A very girly What Car!

[DazBock]

My girlfriend wants a new car. I am all for this because her current car is a heap of proverbial! So I took her to look at an absolutely immaculate Mini Cooper S on Saturday which she loved. It was perfect in my opinion however she now has four conditions:-

- Must be a convertible
- Must be newer than 2005
- Must have fewer than 60,000 miles
- Cheap to insure and run (Mini was circa £600 insurance)

Her budget is around £5,000.

She is looking at Vauxhall Tigra's and alike - not something I am going to be chopping at the bit to drive.

So put on your estrogen hats! Any other suggestions?

N.B. These are her conditions not mine!


Thanks Daz

[kambites]

If she can live with the ride quality, the MINI is a decent bet. The criteria you describe is pretty much its reason for existence.

Nothing particularly wrong with the Tigra as far as I know and it has the advantage of a folding hardtop.

Would an MX5 be insurable? MGTF? MR2?

[davepoth]

-cough-

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2898686.htm

[Crusoe]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3709956.htm

Daihatsu Copen very cheap to run and insure and ticks the girly boxes though might look for another colour.

Smart roadster or coupe coudl also be in with a shout?

[blearyeyedboy]

I know it's a cliché but I really think MX5 *is* the answer to this one.

[Arthur Daley]

Street Ka is a good steer and well within budget...

[PaperCut]

Peugeot 206 CC - although i wouldn't say that's better than the MINI...or an MX-5!

Just a suggestion, as seems to fit the bill!

[DazBock]

Don't worry, I did suggest an MX5 I wouldn't be a true PHer if I didn't. Don't think she is keen. She said they look "old". I tried to explain that it was a classic shape but she still wasn't keen!



Daihatsu Copen is again something I have suggested. I think they are great but she thinks the engine is too small. Again I explained that it isn't all about size but this isn't an argument which has worked particularly well in the past!

[jgtv]

Standard PH reply MX5.

bit left field, little over the miles, and a little older but coming in cheaper, How about
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3590861.htm
No idea how much one of these is to insure, depends on situation.
£4500 TT

Oh and this is well out of the age limit, slightly over budget but under the millage, and its got a big sun roof rather than a rag top. however I think you would struggle to get a more girly car than one of these
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3547535.htm
Nissan Figaro
http://pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=775

Edited by jgtv on Tuesday 13th March 12:03

[DazBock]

jgtv said:

Standard PH reply MX5.

bit left field, little over the miles, and a little older but coming in cheaper, How about
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3590861.htm
No idea how much one of these is to insure, depends on situation.

Oh and this is well out of the age limit, slightly over budget but under the millage, and its got a big sun roof rather than a rag top. however I think you would struggle to get a more girly car than one of these
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3547535.htm

Links are dead I'm afraid

[Strawman]

Saab 9-3 you can get a 2005 convertible with low enough miles for within haggling distance of her budget

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3683040.htm

[DazBock]

PaperCut said:

Peugeot 206 CC - although i wouldn't say that's better than the MINI...or an MX-5!

Just a suggestion, as seems to fit the bill!

I looked at the 206 cc though it pains me to suggest a french car! Decent cars but apparently they have problems with the roof, don't know if this is true or not.

Think the Convertible Mini is probably a little out of budget regretably.

[8Ace]

blearyeyedboy said:

I know it's a cliché but I really think MX5 *is* the answer to this one.

100% agree. Ticks all the boxes, looks good, and you get to nick it for a thrash.

[Captain Muppet]

DazBock said:

So I took her to look at an absolutely immaculate Mini Cooper S on Saturday which she loved.

FFS.

How about you buy one of those then?

Or stop pandering to sexist sereotypes and tell her to choose her own fking car. Women eh? They'll die for equality, but when they have it they can't even be bothered to do the simplest of man-tasks. Equal or special, pick one.

ointlessinternetragesmilie:

[A2Z]

Beetle?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3338148.htm

May need to be a little flexible on some of the criteria though

[PaperCut]

Strawman said:

Saab 9-3 you can get a 2005 convertible with low enough miles for within haggling distance of her budget

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3683040.htm

I was going to suggest an Audi A4 Cab (1.8T), although it will be more expensive to run than the hatchback-based cabrios the OP will want. Also not newer than 2005 and doubt less than 60k miles for the money. It's also more of a woman's car than a girl's. Fits into budget though...

[Vladimir]

Mk3 MR2 (can't remember when they stopped making them)?

Small, cute, an absolute HOOT to drive, almost has a mini exotic feel with the right colour interior. Cheap to run. Never breaks down.

[BoRED S2upid]

SMART?

Very cheap to insure and run and they look funky / girly.

[SWoll]

DazBock said:

I looked at the 206 cc though it pains me to suggest a french car! Decent cars but apparently they have problems with the roof, don't know if this is true or not.

Think the Convertible Mini is probably a little out of budget regretably.

If she can cope without it being a Cooper-S then 2005 Mini One Convertible

And if she's willing to go a couple of years older then 2003 SLK 200K or Audi A4 1.8T

All far better cars than the Tigra.

[CDP]

SWoll said:

All far better cars than the Tigra.

Probably although Hammond on Topgear reckoned the Tigra was good fun. It doesn't look bad either. They're cheap and being Vauxhall should be very reliable and easy to service. Most small cars are fun to chuck about, though not as good as a proper RWD sports car it may not make a lot of difference if she's not a petrol head.

If that's what she's set her heart on why not let her chose and at least pretend to like it?