mad_machine wrote: Speaking of the 124, if you want one of the best manual convertible tops ever designed, you would have to look far and wide to find one better than what Pininfarina designed for the spider.
Whole heartedly agree. Other than the sound of the car, the convertible top was my favorite part. Just simple and easy to use one handed from inside the car.
wspohn wrote: Do you like Porkers?
Have you seen the prices on decent ones these days? Yikes!
What convertible, you ask? Why this one, of course!
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/5982929570.html
The 124 is a good call. Classic looks like an LBC, with a nice sporty DOHC engine.
BiTurbo.... at least one that has already gone 59,000 is one of the tough ones in the breed.
Ok, I basically have myself narrowed down to miata (1.6 NA) or Fiat 124 (probably the cheaper 74-79 models - 1.8l carbed motor). I think that both models are very unlikely to depreciate much more if they are kept in similar condition.
Can young kids fit in the back of fiat 124 seats? or are they really just fake seats back there?
While there have been many nice cars listed here, to your point about Targa or Convertible I would mention that i have 2 Corvettes and an Austin Healey. Both Vettes, (1970 & 2003) have the removeable panel/targa style roofs, the Healey is a true convertible meaning it has roll up windows and a one hand operated, permanently attached Convertible top. Advantages to the Vettes removeable panel and targa style bar, there is almost no wind buffeting around your head when driving with the top open. A very comfortable (no excessive noise and wind) ride. Negatives to the Vettes removable panels, where to store them. There is storage in both cars but is a PITA. Austin Healey advantage of the convertible, (this is the 1963 and newer Healey so it has a true convertible top vice an erectable top as earlier Little British Tops) it is just about a one hand operation to bring it up. Motoring is truely an open air experience. Disadvantage: Motoring is truely an open air experience. A lot of wind and road noise and wind buffeting around your head.
Robbie wrote: Ok, I basically have myself narrowed down to miata (1.6 NA) or Fiat 124 (probably the cheaper 74-79 models - 1.8l carbed motor). I think that both models are very unlikely to depreciate much more if they are kept in similar condition. Can young kids fit in the back of fiat 124 seats? or are they really just fake seats back there?
Not just kids in the back but you need to get car seats back there too. I question if car seats (not just boosters but real car seats) will fit in the back.
In reply to wannacruise:
You know how I know you drive an LBC?
You use the word 'motoring'.
JohnRW1621 wrote:Robbie wrote: Ok, I basically have myself narrowed down to miata (1.6 NA) or Fiat 124 (probably the cheaper 74-79 models - 1.8l carbed motor). I think that both models are very unlikely to depreciate much more if they are kept in similar condition. Can young kids fit in the back of fiat 124 seats? or are they really just fake seats back there?Not just kids in the back but you need to get car seats back there too. I question if car seats (not just boosters but real car seats) will fit in the back.
Good point. I was thinking like 6-10 y.o. could sit back there after car seat age, but you are right, now car seat rules and recommendations keep kids in some kind of seat up until like 130lbs!!! So that plan would not fly.
In reply to 1988RedT2:
What could possibly go wrong with this choice?
In reply to Robbie:
This may vary by state but in Ohio it is not illegal to put a kid seat in the front seat but the wording suggests it is illegal. I think the wording is, "children should always be in the rear seat." The rest not so explicitly stated is more of, "the back is the best place, so in the back if possible."
It is not illegal to put a kid in the front of a single bench pickup or a 2 seater. Of course, a back seat is preferred.
Complicating all of this is passenger front air bag. The passenger airbag became law in '95 models. Some early models had keyed switches to turn off the passenger airbag if you were using a kid seat. Later they went to a weight sensor in the seat. The weight sensors are a little controversial since the do not account for how much of that weight is a bulky car seat, etc.
All that said, a pre '95 Miata like my '90 does not have a passanger airbag.
I have had my 2.5yr old, as early as less than 1 yr old, in the front of my Miata for occasional rides.
She loves it!
Robbie wrote:JohnRW1621 wrote:Good point. I was thinking like 6-10 y.o. could sit back there after car seat age, but you are right, now car seat rules and recommendations keep kids in some kind of seat up until like 130lbs!!! So that plan would not fly.Robbie wrote: Ok, I basically have myself narrowed down to miata (1.6 NA) or Fiat 124 (probably the cheaper 74-79 models - 1.8l carbed motor). I think that both models are very unlikely to depreciate much more if they are kept in similar condition. Can young kids fit in the back of fiat 124 seats? or are they really just fake seats back there?Not just kids in the back but you need to get car seats back there too. I question if car seats (not just boosters but real car seats) will fit in the back.
130 pounds? I only weighed a 135 when I graduated high school!
mad_machine wrote: 130 pounds? I only weighed a 135 when I graduated high school!
California's the nazi-ist state I know of as far as kid seats go, and even here it's only up til age 8 or height of 4'9", whichever comes first.
As far as kid seats in the front, here the law says that you can't put kids of car seat age into front seats unless there are no rear seats left to put them. So I can put my son in a booster seat into the passenger seat of my Miata (airbag disable switch) or my RX-7 (driver airbag only), but not in my wife's CX-9 unless we've got 4 or 5 other kids in there as well.
E30 vert. 4 seats kick ass for hauling ass. Clarkson, May and Hammond all seem to agree with this choice as well.
Robbie wrote: Ok, I basically have myself narrowed down to miata (1.6 NA) or Fiat 124 (probably the cheaper 74-79 models - 1.8l carbed motor). I think that both models are very unlikely to depreciate much more if they are kept in similar condition. Can young kids fit in the back of fiat 124 seats? or are they really just fake seats back there?
If those are the final two standing, IMHO this is an absolute no brainer. Get the Miata. It's such a better car in pretty much every way. Nothing wrong at all with the 124, I actually bought a few of them in a failed attempt to teach myself to wrench...I liked the cars. But the Miata is just better. Only reason I'd see to get the 124 instead is if you specifically want an antique Italian car (which I agree has a cool factor to it)
Somebody already mentioned Miata, right? I need to finish my 914
It's pretty rare that I see targa cars with the tops out. Must be a pain to deal with. Of convertibles, Miata owners seem to be most committed to the top-down "lifestyle." Myself included; my NC's top gets thrown back whenever it's above 40 degrees out if I'm solo. At 40, don't even need the heated seats on the highest setting. My girlfriend prefers it to be a bit warmer out.
Whelp. Here it is. I of course settled on a Miata that was 1000 miles away from home, and drove it back in one day.
Robbie wrote: Want: - currently driveable, or reasonable chance I can get it driving with 4-8 hours of tune up work. I have other serious projects that need my time. - has to be good for short trips at first. I don't drive much since I travel for work, but would be cool if I could use it to commute to the airport come spring. - some style. Miata is like the perfect answer (duh) except that it is blander than a fiat or triumph or datsun. - to cruise. Not looking to build a racer here. - would love a manual top. Not looking to mess with rickety, leaky, expensive, finicky crap. I want to be able to throw the top down when it is 25 degrees out during a crystal-clear sunrise, and close it back up after 10 miles when I get cold. What should I do?
2nd gen Firebird with the T-tops.
I vote mr2. But no one is surprised at all. Cant go wrong, they're fantastic cars. 
Mitchell wrote: It's pretty rare that I see targa cars with the tops out. Must be a pain to deal with. Of convertibles, Miata owners seem to be most committed to the top-down "lifestyle." Myself included; my NC's top gets thrown back whenever it's above 40 degrees out if I'm solo. At 40, don't even need the heated seats on the highest setting. My girlfriend prefers it to be a bit warmer out.
When I had my Corvette, I had the top out all the time. I kept thinking about trying to engineer some sort of thumbscrew solution to replace the stupid little hex wrench thing, but I never got around to it. It takes five minutes to take the top off.
My 914 was even easier! It had to be really raining for me to put the top back on. I was younger and brasher when I had my X1/9 - the only time the top was on that was when I parked for the night!
The other day I top-shamed a Miata. I was driving the Saab, top down, and this little red MX5 pulled up next to me with the top up! It was sixty frigging degrees! I made the universal gesture that says, "Put your top down," and the guy looked repulsed! Disgusted! Oh well, more nice day for me to enjoy then!
I was just about to buy my wife an XK8 convertible until I got a tip about 2 TR8 coupes languishing in a garage a couple of states away. Jag is going to have to wait.
5.0 with a rag
tr8todd wrote: I was just about to buy my wife an XK8 convertible until I got a tip about 2 TR8 coupes languishing in a garage a couple of states away. Jag is going to have to wait.
Link to specific xk8 (if you're not buying that is)? I have begun the search for an affordable one. Think a gm truck swap on one would be a hoot.
https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/6013745791.html Its right down the road for me. There were two more identical ones on Boston CL for roughly the same money. One in RI and one on the North Shore.
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