Which auto convertible for £12k? - Page 1 - Car Buying

mattman

Original Poster

3,192 posts

244 months

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Tuesday 5th December 2017

Personal lease coming to an end in a few months, no new lease deals that i really fancy and want to get another convertible

Need an automatic for my wife, doesn't need to be pratical as we have another car for that - i would prefer something "growly" and stupid - but have a self imposed budget of approx £12k. Ideally looking for something with a decent history and no more than 70-80k as i'll be doing around 8k a year. Doesn't need to be a track warrior, but a bit of fun and a decent image - i.e. not a megane convertible

My "shortlist" currently consists of the following and i keep flipping between all of them - any other suggestions?
- Porsche Boxster 2.7/3.2 Tip - maintenance could be expense
- Mercedes SL350 (R230)
- BMW Z4 3.0 - facelift version preferred
- BMW E63/4 645ci - already had one and gearboxes can be problematic around 70k
- Audi TT/TTS mk2
- Audi S4 - the 4.2 V8 - bork?

or perhaps old school:
- Mk1 VW Golf Clipper
- Xr3i Convertible
- E30 Convertible

Any others i have missed or any recommendations/issues to be aware of?

Herbs

4,995 posts

251 months

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Tuesday 5th December 2017

Owned a few on that list but currently have 2 E89 Z4 3.0L's (don't ask.....) and they are good little cars. Mini GT's rather than out and out sports cars but can still push on.

Spec sensitive but should be able to get a decent one with much lower mileage than you quoted.

mattman

Original Poster

3,192 posts

244 months

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Tuesday 5th December 2017

budget creep - is this an even sillier idea to get an early 996? The interior is "interesting"

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-911-3-4-996-Car...

Herbs

4,995 posts

251 months

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Tuesday 5th December 2017

mattman said:

budget creep - is this an even sillier idea to get an early 996? The interior is "interesting"

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-911-3-4-996-Car...

Depends if you enjoy driving. My 911 C4S was one of the most accomplished cars i've owned but soul destroying to drive as it was too easy. I found myself driving FAR too fast in it to try and get the buzz other cars gave me.

ZX10R NIN

29,902 posts

147 months

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Tuesday 5th December 2017

anonymous-user

76 months

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Tuesday 5th December 2017

OP, I was gonna say SL350, and then saw that you've shortlisted it. 500 would be even better (to drive) especially after the facelift to 5.5 litres and 389 HP. But unfortunately the SL500, unlike the 350, only came with adjustable shock absorbers. These apparently fail at (difficult to pin down exactly but) ISTR 80Kish. Think I read that the shocks, their control units (or whatever they're called) and the central pump cost an alleged £10K. The 350 is pretty good, though. 0-60, after facelift, was, I think, 6.7, and your wife will probably love it. Just have £2.5K set aside for a new brake pump, cos they go every now and then.

anonymous-user

76 months

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Tuesday 5th December 2017

If there's one car in that list to make a woman feel a million dollars, it's the SL, hands down.

Herbs

4,995 posts

251 months

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Tuesday 5th December 2017

Johnny5hoods said:

OP, I was gonna say SL350, and then saw that you've shortlisted it. 500 would be even better (to drive) especially after the facelift to 5.5 litres and 389 HP. But unfortunately the SL500, unlike the 350, only came with adjustable shock absorbers. These apparently fail at (difficult to pin down exactly but) ISTR 80Kish. Think I read that the shocks, their control units (or whatever they're called) and the central pump cost an alleged £10K. The 350 is pretty good, though. 0-60, after facelift, was, I think, 6.7, and your wife will probably love it. Just have £2.5K set aside for a new brake pump, cos they go every now and then.

Drive one to make your own mind up but the 350 is one of the most under powered and dull cars I have ever driven, it's simply too heavy. I eventually upper the budget and bought a 500 which turned out to be the most unreliable car I've ever owned.

Great cross country try cruiser but no sports car compared to the others on the list.

craigjm

20,304 posts

222 months

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Tuesday 5th December 2017

Wouldn’t bother with a Porsche of any kind unless you are lucky enough to find a PDK. Tiptronic gearboxes just ruin the experience.

Z4 would be a good call
MINI JCW maybe

ZX10R NIN

29,902 posts

147 months

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Tuesday 5th December 2017

Johnny5hoods said:

OP, I was gonna say SL350, and then saw that you've shortlisted it. 500 would be even better (to drive) especially after the facelift to 5.5 litres and 389 HP. But unfortunately the SL500, unlike the 350, only came with adjustable shock absorbers. These apparently fail at (difficult to pin down exactly but) ISTR 80Kish. Think I read that the shocks, their control units (or whatever they're called) and the central pump cost an alleged £10K. The 350 is pretty good, though. 0-60, after facelift, was, I think, 6.7, and your wife will probably love it. Just have £2.5K set aside for a new brake pump, cos they go every now and then.

If they go it's £500 per leg on the older models the 5.5's will be the facelifted model & those so far have been better than the first gen ABC suspension system.

The 350 lacked the torque of the 500 meaning although it was only 35bhp you have to work it hard which means in the real world you're probably going to use the same if not more fuel than the 500.

mattman

Original Poster

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244 months

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Wednesday 6th December 2017

Thanks for the suggestions ZX10R - the SL500 is going on the list - had only suggested the 350 as the internet says the 500 ABC units are so bad

The TVR wins on noise alone, but not an auto so many need to do some work on the other half to get around that

Will have a look at the rest - Audi doesn't really do it for me as they tend to be a bit "samey" - unless its an R8!