'Budget' Cabriolets

[TonyRPH]

I followed a Peugeot 307CC the other day, and I got to thinking just how ugly it really is (IMHO of course).

My neighbour has a Renault Megane II Cabrio and I got to thinking how much better that looked by comparison.

I deliberately place the word 'budget' in the thread title, so as to avoid comparisons with Aston Martin and the like.

So, on to the pictures:

One of Peugeots earlier attempts the 206cc which IMHO is actually not a bad looking car, if a little 'girlie' - but nothing a few 'man' accessories couldn't fix!



And then they got it so wrong with the 307cc - this just looks completely unbalanced.



And then Renault came along with the Megane II which I think is quite a balanced design from any angle.



Discuss.

Edited by TonyRPH on Wednesday 20th July 16:13

[denniswise9]

[kambites]

That first one is a 206cc.

I think the Tigra works quite well. As does the EOS and the Astra Twin-Top.

[TonyRPH]

denniswise9 said:

That looks remarkably similar to the Megane (or vice versa), is it a shared platform?

[lordlee]

denniswise9 said:

The windscreen comes over your head so it doesn't feel like a cab at all.

[TonyRPH]

kambites said:

That first one is a 206cc.

Thanks, now fixed.

[kambites]

lordlee said:

The windscreen comes over your head so it doesn't feel like a cab at all.

All of the four-seater ones with two-piece roofs suffer from this.

[denniswise9]

denniswise9 said:

lordlee said:

The windscreen comes over your head so it doesn't feel like a cab at all.

This is a valid point...I am guessing the seat may be as far back as possible in the pic.



As far as I know no relation to the megane other than a similar colour!

[Robbo101]

The requirement to have a huge boot to take the retractable metal roof (usually) means that these cars tend to look the same, ie a big arse. The Focus CC uses the same chassis as the Volvo C70 (2006 onwards), though must say I do think the Volvo is a very elegant car.

On a slightly different topic, have seen the prices of the French (in particular) CC's dropping to £3500 or thereabouts. Presumably the thought of a complex (& expensive to repair) metal roof combined with typical French build quality is putting prospective purchasers off. Cant think why........

[kambites]

I don't think any of the French car manufacturers actually make their own roofs.

[TonyRPH]

kambites said:

That first one is a 206cc.

I think the Tigra works quite well. As does the EOS and the Astra Twin-Top.

IMHO the Tigra looks more or less ok - but it seems to have a bit of a heavy rump.




However, both the EOS and the Astra Twin Top appear to share similar proportions to the Megane.

To my eye anyway...

[lordlee]

kambites said:

I don't think any of the French car manufacturers actually make their own roofs.

Definitely a good thing non?

[kambites]

lordlee said:

kambites said:

I don't think any of the French car manufacturers actually make their own roofs.

Definitely a good thing non?

I suppose so. I was just commenting on the idea above that they were depreciating because people were worried about the reliability of complicated French roof mechanisms.

[NiceCupOfTea]

The most ridiculous looking one has to be the Colt CC - who signed that off!?

[Bluebarge]

I think most of those folding roofs have a tendency to leak around the seals. At least with a canvas roof you can re-proof it or get a new one for a 3-figure sum.

[Robbo101]

^^^^ I agree. But sadly most people who buy these types of cars wont be aware of the differing manufacturers & thus they just get tarred with the same brush as the rest of the Peugeot & Renault ranges.

[MK4 Slowride]

Proper marmite cars these. They're either really girly or st. So only appeal to a few people, mainly women. That Megane CC has a bodykit on as you can see, we've had two in stock recently (non-bodykit) one sold quickly the other has been languishing in stock for a couple of months now. Both in Pakistani racing gold.

[lordlee]

We have a hateful 206CC in Greece as our runabout and whilst it's pants it does a job and it's fun having the roof down. Plus it's on polish plates being driven by an English couple which means the police just don't want to know and leave us well alone. We haven't spent any money on it bar routine servicing and the roof has been fine so far *touches wood*.

[The Wookie]

kambites said:

I don't think any of the French car manufacturers actually make their own roofs.

Maybe they should, a CC roof stuck half way does have a hint of gallic shrug about it

[TonyRPH]

MK4 Slowride said:

Proper marmite cars these. They're either really girly or st. So only appeal to a few people, mainly women. That Megane CC has a bodykit on as you can see, we've had two in stock recently (non-bodykit) one sold quickly the other has been languishing in stock for a couple of months now. Both in Pakistani racing gold.

Any pictures? I'm trying to visualise that colour..