Comfortable roadster?

[Driver_Scars]

Hi all,

I'm looking at getting something like an MX5, MGF or maybe SLK. I'm still fairly young but I'm finding overly firm suspension, loud exhausts and terrible roads very annoying these days. I just want something fairly comfortable that is good to drive.

I currently drive an Alfa GTV (916) which is a nice car but it has an aftermarket exhaust and ride is OK but a bit jarring at times. I've already renewed most of the suspension with standard bushes which has helped a bit but I'm not sure it's really my bag long term.

I should test drive some of the roadsters listed above to see how comfortable I find them, but it would be good to know whether I'm wasting my time or any alternative suggestions of similar cheap to buy and run roadsters (max about £6k). I'm not put off by old cars and anything post about 2005 is too modern for me but I'm open minded. It doesn't have to be particularly fast either.

[ZX10R NIN]

Leftfield:

Crosssfire

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008272...

More mainstream:

Nissan 350Z

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-350Z-GT-3-5-V6-R...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101228...

SLK280

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010084...

2.0T MK2 TT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012147...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104030...

Z4 2.5/3.0i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103140...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009053...

[Mr Tidy]

Some good suggestions there!

The only one I've any experience of is the BMW Z4, and if you want good ride quality I'd suggest you look for one without the M-Sport suspension which was optional on pre-facelift models but standard on facelift (06 onwards) Sport models. And whichever you choose replacing the standard run-flat tyres with non-runflats seems to be a popular choice for a better ride.

[samoht]

Driver_Scars said:

Hi all,
I'm looking at getting something like an MX5, MGF or maybe SLK. I'm still fairly young but I'm finding overly firm suspension, loud exhausts and terrible roads very annoying these days. I just want something fairly comfortable that is good to drive.

I think all those are good options. Older MX-5s are fairly soft I think. Early MGFs have the interconnected hydraulic suspension which is meant to be quite comfortable, in fact I think some felt it was *too* comfortable for a sports car. And I think SLK (2nd gen) is likely comfortable, my C-class AMG has a layer of smoothness which handles B-roads quite nicely, despite obviously being a sporty setup.

In general smaller wheels with taller tyres will help. The tyres themselves can make a bit of difference also, depending on sidewall stiffness. Also torsional rigidity (not always a given on a roadster).

I suspect your exhaust issue is purely due to having an aftermarket one, I think almost any factory fit system will be fine for volume.

Other possible options
Lotus Elan Mk2 n/a (turbos likely more money)
Peugeot 306 convertible (if that's enough of a 'roadster')
Mercedes SL (bottom of the market at £6k but possible, being a class above should be comfortable)
BMW 6 series convertible (ditto)

[Jasandjules]

MR2 T-Bar?

[Driver_Scars]

Thanks, lots of great suggestions so far.

I prefer the style of the more basic roadsters as I really like the simplicity of them and the MR2 is another good one to throw into the mix.

I think an 'NB' generation MX5 might be a good hassle free option for me as long as I can find one without too much rust. Gonna try and get out and test drive one soon to see if I can live with the comfort level. If not maybe it is time to go for something a bit more 'grown up' like a SLK, TT or Z4 but I must admit my other pet hate is complicated electronics, alarms and roof mechanisms as I've had some bad experiences with these in the past.

Crossfire convertible actually looks quite nice too.

[Cylon2007]

I had an NB MX5 that became my daily driver, that got changed for a 2015 ND MX5 in August 2018 and this is still now my daily driver. I find it comfortable, it's the Recaro so has the Bilstein dampers (and I'm just about to fit eibach pro springs). I'm old and achy and sometimes it's a bit of a faff getting in and out BUT then I drive, it's going nowhere anytime soon.

[davek_964]

I recently bought a Roadster and was also trying to avoid hard suspension.

I ended up with a TT - in fact, the car I found which ticked all the boxes was an S-Line, which does have firmer suspension and I was very wary of buying it for that reason. But actually, it's a lot more compliant than I expected.
Only had it a month, but seems like a nice enough car - handles pretty well, reasonable mpg, fairly comfortable, very nice interior.

I doubt you'd go wrong with an MX5, but every time I start looking at them I come to the conclusion that I really don't want a car that's known to rust. I do wonder if I should have looked more seriously at Z4s, but I've seen too many comments about them having harsh suspension which wasn't really for me - and I preferred the interior of the TT.

[Halo in reverse]

MR2 Roadster or poss a MX5 NC

[jinba-ittai]

Driver_Scars said:

Thanks, lots of great suggestions so far.

I prefer the style of the more basic roadsters as I really like the simplicity of them and the MR2 is another good one to throw into the mix.

I think an 'NB' generation MX5 might be a good hassle free option for me as long as I can find one without too much rust. Gonna try and get out and test drive one soon to see if I can live with the comfort level. If not maybe it is time to go for something a bit more 'grown up' like a SLK, TT or Z4 but I must admit my other pet hate is complicated electronics, alarms and roof mechanisms as I've had some bad experiences with these in the past.

Crossfire convertible actually looks quite nice too.

I've got a 2002 NB MX-5, an early sport that has the 6-speed box, but not the stiffer suspension. It's ridiculously comfortable, way more so than I remember my GTV being many years back. It actually rides slightly softer than my Mazda 6. Quite a lot of roll when cornering though!

[LightningBlue]

What about an Alfa Spider? Someone has one of the last models near me and it looks gorgeous. Although I don’t know what they drive like, suspect more on the comfortable end than sporty

[ZX10R NIN]

I didn't think the spiders had dropped to the OP's budget but you're right there are a few:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104181...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-ALFA-SPIDER-JTS-2-...

[markcoopers]

With regards to the MX5, I am a bit of a fan boy but.... the NB (mk2) is very prone to rusting where you can not see it, making any potential purchase a right game of roulette. Ordinarily I would say it is internet scaremongering, but I've seen too many with what appear to be solid front chassis legs only to have dissolved inside.

Mk1 is prone to rust, but a fresh import from a specialist is unlikely to have any and is easily protected. they are also easier to see the rust on and thus find a good one.

mk3 also Rusts, so again be careful as there are horror stories but I don't know how prevalent this issue is.

I find myself looking at M100 lotus plans these days, or E36 BMW cabs.

[romeodelta]

I've had an MGTF 160, TT and Boxster and would recommend all of them.

None of them are too hard or loud.

ETA - I've also had 2 916 GTVs (TS and V6), so have a good baseline understanding of what you mean.

Edited by romeodelta on Thursday 22 April 01:25

[markcoopers]

MG TF is a good shout. I know we should not admit to liking them here, but I purchased one for my farther last year, a 135 model, and drove it some 300 miles to deliver it.....I loved it. Still prefer the MX5, but it was good and often overlooked.