What car? - Large, powerful convertible - 10K budget

[AndyLB]

Hi All,

After having a Mustang as a rental on a recent trip the US - I now have a hankering for a large, powerful convertible.

First things that sprung to mind for me were an XK8 (or XKS?), Merc SL or E46 M3 Convertible.

Any other obvious options I'm missing? - Budget £10k

[rallycross]

Take a look for BMW 335i convertible, you will just about find one for £10k (we sold a nice one in December for 2007 50k miles for £11k). Twin turbo petrol 300+ bhp and 360 bhp easily attainable.

[Lee540]

CLK55 AMG might fall in that budget?

[AndyLB]

Lee540 said:

CLK55 AMG might fall in that budget?

Good shout! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-CLK55-AMG-CONVE...

335 - hadn't considered - didn't think they were down at this price range yet. Thanks!

[andy-xr]

What about a Mustang?

[kambites]

Well the Mustang is another obvious option.

[AndyLB]

andy-xr said:

What about a Mustang?

I thought that LHD and the poor MPG-power ratio was too big a compromise in the UK.

(Have owned LHD in the UK before).

[kambites]

I think you'll probably struggle to beat an XKR or SL500 with those criteria.

You might be able to get into a ropey Maserati 4200 Spyder, but I don't think a ropey Maserati is a good idea.

[andy-xr]

I rented one from SFO and thought the same thing about buying one back here, but the V6's arent quite pokey enough and I'm not sure I could take LHD. I probably could, but the underground car park would be the biggest Gotcha

[Lee540]

kambites said:

I think you'll probably struggle to beat an XKR or SL500 with those criteria.

You might be able to get into a ropey Maserati 4200 Spyder, but I don't think a ropey Maserati is a good idea.

Have a 2003 SL500 for the weekends or nice days. Love it! Folding metal roofs are the best!

[SlowV6]

645i or 650i. The latter appear to be just about descending in price to the £10k bracket.

[Kev T360]

SlowV6 said:

645i or 650i. The latter appear to be just about descending in price to the £10k bracket.

This was my first and last thought, although I know it's a marmite car.

[Dog Star]

Lee540 said:

Have a 2003 SL500 for the weekends or nice days. Love it! Folding metal roofs are the best!

Having owned an R230 SL500 of the same vintage (I bought mine at five years old) I would seriously advise against it. (My ownership experience is documented elsewhere).

They're very badly made, badly designed and parts cost telephone number looking sums of money. There is a massive potential for huge, wallet draining bills.

If you can only afford a 10K SL then you cannot afford an SL. Buy something else. Anything else.

[Jasandjules]

Well I'd say TVR Chimaera myself.. But then I would.

[kinghottinger]

AndyLB said:

poor MPG-power ratio
.

The S197 V8 Mustang has over 300hp and easily does mid twenties in my direct experience of running a manual one for 3 years and 30,000 miles. I don't think that's a 'poor' ratio. Especially as it's bullet-proof and cheap to maintain in addition.

[Planter]

S4 convertible??

And change

[Prawnboy]

CLK500
645i

or wait till next year and use the 10k as down payment on a new RHD Mustang

[Bennet]

I don't think "large" is a particularly worthwhile quality on uk roads.

I expect you could find a 350z convertible for less than £10,000 and you would have the added bonus of it not breaking down very much.

[AndyLB]

kinghottinger said:

The S197 V8 Mustang has over 300hp and easily does mid twenties in my direct experience of running a manual one for 3 years and 30,000 miles. I don't think that's a 'poor' ratio. Especially as it's bullet-proof and cheap to maintain in addition.

I didn't think they could be had for £10k