After a Convertible with a Twist (not literally!)

[mikey k]

I'm after adding a bit of a multi purpose summer toy to the garage.
It will be a convertible but it needs to tick the following boxes;

4 seater or 2+2 (35kg dog going on back seat)
Petrol with "decent performance"
Decent enough handling, considering the roof has been chopped off!
Not crazy VED tax, so probably pre March 2006
Something that won't depreciate like hell, maybe a classic or collectible?
Easy enough to do some DIY spannering on (if the mood takes me )
Reliable as it may well do some Eurohoons
Budget is not an issue (with in the relms of reality!)
AWD would be nice but not essential


Some of the stuff I've pondered
4.2 RS4 cab
964 targa/cab
993 targa/cab
DB9/DBS Volante
Alpine B3 cab
BMW 335i cab
Merc CLK AMG cab
M6 cab
Maserati Grancabrio


Any of those an obvious choice or a real no no?
Any better ideas?

[anonymous-user]

mikey k said:

I'm after adding a bit of a multi purpose summer toy to the garage.
It will be a convertible but it needs to tick the following boxes;

4 seater or 2+2 (35kg dog going on back seat)
Petrol with "decent performance"
Decent enough handling, considering the roof has been chopped off!
Not crazy VED tax, so probably pre March 2006
Something that won't depreciate like hell, maybe a classic or collectible?
Easy enough to do some DIY spannering on (if the mood takes me )
Reliable as it may well do some Eurohoons
Budget is not an issue (with in the relms of reality!)
AWD would be nice but not essential


Some of the stuff I've pondered
4.2 RS4 cab
964 targa/cab
993 targa/cab
DB9/DBS Volante
Alpine B3 cab
BMW 335i cab
Merc CLK AMG cab
M6 cab
Maserati Grancabrio


Any of those an obvious choice or a real no no?
Any better ideas?

None of those strike me as something you will be doing a great deal of home spannering on, and all will depreciate rather savagely except for maybe the Alpine and Porsches.

If you really do want to be depreciation proof than a classic is the only way to go. A XJS Convertible, or a DB7, maybe a R129 Mercedes SL. They are all going to feel very old and creaky compared to anything on your list though.

Personally I'd say bks to the sensible factors and get either a DB9 or the Maserati. I can't say any of the others on your list would get much of a look in. A man who buys a 335i when he could have had a DB9 is a man who needs to go to nightschool for a course in Man Maths.

[joshcowin]

SAAB 9-3 would be a good shout for this, not expensive, look OK, reliable and the backseat should fit your polar bear sized dog.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

They do tuned versions - Abbot and Hirsch

[300bhp/ton]

mikey k said:

I'm after adding a bit of a multi purpose summer toy to the garage.
It will be a convertible but it needs to tick the following boxes;

4 seater or 2+2 (35kg dog going on back seat)
Petrol with "decent performance"
Decent enough handling, considering the roof has been chopped off!
Not crazy VED tax, so probably pre March 2006
Something that won't depreciate like hell, maybe a classic or collectible?
Easy enough to do some DIY spannering on (if the mood takes me )
Reliable as it may well do some Eurohoons
Budget is not an issue (with in the relms of reality!)
AWD would be nice but not essential


Some of the stuff I've pondered
4.2 RS4 cab
964 targa/cab
993 targa/cab
DB9/DBS Volante
Alpine B3 cab
BMW 335i cab
Merc CLK AMG cab
M6 cab
Maserati Grancabrio


Any of those an obvious choice or a real no no?
Any better ideas?

Not sure I follow, budget isn't an issue, but VED and depreciation are???

That doesn't really make much sense tbh, even the most expensive VED is going to be pretty meaningless for most car ownership costs.


Another question, how much of a +2 does it need to be? As in, for who, how often and how far? Tiny seats are pretty nasty for people to actually ride in for any period of time or if they are an adult.

Do you have access to other fun/fast vehicles?

[mikey k]

dme123 said:

None of those strike me as something you will be doing a great deal of home spannering on, and all will depreciate rather savagely except for maybe the Alpina and Porsches.

If you really do want to be depreciation proof than a classic is the only way to go. A XJS Convertible, or a DB7, maybe a R129 Mercedes SL. They are all going to feel very old and creaky compared to anything on your list though.

Personally I'd say bks to the sensible factors and get either a DB9 or the Maserati. I can't say any of the others on your list would get much of a look in. A man who buys a 335i when he could have had a DB9 is a man who needs to go to nightschool for a course in Man Maths.

I know where you are coming from
To add a bit of perspective my other cars are
McLaren 650S spider for sole hoons
M140i for commuting/work
Evoque Coupe for sensible stuff

So I'm applying a bit of "man maths" to add something else to those three that meets the "criteria", being as none of the above can do it and the wife loves the idea of taking the dog

[GreatGranny]

Either the Aston or the best 993 I could afford.

And the poster who suggested a £4k Saab!!!!

[mikey k]

joshcowin said:

SAAB 9-3 would be a good shout for this, not expensive, look OK, reliable and the backseat should fit your polar bear sized dog.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

They do tuned versions - Abbot and Hirsch

Good call.
Did consider that.
Used to have a Hirsch Troll R as a company car. Epic car! Awful name! The soft tops suffer pretty bad from scuttle shake.
Other issue is the V6 ones are crazy VED for what they are.

[mikey k]

300bhp/ton said:

Not sure I follow, budget isn't an issue, but VED and depreciation are???

That doesn't really make much sense tbh, even the most expensive VED is going to be pretty meaningless for most car ownership costs.


Another question, how much of a +2 does it need to be? As in, for who, how often and how far? Tiny seats are pretty nasty for people to actually ride in for any period of time or if they are an adult.

Do you have access to other fun/fast vehicles?

I don't mind tying up some cash in another toy whilst earned interest rates are so crap.
BUT I don't want to waste it on high VED and mental depreciation.
I'm already paying over a grand a year on VED.
+2 thing is only really for the dog, could be as much as 300 miles if we do a Eurohoon. Other than that, occassional days out with the three of us.

[joshcowin]

What about a 1 series convertible?

An older saab 900 convertible? I understand handling will be poor but if the dogs in the back how mental are you going to be going anyway?

[mikey k]

joshcowin said:

What about a 1 series convertible?

An older saab 900 convertible? I understand handling will be poor but if the dogs in the back how mental are you going to be going anyway?

I have a 140i as a daily, though the convertibles are cracking little cars.
Older 900 convertibles are like driving a plate of jelly round

[GreatGranny]

mikey k said:

Good call.
Did consider that.
Used to have a Hirsch Troll R as a company car. Epic car! Awful name! The soft tops suffer pretty bad from scuttle shake.
Other issue is the V6 ones are crazy VED for what they are.

mikey k - Apologies, I take back my (not very nice) comment. TBH didn't think a Saab would be on the radar for the OP considering what else is on the list.

[joshcowin]

mikey k said:

joshcowin said:

What about a 1 series convertible?

An older saab 900 convertible? I understand handling will be poor but if the dogs in the back how mental are you going to be going anyway?

I have a 140i as a daily, though the convertibles are cracking little cars.
Older 900 convertibles are like driving a plate of jelly round

Get your spanners out and make it better?

Alfa spyder have rear seats?

[joshcowin]

GreatGranny said:

mikey k - Apologies, I take back my (not very nice) comment. TBH didn't think a Saab would be on the radar for the OP considering what else is on the list.

I have just looked at the list!!!! My suggestions are tame yes but I would die if I saw a 32kg dog in the back of a DBS.

Jag xkr might fit the bill?

[mikey k]

Josh - the saab 900 jelly mould needs a lot more than my spannering abilities to make it an acceptable drive. The late shape 93's are a lot better. Tweaked 2.0T aero might be "disposable" option
XKR is also not a bad call, a lot of fettling I could do there
I get you point about the large dog in a DBS (et al) I would worry about all that leather, it would need some serious protection
Which Alfa Spyder are you thinking of? All the ones in my head are 2 seaters only.

[joshcowin]

mikey k said:

Josh - the saab 900 jelly mould needs a lot more than my spannering abilities to make it an acceptable drive. The late shape 93's are a lot better. Tweaked 2.0T aero might be "disposable" option
XKR is also not a bad call, a lot of fettling I could do there
I get you point about the large dog in a DBS (et al) I would worry about all that leather, it would need some serious protection
Which Alfa Spyder are you thinking of? All the ones in my head are 2 seaters only.

You are right with the alfas all 2 seaters!
Yep the later saabs look smart and now having seen the list of cars suggested seems like a bargain basement alternative.

This xkr is nice and looking at others for sale looks like you will take around a 2k bath on it if you move it on in a years time - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a pre 2006 2+2 performance convertible then here are a few options that avoid the £520 road tax.

CLK55 AMG

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

R129 SL500 (they take +2 to the limit but it'll be fine for your dog)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

RS4

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Ferrari Mondial

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Astra Twin Top

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Porsche 968

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[Philv8s]

As another cheap road tax option try an Alpina B6 (if you can find one). More room than a B3 and more performance, My 2008 B6 is only £235 a year😉

[Big GT]

With a 30Kg dog in the back your not going to be swinging from apex to apex.

I would add this to your collection

W124 Cab

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Pure class
Appreciating classic
Solid build quality
Real 4 seat cab

[mikey k]

Liking the R129 SL500 and B6 suggestions
That Mondial is a good shout as well, though I find Shak a bit expensive (right colours and manual though!)

Edited by mikey k on Wednesday 10th May 17:16

[rodericb]

Lexus SC430