Pleasant Cars 2008 Review
But what are the hats and sunscreen for?
In addition, most modern roadsters can lift cloth or folding metal covers at the push of a button in half a minute. These are Carsguide favorites:
Affordable Entertainment
Mazda MX-5
Cost: from $ 42,870
Engine: 2 l / 4 cylinders; 118 kW/188 Nm
Economy: 8.5l / 100km
Transmission: 6-speed manual or automatic
If there were an annual award in this category, it would be permanently in Mazda's trophy box. The original MX-5 reinvented the classic British roadster, adding new concepts such as performance and reliability.
The third generation retains the exciting dynamics and fluidity of the 1989 model. If you're not enjoying the way the MX-5 rides, you've probably stopped breathing.
Purists may decry modern innovations such as air conditioning, power steering, ESP, a folding composite roof and (hell!) automatic transmission, but it's not 1957 anymore. Still others would like it to go faster, but they miss the point.
The MX-5 is an affordable roadster.
Track brand
Lotus Elise S
Cost: $69,990
Engine: 1.8 l / 4 cylinders; 100 kW/172 Nm
Economy: 8.3l / 100km
Transmission: User manual 5
The standout figure here is 860kg, the amount that an entry-level Lotus weighs, or about 500kg less than the Toyota Corolla, which this spartan roadster uses to sprint to 100 mph in 6.1 seconds.
While this is absolutely one for the enthusiast - or fanatic - even if you don't have the slightest desire to drive something so uncompromising (albeit a lot more civilized than the Exige), you should take a Lotus ride at least once. This will open your eyes. Wide.
At best, at race speeds, when the wonderful Lotus unaided steering comes into its own, and where it doesn't matter that the roof takes forever to assemble, you can drive such a car every day with a smile. But be careful with SUVs.
Zed is not dead
Nissan 350Z Roadster
Cost: $73,990
Engine: 3.5L / V6; 230kW / 358Nm
Economy: 12l / 100km
Transmission: 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic
The roadster version of the still outstanding 350Z is very close behind the coupe model, and although the car at the same price is slightly inferior to the six with a manual transmission, it is easy to live with in city traffic.
While we've yet to experience a roadster with the substantially new, faster V6 engine that makes the bonnet stick out so much, our last week in the updated coupe suggests that's going to be pretty good too.
It's almost impossible to believe that the same company is responsible for Tiida...
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Audi TT Roadster V6 four
Cost: $92,900
Engine: 3.2L / v6; 184kW / 320Nm
Economy: 9.6l / 100km
Transmission: 6-speed gearbox
As with the coupe, the GTI's lighter four-cylinder turbocharged front-wheel drive is a better choice than all-wheel drive in most cases, even though it's not really a sports car. love yourself for the extra grip of the latter.
With the exception of the coupe's comedic rear seat, there's plenty of room in the back when the fabric roof is folded down. Some will find the trip a bit boring; I don't want to, but I would still take the optional mag suspension.
With performance and handling that are both fun and affordable, in such an aesthetically pleasing package, the TT is quite attractive.
If only …
Porsche Boxster S
Cost: from $ 135,100
Engine: 3.4 l / 6 cylinders; 217 kW/340 Nm
Economy: 10.4 or 11 l/100 km
Transmission: 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic
In our rare moments of idleness, some of us scroll through ads, trying rather pathetically to convince ourselves that a used Boxster is almost within our reach. Nearly. Well, maybe one day...
That's the problem when you spend some time in a Boxster, especially in a top-end S. You see, there's nothing wrong with that. Well, maybe riding on big tires is just a little wild, but so what when everything else is perfect. It even sounds great.
At worst, the Boxster will make you hate yourself for not being the best driver. So sublime is the intuitive handling, so poised and balanced it feels even under extreme conditions, that it almost always feels like it can do more. Even if it's not.
Two plus two
Affordability aside, the open-top offering could tumble down the fatal shores of practicality. Society does not approve of the sale of their children, although, of course, the financing of Boxster should be sympathetic.
That said, the Volkswagen Eos convertible/coupe (starting at $49,990) is practical, stylish, and—with a Golf GTI powertrain—fast enough 2+2. It retains ample load capacity thanks to an intricate folding metal lid that can be folded in five different ways. Uniquely, there's also a diesel option (starting at $48 thousand) so you don't have to use a lot of juice.
And there are more options.
With BMW's gorgeous 3-litre twin-turbocharged petrol-six, the 135i convertible (due in June) will be by far the coolest 2+2 ever. The Audi A3 convertible, which is likely to be equipped with a 1.8-liter TFSI, will appear in July.
And if you're lucky for $1.19, there's a sensuous land yacht that is the Rolls-Royce Drophead coupe. There is plenty of room for kids in the back of this little one.
