1K Convertible Challenge

[mr_spock]

Hi all, I fancy a convertible for the "summer", and having just received some cancelled flight compo from BA and resold a Micra for a mate I have a little money to spare. So, I'd like to get a cheap and fairly reliable drop-top to hang onto for a year or so. I don't mind basic mechanical maintenance and I quite enjoy fixing the little broken things on older cars. I'd prefer 4 seats but it's not essential. Performance and handling are only slightly interesting for this exercise, certainly not a priority.

Budget is £1000, so I'm looking at ads up to £1200, or sub 1K for cars needing a little work. MUST be an MOTd runner, no significant rust, and no seats with big holes in. And located up to 60 mins from Huntingdon.

To start, I'm making a list of possible options:

Volvo C70 MK1
Mercedes CLK
Mercedes SLK
MX5 (of course)
MG TF (not a fan of the looks though)

I have already eliminated the Astra, Peugeot, Citroen stuff. Just not my thing.

What have I missed? Then I'll move onto possible candidates.

[illmonkey]

Surely your best bet is going to PH and AT, selecting 'convertible' and selecting up to £1500.

There seems to be some ok cars, but I'd expect small engined cars with a bit of rust.

I'd be looking at similar to you, Z3, SLK, Volvo, Saab. From my understanding, although MX5 is the default answer to every question, I understand at this price they are basically cheese graters.

[Jcwjosh]

I think Mk1 TT's would be in budget too.

I hired a convertible CLK on holiday a couple of years ago and it was great fun, the power delivery was smooth and handling was pretty good considering the mileage and abuse it had probably suffered. I would definitely consider one of those myself.

[mr_spock]

illmonkey said:

Surely your best bet is going to PH and AT, selecting 'convertible' and selecting up to £1500.

There seems to be some ok cars, but I'd expect small engined cars with a bit of rust.

I'd be looking at similar to you, Z3, SLK, Volvo, Saab. From my understanding, although MX5 is the default answer to every question, I understand at this price they are basically cheese graters.

Saab - good call, forgot about that. Don't the early GM 900s rot around the steering box mounts?
Z3 - really? At that price?
Yes, the MX5s I've seen are a bit holey, but there's the odd one that looks decent.

The Volvos seem pretty rot-free, the SLK and CLKs can go either way.

I've been looking on FB Marketplace where there's no filter for body style. I've had a lot of luck there, but AT is a thought.

[ZX10R NIN]

A4 Convertible (haggle)

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

Saab 9-3 Aero

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

[ajprice]

mr_spock said:

Z3 - really? At that price?

A few year 2000ish 1.9 Z3s on AT.

[mr_spock]

Ooh I like the Audi! Will look for TTs, and the Z3 looks fun but I think the 1.9 might be a bit slow? I think a 4 seater can be a cruiser, but a 2 seater should at least move a bit sharpish!

Tending towards 4 seaters so can take kids (teenagers) or dogs too.

[nitrodave]

You should be able to get a decent e46 for that money. I had a 325ci convertible with a manual gearbox and it was a hoot to drive. Great chassis for a drop top, 6 cylinder goodness and a very well built car that never let me down in the 50-60k miles i had it

[Shaqq]

MR2 Spyder maybe?

[mr_spock]

Not sure about the BMW. I just sold a 5 series so I'd like something a bit different. MR2? Will look, thanks!

By god, Autotrader has some crap on! Pretty pics, ads with "new tyres, 4 stamps, goes great!" with an MOT advisory list as long as your arm with rust, brakes etc. MX5s seem to be good at this!

Back to FB.

Found one Volvo which is the most fab colour:

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

[Integroo]

mr_spock said:

Saab - good call, forgot about that. Don't the early GM 900s rot around the steering box mounts?
Z3 - really? At that price?
Yes, the MX5s I've seen are a bit holey, but there's the odd one that looks decent.

The Volvos seem pretty rot-free, the SLK and CLKs can go either way.

I've been looking on FB Marketplace where there's no filter for body style. I've had a lot of luck there, but AT is a thought.

Even the ones that look half decent are probably rotten. Might get a year out of them if they have a 12 month MOT before they need welding, though most would probably crumple in an accident.

[Cambs_Stuart]

Some of the older audis are tempting if you like a bit of retro style.
For example:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

[feef]

The rear seats in the C70 are actually pretty good, even for adults. I'd be looking at one of those if rear seating was a factor.

Other than that, it's always going to be a trade off between fun and practicality

[mr_spock]

Cambs_Stuart said:

Some of the older audis are tempting if you like a bit of retro style.
For example:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

I like that!

[Jamescrs]

I think for a four seater I'd be looking at a Saab 9-3. Good looking cars in my opinion and can be bought cheap.

I have an MX-5 and they are great but one in your budget will have issues, usually rust issues.

[Ankh87]

How about MR2? If you're looking at mx5's you might as well look at these as well.

[mr_spock]

I don't think I'm looking at MX5s. Just found a 2003 A4 with a dodgy roof lock for £800, but lots of other maintenance done. I really was going to wait a couple of weeks until the Micra is off the drive, but... you know.

[Buzypea]

I bought a Mk1 C70 convertible when it was 6 years old at 60,000 miles. It was the worst car I’ve ever owned. Looked stunning in GT spec, dark blue with cream leather. However, the scuttle shake was laughable and something new went wrong with it nearly every week. In 18 months I had:

New clutch master cylinder
New clutch
New steering rack (frikkin expensive)
Cruise control broke
Drivers seat broke
Difficulty starting when cold
Headlamp washers leaked
Multi CD player stopped working
Handbrake failed
Developed a knocking noise from front suspension that mechanics couldn't diagnose.

Great standard sound system though. Dolby pro logic with 2 subs.

[BigMon]

I bought a Mk1 C70 convertible on a 55 plate just under 2 years ago for £1900 and it's been great! Put almost 10000 miles on it.

It's needed new pads and disks, a new CV boot on the front, two new tyres and I've changed the gearbox oil in the time I've had it.

Apart from that (which is all consumables) it's never missed a beat.

Oh, the reversing sensors are broken! But they never worked.

Mine is a GT too so has the great stereo mentioned above.

If anything happened to it I'd definitely have another.

[mr_spock]

Alfa GTV?