Discussion
I’ve always been into cars, and definitely appreciate the nice ones - however, currently my motor is a 2017 A3 e-tron which does have almost all the options I wanted but isn’t exactly... exciting.
I saw my godfather for dinner last night, and he kept telling me to get a Boxster for the weekend - I’ve decided that I’m in a position to get a second car but am a bit skeptical of a boxster, I think the gen 1 looks a bit girly imho (didn’t want to tell him that as he’s had 3 but currently has a 69-plate speedster!)
I’ve been looking at R320 SL350s, and they seem to have absolutely bottomed out in value. Found a nice-looking one a few miles away with 90k miles and a full service history for £4.5k which I’m going to go see.
I’m also looking at old 944 cabrio’s, which would be nice albeit I’m struggling to find one in my price range that runs!
Anyone have any other recommendations? My criteria are:
1) convertible
2) won’t depreciate much more
3) not too ruinous to run (hence no SL500 as I don’t want to pay 1k to repair the hydraulic suspension)
4) not too ruinous to buy - like 7k max, but honestly the less the better.
Thanks in advance!
I saw my godfather for dinner last night, and he kept telling me to get a Boxster for the weekend - I’ve decided that I’m in a position to get a second car but am a bit skeptical of a boxster, I think the gen 1 looks a bit girly imho (didn’t want to tell him that as he’s had 3 but currently has a 69-plate speedster!)
I’ve been looking at R320 SL350s, and they seem to have absolutely bottomed out in value. Found a nice-looking one a few miles away with 90k miles and a full service history for £4.5k which I’m going to go see.
I’m also looking at old 944 cabrio’s, which would be nice albeit I’m struggling to find one in my price range that runs!
Anyone have any other recommendations? My criteria are:
1) convertible
2) won’t depreciate much more
3) not too ruinous to run (hence no SL500 as I don’t want to pay 1k to repair the hydraulic suspension)
4) not too ruinous to buy - like 7k max, but honestly the less the better.
Thanks in advance!
When going for the SL I'd go for the 05 with the more modern interior it also means you get sensible tax costs.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104141...
If you don't mind something smaller the SLK280 is a very good option:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104101...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010084...
You can get a 350 but some early cars can suffer with balancer shaft issues so do your checks:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104111...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007131...
If you want to get your 500 fix but without the borkage take a look at the CLK500 they're often overlooked because people go straight for the 55, but you can bag a good one for sensible money & once you drop all the windows away & open the sunroof it'll feel like you're in a convertible. Plus much less chance of borkage vs any convertible.
CLK500
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-CLK-500-V8-AVA...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Mercedes-Benz-CLK-...
630i Convertible
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104071...
3.2 TT great V6 but you pay for the privilege.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103310...
Manual
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103210...
350Z very good handling with a nice grunty V6 these have bottomed out & are slightly on the rise.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104111...
Z4 3.0i SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104141...
If you don't mind something smaller the SLK280 is a very good option:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104101...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010084...
You can get a 350 but some early cars can suffer with balancer shaft issues so do your checks:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104111...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007131...
If you want to get your 500 fix but without the borkage take a look at the CLK500 they're often overlooked because people go straight for the 55, but you can bag a good one for sensible money & once you drop all the windows away & open the sunroof it'll feel like you're in a convertible. Plus much less chance of borkage vs any convertible.
CLK500
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-CLK-500-V8-AVA...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Mercedes-Benz-CLK-...
630i Convertible
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104071...
3.2 TT great V6 but you pay for the privilege.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103310...
Manual
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103210...
350Z very good handling with a nice grunty V6 these have bottomed out & are slightly on the rise.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104111...
Z4 3.0i SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...
The default answer surely has to be an MX5. A mk1 for £5k from one of the specialist importers will net you a fantastic example that will probably go up in value and are easy to look after.
No experience of, but the mk3 MR2 must be a good shout and for a bit of left field how about an Alfa GTV Spyder? E36 328/325/323 cab would be more classic, but cheap and still to my eyes look great? Golf GTI convertible? a classic all day long and another easy to look after and only likely to increase in value if well maintained?
No experience of, but the mk3 MR2 must be a good shout and for a bit of left field how about an Alfa GTV Spyder? E36 328/325/323 cab would be more classic, but cheap and still to my eyes look great? Golf GTI convertible? a classic all day long and another easy to look after and only likely to increase in value if well maintained?
MG TF hasn't been mentioned yet or a Mini Cooper S Roadster (the right colour is vital to stop you looking girly but these are great fun, well my Coupe is). You could get a Volvo C70 but they won't be fun in the fling it around a corner sense, but rather nice to waft around with the roof down.
I'll add in the mix the e46 330ci.
You can get in manual/auto.
I've had a couple and they are not ruinous to run. Parts are relatively cheap and its actually fairly easy to work on yourself if you have a set of spanners. Most jobs are accessible and fairly simple to do.
Yes they are a bit older now but honestly, i still think its a great design and a very lovely car to enjoy.
The 3.0 engine is a peach. Likes to be rev'd. Sounds lovely with the top down and is genuinely quite nice to drive. Being rwd, it flows well on country roads without being a hooligan. Controllable. Not the last in steering feedback and maybe a little harder in suspension than some of the others mentioned. But its certainly worth a look.
The auto is ok too. Not brilliant, but it keeps up well and changes well enough for a spirited drive, i found my auto suited the car quite well. Though less engaging than the manual of course. It just made for a more relaxed country drive.
As well as there being adequate room in the back should you need it. Boot is not too bad either, even with the roof down.
Watch out for worn bushes/control arms. Watch out for rust. Boot floor shouldn't be an issue with the 330 so that should be fine.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104141...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008142...
You can get in manual/auto.
I've had a couple and they are not ruinous to run. Parts are relatively cheap and its actually fairly easy to work on yourself if you have a set of spanners. Most jobs are accessible and fairly simple to do.
Yes they are a bit older now but honestly, i still think its a great design and a very lovely car to enjoy.
The 3.0 engine is a peach. Likes to be rev'd. Sounds lovely with the top down and is genuinely quite nice to drive. Being rwd, it flows well on country roads without being a hooligan. Controllable. Not the last in steering feedback and maybe a little harder in suspension than some of the others mentioned. But its certainly worth a look.
The auto is ok too. Not brilliant, but it keeps up well and changes well enough for a spirited drive, i found my auto suited the car quite well. Though less engaging than the manual of course. It just made for a more relaxed country drive.
As well as there being adequate room in the back should you need it. Boot is not too bad either, even with the roof down.
Watch out for worn bushes/control arms. Watch out for rust. Boot floor shouldn't be an issue with the 330 so that should be fine.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104141...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008142...
stevekoz said:
I'll add in the mix the e46 330ci.
Surely for a weekend toy a sports car would be preferable, the OP already has an everyday car.The Boxster, Z4, MX5 etc are all two seater sports cars, yes they may not be a powerful or "fast" as a BMW 3 series but they will be more involving to drive at everyday speeds and with the roof down they will be more fun from the get go.
Most people seem to equate "powerful" and "fast" with being fun, for me there is much more to it and often a slower car on paper can be much more fun that something that is "faster". Take for example my previous two weekend cars a Westfield XI with a 1275cc A Series engine and an Ultima GTR with a 6200cc LS engine. The Westfield was an absolute joy to drive, on track I could old school 4 wheel drift round the bends conserving as much momentum as possible (that and the brakes were woeful!). The Ultima was blindingly quick but I enjoyed the XI so much more, I think buyers remorse set in after a week.
I was in a very similar position last year, was considering an MX5 or a Z4 but ended up buying a Z3 2.8. It's not for everyone but I absolutely love it. Having owned nothing but dull auto saloons for years now, to get out in the sun with the roof down and enjoy an old school straight 6 is a special thing. Decent examples are starting to climb in price now as well so although I've no plans to ever sell it, I'd be surprised if it's ever worth less than I paid for it.
johnjamesjack said:
I’ve always been into cars, and definitely appreciate the nice ones - however, currently my motor is a 2017 A3 e-tron which does have almost all the options I wanted but isn’t exactly... exciting.
I saw my godfather for dinner last night, and he kept telling me to get a Boxster for the weekend - I’ve decided that I’m in a position to get a second car but am a bit skeptical of a boxster, I think the gen 1 looks a bit girly imho (didn’t want to tell him that as he’s had 3 but currently has a 69-plate speedster!)
I’ve been looking at R320 SL350s, and they seem to have absolutely bottomed out in value. Found a nice-looking one a few miles away with 90k miles and a full service history for £4.5k which I’m going to go see.
I’m also looking at old 944 cabrio’s, which would be nice albeit I’m struggling to find one in my price range that runs!
Anyone have any other recommendations? My criteria are:
1) convertible
2) won’t depreciate much more
3) not too ruinous to run (hence no SL500 as I don’t want to pay 1k to repair the hydraulic suspension)
4) not too ruinous to buy - like 7k max, but honestly the less the better.
Thanks in advance!
I saw my godfather for dinner last night, and he kept telling me to get a Boxster for the weekend - I’ve decided that I’m in a position to get a second car but am a bit skeptical of a boxster, I think the gen 1 looks a bit girly imho (didn’t want to tell him that as he’s had 3 but currently has a 69-plate speedster!)
I’ve been looking at R320 SL350s, and they seem to have absolutely bottomed out in value. Found a nice-looking one a few miles away with 90k miles and a full service history for £4.5k which I’m going to go see.
I’m also looking at old 944 cabrio’s, which would be nice albeit I’m struggling to find one in my price range that runs!
Anyone have any other recommendations? My criteria are:
1) convertible
2) won’t depreciate much more
3) not too ruinous to run (hence no SL500 as I don’t want to pay 1k to repair the hydraulic suspension)
4) not too ruinous to buy - like 7k max, but honestly the less the better.
Thanks in advance!
Edited by Cakey Pig on Wednesday 21st April 09:21
MKnight702 said:
Surely for a weekend toy a sports car would be preferable, the OP already has an everyday car.
The Boxster, Z4, MX5 etc are all two seater sports cars, yes they may not be a powerful or "fast" as a BMW 3 series but they will be more involving to drive at everyday speeds and with the roof down they will be more fun from the get go.
Most people seem to equate "powerful" and "fast" with being fun, for me there is much more to it and often a slower car on paper can be much more fun that something that is "faster". Take for example my previous two weekend cars a Westfield XI with a 1275cc A Series engine and an Ultima GTR with a 6200cc LS engine. The Westfield was an absolute joy to drive, on track I could old school 4 wheel drift round the bends conserving as much momentum as possible (that and the brakes were woeful!). The Ultima was blindingly quick but I enjoyed the XI so much more, I think buyers remorse set in after a week.
I don't disagree at all. I didn't think i'd stated that it was powerful or fast and i certainly don't equate that to fun necessarily. However, i thought it was at least comparable with some of the Mercedes listed.I love the cars you mention - westfield is an excellent example of balance, poise, noise, fun. It is more than the sum of its parts. The Boxster, Z4, MX5 etc are all two seater sports cars, yes they may not be a powerful or "fast" as a BMW 3 series but they will be more involving to drive at everyday speeds and with the roof down they will be more fun from the get go.
Most people seem to equate "powerful" and "fast" with being fun, for me there is much more to it and often a slower car on paper can be much more fun that something that is "faster". Take for example my previous two weekend cars a Westfield XI with a 1275cc A Series engine and an Ultima GTR with a 6200cc LS engine. The Westfield was an absolute joy to drive, on track I could old school 4 wheel drift round the bends conserving as much momentum as possible (that and the brakes were woeful!). The Ultima was blindingly quick but I enjoyed the XI so much more, I think buyers remorse set in after a week.
The definition of what makes a "sports" car could be a debate for the ages. I don't think the 330ci is necessarily a sports car, but i don't necessarily think it is not worth mentioning. I think it can offer a nice sense of something a bit special of the weekend, roof down, sun out, peach of an engine that likes to be rev'd and it isn't all that fast, especially in todays standards. Just another option that may be worth consideration. OP may think its not sporty enough etc. That is fine also.
I guess Its interesting to see everyone's ideas and opinions of what fit the bill, as always with these threads, they are open to each our interpretation right. Which is a good thing because we all have different answers for the same question 9/10 times.
Hopefully someone's answer here, mine or otherwise, will give the OP food for thought.
I'd go for this, or something like it, unlikely to lose too much value either and one of the nicest cabins in any car IMHO.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-Toyota-MR2-MK2-Rev...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-Toyota-MR2-MK2-Rev...
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