Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

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Mr. Dazzle
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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by Mr. Dazzle »

We had a pop up headlights Mk1 Eunos Roadster, just like this.

I previously wrote them off as hairdresser's cars, but within the first 100m of driving they just feel 'right'. You can't beat getting the fundamentals right, they're great cars. I don't know of many people who like driving who dislike the way the MX-5 drives.

Not especially quick, but all the bouncy bits and controls are out of drawers several layers higher up than other cars of this price/type.

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ChrisW
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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by ChrisW »

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Wed Apr 24, 2024 8:27 pm I previously wrote them off as hairdresser's cars, but within the first 100m of driving they just feel 'right'.
Did the exact same. I once bought one for someone without even a test-drive, went to pick it up & 'fell in love' with it on the drive back. It was only the 1.6, too.
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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by Count Steer »

Here's some in France. It's about half of the ones on the trip to Le Touquet. I particularly like the yellow one. Re the 1.8/2.0 thing, I preferred the mk2 1.8 to the mk 3 2.0...they've got more lardy with each iteration so the 3 needed the extra to lug the tin-top etc around.

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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by Mr. Dazzle »

I'd deffo skip over the Mk3 and go straight to a Mk4 on looks alone, plus it's a bit lighter. Or a Mk1 if you can find one with the rear sills still attached.
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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by KungFooBob »

Pug 206CC

Half a bag of sand in the UK according to the search I've just done on Autotrader for the cheapest drop tops.

They're Fronch so there should be plenty of them around in Fronch.

Then next cheapest are an original shape SLK, a Vauxhall Tigra and a PT Cruiser.

I think I'd rather cut my ball bag off with a blunt spoon than drive a convertible PT Cruiser (or even a non-convertible PT Cruiser).
Last edited by KungFooBob on Wed Apr 24, 2024 8:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by Mr. Dazzle »

I'd drive a PT Cruiser, but ironically.

I could park it next to my soft top Evoque, the gayest car on the market :thumbup:
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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by Noggin »

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Wed Apr 24, 2024 8:41 pm I'd deffo skip over the Mk3 and go straight to a Mk4 on looks alone, plus it's a bit lighter. Or a Mk1 if you can find one with the rear sills still attached.
The only thing I really 'know' about them is that I don't like the ones with the pop up lights! :lol: :lol:

When I have a budget, I'll come back to this thread and do some more research!

TBF, I posted more cos I couldn't understand why I see so few small soft tops. Wondered if it was the Fun Police or the Effin' Safety Police!! :lol: :lol:

But I'm loving some of the recommendations - even though I don't know when I can actually start a search, I am going to do a lot of online looking at cars when I finish work this weekend :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by KungFooBob »

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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by Count Steer »

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Wed Apr 24, 2024 8:41 pm I'd deffo skip over the Mk3 and go straight to a Mk4 on looks alone, plus it's a bit lighter. Or a Mk1 if you can find one with the rear sills still attached.
The only Mk4 owner I know said 'It feels cheap compared with the previous one'. They're going to be a bit spendy too.

I'd quite like a Honda S2000 but they're getting a bit spendy now too.
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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by Cousin Jack »

Early Midgets and Sprites (the bug-eyed ones) look great, BUT they are very elderly and like most old cars they are slow, have crap brakes, and drink petrol like it is going out of fashion.

They are also very tactile cars, two normal sized people can get quite intimate without trying.
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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by Taipan »

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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by petrolpete »

That looks like it's from the Essex Riviera.,😁
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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by petrolpete »

Honda S2000 is a good investment as they tend to increase in price.
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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by Taipan »

petrolpete wrote: Wed Apr 24, 2024 10:07 pm
That looks like it's from the Essex Riviera.,😁
Or the Gayburbs of north London! :D
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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by Yorick »

That'll match @Bigyin kitchen
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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by Noggin »

NIIICE!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

I may look at those here, but maybe not in that colour!! :lol: Although if it's cheap enough I won't care about the colour! LOL :lol:

petrolpete wrote: Wed Apr 24, 2024 10:08 pm Honda S2000 is a good investment as they tend to increase in price.
I'm pretty sure there's no point me buying a vehicle as an investment - unless I haveunused garage space and I can leave said vehicle in the garage, forever! :oops: :oops:
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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by KungFooBob »

Early Z4's are cheap, just make sure it's a six pot one and not the 2.2.
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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by KungFooBob »

I just had this as a suggestion on t'Bay (I was looking at Convertible Morris Minors).

I don't think it's fooling anyone into thinking it's a frog eyed sprite.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226118489812

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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by Noggin »

KungFooBob wrote: Wed Apr 24, 2024 9:13 am Fiat made a rag top that had Punto running gear called the Barchetta that looked quite cool.

Only available in LHD tho, but that's not an issue in France.
Just had a look at these on Le Boncoin - they almost look MX5-like!! LOL Very nice. On the list :D :D (In case I can't be grown up and get a 4-ish seater!!)
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Re: Small Cabriolet/Soft Top??!!

Post by KungFooBob »

Noggin wrote: Sun May 05, 2024 3:26 pm
KungFooBob wrote: Wed Apr 24, 2024 9:13 am Fiat made a rag top that had Punto running gear called the Barchetta that looked quite cool.

Only available in LHD tho, but that's not an issue in France.
Just had a look at these on Le Boncoin - they almost look MX5-like!! LOL Very nice. On the list :D :D (In case I can't be grown up and get a 4-ish seater!!)
They're FWD (like a Punto), so don't have the driving dynamics of the MX5.