, an SLK and a Boxter are not far behind. They are much more powerful, and are dimensionally larger, which with the Miata is also an issue. The Corvette is also in the same bane, but is huge in comparison and head and shoulders above in performance.

The BMW 135i convertible is an interesting beast. 335hp turbo six, roadster dimensions, but with a back seat. Looks kinda girly though. Fully loaded around $50k. No M version of this car in convertible form- yet.

[cypher1]

Wow, a 4 door A8 or an M5 as a convertible. That would be something... very 1963 Town Car...

LOL that was if you were moving away from convertible. Then again I don't know many newer, roomy convertible types overall. Not for it's size, but I've always loved the S2000, be it a little feminine. Might as just save another 25k and get an R8.

[scfr]

OK ... I'll be the "voice of reason" and ask:

Do you have garage space for a 5th car? If not, you'll need to sell one of your current vehicles, right? Are you willing to do that?

Why not just rent a convertible once in awhile? You could have the fun of driving one without having to deal with the upkeep, licensing, inspections, insurance, etc, etc. You wouldn't get tired of it and could save a boatload of money.

Or is this just one of those "What would you do if you won $100M in the lottery" fantasy questions?

[moneyclass]

Im a big BMW fan.

[wrk4lvg]

REAL car enthusiast, such as myself, do not like convertibles. Especially, if you are in it for speeed. On avg of 400lbs extra. That is approximately 4/10ths of a sec slower in the 1/4 mi. Never mind the extra weight put on your brakes while running it on the track. My Z was a hardtop. My 3 mustangs were hardtops. My 2 BMWs were hard tops and my C5 vette was a removable glass top. All equally impressive doing what they were inspired to do. Race. Track or street.

However, if you just like to drive expensive cars, but not necessarily DRIVE THEM, then my vote would go for the grand sport. The power curve will give you just want you want and with the extra money left over, you could buy a cute car cover for it or something to wipe it down for weekly cars and coffee meets.