Two-seater Roadster with automatic transmission (25K) – Car Whiz Advice

What can you get besides a BMW Z4 if you are looking for a two-seater roadster with automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive? We will find out for you!

Everyone can still remember their first car. Mostly cars that are cheap. Not only because the budget does not stretch further, but also because you are learning it. Then it’s nice to have something that can get a scratch. But ‘often’ is certainly not always. Certainly not in Sam’s case. He can get in nice and high. Not so much with a crossover, but more in terms of budget: 25 grand! Nowadays people sometimes work for a few years before getting their driver’s license.

Search two-seater roadster with automatic transmission

It’s actually very simple, Sam is looking for a two-seater roadster with automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. He recently drove a BMW Z4 M40i and was completely sold. The car doesn’t have to be extremely practical (gee!), but it should have enough space and comfort for two adults and their luggage to go on a road trip.

He has already been looking at a BMW Z4 sDrive35i. These are older copies with more kilometers and Sam doesn’t know if he will be happy with that.

You can view the wishes for a two-seater roadster with automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive below:

This is how we arrive at the figures:

• Consumption: Sprit monitor
• Fuel price: United Consumers, €2,389 per liter of Super
• Insurance: average of several providers (Utrecht resident, 40 years old, 0 claim-free years)
• Motor vehicle tax: Tax Authorities

The Usual Suspects:

BMW Z4 (E89)

Yes, the BMW Z4 is the most logical choice. In fact, when we went looking for a two-seater roadster with an automatic transmission in this budget, 85% seemed to be a BMW Z4 of this E89 generation. Colleague @nicolasr had an sDrive23i and colleague @machielvdd an sDrive35is. They are great GTs, not light-hearted sports cars. The exterior and interior design is very beautiful. It’s the obvious choice, but you’re familiar with it.

Fiat 124 Spider (Tipo 348)

Also a very nice car! In fact, it’s amazing how they turned an MX-5 into such a beautiful Italian car. As a first car, this is much more fun than a cumbersome Z4. In principle, a Fiat is a good choice, but don’t turn it into an Abarth. That still costs quite a lot of money and then you would be better off buying an Abarth. Also more sensible in terms of residual value.

Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 AMG (R172)

€23,950
2012
70,000 km

What is it?

The ultimate competitor! Initially we wanted to look for the Mercedes SLK 350. We just couldn’t find an R172 with that engine in the budget and according to SLK expert @machielvdd you don’t want the 272 hp version of the R171. Then why this one? Well, the R172 is considerably more modern. Although the platform is more or less the same, the body is new and the interior is much nicer. A bit SLS-like. And look, if it’s your first car, why start with a big V6 that runs at 1:10? Those 250s are smooth and you can quite easily tickle for more. They don’t sound special, that’s true. Oh, and very tasty: you can find fresh ones with few kilometers in the budget. You can still drive a long way.

How does it drive?

Speaking of driving: like a Benz. It is a grown-up two-seater convertible, not a Donkervoort with a star on the nose. Dynamically it has plenty to offer, but it’s more capable than challenging. The performance is extremely good for a four-cylinder. The consumption/performance ratio is great. For normal mileage it is a wonderful car, by the way. You can drive this every day of the year.

Costs Mercedes-Benz SLK

• Consumption: 1 to 11.76
• Fuel costs: €254
• Weight: 1,400 kg
• Motor vehicle tax: €74
• Insurance: €90
• Total costs per month: €418

Maintenance forecast

Here too, it is a plus to go for a fresh four-cylinder. Maintenance is considerably cheaper with a 200 than with a 350. Because you have a (much) younger car with (much) fewer kilometers, you will have to visit the garage less often. If it does happen, turns are often cheaper. A win-win-win.

Depreciation forecast

SLKs have always been cars that retain their value, provided you take care of them. The six-cylinders are indeed more stable in value, but difficult to find in the budget (or you should go for an old one). But you will write something off. On the other hand, a neat SLK200 from the previous generation still sells for 10 grand in good condition and they are considerably less rare.

Mazda MX-5 2.0 GT-M (ND)

€24,950
2017
20,000 km

What is it?

The alternative to the Fiat 124 Spider. The MX-5 is a better driving car than the Fiat 124. Yes, with a chip and exhaust you go towards an Abarth, but then you miss out on the chassis and appearance. And that combination with an automatic is not great either. No, in that respect you are better off with the Mazda MX-5. You can chip this to 184 specification quite easily.

How does it drive?

Like a horse and rider who are one! Jumanji calls Mazda that. Zoom Zoom. All kidding aside, it is of course a lot of fun to drive. The Mazda MX-5 is nice and light and agile. The RF is slightly heavier than the version with the soft top, but perhaps slightly more practical. In any case, it is quieter at higher speeds with a metal folding roof. In terms of performance, it’s more the sensation of going fast that it’s really going fast. That’s the beauty of an MX-5. By the way, you buy the car for the handling, cornering. It is a great fun car with a very good balance in the chassis. The machine itself is not bad, but not great either. You notice that it is slower than the competitors and that it eats away some power and torque.

Costs Mazda MX-5

• Consumption: 1 to 13.95
• Fuel costs: €215
• Weight: 1,070 kg
• Motor vehicle tax: €47
• Insurance: €75
• Total costs per month: €337

Maintenance forecast

Mazdas are extremely reliable. So in principle you have no problems with it. In fact, this is a young Mazda and in this specific case one with hardly any kilometers. Of course, tires, brakes and oil will need to be replaced occasionally. Fortunately, the MX-5 is a small car, so the costs will not be too bad. You can really drive without any worries, especially during the first few years.

Depreciation forecast

MX-5s hold their value well. They are the ideal convertibles without any real disadvantages. However, you are at a point where it will go down. Especially if you are going to drive it a lot. But then again, MX-5 is always favorable value. You drive 15,000 km per year, so in 4 years there will be 80,000 km on it. Still good to sell, so.

Nissan 370Z Roadster auto. (Z34)

€21,990 (Germany)
2013
95,000 km

What is it?

A car we couldn’t find! The Nissan 370Z is a rare appearance in the Netherlands. We found many Z4s on Marktplaats. In the budget. Really, a lot for such a car. Now most of them are also around 20-25k, so that’s not surprising. The 370Z Roadster is an open version of the Coupé.

How does it drive?

Less refined than a Z4. But that’s what makes it fun. The 370Z has a raw edge and that provides entertainment. Sounds come in better, it bumps a bit more, but that’s the fun. The engine sounds like VQ: loud, shrill and wonderful towards the red line. In terms of performance it is quite good: 328 hp! The manual gearbox fits the character of the car better, the six-speed automatic transmission does its work somewhat slowly and jerkily.

Cost Nissan 370Z

• Consumption: 1 to 8.64
• Fuel costs: €346
• Weight: 1,555 kg
• Motor vehicle tax: €91
• Insurance: €90
• Total costs per month: €527

Maintenance forecast

He’s Japanese, so no issues, right? Well, they’re not too bad. The thing you should pay attention to most is… Rust! Many copies are a second car and are stored indoors, but it can happen. In any case, the paint quality is not great, so check the condition of the body carefully.

Depreciation forecast

Yes, they still depreciate a bit, these cars. On the other hand, the 370Z Roadster with automatic transmission is the least popular variant, so you get a fresh car for little money. With the Nissan 350Z you saw that they still dropped to 15 grand. Now that car was sold in larger numbers.

Ford Thunderbird

€18,447
2004
126,129 km

What is it?

The predecessor of the Mustang. The Ford Thunderbird meets all requirements. It has rear-wheel drive, an automatic transmission and two seats. Where the Mustang had an antique chassis, the Thunderbird is actually very premium. In fact it is – and this sounds very strange – a Jaguar S-Type convertible. The engine is from Jaguar, the platform is from Jaguar, the automatic transmission is from Jaguar. As nice as the exterior is, the interior is just as mediocre. That’s just a Lincoln LS (that was also just a Jaguar).

How does it drive?

Because it’s a Jaguar: pretty good. That’s also because you expect a super soft, poorly damped and unrefined car. That is not the case. There is such a thing as road holding. The rest of the experience is mainly about the experience. The engine is good for ‘only’ 265 hp, although with normal use you won’t be short of anything. The carriage is also a bit too soft.

Ford Thunderbird costs

• Consumption: 1 to 8.04
• Fuel costs: 372
• Weight: 1,712 kg
• Motor vehicle tax: €100
• Insurance: €160
• Total costs per month: €632

Maintenance forecast

It’s an old Jaguar, so put it away! There’s a lot that can go wrong, but let’s face it: these are enthusiast cars. Often the second, third or fourth car in the garage. One who gets his turns and is indoors. With such owners, even an Alfa Romeo 159 can last a long time.

Depreciation forecast

Difficult to estimate, because the market is very small on this side of the pond. In fact, in the US it is not a sales force on the second-hand market either. It’s a car more obscure than a Lexus SC430. Fortunately, there are still people who want something special, but you will have to wait a little longer.

Conclusion two-seater roadster with automatic transmission:

If you have driven a BMW Z4 and want all the features of a BMW Z4, it is useful to look at a BMW Z4. Is that also our advice? Partially. The SLK is basically just as good. If you go for a six-cylinder, look for a BMW. If it is a four-cylinder, the Benzes are better. In both cases they are fine GTs, but if you want a more sporty experience (quite possible, because you are still young), then get the nicest MX-5 you can find. A Miata is always the answer.

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Comments

1. pinion say

   I have a soft spot for a Thunderbird like that. But would still choose the Z4

   • isleofman say

     Definitely a nice car. But the interior is really terrible… that makes it a no go for me.

2. a_tube say

   Um, Boxster anyone?

   • Benny_Weisz say

     A Boxter around EUR 25k? Considering the age and the kilometers, it is possible, provided you are very brave! To be on the safe side, save up to EUR 35k or more.
     Personally, I would go for the Z4…it’s simply the benchmark in this class.

3. Svenska II say

   I have no interest in BMW at all, but the Z4 is beautiful! Very good in the style of the old roadsters. Short rear overhang and a loooooong hood. Simply beautiful

   • a_tube say

     While many Saab drivers have switched to BMW!