Russell
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 05:01 PM |
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Help with buying a rag top
I have a plan hatching to go to mainland Europe in early summer 2012 for a road trip. Just two of us, father and son. I reckon on doing something
like 3000 miles and I would like to buy a cheap convertible to get the most from the experience.
I have a sevenesque kit car already and I know others have done long distance trips like that. Much as I love my car I know I couldn't stand
it for that sort of distance and it would take a lot of conversion to get it suitable.
So, my budget is £2k max but ideally it would be more like £1k and I would prefer not to lose too much on the resale when we return. The current
draft list looks like this, in no particular order of preference:
Peugeot 306
Mazda MX-5
BMW Z3
Saab 9-3
Audi (80, A4 or whatever it is)
All the above are the convertible/cabriolet versions, of course.
I'm as interested in comfort, useability and economy as I am in out-and-out performance. My favourites would be the MX-5 or Z3 but should there
be others on my list?
I'm a bilingual illiterate. I can't read in two languages.
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loggyboy
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 05:20 PM |
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Ren 19 16v cabrio, sexy car (for a 90s design)
Escorts are quite common and you can get them with the 130bhp zetec.
Meganes look nice in cabrio
BMW E36 (maybe e30?)
[Edited on 4/12/11 by loggyboy]
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mookaloid
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 05:22 PM |
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out of that list for that sort of money I'd go for a saab or an mx5
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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l0rd
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 05:24 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
Ren 19 16v cabrio, sexy car (for a 90s design)
+1
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D Beddows
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 05:24 PM |
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I'd say Z3 for this particular job - but I would have thought you'd struggle to find a decent one for a grand!???
Old shape convertible Saab 9-3's are pretty awful tbh
MX5's are a bargain at the moment but might be a fail comfort and space wise......however a 1.8 MK2 is probably going to be the most fun for the
price if you find an interesting road
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thunderace
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 05:24 PM |
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mk1 golf cabrio
Item number: 300631551515
[Edited on 4/12/11 by thunderace]
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loggyboy
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 05:32 PM |
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Oh, and the astra, the later 90s shape (pre 'twintop' )
[Edited on 4/12/11 by loggyboy]
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Mad Dave
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 05:33 PM |
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quote:
Ren 19 16v cabrio, sexy car (for a 90s design)
-1
Not a huge fan but from your list I'd go with a Z3
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britishtrident
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 05:37 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
Ren 19 16v cabrio, sexy car (for a 90s design)
snip
[Edited on 4/12/11 by loggyboy]
Renault **** **** **** **** **** **** electrics !!!!!
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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richardR1
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 05:37 PM |
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Another vote for the Astra, one of the better sorted Vauxhall models and certainly get a lot more for your money than you would with a Z3. Loads of
dealers and cheap spares on the continent if the worst was to happen. Mate had one a few years back and was reasoanbly nippy and comfortable. Plenty
in your price range.
autotrader
MK Owners Club Member 1015
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mark chandler
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 05:47 PM |
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Its got to be a MK1 MX5, they just look ... so well right 
You would need one of those oven grill things on the boot as not that large, get an imported one with leather and aircon.
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PSpirine
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 06:03 PM |
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With that budget, Mx-5 would be the most reliable choice probably.
I have to echo the Renault choice - there's something very cool about them. Although finding one in good nick may be tricky. Start looking now I
suppose but it's not a sensible/reliable choice!
Saab convertibles can be had for about £1500 (even from dealers) and they are mucho comfy!!! Astra is also a good choice - look pretty modern, comfy
and well built.
I would stay away from Z3's at that price point - there's bound to be something expensive wrong with it.
To be perfectly honest, as long as you spend your time to look around and find one in decent mechanical nick, (i.e. keep to models that go for that
sort of price range rather than trying to get something snazzier), they should all last the trip, and frankly you'll have a blast regardless of
whether you're in a faster/better handling car or not.
I would recommend you stay away from Peugeots as they can go bad pretty quickly (i.e. won't get you home with some bodging) due to some crap
electrics and rear axle designs.
Golf would be a good call (mk3).
At your price range, you shouldn't lose much, if any money on depreciation with any model..
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ReMan
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 06:15 PM |
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I;vce been looking to buy an Alfa Spider in that price range, plenty out there, though less now it's winter.
Wanted one just to say I had
www.plusnine.co.uk
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Russell
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 06:35 PM |
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Ooooh thanks for the replies! Oh hell, this is difficult... I need to get some luggage, beer and camping gear in the boot. Also, I would like
aircon for those days when it's just TOO hot.
I'm not a huge Vauxhall fan but I have to say I like the Astra. I do like the Renault 19 too. I'd love an Alfa but I don't quite
have the nerve to buy an old one.
I tend to like VWs so the Golf is a sort of a no-brainer (so how did I miss it off the original list!!?) but somehow they don't quite float my
boat. Maybe I should look a bit closer at them. That MK1 Golf in Glasgow item number: 300631551515 is cool!!
Mk1 MX-5 looks the biz for my sort of road trip but there are so many sheds out there.
What goes wrong with high mileage Astras, Saabs, MX-5's, Golf (Mk1 to 3) and Z3s?
I'm a bilingual illiterate. I can't read in two languages.
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theduck
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 06:40 PM |
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You will get a dog of a 1.9 4 cylinder z3 for 2k and if you were buying a z3 for this type of work you'd want the 2.8 straight 6.
Out of your list mx5.
How about a fiat barchetta? Imagine you an get one for 2k and they are left hookers.
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pewe
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 06:48 PM |
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QED - MX5's aren't the world's best selling rag-top for no reason.
(From a recent convert)
Cheers, Pewe
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trextr7monkey
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 06:53 PM |
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What about a softop Jimny??
- buy it in the spring early summer and away you go, sell it for at least the same money in the autumn after putting 3k on the clock mentioning
forthcoming snow and blizzards in the advert.
Your trip might take a bit longer and you might get shaken about but hell its a road trip and you may find some more interesting roads/tracks beaches
which none of the other motors could touch. 
I did a mini tour of Northerm France with daughter in hers and it was fine and fun.
atb
Mike
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14016102@N00/ (cut and paste this dodgey link)
Our most recent pics are here:
http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/trextr7monkey/
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Russell
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 07:00 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by trextr7monkey
What about a softop Jimny??
- buy it in the spring early summer and away you go, sell it for at least the same money in the autumn after putting 3k on the clock mentioning
forthcoming snow and blizzards in the advert.
Your trip might take a bit longer and you might get shaken about but hell its a road trip and you may find some more interesting roads/tracks beaches
which none of the other motors could touch.
I did a mini tour of Northerm France with daughter in hers and it was fine and fun.
atb
Mike
Cool idea! Would make for a helluva road trip!
I'm a bilingual illiterate. I can't read in two languages.
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designer
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 07:13 PM |
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MX5 with rack on boot is the only choice.
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Peteff
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 07:38 PM |
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You might find a Merc SLK for the top end of your budget if you look round, do it in style
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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bobinspain
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 07:39 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by theduck
You will get a dog of a 1.9 4 cylinder z3 for 2k and if you were buying a z3 for this type of work you'd want the 2.8 straight 6.
Out of your list mx5.
How about a fiat barchetta? Imagine you an get one for 2k and they are left hookers.
I was following Barchettas on ebay prior to ordering my car in the summer. If you're patient, every now and again, you'll get a low
mileage <50k, 7-10 yr old car for <£2k. They tend to be low miles since they're left hookers. (perfick for your trip to the Continent).
I'd be looking at what I could recoup on it after the trip. So what if it costs £2k if you get nearly that back? Much better that, than buy cut
price motor for a oner which you can't offload when you get back. (IMHO).
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02GF74
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 07:59 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Russell
I need to get some luggage, beer and camping gear in the boot. Also, I would like aircon for those days when it's just TOO hot.
You may just about get the latest style Toyatata MR2 but it has tiny boot.
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thefreak
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| posted on 4/12/11 at 10:27 PM |
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There's a Mk2 MX5 on nutz at the minute for £1200. Had an o/s/f bump but the guy selling is a breaker and is supplying the new wing etc.
Fix it up then flog it for a profit when you return
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