Cheap convertible ~£1500

[dtulip8]

As title says really. Looking for a cheap, fun convertible to peddle about in over summer. I love the MG TF, but worry slightly that being 6ft 5 (but built like two bits of spaghetti) I’ll struggle to fit! Will I be ok in a TF? Any alternatives (no MX5’s please as I know for a fact I don’t fit). Weirdly I do fit in a Ford StreetKa just fine.

[ZX10R NIN]

Z4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304306...

A4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205125...

[anonymous-user]

Saab 9-3 or Volvo c70 mk1, cheap, stylish.

[bearman68]

I have a real bug bear with the 9-3, in that it won't let you run the heater with the roof down. WTF is that all about? Shame really.

I love a MR2 roadster. Blissful handling

[7 5 7]

Megane convertible (not really sporty, but) I would consider, classy looking things in my opinion and very on budget.

[ADJimbo]

Vauxhall Astra TwinTop - £1,5k to £2,0k will will get you into a nice example. Cheap to run, simple and parts a-plenty.

[JungTheForeman]

bearman68 said:

I have a real bug bear with the 9-3, in that it won't let you run the heater with the roof down. WTF is that all about? Shame really.

I love a MR2 roadster. Blissful handling

huh? My 2004 9-3 Aero definitely allows you to use the heater with the roof down. Keeps it toasty.

[ZiggyNiva]

bearman68 said:

I have a real bug bear with the 9-3, in that it won't let you run the heater with the roof down. WTF is that all about? Shame really.

I love a MR2 roadster. Blissful handling

Which model 9-3 is that? The OG certainly does. I can't commment on the NG. Comment above mine suggests the NG does also
edit: google suggests the heater works on the NG, but in manual mode and not auto climate. This makes sense as it would be trying to cool / heat the world if it was using a sensor.

Edited by ZiggyNiva on Tuesday 9th May 09:23

[dtulip8]

Some good shouts in here guys, liking the Saab suggestions a lot! Have got a TF lined up for a test drive so will be able to see if I fit as well. Thanks again

[Jamescrs]

As a tall guy myself at 6ft4 I feel your pain here, cars i've tried:

Mk1 MX-5 Can't get my legs under the steering wheel
MK2 MX-5 I can drive this somewhat comfortably but I feel i'm too tall body wise for it
MK3 MX-5 This is a good size car and I am comfortable in these with room to spare

Mk3 Toyota MR-2 Comfortable enough, no issues with the space in these

986 Boxster plenty of space in these, a comfortable to drive but over the budget.

[Collectingbrass]

You'll probably find a Z4 too short for you, I'm 6' 2" and I could do with a seat a bit further back than it can go. It might be worth looking at a BMW 3 series or Audi A4 convertible along side the SAAB.

[Uncle boshy]

dtulip8 said:

Some good shouts in here guys, liking the Saab suggestions a lot! Have got a TF lined up for a test drive so will be able to see if I fit as well. Thanks again

I suspect, having owned one, that you'll be too big. it is possible to get some lowering springs to drop the seat height a little.

fingers crossed for you - for the money they are pretty good fun

[dtulip8]

Ah the joys of being tall! MK3 MR2 is interesting, forgot about those. An E46 3 series would be cool as well, especially in 6 cylinder format.

[healeyneil]

Collectingbrass - did the Z4 have electric adjustment for the seats? It seems to reduce total movement . At 6’2” also, I fit mine fine, with its manual ( but heated) seats

[anonymous-user]

bearman68 said:

I have a real bug bear with the 9-3, in that it won't let you run the heater with the roof down. WTF is that all about? Shame really.

I love a MR2 roadster. Blissful handling

Having owned one I can tell you I am very suprised at that given the many sub zero top down jaunts with the heater blasting full and heated seats on we has!!

[anonymous-user]

Uncle boshy said:

dtulip8 said:

Some good shouts in here guys, liking the Saab suggestions a lot! Have got a TF lined up for a test drive so will be able to see if I fit as well. Thanks again

I suspect, having owned one, that you'll be too big. it is possible to get some lowering springs to drop the seat height a little.

fingers crossed for you - for the money they are pretty good fun

Loafs of space in original c70, and such an elegant design. Bit creaky these days but any model is a great wafty drop top.

[C70R]

Collectingbrass said:

You'll probably find a Z4 too short for you, I'm 6' 2" and I could do with a seat a bit further back than it can go. It might be worth looking at a BMW 3 series or Audi A4 convertible along side the SAAB.

Really? I'm 6ft3 and fit really well in a Z4, with enough room for a crash helmet comfortably. My seat isn't even all the way back.

[anonymous-user]

C70R said:

Collectingbrass said:

You'll probably find a Z4 too short for you, I'm 6' 2" and I could do with a seat a bit further back than it can go. It might be worth looking at a BMW 3 series or Audi A4 convertible along side the SAAB.

Really? I'm 6ft3 and fit really well in a Z4, with enough room for a crash helmet comfortably. My seat isn't even all the way back.

Depends how that 6ft plus is made up. Just because somebody of the same height is comfy in a car doesn't mean everybody of that height will be. I'm not even 6ft but am a large chap and I found my StreetKa snug but comfy, OP says he fits one easily and is much taller than I am for instance

[E63eeeeee...]

dtulip8 said:

Ah the joys of being tall! MK3 MR2 is interesting, forgot about those. An E46 3 series would be cool as well, especially in 6 cylinder format.

I don't think you'll get one for 1500 quid though, or at least not one you don't immediately have to spend the same amount again on. They're quite complicated 20 year old cars that passed the bottom of their price curve about 3 years ago.

I'm 6'3" with long arms and legs and I fit in my E46s pretty well. Great cars, but at this stage they are not exactly low maintenance.

[bearman68]

biggbn said:

bearman68 said:

I have a real bug bear with the 9-3, in that it won't let you run the heater with the roof down. WTF is that all about? Shame really.

I love a MR2 roadster. Blissful handling

Having owned one I can tell you I am very suprised at that given the many sub zero top down jaunts with the heater blasting full and heated seats on we has!!

Bugger, I wonder if there is something wrong with either my operation of the heater (Duhh), or the car itself. It's completely pissed me off for ages, so maybe it's just mine. And to be fair, it doesn't seem like something Saab would do.... BMW or Mercedes on the other hand...