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Shifty Needs Your Help in Buying a Car

191 messages,  Last post on Dec 21, 2010 at 10:06 AM

You are in the Classic Cars Forum.

What is this discussion about? Car Buying, Coupe

Messages Page 18 of 20

#162 of 191 Re: Fiat 500 Abarth [Mr_Shiftright] by parm

Mar 07, 2009 (6:53 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 07, 2009 3:08 pm)
I'm assuming the Mini your refering to is the hardtop model. The other cars you're considering are convertibles. I'm coming in late in this discussion and haven't read this whole thread, so maybe this topic has already been covered, but how important is to you to be able to drop the top? File this comment under "no duh!", but deciding whether you want a convertible will help you decide.

#163 of 191 Re: Fiat 500 Abarth [parm] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Mar 08, 2009 (3:42 pm)

Replying to: parm (Mar 07, 2009 6:53 pm)
I'd settle for panoramic sunroof or large SR. Northern California is not exactly tropical, so a drop top at speed, if you're lucky, is something you can do comfortably maybe 10-20 days a year (during the day).

#164 of 191 Re: Fiat 500 Abarth [Mr_Shiftright] by parm

Mar 08, 2009 (6:04 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 08, 2009 3:42 pm)
Well, if California has only 10-20 days per year of comfortable drop-top driving then, here in Indiana, we must have a total of one! LOL! If I lived in sunny California, I'm guessing I'd be able to drop the top of a convertible (at least for a portion of) around 100 days a year, no? However, if we're talking extreme northern California, I suspect your estimate is correct.

#165 of 191 Re: Fiat 500 Abarth [parm] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Mar 08, 2009 (6:15 pm)

Replying to: parm (Mar 08, 2009 6:04 pm)
I guess it depends on your tolerance. If you are NEAR the ocean, it doesn't get hot very often--inland in northern CAL of course it gets godawful hot. But near the sea, there's usually fog in the mornings, then burn off, then really cool ocean breezes and more fog around 4 PM. I just don't see that many convertible in San Francisco unless you go inland.
 
Of course you can do the "heater on, windscreen installed, windows up" routine on modern convertibles and stay reasonably comfortable except for your head.

#166 of 191 Re: Fiat 500 Abarth [Mr_Shiftright] by fezo

Mar 08, 2009 (6:56 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 08, 2009 6:15 pm)
Maybe 10 years ago I was in San Francisco and rented a Sebring convertible for a day and just headed down the coast. Must have been one of those ten days...
 
I will admit that by evening time we were doing the heat on and windows up trick and eventually had to yield to the inevitable and put the top up...

#167 of 191 Shifty - ever get anything? by parm

Jun 29, 2009 (9:00 pm)

I've been out of the loop here for a while (apparently, buying a new house will do that). Perhaps this thread was meant for discussion purposes only. But, if not, how has your search gone?

#168 of 191 Re: Shifty - ever get anything? [parm] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 30, 2009 (8:31 am)

Replying to: parm (Jun 29, 2009 9:00 pm)
I guess the last time I was seriously looking, I wanted to check out a hot-rod Miata, but alas, I cannot fit in the freakin' things!! I was all ready to sign a check for a '95 M edition but after a 15 minute ride, and then crawling behind and under the car thinking of ways to modify the seating, I came to the conclusion that modifications that I needed would be fairly complicated (cutting into the rear bulkhead). I needed at least 4 inches, maybe 6. That's a lot, and a thin seat isn't going to give me that.
 
Someone offered me a really good deal on a BMW M3 coupe, which was fun to drive, but the thing is so ugly I just couldn't imagine myself in it.
 
In the past, when I buy a classic car, it usually sort of "hops into my arms", like at the Pet Rescue Center. If I push and convince myself to buy something using all kinds of thinking, rationalizing, etc., I usually end up regretting the purchase.
 
Usually, my classic car purchases are a done deal in 10 minutes---at least the commitment I mean.

#169 of 191 Re: Shifty - ever get anything? [Mr_Shiftright] by garv214

Jun 30, 2009 (3:29 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 30, 2009 8:31 am)
Too bad about the Miata Shifty, they are a hoot to drive. Now if you are interested in a 240Z, boy do I have a car for you! LOL

#170 of 191 Re: Shifty - ever get anything? [garv214] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 30, 2009 (3:40 pm)

Replying to: garv214 (Jun 30, 2009 3:29 pm)
That's a nice car but I'm too young for an automatic right now....maybe after my left foot gets caught in the thresher...

#171 of 191 Re: Shifty - ever get anything? [Mr_Shiftright] by garv214

Jun 30, 2009 (8:34 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 30, 2009 3:40 pm)
Of course if you get both caught in the thresher, you might be able to fit into the miata more comfortably...

Messages Page 18 of 20

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