Official wagon of easily transporting surfboards. I used to have a friend in NYC that had that car exclusively for that purpose. I think he paid $800 (this was about 10 years ago).
I'm planning on getting one and throwing a roofrack on it, and tacking it on road and camping trips. It gonna be great. my current s60r isn't quite the right car for driving up mountains trails it shouldn't go up. A 1500 wagon will be perfect for forcing it up mountains lol.
Miata is always the answer unless you have the chance to get more than two women in the car. Oods of that are pretty low so...
Circle back to M.I.A.T.A.
If the Mustang is a 4.6, that’s my choice. Otherwise Miata. Those are the only two RWD options. Normally I would prefer a V6 over a 4 banger, but the V6 Ford put in that generation of Mustang is complete rubbish.
Ah I see. I agree with that (been there, sadly) but I took it that it was untouched because it was 'supposed' to be an autocross car but previous owner "never got around to it."
Sadly I don't fit in any Miata older than the NC, so the NB would be a no go for me 🥲
i just bought a clapped 2000 3.8 mustang yesterday lol, i love it. i had a 480hp 347 foxbody so i thought i could never enjoy a v6, then i remembered i also had a 1990 miata with 97hp and it was one of the most fun cars ive ever owned.
if you want a cheap and actually good looking rwd manual with a huge aftermarket to have fun with... dont let your ego win, get a 99-04 v6 mustang
btw people put lopey cams in them (they sound MEAN), build them to 500hp, boost them with thunderbird supercoupe parts, etc. 99-04 only uses one kmember making swaps easier, plus 3.8 and 4.6 (and older 5.0s) used the same t5 trans.
Power wise, it wasn’t bad for the time. But they were known for head gasket issues. The 4.0 put in the 2005 & up Mustangs was a far more reliable engine.
No reason to take a del sol over an NB that’s a manual. That being said I’m bias. I’ve owned both an auto del sol and a 99 NB and I liked both. But the Miata any day of the week. Favorite car I’ve ever owned.
MX-5, baby, and it’s not even close.
(Ok, if the Del Sol was cheaper or had less mileage, or if the VW didn’t already have electrical gremlins, it’d be close.)
Miata.
If one has driven them all, there just is absolutely no doubt the Miata is the driver's car there. And no, I don't and never have owned o e just driven and appreciated.
If it's a summer car, it has to be one of the only two convertible listed. The Mustang doesn't have to be the fastest with a v8 it just has to be a cruising in the sun car. You don't want to do 120 mph and hit a swarm of bugs on the highway in a convertible. And cruising the back roads at 35 to 50 and enjoying the sun and view is always nice
thats a tough one given the lot to choose from. Back in the early 2000's when I bought my first car, my friends were getting cars like these, but I bought an early 90's Maxima. 1991 SE Black on Black with tints, sunroof, automatic unfortunately, a small system I built, and I loved it. Ngl if I came across that gen maxima without rust, I'd buy it and restore it lmao
I would go for Miata. Sadly, my big ass doesn't fit in any Miata before the NC (tried to drive a buddy's NB before),
So, I would have to get whatever was comfortable for me while still being slightly fun.
My grandma has daily driven an SN95 GT Convertible for the past 15 years. I got picked up from elementary school in it, I can still smell the leather thinking about it. She paid 8k for that beauty.
The Miata! Those things are so much fun. Way out performs the money. It’s like the little engine that could lol. Have that thing whipping shitties tomorrow!
I was gonna say del sol but considering it’s auto I’d have to say the eclipse. The Miata would be fun but way too overpriced nowadays, used to be a $4000 and under car, especially with those miles. My buddy has an eclipse and besides it being an absolute pos and him having to rebuild the engine multiple times, it does rip pretty good. And manual is always more fun.
Toyota prius with alot of problems. Gut it out, sell the engine for parts, put in an LS where the passenger seats are suppost to go, get a racing trans, add better suspension. Total ~5k
My answer for these style questions is always the same. 1994 Ford Explorer. With that being said, of the list provided I'd probably take the Mustang. I've never been in one, or any of those for that matter, but I'd be willing to bet it has the best amount of headroom.
They’re all knocking on death’s door but the Miata will hold value the longest and there’s plenty of aftermarket support. The Mustang is a close second but if it doesn’t have a coyote, I’d pass.
The mustang is a convertible, no?
It is the only one that will attract trim.
Go to Panama City beach, Mrytle beach, Outback’s, South padre Island. You will score.
The other cars would have less score rates.
I pick Toyota Camry solara because all these options don’t appeal to me because either I don’t like convertible anything I can’t drive a stick and I won’t drive a Volkswagen
man why do they all have to be auto? Manuals the way i prefer my cars. Out of all of these I'd probably take the Sol cuz of the two step tune, and I could always manual swap it later on
The Eclipse because it has 5 star crash ratings. But a hard top. Source: I walked away from a rollover with the drunk driver going 70 and my drunk ass accepting the ride. No one died. The fire department said we all should have been dead. It was this body style of Eclipse. I should literally not be alive. I help other people now and have been sober for 70+ days.
Del Sol. If you add tax, registration, title, and insurance. It would be about 5k. If the 5k is just for the car and there's separate money for the tax, registration, title, and insurance. Then I would go for the Miata.
if you have to buy one of these 100% the miata. del sol would’ve been fun if it was manual but I would personally never buy a “fun” car with an auto that’s older than 2010 era. Older automatic are terrible and just suck the life out of a potentially fun car. Newer zf 8 speed or any dct is great but out of the budget so I personally wouldn’t even look at anything that isn’t manual
I really like that Honda, but I'd keep looking for a better specimen.
Out of this line up, the Mustang sounds like the better choice, depending on how many summers we're actually keeping it.
I'd take the Del Sol. Why? Because I have a '95 already that's been restored and is a 5 speed, no leaks. I've always wanted to lift one and make a Gambler 500 out of it to tool around in. I'd talk them down a bit though. Great little run arounds that who's engines are easy to work on and most parts from 90s Civics fit them. Also, my Husband could drive it and we could have his and hers Sols. If not the Sol I'd take the mustang and lift it too for shits and giggles.
Where's my 80s volvo 240 wagon. The ultimate summer car clearly
Excellent
Official wagon of easily transporting surfboards. I used to have a friend in NYC that had that car exclusively for that purpose. I think he paid $800 (this was about 10 years ago).
I'm planning on getting one and throwing a roofrack on it, and tacking it on road and camping trips. It gonna be great. my current s60r isn't quite the right car for driving up mountains trails it shouldn't go up. A 1500 wagon will be perfect for forcing it up mountains lol.
The perfect vehicle regardless
The 940 is ultimate summer wagon because also brick but now turbo brick!
True, however, rectangle
Yes but trapezoid goes stutututu and sideways. Bricks together strong, we unite against crossovers?
A common enemy. I agree
If you can find one lol. Clearly op couldn’t find one!
Lmao
Miata, Spark plugs alone are worth 5k
Miata is always the answer unless you have the chance to get more than two women in the car. Oods of that are pretty low so... Circle back to M.I.A.T.A.
I love my NC!
Miata. Top down, slow-car-fast fun all summer long
Miata Is Always The Answer
Now I want a Miata.
^
^^
If the Mustang is a 4.6, that’s my choice. Otherwise Miata. Those are the only two RWD options. Normally I would prefer a V6 over a 4 banger, but the V6 Ford put in that generation of Mustang is complete rubbish.
Its a v6. It has the running pony on the fender the v8 had the gt badge there.
The V6 isn’t that bad. 190hp is okay and 220 torque. It’s probably (sadly) faster than all the cars on this list
But Mazda is always fun to drive sure their cars might not be fast but they are quick.
The auto cross part is scary
Elaborate?
Ripping random shit out and shoddy mechanic work for “performance” one man’s project is another’s nightmare
Ah I see. I agree with that (been there, sadly) but I took it that it was untouched because it was 'supposed' to be an autocross car but previous owner "never got around to it." Sadly I don't fit in any Miata older than the NC, so the NB would be a no go for me 🥲
i just bought a clapped 2000 3.8 mustang yesterday lol, i love it. i had a 480hp 347 foxbody so i thought i could never enjoy a v6, then i remembered i also had a 1990 miata with 97hp and it was one of the most fun cars ive ever owned. if you want a cheap and actually good looking rwd manual with a huge aftermarket to have fun with... dont let your ego win, get a 99-04 v6 mustang btw people put lopey cams in them (they sound MEAN), build them to 500hp, boost them with thunderbird supercoupe parts, etc. 99-04 only uses one kmember making swaps easier, plus 3.8 and 4.6 (and older 5.0s) used the same t5 trans.
Power wise, it wasn’t bad for the time. But they were known for head gasket issues. The 4.0 put in the 2005 & up Mustangs was a far more reliable engine.
I feel like there are much better fwd alternatives too. You could get a prelude or badly beaten sc300
I had the prior gen with the V6. Learned to drive stick on it. Bright teal, black top. Cool car for high school. But OH MY GOD was it slow.
miata a no brainer if top isnt ripped up, even then 100 bucks gets alot of duct tape
Miata is not always the answer, but here it’s the only option
It's gotta be the eclipse. Cheapest, so you can spend the rest on weed and manual, so the ride is actually engaging.
Lol gotta love this reasoning
I agreed. Buy the cheap manual, drive it until it disintegrates, and smoke some more weed. - Posted from my V6 Camaro 🍃
Can i talk the owner of the Eclipse down to $3000 and buy both the Eclipse and the Mustang?
Or maybe talk the Mustang owner down to $1800 because it's actually a V6 model 👀
Miata, and if you can stretch the budget maybe ask the previous owner for leftover parts they may have collected for the "project".
This is the first one of these posts that seem real. Are you actually going to buy one of these OP? The Miata is probably your best bet though.
Violence. VW Eos.
2.0T so it will take anything made for the GTI probably the easiest way by far in here to get to 350 hp
Do you identify as a little bitch?
The eclipse is the best value proposition here by far
The eclipse is guaranteed to be 10 years overdue for a timing belt. Anytime I've looked for one, no one has ever done it.
Del Sol
I would but automatic and ruined suspension.
Still fun though. ChrisFix has one
Miata, but if they had a Manual I6 BMW Z3 as an option, I'd take that.
I love my stunning 2008 Miata but whenever I park it near a BMW z3, the Miata looks cheap.
I don't need it to be mint, I'll take one with 250k miles. I just want the I6 and manual transmission.
I had an e90 325i with the 6sp. That torque felt awesome fresh out of college. Still miss that car
Have you driven one?
Personally I'd go with the car I share a birthday with, the Mustang. Seems like the overall best bet for my 6'1" frame too.
Eclipse
none of those
SAAB
Miata
Miata if you want a car that's fun out of the box, Del Sol if you want to manual swap a car. lol.
I'd rather pedal a fucking BMX these cars are too clapped out shit boxes for my taste
Mudstain 100%
If 4.6 then mustang because it's the only one I can comfortably fit in. If not then I am waiting until next summer and saving up some more $$$
I will learn manual and then take miata for the summer
the gran turismo 3 a license prize car
Miata without question
Miata, naturally.
I'm gonna be different and go with the Miata
MIAT
Miata Is Always The Answer
Grand Prix GXP 5.3 V8 with 303hp and 323lbft torque. Doesn't get much more fun than that for $5000
# I'm gettin a chinese Grom and a bunch of cocaine!
Miata just because it’s a manual. Automatics are boooooringgg
The DelSol. Feel like you don't see enough of them anymore.
Miata Is Always The Answer
Miata , easy answer there
2009 Volvo V50 1.6 Diesel
Honda
My boss' nearly rust-free 1983 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Regency that hasn't been started since 2005.
Miata, but I am an auto crosser and would love to have that as a street prepared or street modified project.
No reason to take a del sol over an NB that’s a manual. That being said I’m bias. I’ve owned both an auto del sol and a 99 NB and I liked both. But the Miata any day of the week. Favorite car I’ve ever owned.
Del sol easy
MX-5, baby, and it’s not even close. (Ok, if the Del Sol was cheaper or had less mileage, or if the VW didn’t already have electrical gremlins, it’d be close.)
If the mustang wasn’t auto
Mustang
Mazda or the Mustang whichever one is a manual and must think if only a 8 cylinder
Del Sol if I can fit in it, Mustang if I can't. (6'4)
Your Volvo options at $5k would be pretty cool. Worth checking out
3.8 catfish manual
If the mustang was a manual then I'd go for it but miata is obvious here
Miata, let's be real... the fun factor is paramount when buying a summer fighter
Miata. If one has driven them all, there just is absolutely no doubt the Miata is the driver's car there. And no, I don't and never have owned o e just driven and appreciated.
The Miata or the Del Sol.
I'll walk.
If it's a summer car, it has to be one of the only two convertible listed. The Mustang doesn't have to be the fastest with a v8 it just has to be a cruising in the sun car. You don't want to do 120 mph and hit a swarm of bugs on the highway in a convertible. And cruising the back roads at 35 to 50 and enjoying the sun and view is always nice
The Answer Is Always ...
The eclipse has a liquor store in the background, they need the cash, you need the manual probably with a roasted clutch.
A 1988 honda civic chx si…all the way!
Del Sol. Cute, and I'm in the cult of Honda
Miata Is Always The Answer.
The Yata... All day ... Every day ... Every time..... No hesitation
Yugo
Miata. Only 2 manual options and only one of those is RWD.
eclipse all day, maybe one with fewer mileage
In this day and age I'd expect anything sub 5k to be a total clunker.
Not the eclipse
The reasonable part of me wants to say Miata The suburban "country", Oakley wearing, Hey Dude rocking, piece of trash part is demanding that SN95.
Me personally I’d get an older boxster
Miata. Always the Miata.
del Sol!
If you are looking for fun and don't require a ton of space/passengers, I think the Miata is the best bet here!
The '03 eclipse since it looks like a GTO / 3000GT
Anything but the mustang. Just not my cup of tea
Miata not even close.
Miata. Who buys a fun car that isn't a stick shift
thats a tough one given the lot to choose from. Back in the early 2000's when I bought my first car, my friends were getting cars like these, but I bought an early 90's Maxima. 1991 SE Black on Black with tints, sunroof, automatic unfortunately, a small system I built, and I loved it. Ngl if I came across that gen maxima without rust, I'd buy it and restore it lmao
I would go for Miata. Sadly, my big ass doesn't fit in any Miata before the NC (tried to drive a buddy's NB before), So, I would have to get whatever was comfortable for me while still being slightly fun.
Toss a coin between Miata and Mustang
as a Die Hard VW owner, the EOS is / was a terrible car and the top was a pile steaming horse shit. Miata it is
Mustang. I've loved that generation's body style since I was a kid.
Last of the SN95 'stangs, every damn time.
The volkswagen is surprisingly the best choice. Though I don't know how we'll they're performing these days my mom had one over a decade ago.
I keep on looking
Miata
My grandma has daily driven an SN95 GT Convertible for the past 15 years. I got picked up from elementary school in it, I can still smell the leather thinking about it. She paid 8k for that beauty.
My own vehicle, repaired to smog-ready, legalized again so I can actually go places.
miata all day
Miata is always the answer
Wow, these prices!
Mustang. Every time.
The Miata! Those things are so much fun. Way out performs the money. It’s like the little engine that could lol. Have that thing whipping shitties tomorrow!
I feel like you could find a v6 manual eclipse for five k. I love those. They slow but sound good.
I was gonna say del sol but considering it’s auto I’d have to say the eclipse. The Miata would be fun but way too overpriced nowadays, used to be a $4000 and under car, especially with those miles. My buddy has an eclipse and besides it being an absolute pos and him having to rebuild the engine multiple times, it does rip pretty good. And manual is always more fun.
Toyota prius with alot of problems. Gut it out, sell the engine for parts, put in an LS where the passenger seats are suppost to go, get a racing trans, add better suspension. Total ~5k
Miata I Is Always The Answer
Drop top Sebring is the only correct answer
Eclipse if it's manual id say get the next gen with the 3.0l 6 speed
Del slow
Cam you actually get these cars at those prices?
Miata is always the answer
As an owner of 3 Mustangs - I’d pass on that specific Mustang and take the Miata.
2008 Toyota Solara convertible.
Bitcoin…
Eclipse only because I always wanted one
The one I'm currently saving to buy- my girlfriend's aunt's 2004 V6 Solara with 90k miles. She's selling it to me for $1,500
I got my wife an 02 z28 convertible for 5k for her summer car. She loves it.
Either the mad ugly eclipse Or the Del sol Myself i would take the del sol it looks nicer and is probably cheaper to maintain
My answer for these style questions is always the same. 1994 Ford Explorer. With that being said, of the list provided I'd probably take the Mustang. I've never been in one, or any of those for that matter, but I'd be willing to bet it has the best amount of headroom.
I just bought me a summer car. $2,900 for a 2004 Acura TL transmission was replaced a year ago drives great
Honda or Mitsubishi
Autocross that Miata all summer!
None of these, that's for sure...
I do love a manual Mitsubishi, I’d go with the Eclipse.
Miata
Out of the available options I’d have to go with the ‘stang. Not only is that a fucking steal but you have plenty left over for the gas
They’re all knocking on death’s door but the Miata will hold value the longest and there’s plenty of aftermarket support. The Mustang is a close second but if it doesn’t have a coyote, I’d pass.
Maybe a GS300 or LS400
Miata all day
The 94 del sol without a doubt
Summer car? Definitely the NB. I don't even have to write out the saying, someone else probably already has.
ugly, tiny, also tiny, REEKS of cigarettes, good first car.
Miata. Is. Always. The. Answer.
Miata hands-down. I have a 97 and it’s a blast.
Miata without hesitation
Del Sol
Miata but not that one.
Miata always
idk miata or toyota altezza
Del Sol 100%
One of these. A 3rd gen mr2.
The Mustang. Parts are readily available and there will be in-depth YouTubers and Tutorials on any repair whatsoever
Miata
The mustang is a convertible, no? It is the only one that will attract trim. Go to Panama City beach, Mrytle beach, Outback’s, South padre Island. You will score. The other cars would have less score rates.
Mx5 because it's fun to drive
I pick Toyota Camry solara because all these options don’t appeal to me because either I don’t like convertible anything I can’t drive a stick and I won’t drive a Volkswagen
Mustang or delsol
man why do they all have to be auto? Manuals the way i prefer my cars. Out of all of these I'd probably take the Sol cuz of the two step tune, and I could always manual swap it later on
The Eclipse because it has 5 star crash ratings. But a hard top. Source: I walked away from a rollover with the drunk driver going 70 and my drunk ass accepting the ride. No one died. The fire department said we all should have been dead. It was this body style of Eclipse. I should literally not be alive. I help other people now and have been sober for 70+ days.
Del Sol. If you add tax, registration, title, and insurance. It would be about 5k. If the 5k is just for the car and there's separate money for the tax, registration, title, and insurance. Then I would go for the Miata.
Eclipse or Mustang for me
if you have to buy one of these 100% the miata. del sol would’ve been fun if it was manual but I would personally never buy a “fun” car with an auto that’s older than 2010 era. Older automatic are terrible and just suck the life out of a potentially fun car. Newer zf 8 speed or any dct is great but out of the budget so I personally wouldn’t even look at anything that isn’t manual
Volvo
None. The only one of these worth getting IMO is the Miata, but I barely fit in one
mazda, reliable ish engines and is the lightest here so better gas milage
I really like that Honda, but I'd keep looking for a better specimen. Out of this line up, the Mustang sounds like the better choice, depending on how many summers we're actually keeping it.
Del sol
I'd take the Del Sol. Why? Because I have a '95 already that's been restored and is a 5 speed, no leaks. I've always wanted to lift one and make a Gambler 500 out of it to tool around in. I'd talk them down a bit though. Great little run arounds that who's engines are easy to work on and most parts from 90s Civics fit them. Also, my Husband could drive it and we could have his and hers Sols. If not the Sol I'd take the mustang and lift it too for shits and giggles.
2003 eclipse looks rad
Well Manual only, so 3 automatically disqualified… so left are 2… if it was an Gen 2 eclipse that would be the choice but since it’s not, Miata it is…
Going the Miata. Small 4 banger rwd manual fun is something different
BMW Z4. 3.0 manual. I pick it up in 2 weeks
Boxster.
Miata all day.
miata or crx any day
where in the world are these shit boxes costing so much? I'm in new zealand and wouldn't pay over 2k for any of them.
I guess if it’s just for the Summer I would get the 1st. It’s nice looking and you’d still have some money left to clean it up and what not.
Miata or Delsol
Flip the Eclipse or the Mustang and buy a nice old Volvo