Which is the ultimate family sports car?
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Post by: Uboat » Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:37 am
I am happy with my Lotus, but I would like to take my family out in my cars also. Despite the fact that there are two rears seats in the plus two, no other than small children will survive longer trips in the back.
What is the ultimate sports car for four people. As the Lotus has a fixed head, I'd prefer a convertible, and it needs to fit in a moderate garage (maximum 4.5 meters). Of course it must be a classic...
I'm thinking about a Triumph Stag. Are they comfortable for four people?
Other suggestions?
Regards
/Ulf
What is the ultimate sports car for four people. As the Lotus has a fixed head, I'd prefer a convertible, and it needs to fit in a moderate garage (maximum 4.5 meters). Of course it must be a classic...
I'm thinking about a Triumph Stag. Are they comfortable for four people?
Other suggestions?
Regards
/Ulf
1974 Lotus Elan +2 130/5
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Post by: elansprint71 » Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:02 am
The Stag is a good suggestion but not really a "Sports" car, more of a cruiser. It is hard to think of a true four-seat convertible. Maybe the Mercedes SL but even then the rear seats were an extra.
If you do find something suitable the biggest problem will be the amount of wind/draught in the rear seats. I have a VW Eos, which is a sort of modern 4-seat convertible; at anything over 50kph it is not really pleasant to sit in the back with the roof down.
If you do find something suitable the biggest problem will be the amount of wind/draught in the rear seats. I have a VW Eos, which is a sort of modern 4-seat convertible; at anything over 50kph it is not really pleasant to sit in the back with the roof down.
Cheers,
Pete.
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Pete.
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Post by: robertverhey » Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:14 am
Audi RS4 wagon with a sunroof
SAAB turbo convertible
SAAB turbo convertible
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Post by: gherlt » Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:23 am
I would ask first the "has to be" conditions:
- budget (min/max)
- minimum age (of the car)
- age of the childs
- "sports car" definition: looks or abilites
- capacity of boot
- budget (min/max)
- minimum age (of the car)
- age of the childs
- "sports car" definition: looks or abilites
- capacity of boot
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Post by: gherlt » Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:24 am
>- age of the childs
or may be better:
- size of the childs
or may be better:
- size of the childs
1964 S1 (at paint shop)
1967 S3 DHC
1969 S4 FHC (at BB's home)
https://theelanman.com for details on Brian Bucklands book.
https://shop.lotus-books.com for more Lotus related books.
We ship worldwide. PM/Email me.
1967 S3 DHC
1969 S4 FHC (at BB's home)
https://theelanman.com for details on Brian Bucklands book.
https://shop.lotus-books.com for more Lotus related books.
We ship worldwide. PM/Email me.
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Post by: trw99 » Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:23 am
What with you being in Sweden, a classic 900 SAAB Turbo convertible comes to mind as a practical four seater.
Mercedes made some pleasant drop head versions of their 1950/60s saloons.
Alvis TD21 drop head is another practical four seater.
I think that if you define 'sports car' as performance allied to handling, then you will not find that in a genuine four seat drop head. So if those two aspects are important to you, then you could open the field to include cars such as the Volante Astons, Morgan 4+4 (if you must!) or Jensen Interceptor drop top (rare).
Tim
Mercedes made some pleasant drop head versions of their 1950/60s saloons.
Alvis TD21 drop head is another practical four seater.
I think that if you define 'sports car' as performance allied to handling, then you will not find that in a genuine four seat drop head. So if those two aspects are important to you, then you could open the field to include cars such as the Volante Astons, Morgan 4+4 (if you must!) or Jensen Interceptor drop top (rare).
Tim
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Post by: terryp » Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:52 am
trw99 wrote:or Jensen Interceptor drop top (rare).
Tim
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Terry
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Post by: gherlt » Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:07 am
>THERE ARE NO ISSUES WITH THE HOOD
well there some other issues which might does it not make a bargain ....
well there some other issues which might does it not make a bargain ....
1964 S1 (at paint shop)
1967 S3 DHC
1969 S4 FHC (at BB's home)
https://theelanman.com for details on Brian Bucklands book.
https://shop.lotus-books.com for more Lotus related books.
We ship worldwide. PM/Email me.
1967 S3 DHC
1969 S4 FHC (at BB's home)
https://theelanman.com for details on Brian Bucklands book.
https://shop.lotus-books.com for more Lotus related books.
We ship worldwide. PM/Email me.
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Post by: gherlt » Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:31 am
How about a BMW 2002 Turbo ? or a TI ?
1964 S1 (at paint shop)
1967 S3 DHC
1969 S4 FHC (at BB's home)
https://theelanman.com for details on Brian Bucklands book.
https://shop.lotus-books.com for more Lotus related books.
We ship worldwide. PM/Email me.
1967 S3 DHC
1969 S4 FHC (at BB's home)
https://theelanman.com for details on Brian Bucklands book.
https://shop.lotus-books.com for more Lotus related books.
We ship worldwide. PM/Email me.
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Post by: collins_dan » Tue Jun 21, 2011 1:56 pm
This is the drill that I went through, eventually giving up as there is no such thing and bought the elan. I thought about the Stag (not a great history), Jensen Interceptor (mostly automatics), Aston Martin V-8 Vantage/Porsche 911/Maserati Ghibli/Ferrari 300 or 412 (pricey), BMW 2002 (no convertibles), classic Mustang or Camaro (pricey and terrible handling), Plus 2 convertible (hard to find)... Lately I have been thinking about a BMW 3-series with the retractable hardtop for my daily driver. It seems like the best combination of performance, comfort (commuting), reliability, winter (hardtop), summer (convertible) and back seat for family. My wife has still not driven in the elan after 7 years and I don't really want her to, as she will never let the kids step foot in it again. The kids love the elan. Dan
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Post by: Uboat » Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:03 pm
Budget would be maximum 15.000 Euro
Children are 7 and 13 (adult size)
Saab 900 convertibles would be relevant, they are however too long and maybe too young. It would be easy to keep budget low here, Saab parts and shops are everywhere.
Mercedes SL are nice, but they are too american, too much Bobby Ewing...
Jensen Interceptor convertible? - well a good suggestion
Again the Stag, can an adult sit in the back for long? I have seen what Jeremy Clarkson thinks of it, but I don't mind. I would't drive fast with the roof down and I don't mind the cruising character - I compensate with my Elan which gets more track-oriented for every year
Children are 7 and 13 (adult size)
Saab 900 convertibles would be relevant, they are however too long and maybe too young. It would be easy to keep budget low here, Saab parts and shops are everywhere.
Mercedes SL are nice, but they are too american, too much Bobby Ewing...
Jensen Interceptor convertible? - well a good suggestion
Again the Stag, can an adult sit in the back for long? I have seen what Jeremy Clarkson thinks of it, but I don't mind. I would't drive fast with the roof down and I don't mind the cruising character - I compensate with my Elan which gets more track-oriented for every year
1974 Lotus Elan +2 130/5
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