Cars, Man

[knucklegary]

^ That's why they make nitrile gloves..

Hand me a wrench any day.. if it means avoiding stripped drain plug threads by an oil change expert who previously worked at Taco Bell..

That said, some folks prefer pencils over wrenches.

 

[orbital]

Price: 20k to Orbital's Boxter.
Lots of fun!
Fast, but it'll never be driven even close to its limit. Think Sunday Drives, only during the week when more people are at work.
Stock due to not wanting to wrench on it.
Preowned, due to price.
Low mileage, due to wanting dependability and few, if any, repairs.
Newer is nice, but seasoned brings the cost of license tabs way down. Washington State loves taxpayers' money. We're subject to a Regional Transit Authority tax that is crazy expensive for autos newer than six years - https://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicles-and...other-fees/regional-transit-authority-rta-tax
Automatic transmission, they're just so good nowadays.



I really appreciate the replies. You guys are the best!

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How about a Boxster for $16K
not crazy performance, just great handling up those twisty Cascade roads & well, everything else..

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/1f9c2c7f-5e08-474e-a79d-58ecc54c8ba6/

 

[pnwoutdoors]

I've started dreaming of a two-seat, convertible. It'll need to be second-hand for affordability. I haven't decided on the transmission type. While I'm comfortable operating a manual, I'm also aware that Father Time diminishes driving skills for us Baby Boomers. Yes, I've entered the Roadhouse Blues period of driving. It's best to keep my eyes on the road and both hands upon the wheel. Price? I don't know. I've just started dreaming. Haven't started shopping.

Suggestions?

A Mazda Miata might be worth considering. Assuming you both fit comfortably in it. Good solid cars, reliable, durable, relatively easy to work on, relatively inexpensive to maintain and insure.

The modern variant is the "ND" (4th Gen). It's got a bit more power, is quicker, better-handling, and comes with various top options (coupe, convertible hardtop, convertible soft top). Can be had in manual or automatic transmission. One heck of a lot of fun to drive.

Owned a mid-'90s version for several years. Made many 5000+ mile excursions with it, along with uncounted weekend "tours" in the thing. Did dozens of "track day" driving schools, where I got to explore and learn about the car's limits and behaviors. Was necessary for knowing how to better handle the critter-laden roads where I lived.

Did my own wrenching on it, and it was simple enough that a newbie first-timer shade tree mechanic could pick up nearly everything without much effort. (Had the shop install a new exhaust when it was time, and never did need to crack open the engine, but I did everything else.) Well-built cars.

The cars.com website shows quite a few of the Miatas within "spitting" distance of Washington state. I'd suggest looking for a ~2012 or more recent model (the NC and ND variants). You ought to be able to find a good example with under ~70Kmi, one-owner, between $15-20K.

Auto-Brochures | Mazda Car & Truck PDF Sales Brochure/Catalog/Flyer/Info 2 3 5 6 626 B-Series Cosmo CX-3 CX-5 CX-7 CX-9 CX-30 GLC Millenia MPV MX-5 Miata Protegé Protegé5 RX-2 RX-3 RX-4 RX-7 RX-8 Tribute

Mazda car pdf sales brochures, catalogs and electronic media

www.auto-brochures.com

The MX-5 Miata Forum

forum.miata.net

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

^ That's why they make nitrile gloves..

Hand me a wrench any day.. if it means avoiding stripped drain plug threads by an oil change expert who previously worked at Taco Bell..

That said, some folks prefer pencils over wrenches.

If the last 40 years have taught me much of anything, it's that I really hate hiring "professionals".

 

[Fuzzywuzzies]

I have to say, if you want the best automatic transmission out there, it's going to be really difficult to to better the Mercedes 7G-Tronic. It's the smoothest-shifting 'box I think I've ever driven; so sophisticated it seems to know what gear you want before you do, at least for the type of driving you'l be doing. It's well known and established in the industry as a solid and decently reliable performance transmission. Mercedes' engines and general build quality is very good as well. - I think that the bad rap they get, at least in these parts of the world is perhaps a little undeserved.

This may not be a popular opinion, but I would recommend checking out the mid- to high-end Mercedes-Benz cabriolets from around 2015 or thereabouts. Being 'luxury' vehicles they depreciate quickly in price, and for sheer joy of driving experience, they are indeed in a class of their own. I think you and your lovely lady would very much enjoy something like an SL500 or E350, pick one with low miles, the 7G-Tronic auto, and an engine size that suits your balance of power and economy. (I personally find naturally aspirated - non-turbo - engines to be more fun to drive for pleasure, despite having less power on paper). YMMV, DYOR and be sure to pick something you both LIKE.

Last, but not least, "Photos or it didn't happen".

 

[Monocrom]

If we're talking reliability, dependability over the long haul.... Porsche doesn't come to mind. MX-5 (Miata) comes immediately to mind. Followed very closely by the Toyota MR-2 Spider. The latter being more difficult to find, but surprisingly inexpensive when you do locate one in very good shape. Won't win a drag race against anything, except maybe a bicycle. But, good looks, Toyota level of reliability and dependability.

EDIT: Typo.

 

[Stress_Test]

Miata is very very popular around the grassroots motorsports types of guys. Pretty much the default answer when anyone is considering a fun, small, lightweight, low-cost two-seater roadster. (assuming you can fit into one; I can't!) Huge aftermarket and massive internet info of course.

However, if the missus had hip replacement, it may be too difficult for her to get in and out of; also, if she's a little gun shy on the road now, then she might be nervous in a Miata (those things are tiny!)

Some good suggestions have been made already. I myself have always had a soft spot for Corvettes (which are fairly large for a two-seater, which the missus may like). But sadly, GM quality control.... well if you've owned one you know.

If I had a good Corvette shop (or very good Chevy dealer) nearby, then I'd be tempted to own one, but that's not the case, so I wouldn't buy one myself. And I reiterate that I like Corvettes, so that should tell you something!

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

I've never had this much fun at work in my life! 😁

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

Miata is very very popular around the grassroots motorsports types of guys. Pretty much the default answer when anyone is considering a fun, small, lightweight, low-cost two-seater roadster. (assuming you can fit into one; I can't!) Huge aftermarket and massive internet info of course.

However, if the missus had hip replacement, it may be too difficult for her to get in and out of; also, if she's a little gun shy on the road now, then she might be nervous in a Miata (those things are tiny!)

The hip replacement surgery took place 14 months ago. The Lovely Mrs Gardiner doesn't have much trouble with egress or entering vehicles. However, she expresses concern whenever I point out smaller cars, asking: "What do you think about something like that?".

Some good suggestions have been made already. I myself have always had a soft spot for Corvettes (which are fairly large for a two-seater, which the missus may like). But sadly, GM quality control.... well if you've owned one you know.

If I had a good Corvette shop (or very good Chevy dealer) nearby, then I'd be tempted to own one, but that's not the case, so I wouldn't buy one myself. And I reiterate that I like Corvettes, so that should tell you something!

I thought you'd enjoy this-

 

[orbital]

+

For what I just spent on my well & all the specialist to make it happen on my property,
I could have purchased a low mile black C6

minus the pair of checkered Vans

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

+

For what I just spent on my well & all the specialist to make it happen on my property,
I could have purchased a low mile black C6

minus the pair of checkered Vans

I'm sorry, Bro.

Of all the things most of us take for granted, water is one of the most important.

 

[NH Lumens]

I purchased this 2010 CTS-4 two years ago with 4,260 original miles on the odometer. It was from an estate sale and had spent its entire life in a garage, other than the 4,200 miles on the road. Its loaded, complete with performance package (suspension, brakes, 19" wheels, etc.).

I wish it was a CTS-V, but then I probably couldn't have afforded it. These shots are from a few weeks ago, right after I installed a set of brake caliper covers. It now has 16k miles on it and remains garaged when not being driven. At 69 years old I still work full time, but from a home office so most of the miles I put on it are for pleasure.

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

I purchased this 2010 CTS-4 two years ago with 4,260 original miles on the odometer. It was from an estate sale and had spent its entire life in a garage, other than the 4,200 miles on the road. Its loaded, complete with performance package (suspension, brakes, 19" wheels, etc.).

I wish it was a CTS-V, but then I probably couldn't have afforded it. These shots are from a few weeks ago, right after I installed a set of brake caliper covers. It now has 16k miles on it and remains garaged when not being driven. At 69 years old I still work full time, but from a home office so most of the miles I put on it are for pleasure.

View attachment 50361

View attachment 50362

View attachment 50363

^ Man! That is such a beautiful car! Congratulations, NH Lumens.

We purchased our preowned 09 back in 2016. It's a wonderful car. This was taken on one of the very few occasions we've been caught in the rain. The STS V8 sounds like a sewing machine during low RPM idling. However, all that is forgotten when the footfeed is pressed a bit more. 😁

 

[idleprocess]

+

For what I just spent on my well & all the specialist to make it happen on my property,
I could have purchased a low mile black C6

minus the pair of checkered Vans

Wait. Here I thought that New Balance was the official footwear of 'Vette drivers.

 

[orbital]

Wait. Here I thought that New Balance was the official footwear of 'Vette drivers.

+

Tongue-in-cheek going off post #3,089 footwear

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Always been a fan of the C6 body & smooth lines

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

I've been driving a subaru for almost a month now, is someone supposed to send me my COEXIST bumper sticker or does it just grow on there?

 

[knucklegary]

+

Tongue-in-cheek going off post #3,089 footwear

===============================================

Always been a fan of the C6 body & smooth lines
View attachment 50392

Seating accomodations for long inseams.
I wear nothing but Vans slip-ons when driving.
White/black checkered works for me!

 

[idleprocess]

Tongue-in-cheek going off post #3,089 footwear

The reference I'm making.

I've been driving a subaru for almost a month now, is someone supposed to send me my COEXIST bumper sticker or does it just grow on there?

Been driving one for 6 years and never received one nor did one grow there nor did the vehicle molt to reveal one. But maybe that's less a WRX and more an Outback phenomenon?

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

The reference I'm making.

I'd love to own a C5. Heck! I already got the Dad Body.

Been driving one for 6 years and never received one nor did one grow there nor did the vehicle molt to reveal one. But maybe that's less a WRX and more an Outback phenomenon?

Yes, that's why I posted the joke. I remember you piloted a WRX.

 

[idleprocess]

I'd love to own a C5. Heck! I already got the Dad Body.

Pondered such a venture myself a few years ago when prices had troughed, but was always more than I wanted to spend. Ah well.