Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB - View Single Post - Manual, RWD, 4 seat convertible to replace a Twin?

Ohio Enthusiast · 05-05-2024, 02:39 PM

The nice weather coming up and driving my wife's C8 with the roof off got me thinking about replacing my BRZ with a convertible.
My hard requirements are 4 seats (BRZ size is fine), RWD, manual, good steering feel and fairly recent (ideally 2020 and up, but might consider something a little older).

Although I tracked the BRZ, I am not planning on tracking the convertible (as I'm moving to karting as a cheaper and higher thrill track replacement anyway). The car will be used for daily driving (mostly chauffeuring my kids to activities) and occasional back-road carving.

Looks like this leaves me with Camaro (almost new) and Mustang (new), with some BMW options a few years older (M4 up to 2018 and M240i up to 2020). 911s also meet the requirements, but they are too costly to buy and own.

Out of these the Camaro seems the best bet - Alpha platform is well praised and it has good feel. I test drove an automatic V8 convertible and it felt pretty nice. Next step is trying to find a manual to take for a spin, and then wait for a good car to purchase. Weight and visibility didn't feel like a dealbreaker in the test drive.

I'll be trying a Mustang as well, although I don't have high hopes (based on reviews) due to numb steering and lack of other communication to the driver.
The BMWs seem to also suffer from that, especially in the Fxx generations - numb steering and rubbery shifters.

Any other options I'm missing? Especially in older model years if reliable.
Anyone else made similar moves and can share their experience?

05-05-2024, 02:39 PM	#1
Ohio Enthusiast Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Drives: 2018 BRZ Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 1,055 Thanks: 1,490 Thanked 888 Times in 513 Posts Mentioned: 13 Post(s)	Manual, RWD, 4 seat convertible to replace a Twin? The nice weather coming up and driving my wife's C8 with the roof off got me thinking about replacing my BRZ with a convertible. My hard requirements are 4 seats (BRZ size is fine), RWD, manual, good steering feel and fairly recent (ideally 2020 and up, but might consider something a little older). Although I tracked the BRZ, I am not planning on tracking the convertible (as I'm moving to karting as a cheaper and higher thrill track replacement anyway). The car will be used for daily driving (mostly chauffeuring my kids to activities) and occasional back-road carving. Looks like this leaves me with Camaro (almost new) and Mustang (new), with some BMW options a few years older (M4 up to 2018 and M240i up to 2020). 911s also meet the requirements, but they are too costly to buy and own. Out of these the Camaro seems the best bet - Alpha platform is well praised and it has good feel. I test drove an automatic V8 convertible and it felt pretty nice. Next step is trying to find a manual to take for a spin, and then wait for a good car to purchase. Weight and visibility didn't feel like a dealbreaker in the test drive. I'll be trying a Mustang as well, although I don't have high hopes (based on reviews) due to numb steering and lack of other communication to the driver. The BMWs seem to also suffer from that, especially in the Fxx generations - numb steering and rubbery shifters. Any other options I'm missing? Especially in older model years if reliable. Anyone else made similar moves and can share their experience?