Sub-£8k (or so) convertible for occasional use
Discussion
Hello all,
I am currently exploring the idea of buying a convertible for occasional use, perhaps covering 4k-5k mileage per year. I have a company car for commuting and general use, and I fancy something for roof-down motoring on those rare days off. This will also help me retain my no claims bonus.
The car needs to accommodate a child seat for my 4-year-old son and will rarely have any additional passengers, so I would consider a 2-seater as well as a 4-seater. A boot large enough for a weekend bag would also be useful.
Must-have features include air-con, electric roof, cruise control and rear parking sensors. Whilst I won't be doing lots of miles in the car, I am trying to keep the operating costs as controlled as possible. So if I can avoid 25mpg and £500pa RFL, that would be great.
Options that I like the look of so far include:
BMW Z4 2.0 (circa 2007)
Volvo C70 (circa 2007)
Obligatory Mazda MX-5 (2006 onwards, perhaps roadster coupe version)
Audi A4 (circa 2006)
Porsche Boxster (circa 2003)
Any critiques of these, or suggestions for others, would be most appreciated.
Many thanks,
I am currently exploring the idea of buying a convertible for occasional use, perhaps covering 4k-5k mileage per year. I have a company car for commuting and general use, and I fancy something for roof-down motoring on those rare days off. This will also help me retain my no claims bonus.
The car needs to accommodate a child seat for my 4-year-old son and will rarely have any additional passengers, so I would consider a 2-seater as well as a 4-seater. A boot large enough for a weekend bag would also be useful.
Must-have features include air-con, electric roof, cruise control and rear parking sensors. Whilst I won't be doing lots of miles in the car, I am trying to keep the operating costs as controlled as possible. So if I can avoid 25mpg and £500pa RFL, that would be great.
Options that I like the look of so far include:
BMW Z4 2.0 (circa 2007)
Volvo C70 (circa 2007)
Obligatory Mazda MX-5 (2006 onwards, perhaps roadster coupe version)
Audi A4 (circa 2006)
Porsche Boxster (circa 2003)
Any critiques of these, or suggestions for others, would be most appreciated.
Many thanks,
Alfa doesn't grab me at all, they've never done it for me actually. E46 M3 would be scraping my budget and I worry that I'd buy a money-pit. The Porsche is the left-field choice in that, really, I want a 2007-onwards Boxster S, but don't want that kind of financial outlay at the moment. Audi A4 seems nice and a family member owned a similarly aged model until recently and loved it.
5,000 miles a year means the difference between 25 mpg and 35 mpg is probably not very much - I'll leave it to someone else to work it out 
Big engine means a cheaper price, generally.
So pre-2006 E46 330 convertible, Z4 3.0, TT 3.2, would all do the job and have parking sensors etc.
If the wants list wasn't so specific you could get a Chimaera, R129 SL, all sorts of lovely stuff for 8 grand.
Big engine means a cheaper price, generally.
So pre-2006 E46 330 convertible, Z4 3.0, TT 3.2, would all do the job and have parking sensors etc.
If the wants list wasn't so specific you could get a Chimaera, R129 SL, all sorts of lovely stuff for 8 grand.
CampDavid said:
Actually, this one's a better bethttp://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Loads out there
Risotto said:
911? Might need to push the budget northwards a little but it should be possible to get a 996 that meets your criteria.
And spend another £8k on an engine rebuild? Would not entertain a 911 at this budget.
TTwiggy said:
Why would rear parking sensors be a 'must have' on a small(ish) convertible? Is the OP in a neck brace?
I can't see anything out of the back of my E36 M3 with the roof up, rear parking sensors would be really useful. For a 2 seater they're pointless though.VX220 2.2 would surely be the most fun, if you can find one.
If you're looking at Z4's has to be the 3.0 6 pot IMO, not much worse on fuel but much more powerful than the rest of the (non z4m) range. From a quick look on trader 8k should get you a 3.0Si with reasonable miles (Si is the facelift model with an alloy magnesium blocked valvetronic engine good for 265bhp)
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