A Car for the Mrs

[AshBurrows]

Been chatting with the guys at work about this all afternoon. Seems our options are limited to not that many cars, so throwing it open to PH.

What she wants: A Figaro
What she's not having: A Figaro

So we came up with the following list of, "good alternatives that won't murder you if you crash at over 5mph:"

Boxster
SLK
TT

So small stuff, with a powered convertible option, decentish interior, not hard to drive. Reliability would be good. Shame that Honda S660 didn't come out here really!

Ideally budget is 5k but can raise to say 8 for something mega.
I'm leaning towards boxster because I'm imagining stealing it and having some fun but the reality is she doesn't care about chassis dynamics and I have my track car so it probably shouldn't be that. MX5 doesn't make the list for similar reasons and it just doesn't seem very up my Mrs street.

So yeah, any experience with any of the aforementioned? Other ideas?

[Nickp82]

Daihatsu Copen? Simply because it's the closest thing I can think of to a Figaro

[AshBurrows]

Nickp82 said:

Daihatsu Copen? Simply because it's the closest thing I can think of to a Figaro

Forgot to mention we discussed that and one of the lads discounted it as "driving an empty biscuit tin and using your legs for crumple zones." Although I will try and validate that claim now myself.

[Gareth1974]

MINI Cooper S Cabrio? https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[TheInternet]

Daihatsu Copen? (ETA... beaten to it)
Mitsuoka Viewt? Not eligible but sits nicely in the Copen and Figaro bracket.

Edited by TheInternet on Tuesday 19th September 17:16

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the SLK ticks a lot of boxes especially in 350 form:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

With the Air Scarf

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

BMW Z4 2.5si

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2.7 Boxster

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

But I'd be tempted to go for a S2000 if I was going towards the top end of your budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Pica-Pica]

Nothing wrong with a figgy.

[HustleRussell]

Let her have a Figaro?

[robemcdonald]

Has she asked you to choose a car for her?

If yes then she doesn't care about what she drives. On that basis an enthusiasts car is not going to be suitable.
The cars you have listed are all likely to come with four figure bills at some stage.
If she doesn't care about the car the bills will likely end up more as well.

If she hasn't asked you to choose for her; do yourself a favour. If she's wants a Figaro then let her have one.

When my wife wants to change cars I'll offer advice if she asks for it. I may even suggest she does a bit of research if considering a real clunker, but otherwise it's her choice. It is 2017 after all.

[aka_kerrly]

HustleRussell said:

Let her have a Figaro?

Quite, and I can't see how someone who likes the retro look and small proportions/engine will also be interested in a Slk 350 and similarly large cars.

Is the Figaro only being ruled out because of its age and perceived lack of safety?

What kind of driving does the Mrs do, mostly urban traffic jams, flat out down country lanes or hour on the motorway.

[Gareth1974]

Also watch out of the road fund licence on some of the suggestions - a few fall into the £520 per year category, dependent on date of registration.

[Gareth1974]

How about one of these - a Toyota Will. https://www.autoweb.co.uk/classified/2000-toyota-w...
Yaris underpinnings, in many ways this was the Toyota equivalent of the Figaro, but with 'futuristic' rather than retro styling. Like the Figaro, many have full length opening roofs. The interior is a bit different to a Yaris at least.

[Captain Smerc]

Toyota Will is cool

[kieranblenk]

How about an early Fiat 500C; granted they're on every corner and it's not a full cabbie but it's got a bit of flair I guess. It's not quick but is probably quite fun to drive.

[Fore Left]

Gareth1974 said:

How about one of these - a Toyota Will. https://www.autoweb.co.uk/classified/2000-toyota-w...

That looks like the lovechild of a Ford Ka and a Citroen Dyane van

[Monkeylegend]

So basically you are buying your wife the car you want

Of those I would go with the SLK but I am a bit biased.

[Shore]

Nissan Micra convertible or if you want to be really stylish and cool a rover 216 convertible.

[Disco Infiltrator]

Nissan Pao?

Retractable roof on some models.

One of these.

Edited by Disco Infiltrator on Wednesday 20th September 09:33

[Disco Infiltrator]

MR2 MK3?

You'd get a great one for less than £5k. Missus has one and loves it. Doesn't use much fuel, quick enough and good to drive. Ours was 60k miles, red leather, hardtop and aircon bought for £2600. All it's needed is a new exhaust.

No power hood, but no point as it really couldn't be easier. A ten second job.

[Disco Infiltrator]

HustleRussell said:

Let her have a Figaro?

Aren't they a bit of a pig to get bits for?