4 seater convertible HELP! - Page 1 - Car Buying

art200380

Original Poster

35 posts

109 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 29th June 2018

Not sure if this heatwave has gone to my head but I've decided I need to scratch an itch which I've been pondering for months....a proper convertible (I had a Lotus Elises s3 last).

Must haves;
4 seats (we've got a 1 and 3yr old)
Petrol
Reasonably quick (<6s 0-60)

My office is only 2 miles from home so not too concerned about mpg (or insurance). It would probably do 4-6k miles in total per year.

Budget up to £50k but don't necessarily want to spend it all - I'd be more comfortable spending £30-35k.

On the list are nearly new (6-12mth old) Audi A5 (2.0 TFSI and S5), BMW 2 and 4 series (m240i or 430/440i) or polar opposites but I keep finding myself looking at older cars like 8-12yr old Porsche 911's and Aston Martin DB9's....but it's the bills that quite frankly make me nervous!

I'm currently in an A6 following the sale of my Elise (which I loved - but wasn't practical when our 2nd child arrived!) and I'm going to let the wife drive that....any words of wisdom? Anything I should add to the list for this weekend viewing?

alorotom

12,634 posts

207 months

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Saturday 30th June 2018

6 series

Evoque conv.

Maser GranCab

kieranblenk

865 posts

154 months

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Saturday 30th June 2018

Definitely look at the 6 series as previously mentioned, but also the Merc C43. Also you should be able to get an M4 in budget that's a couple of years old.

Gompo

4,630 posts

278 months

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Saturday 30th June 2018

Mustang? I know, not quite the same image as the other cars you've listed but one I'm thinking of when down to my budget.

art200380

Original Poster

35 posts

109 months

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Saturday 30th June 2018

Thanks for the pointer on the M4 - 16 plates seem to start at £36/37k.

Jag_NE

3,276 posts

120 months

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Saturday 30th June 2018

Bit left field however if you have the garage space you could get something in the classic mould for part of your budget and something else as a daily runner. For occasional top down use it feels like more of an event if it isn’t a daily runner. If you buy smartly and keep the miles off it, the cars value will likely be pretty robust too.

Leonard Stanley

4,081 posts

124 months

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Saturday 30th June 2018

Unspeakably awful brand perception, but I’ll throw the RS5 in to the ring.

Yes low on torque, heavy but it doesn’t feel it. Yes, the tech is old but I don’t buy cars for software.

It has the wonderful high-revving NA V8 and I love the looks.

I thought it would a short term get it out of my system car, but it’s a keeper.

DoubleD

22,154 posts

128 months

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Saturday 30th June 2018

If it were me then I would buy a 2 seater toy and another car to run around in.

art200380

Original Poster

35 posts

109 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 30th June 2018

I've occasionally got to drop both kids off and collect them at primary/nursery from September hence the need for a 4 seater

JagerT

455 posts

127 months

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[news]

Saturday 30th June 2018

Triumph Stag,should easily get to the office before it overheats. smile

DoubleD

22,154 posts

128 months

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[news]

Saturday 30th June 2018

art200380 said:

I've occasionally got to drop both kids off and collect them at primary/nursery from September hence the need for a 4 seater

Then thats the day that you use the other car

sawman

5,080 posts

250 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 30th June 2018

Morgan 4 seater

Although having had a few convertibles i find them a bit of a chore in hot full sun conditons, especially if stuck in traffic, probably not great for the nippers either, mine were always better in the car with privacy glass

Edited by sawman on Saturday 30th June 10:13

ZX10R NIN

29,762 posts

145 months

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[news]

Saturday 30th June 2018

art200380

Original Poster

35 posts

109 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 30th June 2018

Thanks - that's a great post.

I don't really know anything about Infiniti and a Bentley Continental would scare me in terms of potential bills.

I like the look of the M4 though and the new E300 - and there's a couple within 20mls of me so going to go for a look.

DSLiverpool

15,908 posts

222 months

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[news]

Saturday 30th June 2018

art200380 said:

Not sure if this heatwave has gone to my head but I've decided I need to scratch an itch which I've been pondering for months....a proper convertible (I had a Lotus Elises s3 last).

Must haves;
4 seats (we've got a 1 and 3yr old)
Petrol
Reasonably quick (<6s 0-60)

My office is only 2 miles from home so not too concerned about mpg (or insurance). It would probably do 4-6k miles in total per year.

Budget up to £50k but don't necessarily want to spend it all - I'd be more comfortable spending £30-35k.

On the list are nearly new (6-12mth old) Audi A5 (2.0 TFSI and S5), BMW 2 and 4 series (m240i or 430/440i) or polar opposites but I keep finding myself looking at older cars like 8-12yr old Porsche 911's and Aston Martin DB9's....but it's the bills that quite frankly make me nervous!

I'm currently in an A6 following the sale of my Elise (which I loved - but wasn't practical when our 2nd child arrived!) and I'm going to let the wife drive that....any words of wisdom? Anything I should add to the list for this weekend viewing?

I’ve got the same issue, after a E500 cab, a Mustang and currently a 640i we’re getting a Grsncabrio next out of all of them the 6 has been the best.

steve-5snwi

9,790 posts

113 months

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[news]

Saturday 30th June 2018

440i would make a great car however i would also throw in the XK8 although it will be a little bit older.

ZX10R NIN

29,762 posts

145 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 30th June 2018

art200380 said:

Thanks - that's a great post.

I don't really know anything about Infiniti and a Bentley Continental would scare me in terms of potential bills.

I like the look of the M4 though and the new E300 - and there's a couple within 20mls of me so going to go for a look.

The Infiniti is basically a 4 seater 370Z but it's got a good amount of go obviously the running costs are low compared to everything else on the list, the V6 is is reliable.

I'd go for the Maserati my service costs were between £800-1500.00 (at a Independent) my Granturismo, the thing is the M4/RS4's etc will throw up service costs in the same ballpark.

PSRG

777 posts

146 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 30th June 2018

I’ve got an M235i convertible; it’s got 4 seats, but it’s definitely not a 4 seater unless your rear passengers have no legs!

OldGermanHeaps

4,813 posts

198 months

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Saturday 30th June 2018

I cant offer any insight on that end of the market, but I can say go for it, scratch that itch, even a s

te convertible is the best car in the world when the sun is shining, and my kids absolutely love it. Stops you from speeding as well, proper chilled environment. Even get the roof down and heaters up in the scottish winter.

Leonard Stanley

4,081 posts

124 months

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[news]

Monday 2nd July 2018

OldGermanHeaps said:

I cant offer any insight on that end of the market, but I can say go for it, scratch that itch, even a s

te convertible is the best car in the world when the sun is shining, and my kids absolutely love it. Stops you from speeding as well, proper chilled environment. Even get the roof down and heaters up in the scottish winter.

Agree with this. The best car I'ved owned was my Porsche 981 CGTS. But it was a bit of a selfish car, really. As we have 2 kids, it rarely worked for anybody other than me.

The RS5 is unsophisticated and heavy, but the kids enjoy it too and in this weather it's been perfect. Taking my son + a friend to football at the weekend, daughter + friends into town for shopping. Genuinely fun.

Do I look like a total tool driving it? - oh yes. Net total of f

ks given? - not that high.