What convertible to get.....with kids!

[Silverwraith101]

So my old reliable car has just been written off ?? so looks like I need to buy something else, as my kids are a little older now and I don't need a big car anymore as we use my partner's at the weekend so it's just for around town, school runs etc, I'm thinking of a convertible hard it soft top I don't mind. Something that is reliable and not a juice guzzler.
My question is what convertible is sensible enough to fit a 4 and 10 year old in the back seats (my 4 year old has a booster seat with a back on it, I have a budget of £3500 max.

I do love the mini and fiat 500c convertible but also have a soft spot for the focus cc and Eos..... (Very different I know!)

Any suggestions would be great thanks

Edited by Silverwraith101 on Tuesday 12th May 15:00

[Jefferson Steelflex]

You'd need to declare a budget for some proper recommendations, but assuming you need proper 4-seat convertibles (and not the Mini or Fiat 500 you mentioned) then lots of choice:

Focus CC and VW Eos (and the Vauxhall equivalent) are at the cheaper end of the folding metal roof market, but all decent choices. Eos definitely most reliable, Focus CC was prone to roof leaks.

Otherwise:
Audi A4 (latterly A5)
BMW E46, E90 3 series
BMW 4 series
Merc CLK, C Class
Saab 9-3

[rudester]

My better half has had a 595c for the last 2 years and we have a 7 and 8 year old.
She and the kids love it!

[Silverwraith101]

Sorry budget added now, £3500 max. Thanks

[Gareth1974]

VW Beetle? The 1.9 diesel is pretty economical and is usually reliable https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[JJ55]

My money would go on a Saab 9-3 convertible. A lot of car for the money, great looks.

[NDA]

A Wraith convertible?

Oh, not £350k. Sorry.

[maz8062]

Gareth1974 said:

VW Beetle? The 1.9 diesel is pretty economical and is usually reliable https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Good spot.

[ZX10R NIN]

CLK 200 Avantgarde Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

200 Sport

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

2.0t Astra Twin Top

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

C70 SE Lux

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

EOS Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

A4 S Line 2.0T/3.0

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

320ci

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

9-3 Vector

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Personally it would be the CLK or A4 for me.

[GreatGranny]

We bought an A4 S Line TDi convertible October 2018.

It's cheap to run and has been 100% reliable but it doesn't do many miles.

Top down it's ok in the front but get too windy in the back over 40-50 mph.

I did look at the Saab but preferred the look and the interior of the A4.
Eos was on the list but wife (who uses it more than me) didn't like the looks.
MINI too small in the back and top doesn't fold flush.
Beetle, no thanks

In hindsight I should have bought the petrol turbo (same as the GTI) as we do minimal mileage in it.

The E46 was on the list as well but wife thought it looked dated.
Our budget just didn't stretch to an E90.

[syl]

When are you wanting the roof down - unless the school run is only a mile each way, the fun wears off really quickly in the back of all of them. Great up front though, close to the windscreen (especially if there's a windbreak behind you as well). With rear seat passengers, just keep the roof up.

[JJ55]

Didn’t realise the German stuff was so cheap now! A4 or a clk look a nice option. I think I’d lean more towards the a4.

[flatso]

Always thought that the Vauxhall Cascada was a good looking car.