Need a ragtop with a usable back seat.

[Duke]

I'm looking to buy a convertible for my wife in the next year or so. It needs to be reliable and fun to drive but not an ultimate performance machine. Most importantly, it needs to handle two normal-size "young adults" in the back seat, since we'll likely be keeping it a while (I consider 10 years a while).

Any suggestions?

[edit] Just to head off you smart alecs out there, the budget is around $25,000. We all know what a nice car the 360 Spyder is... [/edit]

 

[MistaY]

Maybe the Audi A4 cabrio?

I've seen a few of these around and they look pretty nice and I havent heard anything bad said about it yet. Also it should last a while, being an audi and all.

The 1.8t Quattro isn't badly priced, although these aren't the us prices.
http://www.audi.co.uk/newcars/range.jsp?section=/models/cabriolet

 

[sn00pie]

How about a Volvo C70?

I believe the diesels and 2.4's go for $15 - $21k.

 

[-Fred-]

Does it need to be new?

Seats four, fun to drive and reliable, and under 25k!

 

[Duke]

No, it doesn't need to be new. In fact, that's one of the cars I'm looking at. 2000-up m/y, automatic trans, less around 40,000 miles would be cool.

 

[Jugend]

As a swede I've read a lot about the SAAB cvt and it's a good car but when it comes to driving all the articles says that it handles like a boat. This is the previous generation, not the brand new 9-3 convertible which is the opposite, both good handling and comfortable. So my advice if you want one that's fun to drive, don't buy a SAAB, go for the audi, volvo or why not the new peugeot 307 cc with a real roof like the slk or 206 cc.
It will soon be available in europe for 29k$ and up. Mabye a bit above the 25k$ but anyway

/D

 

[Duke]

Originally posted by sn00pie
How about a Volvo C70?

I believe the diesels and 2.4's go for $15 - $21k.

GTJugend, thank you for the tip but I'm located in the United States... no Peugots.

I have a stupid question about the newer Volvos, though - are they FWD or RWD? All the used-car ads I've seen just say "2 wheel drive". So far the Volvos appear to be the value price leaders, though they are not too common around here.

Thaks guys, keep 'em coming!

 

[MistaY]

Originally posted by sn00pie
How about a Volvo?

Oh that's just your answer to everything.

 

[boombexus]

Hey Duke!

Chevy Cavalier,
Pontiac Sunfire
VW Cabrio or Bug
Chrystler Seabring
Toyota Camary Solara
Mercedes CLK 430
Pontiac Firebird (not sure if this seats 4 though0
Mitsubishi Eclipse

All of these vehicles mentioned should seat 4 fairly comfortably and all fall in the price range you specified, if not new at least used.

Hope it helps.

 

[Jugend]

Neon_duke, ah too bad they don't sell them over there..

All new Volvos is FWD or some 4WD, the last RWD was the S/V 90 which went out of production a few years ago.

/D

 

[Gil]

Duke
Your a Mopar guy. What about the Sebring?
Otherwise I think an older 3-series Bimmer would be the car of choice.

 

[Duke]

Originally posted by boombexus
Chevy Cavalier, Pontiac Sunfire

I wouldn't be caught dead in a J-body. Besides, I specified fun to drive.

VW Cabrio or Bug

Maybe. I'd have to check the fun factor. I'm also not certain I want to pay the overhead to be part of the VW subculture.

Chrysler Sebring

.
The first-gens are gorgeous but mediocre to drive. The second-gens are mediocre looking but nice to drive. They're the strongest candidate in the new car field but I want to see what I can find with <40,000 miles on it for the same 25 kilobucks.

Toyota Camary Solara

A bit dull to look at. Haven't driven a Camry in quite some time so I'd have to see just how dull it is. All reports seem to say this car drives too floppily.

Mercedes CLK 430

Hadn't considered that, but it would take a mighty good deal on a mighty nice M/B for me to forgive the raping that Daimler gave Chrysler a few years back, and that is still in progress. Even though used car $$ won't be going back to Der Vaterland.

Pontiac Firebird (not sure if this seats 4 though)

In name it does, in actuality, no. The Mustang is a little better.

Mitsubishi Eclipse

Every one of these I've seen is driven by a 40-something bottle blonde, bought with the alimony checks from her ex-husband in revenge for being ditched in favor of a 30-something trophy wife, and who never put the top down. That, or by guys who haven't figured out they are gay yet.

All of these vehicles mentioned should seat 4 fairly comfortably and all fall in the price range you specified, if not new at least used. Hope it helps.

Sarcastic responses aside, yes, it helped! Thanks.

 

[Gil]

You could go with a Jeep Wrangler.

 

[duo17]

I have had the chance to sit in the back of my friends Wrangler yesterday. Very uncomfortable. Plus, you have to stop (which you do for any convertable) and get out to put the top back on.

Duke: When exactly do you want to buy this? I know you want that Solara. You can get a nicely equipped convertable for your budget.

OA

 

[Duke]

Eh, by next spring. Earlier if I find a fantastic deal. Honestly I know nothing about the Solara except what I've seen on commercials and car lots.

Gil, remember when I ran across that red Bimmer last summer? That was a deal I should not have passed up. The Wrangler is very expensive for what you get in a street vehicle... and I don't need something off-road capable.

So far on paper the C70 is shaping up as the best deal in a 2-3 year old car.

 

[Famine]

I hate to say it, but my vote is with the C70 Vulva...

Mind you, that means giving your money to the big blue oval...

 

[duo17]

I know that the Camrys are reliable. We have had ours for 5 years now and it has over 200k miles on it (from the commute to D.C every day). We haven't had any big problems with it yet (we did lose a hub cap...). I don't know much about the new Solaras, but I did find this site that gives you most of the specs.

OA

 

[Naoki]

Originally posted by neon_duke
I wouldn't be caught dead in a J-body. Besides, I specified fun to drive.
...

Ssshhh!! misnblu might read that!!!

 

[Frustrated Palm]

Mustang Convertible (????)
Camaro Convertible (dont know if it seats 4)


If not a car, Jeep Gran Cherokee's are nice. Its not too SUV-ish, it has a good engine, lots of space, and it doesnt guzzle gas like those other SUV's that have had too much Miricle Grow. Yeahm its not a Convertible, but they are pretty good vehicles. My mom is thinking of getting one. Maybe the last Gen...

 

[Gil]

Originally posted by neon_duke
Eh, by next spring. Earlier if I find a fantastic deal. Honestly I know nothing about the Solara except what I've seen on commercials and car lots.

Gil, remember when I ran across that red Bimmer last summer? That was a deal I should not have passed up. The Wrangler is very expensive for what you get in a street vehicle... and I don't need something off-road capable.

So far on paper the C70 is shaping up as the best deal in a 2-3 year old car.

I truly, truly feel your pain. I found a 240sx last year that I liked, could have afforded, (perhaps). The only drawback for me was the color, and my wife wanted a new van.

I could make you cry, on the great deals on guitars that I've passed up.

 

[Cano]

Originally posted by Frustrated Palm
Mustang Convertible (????)
Camaro Convertible (dont know if it seats 4)

I was going to sugest something like that, but a little older.... as the classic car freak I am, why not gettin an old 50s 0r 60s convert car? it wouldnt seat 4, but about 57676 people comfortably, they are reliable if taken well care of, and, my god, for 25k, you can get your hands on a perfect one!!!

Cano

yeah, you cant compare the reliability with a C70, but you cant compare the charm either (:

 

[Frustrated Palm]

Yeah, the classic cars are fun. You see lots of people, older people wave and brings back memories. Plus its fun if you fix it up yourself .

Though Its not old, I wish I could get my hands on a Boyd's Smoothster ...

 

[Cano]

Originally posted by Frustrated Palm
Yeah, the classic cars are fun. You see lots of people, older people wave and brings back memories. Plus its fun if you fix it up yourself .

Though Its not old, I wish I could get my hands on a Boyd's Smoothster ...

a Smootshter?? YAY!! is it the 37 or the 32 ford? well, whatever it is, yeah, it would be awesome to have one of those. Id paint it primer black and add some radir wheels to it, and a big bad hemi underhood. I dont want no stinkin small block chevy!! ah, it would be a blast... but you'd need some 25k PLUS a 100k to get it built :/

Cano

 

[Frustrated Palm]

The New Z Roadster? Dont know if that's about 25K, seems more to 30K.

Yeah, I admire Boyd Connington's (sp) work. Really nice. 👍 I have the Smoothster Model. I never finished it. Its in the garage I think...

 

[duo17]

The 350z is a two seater. He needs a usable back seat.


OA

 

[Duke]

Originally posted by Cano
I was going to sugest something like that, but a little older.... as the classic car freak I am, why not gettin an old 50s 0r 60s convert car?

I'll trot out my picture one more time:

It's a great idea, but I've got one of those already and don't have time to take care of it like I should as it is. It's got 270,000 on the clock. When I've got another 10 grand to spare, this thing's getting stripped, patched, and painted.

You're right, with that money I could get something fabulous in a classic car. But I'm looking for something that is modern, dead-nut reliable, and warm and dry in the winter, for my wife.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by neon_duke

Any suggestions?

Two-year-old Volvo C70, in copper/gold (or whatever, just stay away from light-coloured convertible tops, they're no treat). Trust me.

 

[Frustrated Palm]

Originally posted by duo17
The 350z is a two seater. He needs a usable back seat.


OA

What's the back seat for? (hint, hint )...

 

[GilesGuthrie]

The Volvo's a good option because the initial depreciation is lemming-like, so you can pick up a 24-30 month old one for squat.

If you have any kind of winter, you'll probably want to look at a Saab, because they're actually very good cars, if not as ultimately sharp as a 3-series.

I would probably consider the BMW, although it would have to be a six-pot. I would also look at the various grades/ages of Audi cabrios that you could get in the price range.

Oh, and on the Beetle issue, check this image out from the current issue of Sniff Petrol...

 

[Gil]

Great "Goat" Duke. Is it a 389 tri-power?