S Class cabriolet alternatives..

[LeroyLoser]

Having a headache sourcing an S class cabrio in the spec we want so maybe looking for an interim solution and open to some suggestions

4 seater (rear seats for dogs only) cabriolet, luxury.. we have (AMG gtcr & ipace for other duties)

Alternatives so far..

E53 cabrio (nice but quite small as we’re used to the S class)
Bentley GTC gen 2 (tested gen3 and didnt like it)
Aston DB9 or 11 volante (but the bolster between rear seats looks a killer to me)

BMWs are a no due to interiors, Audis are ok but seem to leave me a bit cold for some reason, Lexus LS i like but none around.

Happy for anything 50-150k, probably lower end if an interim car, upper end for a complete replacement DB11 etc

The difficulty comes in colour choice, we only like light ext / interior colours, interior more important though.

Saying that, if nothing entices me then i might delete the cabrio part and just go FFRR or Escalade or similar for something completely different.

Any ideas? not my favourite car shopping exercise as i love sports cars but S63 saloon has gone and need something for long family trips (dogs only) and lacking a bit of motivation (crap i know)

[fflump]

I would advise you think of the wisdom of long journeys with dogs in the rear seats. It's just not safe in the event of an accident.

[Doofus]

fflump said:

I would advise you think of the wisdom of long journeys with dogs in the rear seats. It's just not safe in the event of an accident.

If they are harnessed it's perfectly ssfe, and arguably safer for them than being in the boot.

[LeroyLoser]

fflump said:

I would advise you think of the wisdom of long journeys with dogs in the rear seats. It's just not safe in the event of an accident.

Thanks for your kind thoughts on this but they've been safe this way for many years and are harnessed correctly.

[Scrump]

I can’t really offer any suitable alternatives, but I can say that before working from home I used to regularly see a S class cabriolet in red with a cream interior. It was often parked with the roof down outside a hotel near my office and whenever I saw it I always thought what a fantastic car it looked.

The interior of the new Conti GT is fabulous but you have already discounted one of these.

[jwilco]

fflump said:

I would advise you think of the wisdom of long journeys with dogs in the rear seats. It's just not safe in the event of an accident.

What's wrong with harnessing dogs in the rear seats? I've never heard of any safety issues with it before

[LeroyLoser]

Scrump said:

I can’t really offer any suitable alternatives, but I can say that before working from home I used to regularly see a S class cabriolet in red with a cream interior. It was often parked with the roof down outside a hotel near my office and whenever I saw it I always thought what a fantastic car it looked.

The interior of the new Conti GT is fabulous but you have already discounted one of these.

I’m sold on it tbh but cant find the right colour spec, they’re incredible for comfort, ive not sat in any seat that comes close and ive sat in them all, even the gen3 bentley didnt compare.

The problem with the bentley was you easily forgot you were driving something special which shouldnt be the case at this end of the market, i jumped straight back in our S63 (after spending 4 hours in the GTC) that was 5 years older and it felt more special, quieter, smoother and quicker so going for the S63 cabrio was a no brainer, shame as I adore the looks of the Bentley, interior included, apart from their need to badge it Bentley everywhere inside to remind you its a bentley, shouldnt be needed imo.

[Seeker UK]

Would a Maserati Grancabrio have enough space?

[anonymous-user]

Left field but if interim, for few local day trips, late run XK/XKR - plenty of choice around at 25k. And you won't have the stress of trying to get rid of it when you find the car you need as it's not that expensive.

I don't know what spec S cabrio you are looking for, but it may be a unicorn. Lovely cars, but they weren't massive sellers globally, let alone in the UK. I can count on one hand the ones that I have seen that weren't silver or black.

[fflump]

LeroyLoser said:

fflump said:

I would advise you think of the wisdom of long journeys with dogs in the rear seats. It's just not safe in the event of an accident.

Thanks for your kind thoughts on this but they've been safe this way for many years and are harnessed correctly.

My bad-properly harnessed is just great. Minority of dogs I see are properly seated this way,

[fflump]

ExcitableBoy said:

Left field but if interim, for few local day trips, late run XK/XKR - plenty of choice around at 25k. And you won't have the stress of trying to get rid of it when you find the car you need as it's not that expensive.

I don't know what spec S cabrio you are looking for, but it may be a unicorn. Lovely cars, but they weren't massive sellers globally, let alone in the UK. I can count on one hand the ones that I have seen that weren't silver or black.

Having nosed around 2+2s for some time, the XK/XKR is pretty restricted in the rear seats. The Gran Cabrio/Turismo is much better.

[craigjm]

There are very few alternatives. I think they have pretty much all been mentioned above or already dismissed in your opening statement. Large luxury convertible is a very niche market

[jonah35]

Rolls Dawn

[LeroyLoser]

GranCabrio is a good shout, love the car as i had the Granturismo for a while, seats are easily big enough to, i’m not sure i’d get the wife interested though as she always complained about the seats, plus the ride isnt really that good even on skyhook, far more sports gt than luxury gt imo, the noise was incredible though, a very good car in coupe but i had the 4200 spyder which suffered badly with scuttke shake and i’d imagine the larger GranCabrio to be worse, maybe..

love the RR Dawn suggestion, a bit ott but i think i could dwal with it, love the exterior looks, that front end!! Interior is hilariously old fashioned but i like it, will get myself in the saddle and see, thanks


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011276...

[fflump]

LeroyLoser said:

love the RR Dawn suggestion, a bit ott but i think i could dwal with it, love the exterior looks, that front end!! Interior is hilariously old fashioned but i like it, will get myself in the saddle and see, thanks

Consider the Bentley Azure. Pure old school absurdity and I'm not sure there's a better looking drophead. Beats any RR convertible IMO.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202003168...

[shiversaint]

I imagine OP will find an Azure just too "old" - big luxe GT coupes are all about the comfort and without modern tech it's quickly just a very compromised classic without the charm but many more of the costs.

[LeroyLoser]

shiversaint said:

I imagine OP will find an Azure just too "old" - big luxe GT coupes are all about the comfort and without modern tech it's quickly just a very compromised classic without the charm but many more of the costs.

Exactly that, lovely as it is, we need reliability and we love the silly extravagant things you dont get on older or more main stream GTs like; massage, cooled seats, air scarf, heated arm rests etc they are excesive but make winter & summer use a joy, having an incredible sound system that just hooks up to your phone and allows waze to gently warning of scameras is a must on long journeys imo.

[Wagonwheel555]

jwilco said:

What's wrong with harnessing dogs in the rear seats? I've never heard of any safety issues with it before

I can't think of anything worse than harnessing our JRT in the back of the car, she would scratch everything in sight within seconds.

My in-laws have a Cockapoo thing which they thought would be ok to go in the back when we were giving them a lift once. Nope, not a chance.

Ours goes in the boot, in a crate.

[Gameface]

LeroyLoser said:

love the RR Dawn suggestion, a bit ott but i think i could dwal with it, love the exterior looks, that front end!! Interior is hilariously old fashioned but i like it, will get myself in the saddle and see, thanks


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011276...

That's a Phantom.

[Summit_Detailing]

CGT was my first thought but California T hasn't been mentioned yet?...or very left field - Lexus LC convertible?

Cheers,

Chris

Edited by Summit_Detailing on Monday 17th May 10:55