Mid size convertible in the region of £5,000
Discussion
Currently I've got a campervan, Vectra and MG TF which means three lots of tax, insurance, servicing etc. I'm looking at replacing the MG and Vectra with something that's enjoyable to own and capable of towing my Locost. (530kg plus trailer).
I'm considering a four seat convertible around £3,000 to £6,000. The main choices seem to be Audi A4, BMW 3 series, Saab 93, Mercedes CLK and as an outsider the Volvo C70. The Volvo's looking very dated but if people here think it's a really good choice I'll consider it. They all have a towing capacity of at least 1400kg which is ample for my needs.
The Saab and Volvos are significantly cheaper than the Audi which is less than the BMW and Merc. Are they significantly worse? I could certainly get a fresher Saab for £5K than I could a German car.
I know only the BMW will get near the MG from a fun point of view but this is an everyday car and won't end up on a track, it's also the only one I'd prefer as a manual.
There are diesel Saabs in budget but I'm really not sure diesel and open cars mix terribly well.
What sort of issues would I need to look out for on any of these?
Opinions please
I'm considering a four seat convertible around £3,000 to £6,000. The main choices seem to be Audi A4, BMW 3 series, Saab 93, Mercedes CLK and as an outsider the Volvo C70. The Volvo's looking very dated but if people here think it's a really good choice I'll consider it. They all have a towing capacity of at least 1400kg which is ample for my needs.
The Saab and Volvos are significantly cheaper than the Audi which is less than the BMW and Merc. Are they significantly worse? I could certainly get a fresher Saab for £5K than I could a German car.
I know only the BMW will get near the MG from a fun point of view but this is an everyday car and won't end up on a track, it's also the only one I'd prefer as a manual.
There are diesel Saabs in budget but I'm really not sure diesel and open cars mix terribly well.
What sort of issues would I need to look out for on any of these?
Opinions please

I've got the 9-3 Convertible 2.0T and would recommend it. Never driven the BMW but you can get a nice one for £5k. I never fancied the diesel personally to me its a bit to close the the vectra for my liking where as the turbo is more of a proper Saab. You get a lot more for your money and cheap to maintain. Here's a few example of what you could get for £5k.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-04-SAAB-9-3-2-0T-VE...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saab-9-3-2-0t-auto-2004M...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-54-Saab-9-3-2-0T-Ae...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-SAAB-9-3-AERO-CONVE...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-04-SAAB-9-3-2-0T-VE...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saab-9-3-2-0t-auto-2004M...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-54-Saab-9-3-2-0T-Ae...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-SAAB-9-3-AERO-CONVE...
mollytherocker said:
CDP said:
Currently I've got a campervan, Vectra and MG TF 
Oh dear....
MTR
The Vectra was bought at 8 months old when I was doing 20,000+ miles per year and my MR2 kept breaking. It's now at 166,500 utterly horrible but economical and reliable miles. In many respects it's the best car I've ever owned; I hate it but respect it.
The MG was a result of being utterly hacked off with driving the Vectra and the closest thing to the MR2 I could get that wasn't likely to leave me with bills averaging £400 per month. Actually it handles a lot better than the '2 but isn't as quiet, comfortable or fast but owning it has more than wasted the money the Vauxhall saves.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-MERCEDES-E320-AUTO-...
Not really fittig in with any criteria, however it's the only convertable that carries 4 and has a sense of class.
Not really fittig in with any criteria, however it's the only convertable that carries 4 and has a sense of class.
CDP said:
The camper is normally used to drag the racing car about. There's lots of hanging around at race meetings and this is a comfortable thing to do it it. I want a backup car partly just incase the camper breaks down (20 years old) and at 10' tall it can't get under the apple trees to pull the trailer out.
The Vectra was bought at 8 months old when I was doing 20,000+ miles per year and my MR2 kept breaking. It's now at 166,500 utterly horrible but economical and reliable miles. In many respects it's the best car I've ever owned; I hate it but respect it.
The MG was a result of being utterly hacked off with driving the Vectra and the closest thing to the MR2 I could get that wasn't likely to leave me with bills averaging £400 per month. Actually it handles a lot better than the '2 but isn't as quiet, comfortable or fast but owning it has more than wasted the money the Vauxhall saves.
You didn't need to justify yourself - he's on his second Laguna.The Vectra was bought at 8 months old when I was doing 20,000+ miles per year and my MR2 kept breaking. It's now at 166,500 utterly horrible but economical and reliable miles. In many respects it's the best car I've ever owned; I hate it but respect it.
The MG was a result of being utterly hacked off with driving the Vectra and the closest thing to the MR2 I could get that wasn't likely to leave me with bills averaging £400 per month. Actually it handles a lot better than the '2 but isn't as quiet, comfortable or fast but owning it has more than wasted the money the Vauxhall saves.
SAAB93AERO said:
I've got the 9-3 Convertible 2.0T and would recommend it. Never driven the BMW but you can get a nice one for £5k. I never fancied the diesel personally to me its a bit to close the the vectra for my liking where as the turbo is more of a proper Saab. You get a lot more for your money and cheap to maintain. Here's a few example of what you could get for £5k.
My views too, I should be able to get a better condition Saab in that price range. Like for like the BMW looks like about 30% more expensive. I'm not too keen on a diesel either in an open car though I might take a look just in case my prejudice is misplaced.The Audi looks like a good bet too. In fact any of those four seem reasonable.
Bluebarge said:
CDP said:
The camper is normally used to drag the racing car about. There's lots of hanging around at race meetings and this is a comfortable thing to do it it. I want a backup car partly just incase the camper breaks down (20 years old) and at 10' tall it can't get under the apple trees to pull the trailer out.
The Vectra was bought at 8 months old when I was doing 20,000+ miles per year and my MR2 kept breaking. It's now at 166,500 utterly horrible but economical and reliable miles. In many respects it's the best car I've ever owned; I hate it but respect it.
The MG was a result of being utterly hacked off with driving the Vectra and the closest thing to the MR2 I could get that wasn't likely to leave me with bills averaging £400 per month. Actually it handles a lot better than the '2 but isn't as quiet, comfortable or fast but owning it has more than wasted the money the Vauxhall saves.
You didn't need to justify yourself - he's on his second Laguna.The Vectra was bought at 8 months old when I was doing 20,000+ miles per year and my MR2 kept breaking. It's now at 166,500 utterly horrible but economical and reliable miles. In many respects it's the best car I've ever owned; I hate it but respect it.
The MG was a result of being utterly hacked off with driving the Vectra and the closest thing to the MR2 I could get that wasn't likely to leave me with bills averaging £400 per month. Actually it handles a lot better than the '2 but isn't as quiet, comfortable or fast but owning it has more than wasted the money the Vauxhall saves.

Fine use of Manconomics™ OP.

I have a 2003 A4 convertible and would recommend it. It is well built and drives reasonably well, but is definitely a cruiser and not a sports car. I have also had a couple of E46 3 Series of similar vintage in the past. They did drive much better than the A4, although they were not convertibles (touring and compact) which may have improved the driving experience.
I inherited the A4 when my father died, so I do have a more sentimental attachment to it than most cars I have had. However, if I was spending my own money I would chose the 3 series over the A4, Saab or Volvo.
I inherited the A4 when my father died, so I do have a more sentimental attachment to it than most cars I have had. However, if I was spending my own money I would chose the 3 series over the A4, Saab or Volvo.
Riccardo1973 said:
I have a 2003 A4 convertible and would recommend it. It is well built and drives reasonably well, but is definitely a cruiser and not a sports car. I have also had a couple of E46 3 Series of similar vintage in the past. They did drive much better than the A4, although they were not convertibles (touring and compact) which may have improved the driving experience.
I inherited the A4 when my father died, so I do have a more sentimental attachment to it than most cars I have had. However, if I was spending my own money I would chose the 3 series over the A4, Saab or Volvo.
The BMWs are quite a bit more expensive for the same sort of condition. I suppose you get what you pay for (RWD 6 cylinder). I can't imagine a convertible being a particularly good sports car; too much flex so looking for a softish cruiser as the roads round here are dreadful.I inherited the A4 when my father died, so I do have a more sentimental attachment to it than most cars I have had. However, if I was spending my own money I would chose the 3 series over the A4, Saab or Volvo.
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