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Suggestions for a Fun, Reliable Sunny Weather Car for Vacation Home?

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by Voda, Oct 20, 2024.

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  1. Voda

    Voda Formula 3

    Oct 10, 2013
    1,808
    Seattle
    #1 Voda, Oct 20, 2024
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2024
    Hey everyone,
    I know this isn't necessarily about a 458/488/F8, but I'm posting here because I've always appreciated the great feedback and discussions in this sub-forum. (if the mods move it, I understand)

    I'm looking for suggestions on a fun, sunny weather car to leave at a vacation home for family and friends to drive when they visit. My main priorities are that it shouldn't be too finicky, it needs to be reasonably priced to insure, and I’d prefer something with a good track record for reliability. I had considered a Beck Spyder, but in today's traffic, I just feel it's too dangerous, and I’d hate for someone to get hurt. Other cars I've thought about are the 308 GTS, an older 911, Boxster Spyder, or even a restomod Corvette.

    What do you guys think? I’d love to hear your ideas or experiences with something that fits this description!
     
  2. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2003
    43,723
    26.806311,-81.755805
    Full Name:
    Dave M.
    #2 dm_n_stuff, Oct 20, 2024
    Budget?

    A/C?

    Auto or manual?

    Fun - got it.

    Fun and fast?

    More than a two seater? Or is two enough?

    We just picked this up as a fun car. Reliable? Check. Convertible? Check. Fun? CHECK! Fast-ish? Check. Cheapish to insure? Check. Budget $30-35K to find a really nice one.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    A fair number to choose from on the market at any moment, most are low miles as they were never anyone's daily driver.

    This is a 2013 Mercedes Sl 550 first year of the higher horsepower and revised look. We're having a blast with it. Easy to drive, gobs of power, nice hard top/convertible. Stay away from the optional ABC suspension. Otherwise, really solid cars and not brutal to maintain, either. Want something a little slower, a little smaller and a lot cheaper? SLK 350 from the same era.


    D
     
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  3. Voda

    Voda Formula 3

    Oct 10, 2013
    1,808
    Seattle
    #3 Voda, Oct 20, 2024
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2024
    Budget: under 100k, but if it's fun and 20k, I don't care... not trying to impress anyone

    AC: If it's a classic convertible, then doesn't matter as AC never really worked back then and the top will always be down :)

    Fun and fast: fun over fast... rather drive a slow car fast then a fast car slow... the 308 is slow but it is fun IMO.

    2 or 4 seater: either... a 67 Mustang convertible with 4 seats on the radar.

    Thanks for your input and suggestion!
     
  4. McLarenHitchhiker

    McLarenHitchhiker Karting
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 27, 2024
    178
    Greater NYC
    Full Name:
    Keith
    #4 McLarenHitchhiker, Oct 20, 2024
    the evora is a pretty fun car. blown toyota engine pretty reliable.

    the mustang gt350 is a stunningly good drive. great brakes. sounds good
     
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  5. rob5819

    rob5819 Formula Junior

    Dec 12, 2017
    941
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Rob Barry
    #5 rob5819, Oct 20, 2024
    Our "friends and family car" is a John Cooper Works Mini. Definitely fun, easy to maintain, ridiculously easy to park. We have five convertibles so did the hardtop and automatic to make it easier for visitors.
     

    Attached Files:

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  6. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 6, 2003
    25,983
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    Ryan Alexander
    #6 ryalex, Oct 20, 2024
    My first thoughts were either a Boxster S or an older M3.
     
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  7. rob5819

    rob5819 Formula Junior

    Dec 12, 2017
    941
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Rob Barry
    #7 rob5819, Oct 20, 2024
    I'm also loving my new 2025 BMW Z4. I bought it with the 6MT, which is not necessarily the best for visitors, but I test drove the automatic as well. It's a great car, with all the new amenities (Carplay, Android Auto, etc).

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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  8. Face76

    Face76 F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 21, 2006
    13,482
    The Other Oz
    Full Name:
    M Wilborn
    #8 Face76, Oct 20, 2024
    We just bought a green Z4 with the manual. Great car.
     
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  9. Eric C

    Eric C F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 20, 2009
    11,063
    St. Louis, MO
    Full Name:
    Eric
    #9 Eric C, Oct 21, 2024
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  10. Trev450

    Trev450 Formula Junior

    Mar 11, 2024
    617
    UK
    Full Name:
    Trevor H
    #10 Trev450, Oct 21, 2024
    V8 Vantages can be picked up now for very reasonable money. Plus you have the advantage of either manual or auto and coupe or drop head.
     
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  11. rob5819

    rob5819 Formula Junior

    Dec 12, 2017
    941
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Rob Barry
    #11 rob5819, Oct 21, 2024
    Excellent. I ordered mine 22 April, picked it up 2 September. Really enjoying it.
     
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  12. ipsedixit

    ipsedixit Formula 3

    Aug 21, 2014
    2,336
    Behind the wheel of a Pista
    #12 ipsedixit, Oct 21, 2024
    A first generation Ferrari California.

    Lexus LC 500 Convertible
     
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  13. luvair

    luvair Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 4, 2005
    1,595
    #13 luvair, Oct 21, 2024
    2016 Porsche Spyder. NA, 3.8, manual. Arguably one of the best handling and sounding Porsches. Maybe above your budget.
     
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  14. Voda

    Voda Formula 3

    Oct 10, 2013
    1,808
    Seattle
    #14 Voda, Oct 21, 2024
    I see you have California. That is actually one of the cars I was considering since early ones can be had for a decent price. What do you think about that?
    Right now I'm thinking: Z4, Boxster, California, Aston Vantage, Jaguar F-type, Lotus Elise, Mercedes Pagoda, and in the 4 seat category, which could be cool: 60's Mustang restomod convertible BMW, Mercedes. Lots to consider...
     
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  15. rob5819

    rob5819 Formula Junior

    Dec 12, 2017
    941
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Rob Barry
    #15 rob5819, Oct 21, 2024
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2024
    I drove my friend's 718 Spyder, great sports car, but very uncomfortable as a fun car. The manual roof and cloth interior door handles were a little too much. I also did a test drive in a 981 Spyder. Again, great sports car, not something I think my friends / family would drive while visiting, stupid manual roof. Admittedly, my new Z4 struggled to keep up with the 718 Spyder on our weekly Cars and Coffee drive (I usually take my 458), but the new Z4 is so much more comfortable than the 718. Yes, my parking job was terrible.

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  16. rob5819

    rob5819 Formula Junior

    Dec 12, 2017
    941
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Rob Barry
    #16 rob5819, Oct 21, 2024
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2024
    Portofino M (I always liked the California, California T, and Portofino, but not enough to buy one). The Portofino M is fantastic.

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  17. rob5819

    rob5819 Formula Junior

    Dec 12, 2017
    941
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Rob Barry
    #17 rob5819, Oct 21, 2024
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2024
    After looking at the last picture I posted, I have my 2011 Maserati Gran Turisbmo Convertible tucked in the corner. We bought it new, legitimate four seater convertible, 4.7 Liter Ferrari F136 variant engine, Pininfarina design. I still keep ours because two or three times a year we need a four seat convertible (the Portofino M is 12" shorter and no actual human can sit in the back seats). You could probably pick up a Maserati Gran Turismo for very little money at this point. Pretty much same engine as the California, much better seating. The transmission is a ZF6 and not the DCT, so no huge worries about replacement. Image Unavailable, Please Login
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    Attached Files:

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  18. Voda

    Voda Formula 3

    Oct 10, 2013
    1,808
    Seattle
    #18 Voda, Oct 21, 2024
    Great suggestion... they have great sounds!
     

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