ULEZ convertible for £5-8k?

[akirk]

I am looking at options for a runaround car which will mainly sit on the drive but occasionally be taken into Bristol or up to the Cotswolds / Shropshire - so needs:
- to be comfortable for up to 150mile journey
- to be ULEZ compliant
- needs to not leak if on the drive and not covered (unlike my old z3 which had issues over winter if not indoors) it can sit for a couple of weeks between uses - can stick it on a ctek charger if necessary
- happy with 2 doors or 4 but prefer 2 and a smaller car - have a couple of other cars when more people / cargo space is needed
- petrol
- prefer automatic as mainly town driving

current thoughts are:
- z4 (face lift with hard roof?)
- slk
- audi tt

don't really know anything about any of them or any alternatives, so recommendations welcomed

[junglie]

I would suggest the usual suspects:

Z4 - both E85 or E89
350Z
SLK 280 / 350 or even a leggy 55
BMW 125i / 135i

If you go 4 door then you start widening choice:

Audi S4
CLK 280 - 55
E350
BMW E63
Lexus IS250
Volvo C70

[ZX10R NIN]

akirk said:

I am looking at options for a runaround car which will mainly sit on the drive but occasionally be taken into Bristol or up to the Cotswolds / Shropshire - so needs:
- to be comfortable for up to 150mile journey
- to be ULEZ compliant
- needs to not leak if on the drive and not covered (unlike my old z3 which had issues over winter if not indoors) it can sit for a couple of weeks between uses - can stick it on a ctek charger if necessary
- happy with 2 doors or 4 but prefer 2 and a smaller car - have a couple of other cars when more people / cargo space is needed
- petrol
- prefer automatic as mainly town driving

current thoughts are:
- z4 (face lift with hard roof?)
- slk
- audi tt

don't really know anything about any of them or any alternatives, so recommendations welcomed

350Z great cars but the high tax can sting:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309061...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306299...

My pick would be the SLK 55 AMG (I'd remove the graphics on the one in the link & you'll have a cracking car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306068...

CLK55 AMG:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309222...

E350cgi:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309152...

Z4 35i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308281...

30i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308030...

TTS:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307189...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307219...

[akirk]

Thank you, some lovely thoughts there - esp. love that merc!

I think I need to get out and start looking!

[Jag_NE]

MX5 for supreme driving dynamics and a nice place to be.

You will look like a hardcore drug dealer though so be prepared for regular stop and searches.

The women will be like flies round st.

[Luke.]

Bought a 2010 SLK350 last December and absolutely love it. It's one of those cars that just works if you want something that's fun to drive, but you're not going to wring it's neck the whole time. Just a nice place to be and with over 300bhp, it's got the poke when you want it. Doesn't sound too shabby either. Big fan.

[maz8062]

You can get into an SLK 55 for that sort of budget and it’ll likely be a 2005 version with the cheaper tax, but I think a facelift 350 or even 280 would likely hit the mark.

[ChrisH72]

Hmmm can you really get into an slk55 for 5-8k?

The car linked by zx is by far the cheapest on AT at 8.5k, with the next being 13k. If you read the ad he's selling it cheap because it smokes on start up. It also states that 2k has just been spent and the previous owner spent 20k!! I think it's a brave man who buys that car and one who will need deep pockets. I'd get a lower powered one for that money.

[cerb4.5lee]

I'd go in the direction of the 350Z Roadster I think. They don't feel especially quick, but they make a lovely noise, and they have a fair bit of character I reckon as well. I'm a bit biased though, because I have a 370Z Roadster to be fair!

[akirk]

I have always been intrigued by the 350 / 370 but not sure I like the backside which looks a bit fat!

[Master Bean]

Named after a chocolate bar.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309111...

[akirk]

Master Bean said:

Named after a chocolate bar.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309111...

I think my preference is a two seater / small car though I do like Saabs and that really is good value for money! Difficult decisions…

[ChrisH72]

The most obvious choice for that budget is the mx5.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023072199...

Only problem being that you would prefer auto. They did make an auto mx5 NC but its very rare and probably not worth it.

[akirk]

ChrisH72 said:

The most obvious choice for that budget is the mx5.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023072199...

Only problem being that you would prefer auto. They did make an auto mx5 NC but its very rare and probably not worth it.

That looks stunning - I don’t mind manual just that in town auto is easier…

[ChrisH72]

This Z4 looks good at that price.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023082010...

With the SLK you could just about get into the later shape one for your money.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023082110...

Or there's more choice of the previous generation with a larger engine.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023061786...

[cerb4.5lee]

akirk said:

I have always been intrigued by the 350 / 370 but not sure I like the backside which looks a bit fat!

They are fat arsed cars I agree. When you are up close to them the rear end looks massive! I do personally like the overall shape of them though.

[akirk]

cerb4.5lee said:

akirk said:

I have always been intrigued by the 350 / 370 but not sure I like the backside which looks a bit fat!

They are fat arsed cars I agree. When you are up close to them the rear end looks massive! I do personally like the overall shape of them though.

Having just sold an f-type neighbours might think that my car has had bottom implants!

[Venisonpie]

I'd be looking at an R230 SL (I am biased here) - not necessarily this one but an example of what your budget could achieve. The 3.5 315bhp engine is the later one and not subject to balancer shaft issues.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309222...

[akirk]

Venisonpie said:

I'd be looking at an R230 SL (I am biased here) - not necessarily this one but an example of what your budget could achieve. The 3.5 315bhp engine is the later one and not subject to balancer shaft issues.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309222...

that is a lot of car for the money, however I think I would prefer a slightly smaller car for ease of parking…

[Luke.]

akirk said:

that is a lot of car for the money, however I think I would prefer a slightly smaller car for ease of parking…

<cough> SLK <cough>...