Cheap 4 Seat Convertible
Discussion
I’m considering buying a cheap convertible - primary use will be touring around the Lake District and perhaps Scotland on nice days.
Initially it will be a third car but if it turns out to be a decent one it could replace the OH’s MK2 Focus.
Must have 4 seats - teenager and toddler will be in the back.
Something with a bit of boot space available with the roof down will be nice. Don’t need a pushchair anymore, but a couple of overnight bags or beach gear would be helpful.
Comfort more important than speed - nothing that rides too harshly
It’ll have to live outside, and if it smells damp my OH will refuse to get in it, so something watertight.
Budget is about £3000. I don’t mind spending a bit on maintenance, but looking for something fundamentally reliable. I know I’ll more than likely have to sort the wheat from the chaff when viewing at this price. The novelty might wear off quite quickly but if I can pick up something that looks solid I can get it looking clean and shiny and it should be relatively easy to move on. If it’s lasts 2 summers and I get a few hundred back with an honest eBay listing after I’ll be happy.
Saab 9-3 looks decent value, mid to late 2000’s cars with a bit of life left seem to be available. The other one that has caught my eye is the Volvo C70 - the folding hard top appeals. I like the looks of the CLK, but the budget will only stretch to an early 2000’s car and this was right when Mercs were rusting for fun. There’s a clean looking 2002 E46 330Ci available fairly locally that might be worth a look.
Any pointers where to look or what to avoid would be helpful.
Initially it will be a third car but if it turns out to be a decent one it could replace the OH’s MK2 Focus.
Must have 4 seats - teenager and toddler will be in the back.
Something with a bit of boot space available with the roof down will be nice. Don’t need a pushchair anymore, but a couple of overnight bags or beach gear would be helpful.
Comfort more important than speed - nothing that rides too harshly
It’ll have to live outside, and if it smells damp my OH will refuse to get in it, so something watertight.
Budget is about £3000. I don’t mind spending a bit on maintenance, but looking for something fundamentally reliable. I know I’ll more than likely have to sort the wheat from the chaff when viewing at this price. The novelty might wear off quite quickly but if I can pick up something that looks solid I can get it looking clean and shiny and it should be relatively easy to move on. If it’s lasts 2 summers and I get a few hundred back with an honest eBay listing after I’ll be happy.
Saab 9-3 looks decent value, mid to late 2000’s cars with a bit of life left seem to be available. The other one that has caught my eye is the Volvo C70 - the folding hard top appeals. I like the looks of the CLK, but the budget will only stretch to an early 2000’s car and this was right when Mercs were rusting for fun. There’s a clean looking 2002 E46 330Ci available fairly locally that might be worth a look.
Any pointers where to look or what to avoid would be helpful.
I was behind a Peugeot 307cc yesterday and it looked quite quirky, and smart. Don't know what reliability is like but I was impressed. Volvo C70 over Saab 9-3 any day.
Chrysler Sebring Convertible. Not the greatest to drive but it's reliable, spacious and cheap. A friend had one and it suited him.
This one is bang on budget.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304557151280?hash=item4...
Chrysler Sebring Convertible. Not the greatest to drive but it's reliable, spacious and cheap. A friend had one and it suited him.
This one is bang on budget.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304557151280?hash=item4...
Edited by TwigtheWonderkid on Tuesday 19th July 08:36
C70 MK1 facelift is the best and cheapest. once ford took over they made a few chassis tweaks and it handled more sharply. you'll know the facelift as it has the eggcrate grille instead of chromy stripes. better reliability than the hard topyfoldything and bigger inside. in fact the original C70 has the biggest back seat/legroom of any of them. By a long way. Most comfy seats too - you can drive for hours and not feel stiff. But it is NOT a sports car - handles like a boat. great stereo. the 2.0 turbo feels a little slow unless you rag it, but the 2.4 is fast, and the 2.3 is very quick indeed. for a heavy barge convertible. but it doesnt egg you on to drive hard anyway - its a cruiser and knows it.
saab is more sit up and beg in the back, and the 3 series is positively cramped. both faster than volvo, handle better, and diesel flavour too for economy. but he back is tight in both.
saab is more sit up and beg in the back, and the 3 series is positively cramped. both faster than volvo, handle better, and diesel flavour too for economy. but he back is tight in both.
wemorgan said:
How cheap are Merc CLK these days?
Available from around £1k in convertible form. £3k would get you something like this 2007 car, which looks like a very good choice to me and a lot of car for the money.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207157...
First cars that spring to mind are the Saab and the Volvo, both very nice 4 seat convertible cruisers. VW Eos is a good bet if you find one with a decent roof for the price. But like the other hatchback based convertibles it will be I little tighter in the cabin than the Swedes. Two years ago a mate of mine was looking for a convertible, he very nearly bought a Saab and at the last minute he bought a red Chrysler Sebring convertible. He absolutely loves it, its definitely not build for speed but he says it always puts a smile on its face as its a bit different. He's had no mechanical issues and has turned out to be a great car for the 3.5k he spent on it.
quinny100 said:
Must have 4 seats - teenager and toddler will be in the back.
Don't underestimate how windy it is in the back, I suspect the novelty for the children will wear off after about 30 seconds and they will want you to put the roof up. I found driving one on the motorway was also pretty noisy, if I did it again I would probably wear ear plugs.For me the whole idea of a convertible was much nicer than the actual ownership experience. As you say, quite likely to leak (my old Audi A4 did) and useless for probably 8 months of the year.
But on the right day (not too hot, not too cold) and right journey (No motorways) nothing beats it and it always feels a bit exciting like getting a new toy when you put the roof down when everything is perfect.
RedAndy said:
C70 MK1 facelift is the best and cheapest. once ford took over they made a few chassis tweaks and it handled more sharply. you'll know the facelift as it has the eggcrate grille instead of chromy stripes. better reliability than the hard topyfoldything and bigger inside. in fact the original C70 has the biggest back seat/legroom of any of them. By a long way. Most comfy seats too - you can drive for hours and not feel stiff. But it is NOT a sports car - handles like a boat. great stereo. the 2.0 turbo feels a little slow unless you rag it, but the 2.4 is fast, and the 2.3 is very quick indeed. for a heavy barge convertible. but it doesnt egg you on to drive hard anyway - its a cruiser and knows it.
saab is more sit up and beg in the back, and the 3 series is positively cramped. both faster than volvo, handle better, and diesel flavour too for economy. but he back is tight in both.
I had, and loved, a mk1 c70, very comfortable, extremely good looking but a little anodyne. I also ran a v6 Aero 9-3 convertible and whilst I preferred the Volvo looks; for me, it's the most elegant car the swedes have built, the Saab was a better, more resolved drive. The top models have a form of passive rws and feel quite agile, it had a lot less scuttle shake than the mk1 c70 which is not particularly rigid, and its engine was joyous...but I preferred owning the volvo!! So, that probably hasn't helped at all. C70 mk2 and focus CC very closely related so a punt on either or will likely prove worthwhile. saab is more sit up and beg in the back, and the 3 series is positively cramped. both faster than volvo, handle better, and diesel flavour too for economy. but he back is tight in both.
Joey Deacon said:
quinny100 said:
Must have 4 seats - teenager and toddler will be in the back.
Don't underestimate how windy it is in the back, I suspect the novelty for the children will wear off after about 30 seconds and they will want you to put the roof up. I found driving one on the motorway was also pretty noisy, if I did it again I would probably wear ear plugs.For me the whole idea of a convertible was much nicer than the actual ownership experience. As you say, quite likely to leak (my old Audi A4 did) and useless for probably 8 months of the year.
But on the right day (not too hot, not too cold) and right journey (No motorways) nothing beats it and it always feels a bit exciting like getting a new toy when you put the roof down when everything is perfect.
OP how about this lovely Cascada for only £3500?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206217...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206217...
Canon_Fodder said:
OP how about this lovely Cascada for only £3500?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206217...
I hadn't realised they had got that cheap! Then again its a diesel Vauxhall Astra (almost) with 150k miles in a bland colour. Would rather have the V6 Chrysler I mentioned that my mate had bought https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206217...
BMW E63 645 /630 is just about within budget, like most they are a little tight in the back but good for kids.
I recently picked up an E88 120d which we use as a second sheddy car for around town duties. Surprisingly economic and decent turn of speed, got 10 bags of sand in the boot last weekend too so has some space and has isofix points if you still need those. Cheap to insure too
I’m 6ft so you can see the amount/lack of legroom behind the driver
Had a Few 4 seater convertibles in the past - 2001 CLK are solid but rust a lot, Saab 93 are relative bargains, had the earlier (1998) 93 2.3 which was thirsty and the newer (2003) 9-3 and the newer one was a better all rounder imho.
Mini convertible are just about do-able as a 4 seater for short journeys but no luggage space
BMW 645 was awesome because it had a V8 and I think has aged well.
I recently picked up an E88 120d which we use as a second sheddy car for around town duties. Surprisingly economic and decent turn of speed, got 10 bags of sand in the boot last weekend too so has some space and has isofix points if you still need those. Cheap to insure too
I’m 6ft so you can see the amount/lack of legroom behind the driver
Had a Few 4 seater convertibles in the past - 2001 CLK are solid but rust a lot, Saab 93 are relative bargains, had the earlier (1998) 93 2.3 which was thirsty and the newer (2003) 9-3 and the newer one was a better all rounder imho.
Mini convertible are just about do-able as a 4 seater for short journeys but no luggage space
BMW 645 was awesome because it had a V8 and I think has aged well.
Edited by mattman on Tuesday 19th July 20:14
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