Reliable fun for $6K

I was taking a ride in the cold yesterday, and as much as I love motorcycling, I just don't have the opportunity to ride like I used to. "Taking the bike" only happens when the weather is good, I don't have to drop off/pick up a kid, I don't have to be dressed up, I don't have to haul something, etc etc etc. It's down to a few days a year. The wife and I take maybe one weekend out on the bike, and I can rent a Harley for that.

So let's say I decide to sell/trade the motorcycle and get a car. I might clear $6K. I need something reliable (the bike was new, so it always ran and nothing fell off from rust). I don't want project or huge repair bills. I need something that I enjoy driving, not the fastest thing, but put a smile on your face. Something that I can take for a weekend away with the wife. Something that has some interest and is not a Corolla. (no offense)

I'm thinking Miata or Jeep Wrangler. Both allow open-air motoring in nice weather, but you can still use them in the rain. I can wrench on either, but the dealer still recognizes them if need be. The Jeep allows some off-roading options, but the Miata opens up autocrossing.

I probably will sell the bike and put the money towards college funds, so it's kinda a moot point, but it's fun to dream.

You can get a nice NA miata for that money. With money left over to autox prep it.

Apexcarver wrote: You can get a nice NA miata for that money. With money left over to autox prep it.

You can get a nice NB miata for that money, still with money left over.

Otherwise I might suggest an E30 or E36 convertible. Fun to drive, and you can take the kids.

I mean real nice... Possibly even with a turbo.

Both of those work well; an E36 BMW or a Mustang might also fit the bill.

A Wrangler is a much more versatile vehicle than a Miata. I would go for the Wrangler in this case.

Personally, i would autocross a Wrangler. The main thing it would need is a set of short wheels/tires. You can get a set of 15x8 or 15x10s for a wrangler for ~$100 on CL. Then just slip off the doors, tailgate, fold down the windshield, top off if it has one, and between all that you've lowered the center of gravity like a foot or more, lost weight, and gained gearing.

Funnily enough, i have turned wheels in anger in Wranglers and they are mostly limited by their tendency to flip (i have flipped one too, on 37" tires). They actually turn pretty hard.

I had a wrangler. A bike. And now a miata.

Get the miata, it's the most fun without the danger of the bike. Wranglers are loud slow and uncomfortable, unless you want to get into off-roading, then they are the thing to have.

Damn the Miata's!

If you bought a Miata; then when you drive the Miata; you are going to look like those that drive a Miata.

In reply to Vigo:

I don't have the gumption to drive my Jeep in too much anger, it's too slow anyway. Plus I've made mine a tripod just turning into a driveway too many times to consider dodging cones with one.

Extreme example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9eztBgJJ88

Top down, they offer a pretty high return on smiles per gallon, on road and off. Plus you get waved at a lot. It's a Jeep Th... I just can't bring myself to actually say that.

• Lee

Let's play Wheel of Fortune here...and no I won't dress like Vanna White.

M _ _ T _

If you ask to buy a vowel, you lose.

Wrangler would be a great choice too, but there's very little sportiness about them.

I think it's really funny that Miata people think Wranglers are slow. A 1990-2004ish 4.0/manual wrangler is not any slower than a 1990-2004 n/a miata. UNTIL you put big tires on it. They also don't flip easily.. UNTIL you put big tires on it.

Most of the handling ills of wranglers have to do with big tires and suspension lifts. They have the same basic wheelbase and suspension design as the Cherokee that has WON the autoX at the challenge. I wouldnt necessarily buy a Wrangler to attempt something like that, but seriously: Put some 6" shorter tires on it and go drive it. Not only will it out-drag a miata, it will turn. That is in addition to all the other things it will do, like go off road, hold 4 people, haul more junk, pull bigger trailers, etc.

Open air motoring... Fiat 124, TR-6, MGB, ...

As far as reliable goes... you can rely on them to be fun. You can also rely on them to require you have a relible 2nd car

Wow, the end is nigh given here is another what car that I have personal experience with.

You hit the nail on the head:

Jeep - Off road, dead nut simple and reliable or obnoxious and finicky your call on how you mod it. Better resale than a Miata. Seating for 4, can tow little boats or jet skis. Can use it to pull stuff out of the ground for landscaping projects. Nice thing to do with friends and family (These are the arguments I used with my wife when I sold the Miata to buy the Jeep) Piece of advice if you choose the Jeep. Get the lightest weight tire you can. Go to a P and stay away from LTs as much as possible. The TJ is lighter than most cars and as such doesn't need a 9 bazillion ply tire. Your back and ride will thank me.

Miata - You are on GRM, I am not going to do this again.

So this comes down to you, both are very DD friendly if you don't mind the NVH and exposure the convertible lifestyle brings.

Do you want to roll off the asphalt or turn it into your little bitch and a few of those orange cones too?

I'll add another suggestion. Z3. A mix between 325i and a Miata basically. Smaller and more nimble than a 3 series, more "grown up" feeling than a Miata, and you can probably get a 6 cyl model even in your budget.

Klayfish wrote: Let's play Wheel of Fortune here...and no I won't dress like Vanna White. M _ _ T _ If you ask to buy a vowel, you lose. Wrangler would be a great choice too, but there's very little sportiness about them.

No Vanna - Not playing

See? You guys get me. I've had autocross and track cars, and I am not looking for another. If I can hit the local cones once in a summer, cool, but it's not critical. I think that a '72 Impala convertible would be a ton of fun, I just don't want the maintenance. A Z3 is a great idea! Perhaps an Audi TT or a early SLK too? I just worry about the cost of keeping them running. A $2500 transmission bill within the first year will mean my wife literally killing me. I checked CL, and $7K buys a 2nd Gen Miata with roll bar and a hard top, with acceptable miles.

I kinda feel like Maximillian getting sucked towards the black hole the Miata creates!

(kudos if you get the reference)

In reply to Vigo:

2.5l, 32RH, 3.73 R&P, 32x12.50R 15, 0-60 is just shy of 30 seconds. I'm not a Miata person, only ever driven 2 that I can remember, I know my Jeep is slow.

• Lee

KyAllroad wrote: I had a wrangler. A bike. And now a miata. Get the miata, it's the most fun without the danger of the bike. Wranglers are loud slow and uncomfortable, unless you want to get into off-roading, then they are the thing to have.

This is pretty much my vote. They are addictive like crack cocane....

Klayfish wrote: Let's play Wheel of Fortune here...and no I won't dress like Vanna White. M _ _ T _ If you ask to buy a vowel, you lose. Wrangler would be a great choice too, but there's very little sportiness about them.

Again....my thought!

You should test drive the Wrangler for sure. You might really like it. A few of my friends are nuts about them, even just for on-road stuff (although this guy lives in an area that doesn't get plowed, so he does "need" it). But I have driven 3--one 84, one 97, and one 03. The 03 and 97 were two of the most miserable driving experiences I've ever had. The 84 was awesome, but that was a beater with no doors or anything.

No experience in the JK, but I expect it is a much better car than any of the ones I drove, if not a better Jeep.

E36 M3!

Why not a Toyota Matrix XR-S or Vibe GT? 2ZZGE powa, 6 speed, and room for a crap ton of stuff inside. Even gets over 30mpg, has a timing chain for less maintencace.. good times.

Cleveland CL, $3.8k w/115k should provide Toyota reliability with the ability to load young'ens in the back for ice cream runs. Automatic but still should be up to some commuting with a smile on your face and wind in your hair.
Seems like a nice replacement for your MR2.
These cars will not get cheaper.

Still leaves a lot of money to add to college fund.

That is a nice era of Celcia. I miss those!

Ellis Juans F-body?