2 seater convertible options 4-8k. Ideas please

[CTO]

Dear all,

After a solid seven years of running increasingly poor value leases

Merc E220 AMG premium plus Cab for same price as Audi A5 TFSI 40 cab to now the same price as Peugeot 2008… we have decided to leave the leasing game.

We are planning to buy something outright, run it for a couple of years max and put some money back in our dwindling/dwindled post house build coffers..

I have had a search on here as I sure the topic has come up previously, but the search engine is still SNAFU and google keeps sending me down rabbit holes..

Mainly for my wife to drive, but I will drive it occasionally weekends.

Main requirements are below
2 seats
Hard top Cab
Reasonably frugal and not mega power/handful in the wet
Capable of 240 miles a week in commuting during a 3 day working week, 80 mpd,along rural A roads
Auto
Occasional long journeys down south @300 mile round trips.
Comfortable ride and ok for fairly rural roads
Heated seats
Reasonable tax bracket
“Pretty”

Budget
4k - 8k with a bit of top end flex for the right car.

To give an idea, the OH has seen a 2008 SLK200 for sale locally @4k, and likes the look of it. I have said to take a bit of time, try some options and test drive a few different types.

We are located on the Worcestershire/Shropshire border (nr Kidderminster) if that is of any help.

So, over to the PH massive… your help and suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks all.

Edited by CTO on Sunday 1st December 22:44

[paddy1970]

Mazda MX-5 (NC or ND with Power Retractable Hard Top - PRHT): The NC model with the PRHT could fit the budget. It is less luxurious than the SLK but more engaging to drive. The ND might be slightly over budget unless higher mileage.


BMW Z4 (E85/E89): The E85 (2002–2008) is within your budget, though the newer E89 (2009–2016) with the retractable hard top might require stretching to the upper end.

[ZX10R NIN]

2.0t Z28i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410235...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411035...

R172 SLK350:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411176...

171 SLK300 with the air scarf seats:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411096...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408022...

[ChrisH72]

I'd say an mx5 is out as you're wanting auto.

As far as I know only the later NCs came with auto and it was never a popular choice so not many around. The RF did get auto but the cheapest ones are around £13k

Realistically you just have the SLK or the Z4 to choose from. Either would be a good car and fits all your criteria.

I'd probably go for the older 23i with the Z4 but the later 20i would be more economical.

For £8k you can get the later SLK (172 I think) which can be had with a variety of engines. Maybe the SLK250 would be a nice balance.

[CTO]

Thanks all,

Keep them coming ??

Regards the SLK, anyone know of significant differences between the R171 and R172.

The OH would be amenable to a 2008 R171 @4k v a similar mileage but 4 or so years newer R172.

If there isn’t much in it, the cheaper option wins ofc, but I am conscious that her commute is on generally stty roads, and the S172 seems to be a bit more substantial, should the worst happen…

Cheers all

Edited by CTO on Sunday 1st December 20:53

[BenB91]

I highly recommend a Merc SLK r172.

I have a 55 AMG. You should be able to get a 200 within budget.

[twokcc]

Z4 hardtop (E89) p can be a wallet drainer as older one's ,within de your budget will have roof problems. . Just look on z4 forum and see how many posts regarding roof problems.
Very few specialists who know how to diagnose problems never mind replace duff sensors, broken wires. Dealers doing job going to cost you £1k-3K and you wont know how long car is going to be off road. With right engine 6cyl(non turbo). with 6 speed auto great car but limited luggage space. Can't comment on ride as mine (35i) has a adaptive suspension was super. Could be specced on 3,0 non turbo but only ever seen one for sale. The adaptive suspension dampers bring problems that will want a refresh at 60k miles a £2k plus job for all four.
Sold my 2009 after 2 years had about £7k of work all covered by warranty -£250 excess each time but just got so frustrating being at dealers with no idea when it was going to be back on road again.
Replaced it with a BMW 125I -fabric -very reliable. 3 litre N52 straight six with 6 speed auto. 2010 with 80k miles its 4 seats(rears just give more storage if ly 2 of you). M sport with really good ride on non runflats. Not noisy with roof up and sound of straight six will mean you want to have roof down all the time. Have usual BMW minor egine leaks and will need a water pump at some stage but don't suffer with rust. Not a looker but with usual BMW leather colour options plus CIC nav from 2009 a decent interior which can give the car a lift if you don't fancy the black leather.

[jamesbrady50]

Hi op

We just got a 2007 slk200 for a bit under 4k (dealer).
So far nicely impressed. Air scarf lovely roof up or down. Gets about 30 mpg around town and 35 on a run so maybe not the best but it’s an old auto
Didn’t look at R172s but the interior on those seems much more modern. I’m planning to put CarPlay in ours which will sort that though.
Boot surprisingly handy even with a full size spare wheel and the tank is enormous too for size of car

[sherman]

Leftfield choice.

Abarth 595C
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024111161...

[flight147z]

I know it's not a convertible but it's better looking than the convertible and a brilliant car. I really miss mine

For the price bracket you're looking at I don't think you'll be able to beat a BMW straight 6!

You won't lose any money on one of these either. I had mine 6 years and lost £2k. I suspect you could keep one for 6 years now and get more back when you sell it

[Nath911t]

Worth checking any of those Mercs on the list have had the rear subframe replaced. They're well known for rusting inside to out. Also pretty sure the 200's (1.8 with a supercharger) had timing gear wearing but possibly on certain years. Apart from that the 171 SLK with decent spec, like what we had (memory seats, heated seats, air scarf and full sat nav) was a lovely car to live with. Sadly ours got written off and after numerous other cars we now have an E350cdi convertible which is way better for us.

[ilikejam]

987 Boxster then buy a separate hardtop for it?

[maz8062]

That Red 172 350 for £7k (less if you can haggle) is a steal. As long as it's had a good service history, the mileage at 87k is nothing for these cars.

I've had 2 x 172's, a 350 and a 200, and a 171 SLK 55. The 172 350 was a real blast and the exhaust note changes in sports mode. The 171 55 was the best of the lot and needed a subframe replacement (a £3k job but Merc warranty them for 20 years).

The 172 350 would hold its price for sure. That's the one to get before it sells.

Edit: I've just spotted that the 172 350 has lacquer peel hence the cheap price. Merc did warranty the paint on some of the cars so you'd want to ask the seller if they'd explored that option. If not, it'll be pricey to fix.

That said, given the choice between a 171 and 172, I'd choose 172 all day every day. Better on fuel, modern interior, better looking etc.

Edited by maz8062 on Monday 2nd December 14:05

[CTO]

Thanks all,

Very helpful and I appreciate the time you have taken to consider and comment.

We went to have a look at this today, just down the road from us, and the OH took it for a test drive.

https://www.sjraynercars.co.uk/vehicle-details/use...

Seems a decent enough spec, with a decent history.

Weedy engine, but perfect for what the OH wants it for…

Dealer wouldn’t budge on the price. Well, he might have if I was any good at negotiating, which I am not..

What’s the views of the PH collective?

[KadettE]

If Diesel isn't a problem you could also have a look at Volvo C70, would be nice for commuting I'd have thought.

[CTO]

I used to have a C70, T5 variant tho.

In SE Lux spec, twas a very comfortable and wafty place to be

[ChrisH72]

When I was looking at the SLK r172 I remember reading that the 250 is quite a lot better to drive than the 200 and doesn't feel underpowered. I guess it's the same engine with a remap? Not too sure if there's any other difference. But if you can get a 350 then that's what I'd go for. I know you don't necessarily want the performance but a bigger engine would suit the SLKs nature and I don't think running costs would go up much.

Edit: The diesel 250 is apparently very good too!

[ZX10R NIN]

CTO said:

Thanks all,

Very helpful and I appreciate the time you have taken to consider and comment.

We went to have a look at this today, just down the road from us, and the OH took it for a test drive.

https://www.sjraynercars.co.uk/vehicle-details/use...

Seems a decent enough spec, with a decent history.

Weedy engine, but perfect for what the OH wants it for…

Dealer wouldn’t budge on the price. Well, he might have if I was any good at negotiating, which I am not..

What’s the views of the PH collective?

That looks like a nice one, well spec'd too.

Did you make sure everything worked air scarf etc.

[pissonheads]

Have you considered a Mini Cooper Cab. Fabric roof but great design and would work well for your requirements. Family member ran one for 4 years and said it was the favourite car shes had.

[CTO]

Yep, tried all of those.. all working

Made me hark back to our first mega cheap lease E220Cab.

Left the three valleys (French Alps) at midday, rolled into Bewdley (Worcestershire) at 1am the next morning, hopped out feeling as though I’d driven back from my parents down in Wiltshire.

Also handy for making the OH sleep when she was co piloting, and I wanted to “make time”.