Convertible cheaper than a coupe?

[Finlandese]

Most of the time a convertible version of a car costs more than a coupe. There are exceptions, thou. Here are some classic cars, that came to my mind. Can you add to the list?

The original MB 300 SL
1st gen VW Golf GTI
Peugeout 205 GTI
Alfa GTV 2000
BMW M3 E30 (maybe)

[Lowtimer]

Porsche Boxster / Cayman, in the slightly newer category.

From your list, I disagree about the Alfa GTV, assuming you are talking about the Bertone Giulia GTV and the Spider. The Spider and the Giulia GTV share most mechanical components but the true convertible version of the GTV is the GTC, and they are very expensive indeed.

Edited by Lowtimer on Thursday 28th March 22:55

[gforceg]

Most of those were conceived and designed as hardtops so the convertible after thoughts are compromised to one degree or another. I wouldn't pay more for a hatchback with the lid peeled off.

[Finlandese]

Lowtimer said:

From your list, I disagree about the Alfa GTV, assuming you are talking about the Bertone Giulia GTV and the Spider. The Spider and the Giulia GTV share most mechanical components but the true convertible version of the GTV is the GTC, and they are very expensive indeed.

Good spot. I thought about the GTC, and that´s why I wrote GTV 2000, instead of Bertone coupe...

[Pistom]

BMW Z4

[Lowtimer]

Finlandese said:

Good spot. I thought about the GTC, and that´s why I wrote GTV 2000, instead of Bertone coupe...

You must mean the front-drive 916 series then? The transaxle Alfetta GTV doesn't have a related convertible.

[Finlandese]

Lowtimer said:

Finlandese said:

Good spot. I thought about the GTC, and that´s why I wrote GTV 2000, instead of Bertone coupe...

You must mean the front-drive 916 series then? The transaxle Alfetta GTV doesn't have a related convertible.

No, I meant the last version of the Bertone coupe that was made between 69-77. The GTC was made between 63-66, and was discontinued, when the Duetto came along.

[Lowtimer]

Oh, I see. Well, the Spider still isn't a convertible GTV. It is a convertible 105 series car, but you might just as well call it a convertible version of the Giulia 4-door saloon as a convertible GTV.

[griffter]

Sunbeam alpine and tiger - or is that cheating?

[orangeLP400]

Porche 911 and targa.

[solid61]

E36 M3,with good reason.

[Skyedriver]

solid61 said:

E36 M3,with good reason.

Innocent question' why?

[4rephill]

Skyedriver said:

solid61 said:

E36 M3,with good reason.

Innocent question' why?

Because it's a bit too floppy to be a serious M-car! - It's more for poseurs than serious drivers!

[slomax]

any of the big v12 front engined ferraris.

550 barchetta, 575 barchetta, 599 barchetta etc etc.

mainly because they are pretty damn rare!

[DocArbathnot]

griffter said:

Sunbeam alpine and tiger - or is that cheating?

Alpines and Tigers are convertables. A coach built coupe was available called a Harrington. They are sought after and quite expensive.

[Huntsman]

Spitfire are cheaper than GT6's.

[DocArbathnot]

Huntsman said:

Spitfire are cheaper than GT6's.

Different cars cars really.

[Huntsman]

DocArbathnot said:

Huntsman said:

Spitfire are cheaper than GT6's.

Different cars cars really.

Do you think? I've had both and always considered them to be very much similar.

Nice alpine, I often wondered what happened to my step grandfather's S1.

[Finlandese]

Lowtimer said:

Oh, I see. Well, the Spider still isn't a convertible GTV. It is a convertible 105 series car, but you might just as well call it a convertible version of the Giulia 4-door saloon as a convertible GTV.

GTV, Giulia, and Spider are variations on the 105-series, all sharing basic mechanicals. IMVHO, it is fairly unusual, that you can get the "same" car cheaper with a different, convertible body, as normally open body leads to a signicant price increase. Hence the opening post of this thread. It seems to me that in this particular case the reasons for Spiders cheaper price are similiar to the E30 BMW M3. Bertone coupe´s image as 60`s M3 with the halo effect of the GTA, and GTA replicas have, IMO, lead to the price difference. In addition to that there is the build numbers for the Spiders, combined with the later versions, where one could´ve drawn some comparisons to a Las Vegas era Elvis...

Edited by Finlandese on Saturday 30th March 12:16

Edited by Finlandese on Saturday 30th March 15:00

[LotusOmega375D]

slomax said:

any of the big v12 front engined ferraris.

550 barchetta, 575 barchetta, 599 barchetta etc etc.

mainly because they are pretty damn rare!

I don't agree with these. They're always more expensive as open cars.