Best Sub £4k 4 Seat Convertible

[redgriff500]

Looking to get a cheap convertible.

As its for summer days with the family, dynamics aren't as important as:

Lack of scuttle shake
Nice drive
Safety
Reliability


Is there anything better than an E46 BMW ?

I'd normally pick an E36 over an E46 regarding cars but I'm guessing in convertibles the later cars are stiffer.

I haven't driven any modern 4 seat convertibles, the last one I owned was a Celica about 15yrs ago and an XR3i before that - TBH I enjoyed both of them but then I moved on to MX5s.

Edited by redgriff500 on Sunday 29th January 12:16

[nagsheadwarrior]

I've driven a couple of 9-3 soft tops,they look nice and they're a lotta car for the cash but do suffer from the Scuttle shake, maybe a Volvo?

[redgriff500]

Yes a mate had a Saab and it was terrible on bumpy roads.

[The_Burg]

The answer has to be 2 MX5s surely

[SixtySpeedTwin]

What about a golf, you would have plenty of money left after buying a good one.
Mine was great if unexciting drive, reliable and cheap to run.
Sadly written off and i moved to an MX5

[JonnyO]

When I was last looking the e46 didn't have enough rear legroom for me so I went for an Audi A4.
If you can stretch to a bit over £4k I'm going to be selling it soon as work changes mean I need to get a diesel.

[PaperCut]

I've recently found out you can get Audi A4 Cabrios for under £4k, albeit highish miles, but not a problem for an Audi. Plenty of 3.0 V6 quattros! Granted it won't be as good to drive as an E46, but they are good cars.

[JonnyO]

Yep but make sure you stay away from the auto's at this age as they are notoriously flaky and rather expensive to fix. The 3.0 is also a bit heavy over the front end. Best bets are the 2.4v6 or 1.8t with a manual box.

[versus]

You could try a Volvo C70 GT. People said they had scuttle shake but if you install the OEM front strut brace (about £100 from Volvo and 5 minutes to fit) then it almost completely dissapears. You get so much equipment as standard c e.g. dolby surround sound, traction control, dual-zone climate control etc and if you get a T5 version then you'll have about 250bhp to boot.

[redgriff500]

It's just a 2 and 4 yr old in the back so legroom isn't an issue.

Is an A4 / Volvo / E36 stiffer / better than an E46 in any way ?

Not bothered about outright speed (I have fast cars) I'd just like a nice drive, any of them 2+ litres would do.

[frosted]

Hmmmm, what you need to look at is a sc430 , not sure if 4k would get you one . I got mine for 6k last year

[Liokault]

PaperCut said:

I've recently found out you can get Audi A4 Cabrios for under £4k, albeit highish miles, but not a problem for an Audi. Plenty of 3.0 V6 quattros! Granted it won't be as good to drive as an E46, but they are good cars.

I paid 6k for a 80k one, 2 months later I have a £1300 bill for a DMF and the electric seat has stoped working.

[loafer123]

redgriff500 said:

Yes a mate had a Saab and it was terrible on bumpy roads.

Probably a pre-03 one, which did suffer - you should be able to get an early latest gen one for that.

I enjoy mine, although I've got the 1.8t (detuned 2.0t engine) and it is a bit underpowered for my liking. I just can't get up the enthusiasm for a £500 tuning upgrade!

[redgriff500]

frosted said:

Hmmmm, what you need to look at is a sc430 , not sure if 4k would get you one . I got mine for 6k last year

Whilst I'm a huge V8 fan that's not what I'm looking for.

[JonnyO]

redgriff500 said:

It's just a 2 and 4 yr old in the back so legroom isn't an issue.

Is an A4 / Volvo / E36 stiffer / better than an E46 in any way ?

Not bothered about outright speed (I have fast cars) I'd just like a nice drive, any of them 2+ litres would do.

Well I have an almost 2 year old and a 4 year old and I found leg room was an issue, mainly for the 2 year old as the car seat robs enough space for it to become a problem. It was a shame really as I love the e46 (I have a 330i touring as well) but the Audi was so much better for the kids.
I found them to feel about the same in terms of chassis stiffness.
The A4 2.4 v6 has about 170bhp and will never set the world on fire in such a heavy car. However, its fine in a convertible as you'd rather cruise than drive like a loon anyway. The e46 is much faster in 3.0 guise (and probably 2.5).
Stay away from the Saab if looking pre 2004. They are totally rubbish.
The Volvo was ok when I looked but I thought the interior was rather drab.

[versus]

redgriff500 said:

Is an A4 / Volvo / E36 stiffer / better than an E46 in any way ?

No. The E46 is probably the best but every man and his dog has one - so if you wanted something different then the Volvo is a good option (with strut brace). I don't like Saab or Audi interiors so I wouldn't have either of them.

I like cars that feel sturdy and weighty, not light and 'skippy' over tarmac.

[Boydie88]

Astra coupe? Many are pretty tatty but theres a few minters about.

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3216187.htm

[Riccardo1973]

I have a 2003 A4 2.4. V6. Not as good to drive as the E46s I have had previously, although the BMWs were hardtop so not necessarily comparing oranges with oranges. The A4 drives well enough though. Not particularly quick, but fine for cruising around in.

I also have two kids (6yrs & 3yrs) and there are no problems fitting them in the back of the A4, one in a car seat and the other on a booster cushion.

[Agent Orange]

redgriff500 said:

Is there anything better than an E46 BMW ?

An E30 325i convertible?

I'm guessing you want something newer but find a mint, unmolested E30 325i cab and they are a peach. Cheap to maintain with timeless looks. Prices are heading north too.

Get the right one and IMO they have more class than an E36/46.

None the less difficult to argue against the E46.

[redgriff500]

Agent Orange said:

An E30 325i convertible?

I did consider one but good ones are pretty much the same price as a decent E46 and as I only want a family cruiser (not another project) it seems crazy to pay the same for a 10+ yr older car.