OK, you have purchased a speedster replica and met and spoken to others who have joined the obsession. If you had the opportunity to do it over again, is there a replica that is better than another? What would be your choice of a replica if you had the opportunity to do it again?
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John,
This question has been discussed and debated on this forum many times. Suggest you do some searching on this forum and read those threads. So many factors enter into this but usually what is best for you is not necessarily best for someone else. Factors such as price, location, support, quality, options, etc plus personal bias make this not a simple or straight forward question to answer.
We've had a number of heated debates over the years on this topic.
The bottom line is this....it depends on how much money you want to spend. Give us a figure and we'll give you a maker that fits your price point.
Thanks Ron, I'm in So Cal, I have figured that something of quality would run in the 30K to max 40K range. Also, is there a good option with roll up windows rather than curtains? Roadster?
It comes down to personal preference; logistics (maybe which maker is closest to you); budget; expectations of a Speedster; reputation of the maker; and a lot of other factors.
Whatever floats your boat and makes you happy.
They're all fun to drive!
Do lots of reading of features and options of each builder make a list and check it twice if not more times. etc.
It's sorta like the Ford vs Chevy, Sail vs Power, gas BBQ vs charcoal debates. The best replica is the one you can afford and can keep on the road!
They're all fun to drive!
Given your "wish list": 'something of quality would run in the 30K to max 40K range. Also, is there a good option with roll up windows rather than curtains? Roadster?'
That pretty much describes a used, Intermeccanica Roadster, probably from the late 1990's into mid 2000's for that price point. That would include the (powered) roll-up windows.
Windows??
Windows would imply the top is up and WHO puts the top up in California? Pishaw, spend your money on the motor. Everything is the same.
John, not only is there a 'Best Of, there's a whole list of 'Best Of's':
- Absolutely, no holds barred, best bang for the buck that probably won't work right for the first six months or so but will look pretty enough in your driveway that you'll keep throwing money at it until it does.
- Best engineered and constructed, most carefully detailed and beautifully finished, that costs as much as a new Boxster with half the performance, and still makes PCA types turn up their noses at your 'plastic piece of crap replica'.
- Best compromise between the first two, with some of the engineering of the most expensive and some of the finish compromises of the least expensive, that will still leave all but the wisest cognoscenti assuming you're driving the cheapest one.
As mentioned above, if you want roll up windows in the 30K to 40K range a used Intermeccanica is a good choice (maybe the only choice, when it comes to roll up windows?)
I have power windows in my IM and I love them. Mind you, I live in Canada and it can get a bit nippy up here in the Spring and Fall. 
I "suffer" with manual roll-up windows in my IM. But it's an easy reach across the car to roll up the passenger side window. :-)
Carey is building a roadster w/roll-up windows now also. They had one in their booth at Carlisle.
