RE: Convertibles for under £10k | Six of the Best

[ChocolateFrog]

J4CKO said:

Ten grand for the 350Z Roadster seems expensive, my son picked a very tidy 2006 with similar miles up 5 grand last year, that will be available soon as my son is buying a house so is moving it on.

My mate got his for £1200, requiring a clutch. Think it took us 3 hours to do, sure it was less than £200 in parts.

[ChocolateFrog]

Alex_225 said:

Based on looks and what a great drive they are, the SL would be my choice of that lot. Having said that, they are costly to run and sometimes tricky to repair. We had a 2006 SL350 for 18 months and it was lovely but I'd only own one if it could be garaged and used on nice days.

My money actually went on this for a quarter of the target price. Not as dynamic as some on the list but it's more fun than I expected.

That is aging very nicely.

[ChocolateFrog]

This was literally 3 minutes of research, sometimes picking the first hit.

But I like my list better.













The BMW is a bit dubious but I thought there should be atleast one on the list, could substitute that for a E92 variant.

[SimonTheSailor]

How much is it going to cost to cut the roof of that Jaguar ?

[ChocolateFrog]

SimonTheSailor said:

How much is it going to cost to cut the roof of that Jaguar ?

Ah well spotted, that's the one I liked the most too.

[Guvernator]

You are right, it is a better list (except for the Jaguar *cough*).

I didn't even think you could get S2000's for less than £10k these days. It's either got moon mileage or is registered I'd imagine.

[ruwokeenuff]

Just the other day on car n Classic auctions.

[daytonavrs]

ChocolateFrog said:

No space for a TVR on a PH list of affordable drop tops, sad.

The MX5 is pointless, collectors car only now.

Collectors car ??? Why, just because it has low miles?
Would this be from a person that also "collects" pots and pans too....i.e. a hoarder.
Assuming this is just about an MX 5 and not something incredibly exotic / special car......

They have been punting out high sales of these cars peaking at 50K+ by 2009 and that's just one version alone recorded on "how many left"
Adding all versions probably looking at 80-100K cars....one of the more common cars on the roads.

To the point this is more the modern equivalent of a Ford Escort ( or convertible )
No, take that back, the Escort Cabriolet seems incredibly rare compared to the MX5....

If that isn't a car meant to just be driven about, then what is ??

[wildoliver]

The MX5 is a daft suggestion. It's circa 7k over equivalent examples on price purely down to mileage. Which will stop you enjoying it. Drive it at all and the price tumbles. Sure it's only going to lose 7k nothing against a new car, but you can buy a nice summer car and lose nothing so why would you? Up grouping a car that should be in "best convertibles under 5k" is not good journalism unless you throw it in as a suggestion from the side.

The boxster is neither an early example (it's a 2.7) or the one most would want (3.2s). Seems a lazy throw a dart in the classifieds for the first 10k example you can find.

I do agree a tt should have been on the list. I don't like them but plenty do, and it's a very popular summer car even if it is a golf in a dress.

SL was a good shout.

Z cars and S2K are always good solid suggestions.

Off that list though I'd be hunting out the best 3.2 986 I could get my hands on and cherish it. Or buy a 2-4k MX5 and enjoy it.

[Bisley69]

I know you will think this is crazy but I bought a Lexus SC430 5 years ago and although it's not a sports car its the best daily drive I have ever had, all for £ 3.5k , Its built like a tank and bombproof as well .

[J4CKO]

Bisley69 said:

I know you will think this is crazy but I bought a Lexus SC430 5 years ago and although it's not a sports car its the best daily drive I have ever had, all for £ 3.5k , Its built like a tank and bombproof as well .

Yeah, know someone who bought one last year, it’s black so not the usual gold/beige and like you say, it’s a well built car with a rather nice V8, plus it’s pre the heavy VED rules.

Not the best looking car ever but it has something quite appealing, plus it probably won’t break.

[TameRacingDriver]

I've owned a 350Z Roadster, enjoyed it. Made a lovely anti-social noise and yes it was heavy, but it just felt like a brute and I quite liked that about it.

I've also owned a Boxster S 986. It felt like a big, luxury MR2 (which I've also owned and agree it deserves a place on the list). A very accomplished car which certainly felt special to me.

I now own a BBR Super 200 NC MX5, which I will be selling soon for a lot less than £10k! Much better than an NB I reckon. The BBR mods make it quick and overall car is great fun.

I'm picking up another 986 Boxster S 3.2 next week that I bought for £7k. Hence I don't think I need to say which one out of this list I would go for.

[J4CKO]

Bisley69 said:

I know you will think this is crazy but I bought a Lexus SC430 5 years ago and although it's not a sports car its the best daily drive I have ever had, all for £ 3.5k , Its built like a tank and bombproof as well .

Yeah, know someone who bought one last year, it’s black so not the usual gold/beige and like you say, it’s a well built car with a rather nice V8, plus it’s pre the heavy VED rules.

Not the best looking car ever but it has something quite appealing, plus it probably won’t break.

[Nyloc20]

big_rob_sydney said:

Turbobanana said:

wpa1975 said:

I like the Elan m100 but not with those miles.

An average of 4500 miles a year scares you? Tough crowd...

I've seen these with well over 200,000 on, still going strong.

Some materials / components deteriorate with age, and I wouldn't trust them, even if the mileage was minimal.

I think materials & components on any of these cars will deteriorate with age and mileage, my 1995 Elan S2 has the usual wear on seals, rubbers etc but it doesn’t bother me. I’ve owned it 24 years, taken it from 30 to 132k miles in that time, still on the original clutch and no major unexpected big bills. It’s showing it’s age a bit but I’m not inclined to put a lot of money into a car worth around £7K. It still looks good, drives well and takes long journeys in its stride. Having said all that I have a great mechanic mate who services it regularly, I’d be wary of any of these cars without a good service history.