MX-5 for daily commute?

[kaiser78]

Would love to get an MX-5, but now a little concerned about suitability for motorway commuting, especially when it's bucketing down with rain/spray as it has been this past week. Casting the net wider, wondered if you fine folks had any thoughts on the following which all can be found in budget (under 5k), if a little older.

1. Audi TT (2001)
2. Mercedes SLK (2002)
3. Chrysler Crossfire (2003)

I'd say my criteria are

1. Something fun/unusual (so rules out plenty of perfectly good but commonplace cars like mondeos, 3-series, golf etc). 2 seats fine, 2+2 probably ideal but limits options. I realise the cars above may not be "unusual" to many, but they would be compared to most cars on my commute and client car parks.
2. Reasonable fuel costs (do around 400 miles/week on current project)
3. Reliable with reasonable maintenance costs.
4. Comfortable enough for daily 1 hour commute each way (this will be my only car)
5. Probably not much older than the ones above unless there was something particularly special about them.

Have discounted the S2000 because of the lack of low end torque - don't really want to have to rev like crazy to get any power, especially in the city. RX-8 drinks too much oil and petrol, and also prone to problems with shorter journeys. Boxsters are just out of the price range, and as mentioned earlier in the thread might be a bit too flash for the car park.

Not planning on taking the car on track days.

C-class Merc - 5-7yrs old for under £7k. Perfect for your needs. I got one for commuting and love it.

[Bagpuss]

Would love to get an MX-5, but now a little concerned about suitability for motorway commuting, especially when it's bucketing down with rain/spray as it has been this past week. Casting the net wider, wondered if you fine folks had any thoughts on the following which all can be found in budget (under 5k), if a little older.

1. Audi TT (2001)
2. Mercedes SLK (2002)
3. Chrysler Crossfire (2003)

I'd say my criteria are

1. Something fun/unusual (so rules out plenty of perfectly good but commonplace cars like mondeos, 3-series, golf etc). 2 seats fine, 2+2 probably ideal but limits options. I realise the cars above may not be "unusual" to many, but they would be compared to most cars on my commute and client car parks.
2. Reasonable fuel costs (do around 400 miles/week on current project)
3. Reliable with reasonable maintenance costs.
4. Comfortable enough for daily 1 hour commute each way (this will be my only car)
5. Probably not much older than the ones above unless there was something particularly special about them.

Have discounted the S2000 because of the lack of low end torque - don't really want to have to rev like crazy to get any power, especially in the city. RX-8 drinks too much oil and petrol, and also prone to problems with shorter journeys. Boxsters are just out of the price range, and as mentioned earlier in the thread might be a bit too flash for the car park.

Not planning on taking the car on track days.

Those three cars you listed are all inferior to the s2000 in handling, performance and reliability. It doesn't have to be revved like crazy and keep in mind an MX-5 of that age has less torque. If you don't like changing gear, get an automatic or a diesel not a sports car.
Don't discount the RX-8 this was What car best coupe until the new generation Audi TT. Also look at the Toyota MR-2, think of it as a reliable and well built Lotus Elise.