This has been a fascinating read for a new 3.7 Roadster owner, thanks to all contributors. Mine's a 2012 four-seater and I've now clocked over 5000 miles in it (daily driver) since September.
Had to replace a ten year old battery, which was a challenge to find and has resolved the minor electrical glitches I had experienced (touch wood). It uses a little more water than I'd like but I can't find the leak. A couple more issues still to fix - the heated screen only functions on a two-inch strip in the centre and one of the rivet connections in the hood mechanism sheared off, I have a temporary fix in place which seems to be holding at present and if it ever stops raining/snowing, I'll find out how effective it is with regular down-up action. Oh, and is the clock illuminated with the other instruments on your cars, as it's not on this one?
Driving a quirky old-school car is matter of adapting to its eccentricities. Yes, there's a measure of rev hang, and given the wet and icy nature of the last four months, I've not been ragging it too enthusiastically everywhere, but it's a manageable problem. I've driven fast cars with crash gearboxes and the only way to get a smooth change is to back off the revs a fraction before you depress the clutch, and that works for the Roadster, except when changing from first to second above about 2500rpm or in higher gears above 4000rpm, where more care is required. It's certainly not the fast change you'd expect on a modern, but adds to the charm and challenge of driving. I wouldn't take it on a track day, though.
I've also driven a 70's 400bhp Camaro, which had an even greater capacity to overwhelm the chassis and brakes, so I treat the Roadster more like a muscle car - use four gears (second to fifth) and plan your driving to minimise gear changing where it might cause traction issues - and use big throttle changes with respect. Maybe drier roads as the weather improves will reveal more of an issue with spirited driving; I've had no issues overtaking and the back has got quite squirrelly in the damp at times, as I'm not hanging about.
I've got used to the speedo being in front of the passenger because the gear ratios are so well selected: 2000rpm equates neatly to 30mph in third, 40mph in fourth, 50mph in fifth and 70mph in sixth, so you can hear whether you're obeying the speed limit; perhaps as I'm a musician, I'm more sensitive to pitch, but it certainly works where cameras have proliferated. No points yet (touch wood again).
Driving with top down and sidescreens off in minus seven in December was an experience; the heater is more than adequate once it warms up. The whole experience reminds me of my motorcycling days, but with a much more comfortable seat. Loving every minute.
