Sub 5k hard top convertibles?

[Jaska]

Hey all,

I'd love another convertible, but the road I live on has basically continuous tree sap and bird crap falling onto cars. Short solving my problem via of tree destruction or car covers, I was wondering if any of the cheaper end hard top convertibles were worth owning?

Thanks!

[Gad-Westy]

I'll offer a left field option straight off the bat. Honda CRX Del Sol. Was doing the retractable hard top trick years before the SLK came along to claim the glory.

[kambites]

I think you'd get a decent mk2 SLK for that. Pleasant enough little car.

[300bhp/ton]

I suspect one distinction to make here is. Are you after something sporty? Or just a car with a removable roof. The latter potentially being anything from a Micra to Focus type of thing.

Related to this would be number of seats.

For me I generally prefer sporty cars. So my idea of a hard top convertible would be something like a Targa topped Mk2 MR2.

[Jaska]

300bhp/ton said:

I suspect one distinction to make here is. Are you after something sporty? Or just a car with a removable roof. The latter potentially being anything from a Micra to Focus type of thing.

Related to this would be number of seats.

A fair query - this being pistonheads I'd rather something that isn't lethargic, but ~10s to 60 would be fine.

4 seats would be preferred and ideally a roof removal where I don't have to then store it somewhere. I hadn't considered either of the other recommendations here previously so good suggestions so far!

[kambites]

If you want four seats and something where the front-seat passengers are actually in open air (as opposed to the windscreen sweeping back to level with their heads), the choices are rather limited. Our neighbour's son (tenuous link I know) has an Eos and seems to like it. The Astra TwinTop is the other thing which springs to mind.

Neither is going to set the world alight in terms of handling or performance, but I think they're both competent enough.

[Gad-Westy]

Some maybe sensible options in no particular order:

Volvo C70
VW EOS
Lexus SC 430
Lexus IS Convertible (I don't know know how these are doing price wise)

[jhonn]

5K will get you in to a reasonable Lexus SC430 - oodles of V8 goodness, decent build quality, sumptuous leather and sterling reliability.

Downsides are the rear seats aren't really useable and the handling is a bit quirky - a great cruiser tho'.

[Johnnytheboy]

You could probably get a surprising amount of SLK for £5k.

And a surprising amount of big bills, they say

[ST Ford]

Always thought the Focus 2 litre hard top convertible looked decent enough and can be picked up for 3k

[Byker28i]

4 seats with a hard top for 5K is hard. probably only Eos, Peugeot 308 in that price range.

Go for a soft top with a detachable hardtop and you could probably add an old bmw 3 series

2 seats then the MX-5 or SLK easily are in that range

[Plinth]

Johnnytheboy said:

You could probably get a surprising amount of SLK for £5k.

I agree - I recently bought one.
V6, auto box, 97,000 miles, all the "extras" (all working!)
New tyres and a year's MoT.

£1,000

[InitialDave]

You might scrape into the market for a BMW E93 3 series at thar price, though maybe not a top spec one.

[Plinth]

Gad-Westy said:

Honda CRX Del Sol. Was doing the retractable hard top trick years before the SLK came along to claim the glory.

Peugeot were the first to do it - in 1935!
CRX is a good choice - nice looking car.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say that the MK2 SLK is well within reach:

SLK200

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

280

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Astra Twin Top

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Gad-Westy]

Plinth said:

Peugeot were the first to do it - in 1935!
CRX is a good choice - nice looking car.

Just did a google and you're absolutely right. The 206CC's spiritual ancestor!

I went to the NEC motorshow in the early 90's and seem to remember being more wowed by the CRX roof than the recently launched XJ220.

[feef]

Plenty of MK3 MX5 with the folding hard top for that money

[300bhp/ton]

feef said:

Plenty of MK3 MX5 with the folding hard top for that money

Not many with 4 seats though

[feef]

300bhp/ton said:

feef said:

Plenty of MK3 MX5 with the folding hard top for that money

Not many with 4 seats though

I only read the OP bit, didn't see the later comment

[Jaska]

Haha, two seater suggestions also welcome, I just need to convince the lady that two seats is the perfect amount for the new few years

Plus, rather hard to get the idea of the CRX, SLK or MX5 hardtop out of my head now...

Anyone who's commented actually lived with a hard top day to day, any noticeable issues to be aware of?