Hey guys, I used to have a Miata and loved it but I'm looking for a different car this summer. I need something that has atleast 4 seats, is nimble, and can be easily modified for more power. Basically a Miata with 4 seats. I was looking at e30's but was disappointed that the convertibles had a bunch of extra weight ontop (is there a way to remove that extra weight from an e30?) if not then what are other convertibles you guys would recommend.
Thank you
your main problem is that 4-seat verts are usually based on sedans/coupes, so when they become verts they have to get heavier with extra bracing to reduce chassis flex.
e30 vert can be made lighter by removing the ballast from the trunk.
Can't think of any other 4-seat verts that would be lighter or more nimble than an e30, offhand. Well, except maybe this:
generally any convertible version of a normal car is going to have more weight, that is going to be unavoidable.
Pretty much any 4-seat convertible is going to be a heavier version of an already-existing coupe, and they are usually heavier for structural rigidity reasons. E30/E36/E46 (E36 M3 convertibles are worthless for whatever reason), maybe a Saab Viggen convertible? Fox/SN95 Mustang? You will be hard pressed to do much better than an E30 if four seats are needed. Renault GTA maybe? 
mustang gt convertible
The Maserati BiTurbo was also offered as "The Spyder" but unfortunately for your situation (or maybe fortunate) the convertable was only offered as a two seater.
Real Answer:
1985 Celica Convertible
In reply to JohnRW1621:
I bought one of those for $400 in high school. It was as heavy as my Supra but powered by a 22RE. About as far from a Miata as you can get!
In reply to SlickDizzy:
I did like your GTA recommendation!
In reply to JohnRW1621:
On a strictly power/weight basis there is actually probably not anything closer 
SlickDizzy wrote: In reply to JohnRW1621: I bought one of those for $400 in high school. It was as heavy as my Supra but powered by a 22RE. About as far from a Miata as you can get!
Put a 7MGTE in it, lol.
In reply to kanaric:
Supposedly the front clip is too short, you either need to weld a Supra clip on or go 1G-GTE (or do what the guy I sold it to did and put a Ford 2.3 turbo in).
For people that have driven a e30 convertible how does it feel compared to a Miata? is it almost as fun on the streets?
Thanks
Wait what about a 1st generation vws cabriolet or whatever it's called then swap in a better engine, suspension.....i know it's fwd but it will.problly handle better than most of the others
foxbody mustang vert or go king of the trailer park and find a 3rd gen camaro vert!
oooh the cabriolet sounds like a pretty cool idea. Holy shiz they're pretty light. It's hard to find info on them though.
In reply to dropstep:
My bro has a ls1 trans am. Hate that boat feeling lol
Fiat 124 spider has a back seat. I wouldn't want to sit back there but should be ok for kids if the driver isn't too tall.
Reliant Scimitar GTC SE8....
As much as I hate water cooled VWs, I'm gonna have to second the bitch basket with the USDM suspension thrown in the trash.
I vote cabrio as well. I have also wanted to make a first gen cabrio gti happen. Another option...s13 240sx vert.
240 SX
E46 m3 if your budget allows.....
Not to be the Porsche guy that suggests a Porsche, but...
Porsche 911s have 4 seats. Granted the back ones are for circus midgets or small children but it does have 4 seats. Convertibles and targas are usually cheaper than coupes. Different driving than the Miata though.
What about a Porsche 944 S2 or 968 convert? I don't know how they drive compared to a Miata, but 4 seats, front engined, rwd, and convertible.
the 944 was the handling target for the Miata. They crashed several learning it's limits in order to make the Miata the car it is today
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