What convertible....!

[GTO3 DOM]

I've just sold my E36 M3 convertible, a car I absolutely loved and am looking to replace it with another 'vert for the summer!

I ideally want RWD and a good power to weight ratio, the car does need to carry my young daughters about so it has to be reasonably sensible and cost no more than 15K.

I have a 996 C2 and a highly tuned EVO8 RS so it needs to be an exciting drive or it won't get used!!

Any ideas?

[mbutchers]

Dom - does such a car exist for £15k......

[Don]

mbutchers said:

Dom - does such a car exist for £15k......

Hard to think of one.

Boxster won't carry the kids. Every last four seat convertible I can think of is either a barge or a lot more than 15K.

You sold an M3 Convertible? But it did this job perfectly. Get another.

[wrn]

Especially now that E46s are not in that price range but rapidly getting nearer - they are a massive improvement on the E36... as we all know. Stretch the budget a little.

[shed17]

The only one I can think of is a SAAB 9-3

[sundiver]

Beyond the Saab...AutoTrader throws up this interesting example...

1994 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS 5.0 SL500,
2 Doors, Automatic, Convertible, Petrol, 38,476 miles, Silver, ABS, AirCon / Climate, Alloys, Central Locking, Cruise Control, Driver Airbag, Electric Windows, Leather Trim, PAS. Web: www.spaautocentre.co.uk. E-mail: [e-mail]. £14,999.

Also, what about those older Audi convertible - or are they all 4wd or fwd...?

[GTO3 DOM]

Thanks for the replies! I meant I only want a 2 seater, just need something not to extreme so I can take my 4 year old to school, swimming etc!! ie not a Caterham R500(I wish).

I do quite fancy a TVR Chimera 5.0 which you can pick up for 15K and I reckon is depreciation proof! Any comments on this option!!!

The problem with a 4 seater 'vert is you can't go over 40mph with the kids in the back!!

Cheers

[GTO3 DOM]

Whoops!

>> Edited by GTO3 DOM on Friday 31st March 10:20

[softinthehead]

mbutchers said:

Dom - does such a car exist for £15k......

of course it does. what a lack of imagination you lot are showing. gentleman, this is a porsche forum isnt it? so what about recommending a porsche?

a 944 cab, 944turbo cab or a 968 cab will all fit the bill, all have rear seats practical enough for small children. none will give quite the oomph perhaps of the M3 but will come very close. all are light so especially with the latter two the power to weight ratio will be sufficient for most needs. beautiful balance and handling, great looks (968),.

[Don]

GTO3 DOM said:

Thanks for the replies! I meant I only want a 2 seater, just need something not to extreme so I can take my 4 year old to school, swimming etc!! ie not a Caterham R500(I wish). I do quite fancy a TVR Chimera 5.0 which you can pick up for 15K and I reckon is depreciation proof! Any comments on this option!!! The problem with a 4 seater 'vert is you can't go over 40mph with the kids in the back!! Cheers

Get a Boxster. Should get a nice early one for £15K - given you don't need the rear seats.

I have a Box and a Chimaera. The Chimaera (whilst ace) will be significantly more fragile than the box. As for being depreciation proof - sadly not. But if you fancy one then get it and get it out of your system.

[softinthehead]

Don said:

Every last four seat convertible I can think of is either a barge or a lot more than 15K.

let me get the front strut replacement and geometry finished on my 968cab and come for a drive

[ICSD]

softinthehead said:

mbutchers said: Dom - does such a car exist for £15k...... of course it does. what a lack of imagination you lot are showing. gentleman, this is a porsche forum isnt it? so what about recommending a porsche? a 944 cab, 944turbo cab or a 968 cab will all fit the bill, all have rear seats practical enough for small children. none will give quite the oomph perhaps of the M3 but will come very close. all are light so especially with the latter two the power to weight ratio will be sufficient for most needs. beautiful balance and handling, great looks (968),.

Actually, for £15k you should be able to get a nice 3.2 or 964 cab. Or why not get a Targa and have the best of both worlds.

[burriana]

softinthehead said:

of course it does. what a lack of imagination you lot are showing. gentleman, this is a porsche forum isnt it? so what about recommending a porsche?a 944 cab, 944turbo cab or a 968 cab will all fit the bill

yep, that'd be a good choice - not so many about now and very little depreciation.

If you want the TVR, I would recommend the Griffith 500. Just superb and in hindsight I sometimes wish i still had mine
Also low depreciation.

[GTO3 DOM]

I'm not sure about a Boxster......I couldn't cope with 4 RMS changes a year!!! I have thought about a 944 Turbo and the 968 and am keeping them as options.

But I haven't thought about an older 911, I always fancied a nice 3.2 and hadn't relised that 964's were in my price bracket.....good call.

Another car I've always liked the look of is a Honda S2000, any views?

My brother used to own a Tuscan and had a nightmare with reliability, but this was mainly due to the straight 6 engine....I'm lead to believe that the V8 in the Chimaera is pretty bullet proof and I've always loved the burble of a lazy V8 engine.

Keep them coming..!

[Don]

GTO3 DOM said:

V8 in the Chimaera is pretty bullet proof

Ours hasn't been bad. Its not the engine that is the problem in the Chimaera. Its absolutely everything else. Don't get me wrong - its a great car and we love ours but if you think RMS problems rule out the Boxster you really have absolutely no clue what you're getting into with the Chim. They need a powerful lot of fettling. Yes its loud, proud and great fun to drive but one must be realistic about its maintenance requirements.

GTO3 DOM said:

Another car I've always liked the look of is a Honda S2000, any views?

Superb car. Test driven it - and loved it. Modern. Reliable. Fast.

Yes its not as good a car as a Boxster S. But it doesn't cost as much either. Is my Boxster S really £20K better than the S2K? No. No its not. I have a Boxster S because at the time I could afford one and its the one I wanted. Had I test driven an S2K against it at that time I might well have become a regular at the Honda owners club instead of the PCGB. Yes its that good.

[GTO3 DOM]

Cheers Don...just the sort of information I was looking for. I have got a good relationship with Honda London so might try and blag a S2K for a demo weekend....8250rpm red line sounds like fun!

I've been putting off test driving a Chim. as I know the romance will cloud my judgement.

Cheers

[g7jhp]

Does the car really have to carry your two daughters?

Or could you have a practical car to do that and a sports car as well.

Practical Car plus these options:

944 S2 Cab
944 Turbo Cab
968 Cab
Boxster
Z3M
Caterham 7
Lotus Elise
TVR Griffith
TVR Chimera

One car options (plus any of the aove which have 4 seats or spaces):

BMW M3 Cab
Audi A4 Cab
911 3.2 Carrera Cab
964 Carrera 2/4 Cab
Ferrair Mondial