Which "Sporty" 4 seat coupe/soft-top - around £4k...
Which "Sporty" 4 seat coupe/soft-top - around £4k...
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Discussion

Steve in Stoke

Original Poster:

6,387 posts

200 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
quotequote all
A friend of mine has an R reg Golf Cabrio that is on its last legs, and overdue a trade in. She is a bit of a petrolhead, but has 3 kids 7-11 age range to consider, but they also love the roof being down as well.
It will be a daily drive for a 30 mile commute in all weathers, and a long motorway run every other week for business, no older than 6/7 years old, and around the £4k mark.

She did look at an 04 Hyundai Coupe, but it sold before she had the chance to view, but really has the topless urge - so to speak!

A 4 seat MX5 would be ideal if one existed, but not keen on BMWs at this price range, so what else is out there? I've seen a few leggy Saab convertibles fall into this price range, but also Astra softtops and a couple of Alfa GTV's and some 307CC's

What other alternatives are out there that fit this vague spec?!

Thanks in advance chaps!

Edited by Steve in Stoke on Tuesday 8th February 02:29

The Moose

23,418 posts

225 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
quotequote all
An idea of budget might help your cause wink

Cheers

The Moose

Steve in Stoke

Original Poster:

6,387 posts

200 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
quotequote all
around £4k in the title wink

But yeah, I'll edit main post to clarify!

Just seen some Toyota Celicas that may tick the right boxes... lick

The Moose

23,418 posts

225 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
quotequote all
Steve in Stoke said:
around £4k in the title wink

But yeah, I'll edit main post to clarify!

Just seen some Toyota Celicas that may tick the right boxes... lick
Corr - who the hell would put the price in the title rolleyeswink

I know it's not cool, but a Saab of some sort I imagine would fit most of the bill?

Same as before? Golf cab?

Beetle drop top?

Slightly older Audi A4 or similar?

This could be interesting... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

HTH

Cheers

The Moose

redgriff500

28,977 posts

279 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
quotequote all
Personally I'd try to convince them to drop the age requirement and buy an E36 BMW or an Audi, a lot more car for the money and won't depreciate much either.

varsas

4,070 posts

218 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
quotequote all
Astra soft tops are awful, I was looking once and they are pretty horrible. Dark cheap and nasty interior, drive badly (despite the hatches being reasonable) ugh. Hyundai Coupe's are also pretty bad, it's like trying to drive a postbox and they handle just like any other FWD normal car. Imagine driving a Vectra you can't see out of. Not nice.

mnkiboy

4,409 posts

182 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
quotequote all
Not in any way sporty but there are plenty of Renault Megane convertibles around at that price.

Volvo C70?

Pulse

10,922 posts

234 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
quotequote all
varsas said:
Astra soft tops are awful, I was looking once and they are pretty horrible. Dark cheap and nasty interior, drive badly (despite the hatches being reasonable) ugh. Hyundai Coupe's are also pretty bad, it's like trying to drive a postbox and they handle just like any other FWD normal car. Imagine driving a Vectra you can't see out of. Not nice.
The same can be said for the Astra Twintop too! Awful handling!

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

206 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
quotequote all
Steve in Stoke said:
A friend of mine has an R reg Golf Cabrio that is on its last legs, and overdue a trade in. She is a bit of a petrolhead, but has 3 kids 7-11 age range to consider, but they also love the roof being down as well.
It will be a daily drive for a 30 mile commute in all weathers, and a long motorway run every other week for business, no older than 6/7 years old, and around the £4k mark.

She did look at an 04 Hyundai Coupe, but it sold before she had the chance to view, but really has the topless urge - so to speak!

A 4 seat MX5 would be ideal if one existed, but not keen on BMWs at this price range, so what else is out there? I've seen a few leggy Saab convertibles fall into this price range, but also Astra softtops and a couple of Alfa GTV's and some 307CC's

What other alternatives are out there that fit this vague spec?!

Thanks in advance chaps!

Edited by Steve in Stoke on Tuesday 8th February 02:29
So is it 4 or 5 seats that are really needed?

I agree with another poster about the age. Setting a too tough a target in age & spec vs budget will never be a winner.

If it's a 4 seat coupe, then the Mazda RX-8 should be on the list, although mpg might be a bit harsh for them.

A tidy sorted e30 BMW convertible might be worth a look too.

And not sure if these are in budget or not, but I think they look fab.


g3org3y

21,629 posts

207 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
quotequote all
Forget the age thing and job jobbed imo.

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2427205.htm





At 4k, she should be able to get a fully loaded 328i cabrio in good condition.

redgriff500

28,977 posts

279 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
quotequote all
Just had a quick look and you can get E46 320 convertibles from £4500 - bargain IMO.

whoneedsbrakes

3 posts

174 months

Sunday 27th February 2011
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Thanks for the help everyone - the search continues to replace my car on "it's last legs"...hmmm.

And thanks for the post Steve in Stoke!

Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

262 months

Sunday 27th February 2011
quotequote all
redgriff500 said:
buy an E36 BMW
^^^^^^^^ This

Jw Vw

4,883 posts

179 months

Sunday 27th February 2011
quotequote all
Ozzie Osmond said:
redgriff500 said:
buy an E36 BMW
^^^^^^^^ This
+1 for the E36, or maybe a Saab 9-3 or a Volvo C70?

whoneedsbrakes

3 posts

174 months

Sunday 27th February 2011
quotequote all
I'm going to have a look at those now actually. The roof is starting to leak on the golf so it's game over, as it's just not worth replacing that smile