4 seater convertible, £1-8k

[TiminYorkshire]

So the van (VW T4 transporter) is needed less and less as the dog doesn't like it, we've a Disco 2 for weekends and main dog transport, spontaneous surfing after work with both of us rarely happens so the need to store 4+boards in the van for varying surf conditions is rare. The Disco can take boards on the roof, fit bikes in the back and tows better. I'm starting to tire of having a rattly van as a daily (it's been 7 years of van driving and over 80k miles).

The MX5 is also a bit stiff (on coilovers) and isn't a relaxing drive, plus I'm getting older and greyer.

So I'm thinking of getting rid of both and getting a comfier 4 seater convertible. Something reliable(ish) that is comfy, reasonable performance (preferably sub 8s 0-60), not a convertible/folding roof hatchback and with high 20s mpg realistic, and fun to drive whilst still being relaxing enough for the 35 mile round commute on mixed A roads. 4 seats so the dog can go in/on the back seat (with harness).

My thoughts range from the cheaper end to the pricier end:
Volvo C70 GT/T5 (with turbo) £1.5k+
E36 328 (manual) £2.5k+
E46 3.0Ci (manual) £3.5k+
CLK 320 convertible (early c209, auto) £3.5k+
CLK 280/350 (late C209, and later still to be post balance shaft issues, auto) £6k+

So have I missed any other cars?

Is a late CLK really worth £2+k over a 330Ci?

Currently I think the E46 may be the best compromise, the worst thing perhaps being its image, but to be fair the above list does have a certain image in general

Should I avoid anything above?

Anything else/other comments apart from an early mid-life crisis?

[ZX10R NIN]

All the above are okay but you're missing the obvious one.:

CLK55 AMG

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

Great cars (although I prefer the coupe) a bulletproof drivetrain & of course a V8 soundtrack:

Or the cheaper CLK500

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-CLK-500-conver...

But I wouldn't discount the Coupe because once you've dropped the windows away & opened up the sunroof you really get the best of both worlds:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-CLK500-5-...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-CLK500-5-...

[NiceCupOfTea]

I've got an e36 323 cab and it is all the things you mention. They are a bit long in the tooth now though. Your biggest problems will be finding a decent one and keeping on top of rust. They are a bit floppy but mine was my daily for 3 years and I still really like it.

E46 is a much more grown up car (I have a 330 touring). Pretty quick, but somehow the e36 feels more fun. Again, finding a decent non rusty one likely to be the biggest problem, worse image then the e36 if that sort of thing bothers you.

I am a big fan of 90s BMWs but I wish they had spent more time sorting out rust prevention...

Saab 9-3 cabs are very classy cars and drive ok. Lot of car for the money.

There's also the classic route (I like the 80s Saab 900 cabs but you'll need to be looking for after them)

[TiminYorkshire]

I'm less keen on the 9-3 interiors, I like the dash layout but not the materials/appearance.

I feel something older for 10k miles a year would be a bit too involved.

[TiminYorkshire]

ZX10R NIN said:

All the above are okay but you're missing the obvious one.:

CLK55 AMG

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

Great cars (although I prefer the coupe) a bulletproof drivetrain & of course a V8 soundtrack:

Are the early ones galvanized? And any major differences pre/post facelift (I know some of the engines in the lesser models changed around facelift time).

An interesting thought none the less!

[alorotom]

there is also:

renault megane
peugeot 307cc
mini convertible
peugeot 207cc - limited rear leg room granted

all the above can be picked up from peanuts really

[TiminYorkshire]

I'm not too keen on most of the hatchback derived fwd convertibles, mini or Pug 306 could may be exceptions to that rule, and the mini would have to be a Cooper S.

[Vocht]

A little over budget but you can get a nice Lexus IS250 convertible for around £9k. Worth stretching for imo as they're brilliant!

[ZX10R NIN]

TiminYorkshire said:

ZX10R NIN said:

All the above are okay but you're missing the obvious one.:

CLK55 AMG

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

Great cars (although I prefer the coupe) a bulletproof drivetrain & of course a V8 soundtrack:

Are the early ones galvanized? And any major differences pre/post facelift (I know some of the engines in the lesser models changed around facelift time).

An interesting thought none the less!

Yes they are galvanised but check the face of the rear arch because after years of having stones hit it you may find some chips but both sides can be treated for £100 or less.

The later cars had the facelift interiors/dash but that's it, if you find a later 500 they'll come with the 7 speed box the 55 was dropped at the end of 2005 for the CLK63 but you can find the odd 2006 car but these are very rare.

Basically if you see rust in anywhere than where I've said it could be a sign of a bad repair, I have had a fair few W209 CLK's & rust has not been an issue on any of them.

My 63 is a weapon but I still enjoyed my 55 I highly recommend them, make sure the gearbox fluid has been changed it should be done every 40k if it hasn't been then haggle £200-250 off of the price also the other big job is the 16 spark plug change.

One thing to check for on the earlier is a clicking sound from behind the dash on start up it's not an expensive job parts wise but is a bit labour intensive apart from that there's not a lot to say apart from buy one

[TiminYorkshire]

Thanks for the above, just back from the Lakes so apologies for the delayed reply. I'll let you know how I get on, although it may be in a few months time.

[InitialDave]

I'd just buy the E46. I wouldn't even look at anything else to fit "four seat convertible" as a metric.

[ZX10R NIN]

In the context of balance I did forget about these:

S4

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

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

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

I'd still buy the 55 but thought I'd add these.

[Jaspera]

This's very expensive for me

[ZX10R NIN]

?

[TiminYorkshire]

330Cds seem almost as common (if not commoner) than 330Cis, apart from being a dieseasel for the daily grind I'd thought they'd be ok?
And being a six pot won't be too "tractor" with the roof down, has anyone driven one? Do you get much of a diesel smell with the roof down?

Given my VW T4 has a diesel 5 pot I'm not too adverse to the black pump, but looking at E46 reliability it seems that the manual gearboxes are better than the autos for both petrol and diesel.

Still contemplating options, and whether a soft top is the way to go....

Edited by TiminYorkshire on Wednesday 14th February 14:00

[Patrick Bateman]

If the rear is just for the dog, how about a 630i?

[TiminYorkshire]

I have started to think about 650i(s) and upping the budget...

I really need to sell some vehicles and get moving on this.

[Patrick Bateman]

If you go for the V8, get someone to check it for oil leaks...