Fun sports car for retirement

Phee Yacht wrote:

Get the Fiat Spider, which is a rebadged Miata with some body modifications. Everything a Miata is with little bit more style.

I've look at pics of both and still prefer the Miata. I don't think the Fiat rebadge has an RF version. The Fiat brand is such a terrible reputation, I imagine you buy the Miata and Fiat and the Miata will always have the better resell value.

I do like the idea of the turbo, just doesn't sound like it offers enough boost, pun intended, to make it the better car.

Thanks for the advice! Maybe I'll need to test drive one. What year model did you buy?

If bucks were no object then it would have to be a 918!

Lotus Elise or exige. These cars are road legal go carts.

I'm also retired. I drove a used Toyota MR2, a VW GTI turbo, a Hyundai Veloster Turbo, and finally went for the mini Cooper S turbo.

I'd agree with the OP that the Cooper isn't for him. Maintenance is a hassle, but the Cooper S turbo is a really fun car to drive just around town and to the fitness center. It spins the tires from a standstill, so that's enough power for me. Girls at the gym seem to love the look, and with the back seat folded down, I have enough room for my Border Collie.

Glad to be of assistance.

Of course the 918 is one of the Holy Trinity(Mac P1, and Leferrari the others)

and have seen the 918 in the flesh and on track as well ... prefer mine though for adjustability !

My car is a 2008 987 Gen 1 model year but registered in Sept 2007 which has the benefit of an upgrade re the IMS from my PCGB buying guide extract :

What should I look for?

The forums are full of horror stories concerning cylinder bore scoring and failure of the intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing in the engines. However, it worth noting that the cylinder scoring has only affected a small percentage of Gen 1 (pre DFI engine, 58-plate) cars. Some have suggested a figure of just 5%. In our experience it is the larger engined models (the 3.4 S models) that are more prone, making the 2.7 Gen 1 987s worth a look.

The IMS bearing is not an issue on the 987 as during 2006 a new, stronger bearing was introduced. For peace of mind, the 2007 models (56-plate onwards) can be assumed to have this stronger bearing. The leaky rear main oil seal (RMS) that blighted so many of the 986 models was largely resolved by the 987 models. If a particular car has a leaky RMS, the much revised newer seals should fix the problem.

This is the full link to the buying guide:

https://www.porscheclubgb.com/regions-registers/registers/modern/cayman/porsche-cayman-buyers-guide/987-buyers-guide

PM me if you need any further help.

Yours in Happy Days to Come !

Just put our new RF5 LE into the garage. Too early (and icy out) to tell how responsive it is but looks very nice, getting kids taking vids as they roll past. Our 4th Mazda so pretty comfortable knowing the reliability will be good and the reviews have been great. The Fiat looks frumpy imho. At a cost significantly less than a Ferrari Cali, lots of bang for the buck.

Star wrote:

Corvette

+1

Buy used, play for awhile, sell and buy something else.

Corvette = white trash

I would be concerned about the crash worthiness of the Miata. Is there enough metal around you in the event that some idiot texting on his phone t-bones you?

I'm in that all red tarantula

Fck a challenger

Man these ho3s ain't got no manners bruh

-Gucci Mane

Enough said. That car is a joke.

try-ath-uh-leet wrote:

I would be concerned about the crash worthiness of the Miata. Is there enough metal around you in the event that some idiot texting on his phone t-bones you?

A 72 MGB convertible with rollbar put me into retirement.

Go with the Chevy Shocker. It's the rusty trombone of retirement cars.

If you like speed, you can modify it to your heart's desire.

If you like style, the car is stunning as-is.

If you like havarti, give up bovine dairy and go manchego.

I am sure this might be obvious, but figure out which ones you are interested in and test drive them. Then you don't have to wonder which ones that you like better.

I love driving, too, and would love to have a lower-end sports car, but need something more practical at my current stage in life.

Retiring Runner (or anyone else with interest in MR2s),

Here is a short video of MY 1995 MR2 Turbo. It was shot by the former owner, but the car in this video now sits in my garage. :)

Tell me honestly, how many other MR2 Turbos you've seen that are nicer or cleaner than this one. It is SO MUCH fun to drive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_P8JMp4aNo

2002 or 2003 Thunderbird. It is by far the best looking car on the road. It has a hard top with classic portal windows, the top is removable so it is a convertible in the summer. It is V8 with rear wheel drive. Unlike a corvette, it rides smooth. It has a Lincoln chassis with Jaguar steering.

I drove mine 152,000 miles and never had any problems. It got 22 mpg for the life of the car.

Bad news: My wife totalled it.

Good news: No one in either car got hurt.

red rocket.

lipstick on a pig wrote:

Book mcbooks wrote:

Just get a vintage, aircooled 911. those cars are an absolute hoot to drive. Take them on a mountain road an try not to smile.

That smile will turn into a death-grin the first time he lifts off the throttle while going hard into a hairpin turn.

Sports cars should be driven by people who don't know how to drive them. Learn to brake before corners and accelerate through them, or drive a nice sensible sedan.

Book mcbooks wrote:

lipstick on a pig wrote:

That smile will turn into a death-grin the first time he lifts off the throttle while going hard into a hairpin turn.

Sports cars should be driven by people who don't know how to drive them. Learn to brake before corners and accelerate through them, or drive a nice sensible sedan.

I meant to say rear engine sports cars SHOULDN'T be driven by people who don't know how to drive them.