£4k, wind-in-hair, automatic, quick and interesting

[Dave200]

Hi all.

After my Volvo C70 hack completed the Le Mans run with gusto, I'm looking to move it on to make way for something more interesting for the summer.

Spec:
- Convertible
- £4k max budget
- Must be automatic (tiptronic/paddles a bonus)
- Must be quick and interesting to drive
- Can't be anything hatchback-based (e.g. Astra/Megane)
- 4 seats a preference, but have considered plenty of two-seaters

I feel like I'm asking for quite a lot in a car at this budget level, but the E46 330i Sport Convertible ticks almost all of those boxes. The downside is that MrsD200 has just bought an E46 325i SE Coupe, which would mean that our 'fleet' (God, I hate that word) wouldn't really offer a hugely inspiring choice.

[vtecyo]

V6 A4?

The largest engined SLGay you can find?

Edited by vtecyo on Wednesday 2nd July 16:07

[Dave200]

My eyebrows raised significantly when I saw that these were in/around budget, as the styling makes the E46 look old and dumpy. However, there are a LOT of horror stories (as in more than the internet average overclaim) out there relating to the Multitronic box.

[g3org3y]

Something old skool? BMW E30 325i cabriolet? Decent ones below budget.

Old 3 speed auto though. Good at what it does but might be too old fashioned if you are expecting tiptronic/paddle shifts.

[sshenton1975]

Merc R129 SL - preferably 500

Just sold mine for more than i paid for it 2 years ago - build from granite, goes very well with 326 HP and you dont lose money!

[HumbleJim]

sshenton1975 said:

Merc R129 SL - preferably 500

Just sold mine for more than i paid for it 2 years ago - build from granite, goes very well with 326 HP and you dont lose money!

A 4k R129 could be a bit of a gamble, best have some bork money.

[mybrainhurts]

Automatic...?

Pervert.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Saab classic 900 turbo convertible? Only disadvantage is the 3-speed auto is a fairly horrible thing and dulls the performance significantly

[Dave200]

The automatic point is the real limiting factor here, sadly. Living in Central London means that 90% of the car's time is going to be spent at or below 30mph, frequently stopping and starting. I couldn't do this in a manual (have tried on numerous occasions), so the gearbox is non-negotiable. Finding a balance between this and a car that can be fun to drive for the other 10% (including the run to Le Mans) is the challenge, and why I'm struggling to see beyond the E46.

[pti]

TT 3.2 V6 DSG?

Only 2 seats mind, and the gearbox might be a worry. Was always in the back of my mind when I had mine. Pretty dull car but lovely sound, still turns heads and a nice place to be considering it's age.

[andy-xr]

Dave200 said:

there are a LOT of horror stories out there relating to the Multitronic box.

The one in the E46 isnt exactly bulletproof either. I think if you go with one as a convertible you'll be disappointed around Day 3, the seats wont be as nice as the Volvo, the ride not as good if you get the M one

I'd stick with what you've got, if it's not convertible, buy a convertible one

[J4CKO]

Was goign to say a 350Z roadster, some of the early imports are Autos but cant find any that are near four grand, six is kind of entry level, nearer eight in reality, prices must have gone up ?

[kambites]

Are Boxsters in budget? Must be close.

TT maybe, if that doesn't count as "hatchback based".

Obviously neither has four seats, though.

[TEKNOPUG]

Saab 9-3

The 2l turbo's will easily map to 250+bhp for a few a quid.

[J4CKO]

TEKNOPUG said:

Saab 9-3

The 2l turbo's will easily map to 250+bhp for a few a quid.

Yes, google Saabnoob who will do them for £100 or so.

The 150 BHP model will go to 215/220 bhp, the 210 Aero goes to 250.

So, in terms of value for money, £100 for an extra 60/70 bhp and a shed load more torque must be the ultimate in power for financial outlay just about ever, £100 usually will get you half an intake that will, if you are lucky not lose power.

[lewisf182]

HIgh mileage Z4 3.0 automatic? Only a two seater though and may be better choices out there.

[mattman]

Had a similar search recently - auto and convertible being the primary criteria (budget circa £3k).

The list is short really - but comprised of;

BMW E36, E46
Audi 80, A4
VW Golf
Volvo C70
Saab 900, 9-3 mk1 (98-2003), 9-3 mk2 (2003-)
Renault Megane
Vauxhall Astra
Mercedes CLK

After looking at various crusty CLK's and barried up Beemers I found a nice looking A4 - but turned out that it didn't have proof of a cambelt service and at 100k that was too much risk.

In the end i found a decent condition Saab 9-3 2.0T vector - decent miles, good history, 2 owners, top spec.

Great value for money, quick(ish) has the tiptronic box which i've used twice. It does suffer from a bit of scuttle shake, but better than the Mk1. Has 4x decent seats and is more comfortable than my previous 645!

[Dave200]

Thanks all. Seems like I'm not alone, at least.

To be clear, the C70 is reliable but crushingly dull to drive. It did a job of providing Le Mans transport, and being able to live on the street in Central London (before I got a parking permit sorted). Making it roofless is only going to make it heavier and less fun, and that autobox is practically glacial in its shifting.

As a result, I'm really keen to try and avoid the really old-school autoboxes - combining 3-4 widely-spaced ratios and slushy shifting (as in the Volvo) isn't going to encourage any genuinely fun driving.

The Saab is a good call that I hadn't really considered. However, after driving a few Vauxhall hire cars recently, is much of the GM DNA visible in the cabin? I ask because I was shocked at how unpleasant a place it was to be. Also, are they any quicker than the figures suggest? (7.7s 0-60mph from a 2.8T with 250bhp sounds a bit wimpy).

The TT is also a good call, as I love the R32 V6. What are they like to drive? Is the DSG box any good as a proper auto?

CLK was also a fairly frequent result of my Autotrader searches. The 320 is definitely on my radar - although I was a bit underwhelmed by a drive in a friend's facelifted 240 coupe.

[TEKNOPUG]

Dave200 said:

The Saab is a good call that I hadn't really considered. However, after driving a few Vauxhall hire cars recently, is much of the GM DNA visible in the cabin? I ask because I was shocked at how unpleasant a place it was to be. Also, are they any quicker than the figures suggest? (7.7s 0-60mph from a 2.8T with 250bhp sounds a bit wimpy).

There are plenty in the classified within your budget - take a look at the interior photos. I wouldn't suggest the 2.8 - the 2.0l (preferably AERO) is the one to go for. An auto will always dull the performance against the manual and they are FWD, so 0-60 will always be a bit pointless due to traction. A 250bhp and similar torque is never going to be wimpy in a 9-3, especially once rolling - plenty of mid-range punch for real world driving.

[pti]

Dave200 said:

The TT is also a good call, as I love the R32 V6. What are they like to drive? Is the DSG box any good as a proper auto?

I quite enjoyed the DSG box in mine, it was a little jerky at low speeds but you soon learn how to drive through it. Mine was set in manual for the most part but if you're feeling lazy / stuck in London traffic the auto mode performs like any other auto. I always had the niggling doubt that the mechatronic unit was going to pack up and throw me a hefty bill but it was faultless in the time I owned it (the whole car was in fact). It's not the most involving car to drive but it's grippy enough (with a tendency towards understeer, obviously) and as mentioned, sounds excellent. I actually sold mine because I wanted something more 'fun.'

I do miss that noise though.