MichaelL

If this prospective sports car purchase is just a toy that may end up being sold in short order, why not consider something like a Mazda Miata? Simple, inexpensive, readily available, reliable and fun to drive. If you decide to bail out, you won't lose a lot of money.

abregov

Mickfluff, I have a 2004 Intermeccanica (IM) that I am selling to get a Cayenne to lug the kids around. If you are interested, you can shoot me an email at oz@aspenadvisory.com. I can send you some pictures of it also.

My IM car is CA registered and has the SB100 certificate, so it is exempt from smog in CA.

mickfluff

pm'd thanks

p-cardriver

And for a completely different approach, look at the Z3 - which is pretty cool to tool around in and still reasonable in price and maintenance cost. Perhaps not old enough but pretty classic lines.

An old T-bird or vette, as already mentioned, might fit the bill. Else a replica P-car for that use, especially if a 'vert is called for. At the other end might be the MBZ 190/230/250/280SL some of which are approaching unobtainable pricing for me - or even the old MGA or MGB if actually running isn't required! The more I think about it, the more choices I can generate.

linklaw

I bought my wife a 1966 230sl for a tenth anniversary present in 1997. It was an automatic with power steering and brakes and she really liked it. In 1999, sold the sl and bought her a SLK. Then a Lexus SC430. I looked at a Beck Speedster a few years ago and was not impressed with it. I guess it was ok for what it is, a fiberglas body on a tube frame, powered by a vw engine, but it left me unimpressed.

mickfluff

But wifey seems to have good taste in cars..... anytime she picks out a car its an old vintage vert like the MB sl or most recent the speedster around town. We all know a miata and z3 will handle better, faster, way more car for the $ but wont proviode the nostalgic feeling I believe she would attain wheeling around in a true classic from years ago. If she ever changed her tune and wanted something new I would step up and get her a used sl55 (or something like that) in the 50K range this way I could have some fun with it..... but for now she likes the older cars.

Speed

For our 30th wedding anniversary I bought my wife a '63 356B cabriolet which she happened to find in the classified section of Excellence Magazine back when they published reader classifieds. She drives it every weekend (as do I). Best decision. The 356 is readily available and easy to maintain and great fun to drive. Get something real, not a replica.

wiggy

Agreed, however, considering she wants a convertible, and prices for good 356 cabs in the stratosphere, it may not be affordable.

mickfluff

Abregov thanks for the info, beatiful car your selling..... but after more research I have found the style I need. I really want a wide bodied car with the flared hips.... I do not believe IM makes such a version and the more popoular of such is the GTR from automotive legends. Now I still need to continue to research the quality of their builds but styling wise I know this is what I want... (I think vintage speedsters makes as well) wide body- and seems like I maybe able to find one near new just a bit ubove what I wanted to spend. Here is a link to one that looks to have sold for 25K.... if IM did make such a car and I could purchase for mid 30's I would step up in $$$$ as from all the data I have done the IM cars are the best made...

http://www.motorcities.com/photo/viewer/07DGC274501553E

some pics attached as well.... any words of wisdom would be great. -yes would swap the wheels out-

Leader

Automotive Legend cars are made by Vintage Speedsters in Hawaiian Gardens. They spiff the cars up with lots of appearance extras, kick up the price, and market them.
If you want a wide-bodied car like this, you'd be better off dealing with Vintage directly. And, if you're buying one of these "used," be sure to have someone who knows about VW engines give it a good inspection before you write the check. Not all "pumped up" VW air-cooled engines are thoughtfully constructed, so to speak.

mickfluff

thanks for the advice!

RPMert

Don't want to be a buzz killer. Sorry.

I won't let my kids or wife drive a car without crumple zones and airbags.

A "collector" car without air bags is fine, but a routine or semi-routine drive mobile? No way.

Speed

Oy.

ltc

How about a 914/6?

mickfluff

I live in a resort community, all slow road and speed limits are mainly 25mph. Not a car to be used for anything more then out to diner, sunset rides, etc etc.,,,, I can understand you post though completely.