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Roadsters

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

The best buys and the ones to avoid for the roadster market in 2006....

The Best

OUR PICK

Mazda MX-5
The all-new Mazda MX-5 is here and it’s a cracker.

Its RX-8 derived suspension and track-honed chassis dynamics means it’s a lot of fun to drive on a challenging road.

New car is bigger in every dimension and safer, too, but it’s only a couple of kilos heavier so the more powerful engine has a noticeable impact on performance.

The 1.6-litre engine is no more so the MX-5 is now available with a 124 bhp, 1.8-litre mated to a five-speed manual transmission.

The folding roof and mirrors are manually operated, but the locks and windows are electric.

Power steering and a CD player are standard also, though the 14-inch steel wheels are downright stingy in a €34,055 car and look ridiculous in those wheel arches, which were designed for 17 and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The 157 bhp 2.0-litre isn’t available in Ireland, bizarrely, and neither is stability control, traction control, a limited slip differential, leather, air conditioning, navigation or a six-speed manual – all available in the UK.

The only options offered in Ireland are metallic paint and a hardtop.

BMW Z4
The BMW Z4 is one of the few handsome Bangle-era cars, with a chassis and interior engineered to the levels you’d expect from a modern BMW roadster.

BMW had initially said there was going to be no four-cylinder models but they changed their minds about that.

Fortunately, the €47,400 entry-level 2.0-litre packs a reasonably rapid 150 bhp rendering the slightly quicker 170 2.2-litre 6-cylinder version almost obsolete, especially when you consider it costs more than €4,000 extra.

The sharp-handling base model has the same equipment, including 16-inch wheels and climate control, as every other Z4 (bar the 3.0), which makes it the most insurable and the easiest model to sell on.

The 192 bhp, 6-cylinder 2.5-litre promises serious performance but it’s a little too expensive at €54,800.

The 231 bhp, leather trimmed Z4 3.0 SE tops the range at a breathtaking €64,900, but if you’re going to spend that kind of money you’d be better off visiting a Porsche dealership, to be frank.

Mercedes Benz SLK
The new SLK is so much better than the old car it’s like it came from a different company.

It is a lot more fun to drive and looks absolutely fabulous with its angry front end and pert backside.

The roof is lighter, folds faster and stows away more neatly than before while the interior, though perhaps not as well screwed together as the original, is nonetheless higher quality than any other recent Mercedes.

The entry-level motor is the less-than-sonorous, supercharged, 163 bhp 1.8-litre four-cylinder which is a popular model for tax reasons.

Combined with Mercedes’ slick new six-speed manual (which doesn’t feel like you’re stirring a bucket of gravel anymore) it offers reasonable performance and isn’t bad value at €52,615, which includes 16-inch alloys, cruise control and a leather steering wheel with audio controls.

Air-conditioning is a whopping €2,323 extra, though, and the ‘Air-Scarf’ neck-ventilation system is an extra €765.

There’s a new, 231 bhp, 3.0-litre ‘SLK 280’ model for €63,555, a supercharged 272 bhp 3.5-litre V6 automatic for almost €74k while the spectacular 360 bhp SLK 55 AMG tops the range at a staggering €100,900!

Porsche Boxster
The recently revised Boxster breezes onto our recommended roadster list not because it’s a Porsche, but because it’s brilliant.

The looks are much improved and the detailing around the side scoops and its new wheels keep it looking lithe and loveable.

The agile mid-engined chassis has been worked on to improve the ride quality while maintaining that awesome balance.

Meaty steering and flick-flick gear-change remain, but the scratchy old dash has been replaced by a crisp, modern design that’s a doddle to use and feels very high quality.

Solid resale is a huge plus, too, but running costs can be alarming so factor that in before you buy.

Best model is the basic €70,441 2.7-litre.

It doesn’t need any options because it comes with everything you need including air-con and suede seats.

The Boxster S is even nicer, but not €14k nicer!

If you spend a lot of time in traffic you might consider adding about €3,500 to the price for a five-speed automatic transmission.

It’s about the best enthusiast’s automatic you can buy because it allows you to shift gears instantaneously (unlike most other ‘manual’ automatic cars) using the steering buttons while maintaining razor-sharp throttle control.

Nissan 350Z Roadster
The Nissan 350Z is one of those rare cars that is just about perfect, right out of the box.

Gorgeous looking and fast, with a balanced chassis and an improved interior for 2006, the 350Z roadster is a winner.

The body is supremely rigid meaning it is genuinely every bit as good to drive as the coupe, while the roof is snug and cosy enough for the worst Irish weather.

The 280 bhp, 3.5-litre V6 offers ample performance and is combined with a six-speed manual and a limited slip differential.

Your €59,945 buys you Brembo brakes, climate control, leather trim, 18-inch ‘Rays’ wheels and stability control as standard, making its premium-badged rivals look more than a tad expensive by comparison.

Indeed, its humble Nissan badge isn’t really an issue when it comes to the Z – it’s got all the cache of its Porsche and Beemer rivals and is noticeably quicker than both.

The Rest

Porsche 911 Cabrio: Like all 911’s, it’s fabulous, but who really drives a 911 Cabrio as it was meant to be driven? Posing pouch.

Lotus Elise: Wonderful driver’s car, terrible roadster. Roof isn’t fully retractable and it’s a pain to use. Getting in and out is a graceless affair, too.

Opel Speedster: See Lotus Elise - they share the same basic chassis and the same roof system, too.

Chysler Crossfire Convertible: Crossfire convertible looks wonderful, but interior quality and dynamics are less impressive.

Audi TT Convertible: Aging TT should only be considered with V6 and DSG gearbox. Otherwise, don’t bother.

Daihatsu Copen: Just a smidge overstyled and small to be cool, and there’s a lot of body flex, too.

Smart Roadster: Not a proper drop top, but you can open and close the roof on the move, which we like. Too expensive, mind, and dying soon.

Avoid

Honda S2000: Not looking as sharp as it once did, its manic engine and over-light steering don’t combine well.

Toyota MR-2: Overpriced, not powerful enough and bewilderingly lacking in storage space. It goes out of production soon.

Lexus SC430: Lacks the wow factor you expect for the price. Rear seats are silly and it’s dull to drive. Getting old now, too.