Need another experience

[rower]

So I’ve boxed myself a bit with my enjoyment of 356’s and 911’s.

I’m looking at cars I’ve always liked the looks of but never yet driven. A car I can take in to town and not be concerned too much about it.

Thinking of a 2002tii or an original mk 1 Mini Cooper s.
Needs to be fun so I will want to take it out and not a 356.

I’m a tall guy if that matters.

I’ve got my well used rusty fj40 for fly fishing stream explorations. But that’s no good on highways.

[popowitz]

If you're open to a Japanese car. The 240Z is fun and fast enough for keeping up with modern traffic.

[NorthernThrux]

If you're open to a Japanese car. The 240Z is fun and fast enough for keeping up with modern traffic.

Reliable too. And just like early 911s, prices have quadrupled since 2013. 30% in the past year. I assume you are looking for 70's vintage cars? A Volvo 1800E is sexy, reliable and built for tall people. I'm partial to Saab 99s of the era. A 1978 Saab 99 Turbo has appreciation potential as well. Fun cars that also fit tall people. I had a 1980 900 Turbo and at 6' 1" I never had the seat more than half way back on its seat rails.

[rower]

I’ve always wanted a 240Z too…and watched their price increase!

I rented new once a Saab 900 turbo convertible and it was great. Maybe the lag would bother me today.

Volvo 1800ES’s I love too.

Great recommendations!

Are these just good lookers or fun too?

[NorthernThrux]

Turbo Saabs with the APC system (electronic waste gate from '86 I think) had less turbo lag than the earlier 99/900s that had a mechanical wastegate. They are a hoot to drive. Definite torque steer. Get one with the red APC box and they really scoot. The coupes scratch my itch, but my wife always wanted the convertible. They can be had for peanuts these days.

I have a friend with a 1800E who is 6" 6'. He always has a grin on his face when he drives it. I don't have firsthand experience in that regard, but have been a passenger and it seems pretty cool.

[blucille]

Saab fan here too. I recently bought a 99 turbo from Europe and I do love it. It’s not the turbo lag that bugs me tho. I had forgotten how fwd just gets in the way of canyon carving. As you apply the power the weight shift to the rear makes for more and more understeer. It’s cute, it’s quaint and quirky—- it is fast, even fast enough for modern standards. And it handles really well-despite lots of body roll, but in the twisties on paved roads, it takes a lot of planning to get the front wheels to bite. I guess that’s part of the fun. I’ve already racked up a couple thousand miles. It’s fun. Very different.

[72targa]

I really got a kick out of driving a friend’s Mazda RX-7 years ago…

[LiveFromNY]

I own all three... 240Z, Gen1 Rx7, and a Saab 900 ('94 Turbo CE convertible). All great cars but the Saab is the most fun by a significant margin. I think they're the best of the various vintage turbos.

[Chuck Miller]

If I wasn't drive'n an Early 911 I'd be drive'n one of these.... Series I or II

And they have a long toe box for taller drivers... not that I'd need it ...

At just under 1500lbs you don't need much under the hood...
Anything over 150HP will make it hard to breath when your foot goes down...

Here's the extreme end of the sword.....

Cheers and good luck,
cm

[eaton]

I've got one of those, Chuck. You'd be surprised at the room inside, and mine is a Coupe. Not 911 room, but a tall guy could drive it. The pedal box is pretty tight though if you have big feet. I also have a 62 Seven, and that's another story.