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Accumulator · 09-04-04, 09:21

hook- I'm familiar with a few of your choices...let's see...

Air cooled VW's- Not (*IMO*) fun to drive, but many do some people love 'em so decide for yourself. If you're not buying for the driving experience, the *rest* of the experience sounds right down your alley- easy and cheap to work on, cool styling, great support network, classic time-frame aura (the whole pre-1980s thing just radiates from these cars).

Older BMW- Watch out for rust!!! Often they can't be saved, so this is just *critical*. Great fun to drive if you don't mind the bottom-hinged pedals on some of them. Great support network. Heh heh, these things are classics if you like the sport-sedan thing (which I do). Not always as expensive as one might think to maintain, but find a good mechanic.

Porsche 944- While some "purists" dismiss any front-engined Porsche, the 944 is a great car, period. Incredibly good-driving experience. Somewhat expensive to keep maintained though, but they do hold up well. Make sure you have a good mechanic check it out first, these can be *really* expensive if you get the wrong one.

MG- Get a good one. Fun and classic. Can be pretty reliable if you sort 'em out. Great support on these, too. I myself would probably get a Triumph instead though. Just a bit more classic, low-buck British sportscar in my mind.

RX-7 convertible (though I was thinking about the first generation coupes, my faves). Not all that pricey, certainly not compared to the 944. Watch for apex seals on the rotaries, it's usually just a "replace the motor" thing as opposed to a rebuild. But that's not as expensive as it sounds. Sorta a "baby-944", and I mean that in a good way. At least check out a few of these.

Nissan 300Z- A friend has one (actually a ZX, I believe, not a ragtop either) and it's held up well. I don't like driving it though, sorta like a 944/RX-7 with all the fun taken out.

If you like the origami-styling, the early toyota MR2s are cool, and the later ones are sorta like a Fiero (sp?) done right. Kinda "mini-italian" mid-engine cars. Some people *really* like 'em.

Oh, and the older Fiat convertibles are sorta like an Italian version of the MGs. Alfas are worth a look if you know a decent mechanic.

Notice how I kept saying "find a good mechanic"?

09-04-04, 09:21	#7 (permalink)
Accumulator Practical Perfectionist Accumulator is offline Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 25,887	hook- I'm familiar with a few of your choices...let's see... Air cooled VW's- Not (IMO) fun to drive, but many do some people love 'em so decide for yourself. If you're not buying for the driving experience, the rest of the experience sounds right down your alley- easy and cheap to work on, cool styling, great support network, classic time-frame aura (the whole pre-1980s thing just radiates from these cars). Older BMW- Watch out for rust!!! Often they can't be saved, so this is just critical. Great fun to drive if you don't mind the bottom-hinged pedals on some of them. Great support network. Heh heh, these things are classics if you like the sport-sedan thing (which I do). Not always as expensive as one might think to maintain, but find a good mechanic. Porsche 944- While some "purists" dismiss any front-engined Porsche, the 944 is a great car, period. Incredibly good-driving experience. Somewhat expensive to keep maintained though, but they do hold up well. Make sure you have a good mechanic check it out first, these can be really expensive if you get the wrong one. MG- Get a good one. Fun and classic. Can be pretty reliable if you sort 'em out. Great support on these, too. I myself would probably get a Triumph instead though. Just a bit more classic, low-buck British sportscar in my mind. RX-7 convertible (though I was thinking about the first generation coupes, my faves). Not all that pricey, certainly not compared to the 944. Watch for apex seals on the rotaries, it's usually just a "replace the motor" thing as opposed to a rebuild. But that's not as expensive as it sounds. Sorta a "baby-944", and I mean that in a good way. At least check out a few of these. Nissan 300Z- A friend has one (actually a ZX, I believe, not a ragtop either) and it's held up well. I don't like driving it though, sorta like a 944/RX-7 with all the fun taken out. If you like the origami-styling, the early toyota MR2s are cool, and the later ones are sorta like a Fiero (sp?) done right. Kinda "mini-italian" mid-engine cars. Some people really like 'em. Oh, and the older Fiat convertibles are sorta like an Italian version of the MGs. Alfas are worth a look if you know a decent mechanic. Notice how I kept saying "find a good mechanic"?