[GTF]

The 718S would be most fun, but Miata at half the price is most reasonable choice. I would have another Miata today if it wasn't for the domination of huge trucks and SUVs on the roads (and their often moronic drivers).

[LivingInSalt]

Originally Posted by evomike

This is the only answer

Not really

[G30M]

Originally Posted by PinkNinja400Guy

Which one should I get?

- Z4 m40
- m440 / M4
- m850 / M8

Also considering Miata, Lexus LC500, Porsche 718.

Audi's and Mercedes' offerings don't seem that great compared to what BMW has

This is mainly for driving around the local roads and mountains. Not planning on tracking it. Maybe once or twice in the future. I already have a track motorcycle.




The backstory:

I used to have a '20 Honda Civic Si Coupe - my first car. Great car and incredible value. But it was pretty rough for longer road trips which I did a lot of. Wanted something quieter and more comfortable. m440 coupe wasn't great, m850 coupe & LC500 only a bit quieter (LC500 sounds incredible though). 7 series and X7 were closer to what I was looking for. The M760 V12 was out of my budget at the time, and the X7 M50 seemed like a more sensible purchase than the 750 sedan.

I had the X7 in for service recently and got a "lease special" 3 series as my loaner. A 330i with no options and Alpine White paint (nonmetallic - doesn't cost extra . It sucked in every way compared to the X7... except for one: it was actually fun to drive. Like, a lot of fun. That's not a feeling I've experienced for a while now, with the X7. And at this point I'm fortunately able to afford a weekend car.

M8 (unless you value comfort then M850i). it's better in every way to the M4 unless you want to track it

[G30M]

most fun convertible?

R8 Spider

[Germanauto]

If you want a sports car

Porsche, there is no substitute

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by g21

M8 (unless you value comfort then M850i). it's better in every way to the M4 unless you want to track it

IMHO, the rear seats on the eight series are a joke.

The M40i Z4 is the way to go. Yes I am prejudiced because I do own one! 👍🏻

[G30M]

I don't understand the point of the M8 but given his choices that's what I'd take.

[Conissah]

Miata, no questions asked. Rev the piss out of it, handles amazing, feels like a street legal go-kart. Somehow from 1990 to 2023 they've only added ~200 lbs to the overall weight, which is amazing considering how much safer new cars are.

[IcewaterPete]

For a weekend convertible the smaller the better and it needs to be a manual in my book to be the most fun. I’ve owned long hood, auto, big engine GT ‘verts and they are fun for about a week then they get handed off to the wife ‘cause they are boring as crap. If you are a short dude try out the Miata and definitely test the Boxster. The Z4 could be a decent option if they ever make a manual available.

Have fun shopping!

[evomike]

Originally Posted by LivingInSalt

Not really

That’s not a convertible and it’s still not as good as an S2000

[Shold89]

S2000 is awesome!

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by g21

I don't understand the point of the M8 but given his choices that's what I'd take.

PinkNinja400Guy said he is looking for a weekend car that is fun to drive. Therefore please explain why you would select the M8 over some of the other cars he listed which in my opinion are definitely more of a "fun" experience?

[G30M]

It's an M car.

I would have preferred an R8 Spyder V10 but it's not on the list

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by g21

It's an M car.

I would have preferred an R8 Spyder V10 but it's not on the list

Just because it is an M car doesn't necessarily make it a weekend car that is fun to drive.

[jmg]

I've driven the current Z4 M40i, M850 Convertible, and I own a G82 M4. Of those 3, I think the Z4 is the most fun. However, there are plenty of options outside of BMW.

I've driven an S2000, 718 Boxster GTS, and Miata. The 718 was the most fun and most capable. It's such an incredible machine!

It would be a hard choice between the 718 and the Z4. The Z4 is much more comfortable, the 718 is more focused, and it feels cramped inside compared to a Z4. It all depends on how focused you want the car, or do you want to be able to live with it more often.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by jmg

I've driven the current Z4 M40i, M850 Convertible, and I own a G82 M4. Of those 3, I think the Z4 is the most fun. However, there are plenty of options outside of BMW.

I've driven an S2000, 718 Boxster GTS, and Miata. The 718 was the most fun and most capable. It's such an incredible machine!

It would be a hard choice between the 718 and the Z4. The Z4 is much more comfortable, the 718 is more focused, and it feels cramped inside compared to a Z4. It all depends on how focused you want the car, or do you want to be able to live with it more often.

The 718 was the other car I considered when ordering my Z4. Equivalently equipped, it was about $20K more. If it's in your budget, it's a fantastic choice.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

The 718 was the other car I considered when ordering my Z4. Equivalently equipped, it was about $20K more. If it's in your budget, it's a fantastic choice.

You are definitely getting a better bang for the buck with the Z4 over the 718.

[Joy15779]

Sorry but every "small" porsce are weak for my feelings. 718 disappointed me so much by the meaning of power.
I waited so many years for turbo engine and now they did it .. weak. My f83 stage 3 ... I really felt in love

[vipermike]

LC500,

Best quality GT car I've owned. Never have to worry about problems. Just cruise and enjoy the redline blips at the rev limiter. Can drive it for 8 hours and never feel fatigued. Last NA V8 5l!

[Humdizzle]

i usually rent convertibles when me and gf go on trips to LA, miami, phoenix. we've had the 1st gen R8 v10 egear, 718 Boxster pdk, LC500 vert, Z4 3.5s (dct), maserati mc grancabrio.

-my favorite sports car out of those was the 718.
-best gt car would be the lc500.
-best bang for buck is the Z4. i'd get an older one with dct though. very snappy downshifts. the zf8 i had in the supra is probably similar to the new z4 and just plain lazy in manual mode.

i'd never buy an m3/m4 convertible. its an afterthought and they have re-do the whole chassis, which is why it weighs as much as an M5.

[virtualbong]

Whichever one comes in a manual.

[Equilibrandt]

I'm a bit biased, but I love our 2020 ND2 Miata. Driving an underpowered car as a momentum car is a phenomenal foil for something like an M3 where you can use the extra power to cover your mistakes. 181 hp / 151 lb-ft and 2450 lbs makes for quite a fun car if you keep the momentum up and aren't relying on over-braking and mashing on the gas.

That being said, as money becomes less of an issue, I'd probably consider a Z4 M40i to replace it. But for the cost of a modern MX-5 and some tires, you can't beat it, imo.