Ask the Best and Brightest: "Help Me Find a Decent Sized Coupe, Roadster or Convertible That's Fun to Drive, OK on Gas"

by Robert Farago

Published: August 22nd, 2008

ask the best and brightest help me find a decent sized coupe roadster or

I’m thinking about getting a new car and I’m leaning towards it being a completely non-practical toy. Here’s my situation… A couple years ago I bought a brand new G35S Sedan right when it was redesigned. I liked the car a lot because it blended the fun of a sporty car, with the practicality of a four-door and the comfort of luxury amenities. As an idiot enthusiast, I opted for the six-speed ‘S’ over the automatic AWD. I live in New England and then the 1st winter with the G hit. Much like the previous Mustang posting, I was faced with a decision: winterize my new baby or get a beater. I chose the latter and found a decent ZJ. I bought the Jeep for the winter and found (as a 2nd vehicle) an SUV is great. I use it for my mountain bike gear, my dogs and home depot runs. This combo worked well for awhile. Recently, partly because of gas, and mostly because I always wanted one, I bought a motorcycle. It’s been a lot of fun for the summer. Between the bike for commuting and the Jeep for the weekend, my Infiniti sits. The car really only comes out when my girlfriend and I go out, or when the weather isn’t suitable for the bike. I’m a young guy with no kids planned for a little while. Really I need a car for my single person commute, for days taking the bike isn’t reasonable, and when I don’t need something to haul my gear. I’d like something smaller and somewhat more fuel efficient. However it HAS to be fun to drive, have some luxury and look great. I saw a Wiesmann and fell absolutely in love! Modern tech in a super sexy package. The Crossfire is also appealing, so is an SLK or S2000. I’ve even been looking at old VW Ghias, but I don’t think they’d hold up doing 75 on the highway. So, can The Best and Brightest help me find a decent sized (I’m 6’2’’) coupe, roadster, or convertible that’s fun to drive, OK on gas and preferably saves me some money? It doesn’t have to be new, I’m even entertaining the idea of a classic. It does have to be reliable though. Thanks! LUNDQIK

Robert Farago

More by Robert Farago

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 73 comments

Ricky Spanish on Aug 25, 2008

BMW Z4 Dedicated roadster, not some bimbo chop top cowl shaking chassis flexing 4-seater (4 seat convertibles are for housewives and people with heart problems) Lots of room - built for big Germans Tons of fun to drive, competes in SCCA A-stock, has lots of power, great handling and some neat options (Sport-M seats, sport package) 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway 'nuff said

Like Reply
LUNDQIK on Aug 27, 2008

So I went and checked out a couple cars on the list and in the back of the dealer lot I saw a 1968 Chevelle. Am I crazy for even considering this car? It just looks so friggin cool. They want $9,500 for it.

Like Reply

Recent Comments

Jeff I noticed the last few new vehicles I have bought a 2022 Maverick and 2013 CRV had very little new vehicle smell. My 2008 Isuzu I-370 the smell lasted for years but it never really bothered me. My first car a 73 Chevelle and been a smoker's car after a couple of months I managed to get rid of the smell by cleaning the inside thoroughly, putting an air freshener in it, and rolling the windows down on a hot day parking it in the sun. The cigarette smell disappeared completely never to come back. Also you can use an ozone machine and it will get rid of most odors.
Lou_BC Synthetic oil for my diesel is expensive. It calls for Dexos2. I usually keep an eye out for sales and stock up. I can get 2 - 3 oil and filter changes done by my son for what the Chevy dealer charges for one oil change.
Joe65688619 My last new car was a 2020 Acura RDX. Left it parked in the Florida sun for a few hours with the windows up the first day I had it, and was literally coughing and hacking on the offgassing. No doubt there is a problem here, but are there regs for the makeup of the interiors? The article notes that that "shockingly"...it's only shocking to me if they are not supposed to be there to begin with.
MaintenanceCosts "GLX" with the 2.slow? I'm confused. I thought that during the Mk3 and Mk4 era "GLX" meant the car had a VR6.
Dr.Nick What about Infiniti? Some of those cars might be interesting, whereas not much at Nissan interest me other than the Z which is probably big bucks.