5 Sporty ragtops under $15,000
A topless roadster will overwhelm your senses and maybe do some good — just think of the vitamin D
The celebrated novelist got it right. For winterweary Canadians, spring brings with it an olfactory bouquet of welcome scents and smells. What better way to celebrate the vernal equinox than from the open cockpit of a convertible, bombarded with whiffs of freshly mowed grass, cow patties or a recent ozone-releasing thun- derstorm? If you’ve always travelled in a hermetically sealed vehicle, a topless roadster will happily overwhelm your senses and possibly do you some good in terms of the vitamin D you’ll absorb.
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”
— Margaret Atwood
Here are five used convertibles you can acquire for about $15,000 — plus $5 for the floss to work the bugs out of your toothy grin.
2004-07 Nissan Z350:
Nissan resurrected its fabled Z-car as the all-new Z350 sport coupe in 2002 and a two-seater ragtop for 2004, complete with a power top and heated rear glass. It used the all-aluminum DOHC 3.5-L V6 out of the Altima, but with slightly hotter camshafts and freer-flowing intake and exhaust systems, resulting in 287 romping horses. A six-speed manual transmission was standard, with a manumatic five-speed autobox optional.
Nissan’s rear-drive FM chassis worked spectacularly well, lending the Z great balance and precise roadcarving ability. The 2006 manualtransmission models gained an upgraded 300-hp engine, while all Zcars received a restyled instrument panel and LED tail lamps. All models earned the 306-hp version of the heavily revised 3.5-L VQ-series engine for 2007, along with exterior styling updates.
Problems? Owners have voiced concerns about camber and toe alignment issues, which can lead to cupped front tires. The 300-hp engine (2006) may exhibit excessive oil consumption. Other deficiencies include bad clutch slave cylinders (a recall item), faulty window regulators, noisy brake pads and shortlived wheel bearings and batteries.
2005-08 Ford Mustang:
Visually inspired by its iconic 1960sera granddaddy, the redesigned 2005 Mustang convertible adopted the rear-drive DEW chassis that underpinned the Lincoln LS and Thunderbird. Unfortunately, Ford’s accounting department specified a solid rear axle dating back to biblical times, along with a MacPherson-strut front suspension.
The Detroit-built Mustang offered a choice between a serene evening cruiser with a 210-hp SOHC 4.0-L V6, and a Woodward Ave. boneshaker with the GT’s V8. The allaluminum SOHC 4.6-L V8 used variable intake- and exhaust-valve timing, making 300 hp and 320 lb.-ft. of grunt. Both engines worked with either the Tremec five-speed manual transmission or optional five-speed automatic.
Some retro Mustang styling touch- es lived on inside, along with enough space for four adults to sit in somewhat reasonable comfort. Among the reported mechanical issues were some leaky poor-fitting tops, faulty manual transmissions and rear differentials, short-lived batteries, bad V8 throttle-position sensors and plenty of interior rattles.
2000-03 Honda S2000:
Introduced in1999 as a 50th anniversary present to itself, the S2000 was a rare Honda: it ground its rear tires, not its fronts, with the aid of a hyperactive DOHC 2.0-L engine that churned out 120 hp per litre without the aid of superchargers or turbos. It produced that power by spinning its hardened crankshaft at a motorcycle-like 8900 r.p.m. Unfortunately, peak torque was just 153 lb.-ft. at a lofty 7500 r.p.m.
The cockpit offered just enough room for two average-sized adults; anyone over six-foot-one found the fit snug. The roadster exhibited Honda’s usual attention to fit and finish, and the six-speed manual transmission is widely lauded as one of the best in the industry (there’s no automatic).
The S2000 could lunge to 97 km/h in 5.6 seconds — but it required 8,000 r.p.m.-plus shifts, which could shorten clutch life drastically. Other weaknesses included spark plugs backing out of the early motors, new synchronizers to address gear clash and premature tire wear. The soft top is susceptible to rips and the car has to be hand-washed, owners warn.
2006-09 Pontiac Solstice/ Saturn Sky
There’s plenty of sports-car goodness baked into the orphaned Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky, including near-50/50 weight distribution, forged-aluminum unequal-length control arms with Bilstein monotube shocks, four disc brakes and 18inch alloy wheels. This rear-drive pair featured a manual-folding soft top with a heated glass rear window.
The sole engine at the outset was a 177-hp DOHC 2.4-L four-cylinder that employed a sturdy chain turning the twin cams rather than a rubberized belt.
A close-ratio five-speed manual transmission was standard and a five-speed automatic optional. Zero to 97 km/h came up in 7.2 seconds; hasty types found satisfaction in the GXP/Redline models, which featured a 260-hp turbo four, good for 5.2-second runs.
In terms of quality glitches, watch for fluid leaks from the rear differential, requiring the original vent cap to be replaced with a vent hose. Other complaints include a noisy air conditioner, clutch chatter and sundry squeaks and rattles.
The soft top may not seal well to the car’s body and leaks may become pronounced.
2006-08 Mazda MX-5
Mazda launched its third-generation MX-5 Miata for 2006 to give its growing fans a roomier sports car. The wheelbase was stretched 6 cm for better legroom and the body was 4 cm longer and wider overall. The chassis was 47 per cent more resistant to twisting, yet the curb weight had upticked by just 25 kg.
The Mazda3’s DOHC 2.0-L fourcylinder provided 167 hp and 140 lb.ft. of torque in the MX-5, thanks to a two-stage intake manifold to boost low-end grunt. It was enough to coax the lightweight roadster to 97 km/h in 6.5 seconds. The snickity fivespeed and six-speed manual gearboxes remained among the best shifters in the world, while the optional six-speed automatic came with shift paddles.
Premature clutch wear and clutch chatter are not unknown. Some newer models came with run-flat tires, which transmitted a punishing ride (solved by switching to regular tires and carrying tire sealant).
Cabin water leaks may be traced to blocked drainage holes located on both sides of the rear parcel shelf, requiring a poke with a stiff wire. A retractable hardtop arrived for 2007.