4 seater cabrio - max £12k - impossible ask ?

[seawise]

I am normally quite good at recommending cars for friends and family. The go to font of all car knowledge, blar blar. However this one has me at a loss. Just not my thing, so gods of Pistonheads, give me inspiration please.

Budget - £12k max
Bodyshell - convertible/cabrio
Seats - 4 (ok thats the difficult bit)
Age - it’s got to be used all year round, so modern
Usage - mixed commuting, reliable
Style - quite low key, nothing brash, but fun

Basically not my kind of car, but sister in law wants.

[matrignano]

A5 / BMW 4 series / BMW C class is the answer, Shirley?

[Stick Legs]

My daughter has a Peugeot 207cc.

Ticks all the boxes, but possibly not what you were thinking of.

[Skodillac]

VW Eos:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506043...

[drgoatboy]

Vauxhall cascade, ticks all the boxes (apart from maybe fun)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025050119...

(Note I randomly chose this car there are cheaper and more expensive ones I just don't know what is good!)

[Stick Legs]

Vauxhall Cascada.

Good looking, cheap to own and run, zero 'flash git' image whilst still looking quite nice and those in the know will nod at an off beat choice.
Those who know nothing about cars will see it as a nice compact convertible.

Based on a surprisingly-better-to-drive-than-you-may-have-thought Astra platform.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18678308

[seawise]

Thanks all - i have ruled out VAG products (Eos/A3 etc) due a couple of recent bad experiences on the reliability front - Beemers of this age i have looked at all seem mechanically shagged and had hard lives.

That Vauxhall i would never have thought of, great shout.

[Skodillac]

Volvo C70:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506143...

[scot_aln]

This thread from a few days ago may help

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[the-norseman]

I know you said modern, somebody above however has recommended a C70 which is circa 2011.

So on that basic SAAB 9-3 cabrio.

[Chris_i8]

220i?..fabric roof better resolved styling wise than the folding metal 4-series.
E-class?...rare as petrol
Abarth 595C?

[ZX10R NIN]

seawise said:

I am normally quite good at recommending cars for friends and family. The go to font of all car knowledge, blar blar. However this one has me at a loss. Just not my thing, so gods of Pistonheads, give me inspiration please.

Budget - £12k max
Bodyshell - convertible/cabrio
Seats - 4 (ok thats the difficult bit)
Age - it s got to be used all year round, so modern
Usage - mixed commuting, reliable
Style - quite low key, nothing brash, but fun

Basically not my kind of car, but sister in law wants.

Simple, the best E class you can find, you can add carplay/android auto easily. Saying that the more expensive ones are better.

4.7T E500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503069...

E400:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502028...

350:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506233...

250:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505282...

With these (or any canvass roof you should be treating it every 6 months, the autoglym product works well.

G37:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501258...

430i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505162...

428i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505072...

[Pickle_Rick]

Chris_i8 said:

220i?..fabric roof better resolved styling wise than the folding metal 4-series.
E-class?...rare as petrol
Abarth 595C?

The 595 is a great shout.

If a little too brash, then the not as fun fiat 500c

[ChrisH72]

I'd go for the E class.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025051925...

More diesels around than petrol if that matters. I had a good test drive of a 350cdi a couple of years ago. It was a nice car but ultimately a bit big and wafty for me. Definitely a decent car though.

Another possibility if you're looking for a smaller petrol option is a Mini.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025060331...