Dealerships will sometimes loan you a car for a few days to test. Can’t hurt to ask.
@thumper1 - lol. No. I don’t think I have even posts on that thread???
@Hoggirl well…if you do the spending freeze, it will give you two more weeks to make a decision!!
^*posted - too late to edit.
I feel like the SUV couldn’t be a mistake but the roadster could be. It’s all dh’s fault that I’m even considering it as he made me drive it! Ha ha!
I don’t know how old you are but the older I get the more I appreciate getting in and out of cars that are not low to the ground.
My parents and sister owned a convertible. D and I rented one while in Hawaii.
Their concept is great. But they just aren’t comfortable. They’re windy, noisy, chilly, etc. We actually rarely use our moonroof in both of our cars.
I have both an SUV and a 4-seat convertible in Florida. I totally get the appeal because they are cool, fun cars. But to be honest, I don’t opt to drive it that often because it’s just easier to take the SUV. My husband loves to take the convertible and always has the top down but he’s only in Florida during the winter and only drives to the golf course. The weather right now is perfect for that car. By June it will be too hot to put the top down.
Here are the things that keep me from driving it daily-
The trunk is really small when the top is down so hard to load groceries. Forget anything big.
I need extra sunscreen if the top is down
I have to wear a hat or my hair is a knotted mess
It gets old putting the top up at every stop when out running errands. I’m not comfortable leaving it open in a parking lot.
If you are OK with the downsides, go for it! Does your husband have a larger car or SUV? There are going to be times you really need more cargo room than a roadster will give you. For me, I find that those times come up pretty often so I wouldn’t really want our convertible to be my primary car.
One more thing about convertibles, moonroofs and sunroofs is that they reduce the headroom in the car. H and I are only 5’5” and 5’6” but find that we like the greater headroom in cars w/o the moonroofs and sunroofs. Ymmv. We all prefer not to contort ourselves getting in and out of vehicles, especially H, a he’s now in his 70s and isn’t as flexible as he once was. When we travel in S’s 2-door coupe, D and I end up in the back seat—too tough for H.
What’s the traffic like in your area of Florida? Also, are you even considering a manual transmission? (I hope not)
If you are going to drive a car regularly, and even occasionally in traffic, you do not want a manual. It gets old really quick. It also gets old sitting in heavy traffic at street level with big SUVs and trucks all around you. But if driving conditions are favorable, I would definitely go with the retractable hardtop sports car (auto)
I needed my own transportation type car, but I had to give up my classic 4 spd convertible to make room. Since I needed a car I could use as a driver I got a coupe (with removable roof panel, but not a vert) and an automatic transmission (with paddle shifters). It is serving its purpose well, but I still have the CRV if need it.
DO IT. I did and I’m happy I did.
Years ago I took the Lexus Pebble Beach convertible out for a morning and fell in love with convertibles. When my Lexus SUV was no longer needed and needed to be replaced I explored many options. The Lexus drove great on 17 mile drive but not so great on hwy. Fell in love with hard top Volvo but glad I couldn’t find one I liked. Camero seemed neat but too big for me, later I heard it has many blind spots. Mustang-I didn’t like way top closed. On the way to check out a mini copper I fell for a BMW 135i convertible rag top - perfect for me. It was first used car I ever bought, I loved it but after 4-5 years it needed a few minor repairs that would add up to 4K -made me consider a new one. Sold it to car max for 8k. 2016 Car show had the Mazda RF, while some were available I waited till last May. My Mazda RF is pretty loaded, some thing missing that BMW had. forward backward seat is manual not electric, does have seat warmers. Is low to ground but I’m fine with it. The alarms etc are great. Lots of features stuff I’ll never figure out. Husband is 6’1”” and is fine in drivers seat with top up but cramped if he is a passenger.
I’m a 5’2” petite and in good shape. My friends with bad knees won’t like getting in and out. I never used back seats of BWM, and do not miss them in the Mazda. “Glove box” is between seats trunk holds quite a bit if you arrange correctly, I’m not certain I’ll take it to Nordstrom sale if I have a passenger. Loading up at Costco not a good idea.
Seat warmers and scarves work fine if it’s cold. Nothing like driving with the top down after a stressful day at work. H studied prices and I’m happy with cost, bought it cash cause we don’t like car payments. Great gas mileage. I feel safe driving, it does go zoom zoom. I got automatic, was harder to find. Husband has BMW X1 which we use whenever we go anywhere.
I noticed all the convertibles in work parking lot were owned by “older ladies”
Do it.
Nope not me. And I personally prefer (and own) the original Miata 1990-1997. Cheap, reliable, not complex and easy to maintain. There are plenty of folks who socked them away 20+ years ago and you fairly easily find one with very low miles.
The original Miata has a following. My sister had an older Miata that she loved. There is even a company that specializes in parts for the original Miata.
My H has an old 1973 convertible that he uses to go to the beach but he has another car for everyday driving. I have fair skin and convertibles aren’t my thing but I think if you want one go for it. I think sometimes we don’t get what we want because we think of all the reasons why it wouldn’t be an ideal purchase and disregard all the yes reasons. Sometimes it’s okay to make the “impractical “ purchase.
Not everyone finds using a manual transmission (even in traffic) to be tiresome.
Would your household have another car in addition to this one?
Remember that the MX-5 is a sporty car with agile handling, but the suspension may be firmer than what you are used to in terms of ride comfort.
A Miata has been on DH’s bucket list since they came out. We just bought a Toyota Highlander. Perhaps his next wife will be more indulgent.
My dh has a 4-door Honda Civic, so I would have that available. In a perfect world, I’d probably get a new SUV, and buy a used fun car, but we don’t have enough parking at our condo building for three cars. We have one assigned space and enough overflow parking for two cars, even in high season. Lots of traffic here during snowbird time, and I don’t even know how to drive a stick, so I would definitely get an automatic. Dh said he might trade his in for an SUV if I get the roadster, but that wouldn’t happen immediately as his car is only a 2016.
It’s not a true convertible. I think they call it a targa top? Or it’s like a targa top? This is only their second year to make this particular iteration. Only the top of the roof goes back. I think my biggest concern would be my ability to see (I’ve seen comments of blind spots) and other’s ability to see me.
To whomever mentioned driving over the water on 275, I can see where that would be unnerving - lots of speedsters. But, it certainly wouldn’t be the car we’d use to pick up people at the airport anyway!
I got D1 a mini cooper when she was in high school. It wasn’t a convertible, but she loved it. We also got the BMW maintenance free service.
A sports car holds no interest for me…so I’m quick to say “don’t do it!” 
But the one thing you mentioned that is a little warning signal to me is that you like to buy your cars and keep them for a long time. Picture yourself 7 years down the road - is this still the option you might want? Will getting in and out of it be any more of a problem? How about the limitation of only being able to seat two in the car? That is such a strict limitation!
I had always joked with my husband (after 25 years of driving a minivan) that my next car was going to be a sports car. Got to the bottom of my Christmas stocking two years ago and there was a fob, and a honk outside. Our friends pulled up in my new Mazda Miata!
I was shocked. But I love her! We live in Connecticut and I drive her year round (but not in the snow - we kept the minivan, too). I love the manual transmission and the trunk fits more than you’d think. When I’m too old to drive it we’ll probably pass it on to one of our sons.
FYI - always put your feet out first when exiting the car, and sit down and swing your feet in when you’re getting in.
The latest Miata actually has quite soft springs, and more body roll than many expect. It is a bit too soft for some enthusiasts who stiffen the back end for better handling.