Convertible with a small budget & on-street parking?

CamillaRhodes

Hi all,
First time in this forum and a bit baffled by all the info, so would almost appreciate being flamed by yiz if necessary.

I have a max of 3k to spend (would prefer if it was closer to 2k). I don't really need a car, it'd be more luxury and enjoyment. For that reason (and cos the only other car I've ever owned was a Ford Fiesta) I really feel like I want a car that I love (rather than one I need cos it's practical).

And what I'd really love is a convertible. Best ever would be some sort of classic like this, cos I reckon it would be cheaper on tax & insurance than a non-classic. Though am open to suggestions (have been told a mazda mx-5 would be a great little reliable car).

BUT...
* I only have that little amount of money to spend, and am afraid about it costing a fortune to keep.
* I only have on-street parking outside my house. It's not a bad neighbourhood, but I worry terrorist kids would do damage to a soft-top.
* I live in Ireland... am I gonna freeze my arse off in a convertible (even with the top up) for 90% of the year?

Please tell me if I'm completely mad and should just go buy a Punto or something *yawn*

kasper

there are not many insurance companies insuring vintage cars as a daily driver which mean expensive , most companies that insure them only do so as a second car with limited mileage , if you look over on classic car there is a sticky there with the names of insurance companies , as far as i know insurance companies dont cover the soft top of convertibles . also can you live without power steering abs brakes ??? best of luck with it

jaffa20

Fun + convertible + reliable = MX-5!!

Lot's of good reliable ones out there you could get for 3k.

bazz26

Fiat Punto cabrio:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201014197563918

Peugeot 205 cabrio:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201030198980261

Renault Megane cabrio:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201030198963564

VW Golf cabrio:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201030198963381

An MX-5 would be the ideal choice but I think finding a good one on such a tight budget may prove difficult. Also just remember that the purchase price is only one factor of owning any car, these cars are not new meaning that they will require maintenance outside of routine servicing, tyres, etc. So trying to run one on a shoe string budget might not be possible. This goes for all cars btw not just convertibles.

My advice would be to hold off until you have the money to run and maintain the car properly.

ArphaRima

Again I'm going to say the MX-5!

Ali Babba

Mazda MX5 again and buy a hard top for it.

dr.fuzzenstein

MX5 with Hardtop FTW!
Also, please don't buy a classic car if you have nowhere to put it.
If you buy an MG and park it on the street within a year all you will have is a heap of rust. It would be nothing but wilfully destroying a classic car.
The first and absolutely crucial rule to owning a classic is to have a garage.

caprilicious

I know where you're coming from, I went through my wanting a convertible phase a few years ago.
I finally grew out of it when I got fed up of 1. no boot space 2. not enough nice weather to keep the roof down any length of time 3. flies in my teeth/afro hair after driving with the roof down

I had the following;

Suzuki Cappucino - very fun little car to drive, parts can be VERY expensive/hard to find.
Hard top roof though so no fear of gurriers ripping it for spite

BMZ Z3 - bucket of turd. In the garage more than out of it, cost me more that cost of car in servicing costs :eek: Oh & soft top leaked. Used to dread the wet weather as it meant having to put a plastic bag on the seat to drive home :mad:
The back windows in them tend to crack a lot too and are bloody dear to replace!

MGF - Absolutely LOVED this car, only changed it because I fancied trying the sportier/faster MGTF
This car didn't rust (I bought it as a crashed car & repaired it), the engine had a lovely hum to it & the soft top roof was nice and durable

MGTF - Hated this car with a passion, I dreaded approaching bends in roads (and there's many where I live!) as the handling was so unpredictable, and I always drove it handy enough!
Nice looking car though.

Both of the MGF's have known problems with the head gaskets, that's the only thing about them that I didn't like, although thankfully I didn't have this fault on either one

I never drove the MX5 myself but do like the look of them & the hard top is a bonus.
Another to consider is the Honda CRX (Mk2), these came with a hard top that opened with a button.
Didn't own one but drove one before and they're nice and nippy + Honda so good and reliable
I think you might get one cheap enough these days?

I think if you have concerns over the soft top then definitely try get something with a hard top. That's where your problems can arise with the cheaper end of the scale, once the soft tops perish & start to leak, you're looking at big money to replace the canvas/seals etc
Whereas hard tops last that bit longer & at worst the seals on them hopefully wouldn't be too dear.

The only convertible I had that was cold was the BMW Z3 because of the leak, but I drove the MGF in the snow & was toasty warm in it.
Because the interior is so small, they heat up nice and fast

I never paid more than €3k on any of the above cars (well to buy them, ended up costing a bit more on servicing with the likes of the Z3 )

CamillaRhodes

Hey y'all, THANK YOU for the great responses, super helpful, particularly:
* not getting a classic unless you have a garage [I'd thought of this but perhaps hadn't considered it seriously enough - duly noted]
* the specific make/model tips - seems you all agree with my dad (which depresses me ever so slightly... kidding!) that an mx-5 is the way to go. Will look into this more thoroughly and put the dreams of the 1970s bond car on hold til I own an indoor parking space!

Just to add, I know realistically this is only a phase and the novelty may well wear off pretty soon, but I kinda feel feck it, I'm 30 years old, don't have kids yet, now is the time to get the silly fun car and enjoy posing in it, before I need to start thinking about side air bags and enough space in the boot for a buggy... *shudder*

Even if I get flies in my teeth and afro hair I still want the feeling of cruising round town in a sports car (not quite ready to live the Ballad of Lucy Jordan) for a while at least, until I get bored of it. Then I'll buy a punto or something.;)

caprilicious

Ha ha you're dead right, and even with the flies in your teeth & fuzzy hair it is a great feeling on one of those rare balmy days when you have an excuse to have the top down. Hence why I had a few of them

Enjoy! (fingers crossed you'll get the weather to enjoy it!!)

kasper

good decision and the best of luck with it , never actually drove an mx5 but they seem like a very well put together car and i am sure if you started a thread here looking for a mx5 they would have you happily motoring in no time

galwaytt

CamillaRhodes wrote: »

Hey y'all, THANK YOU for the great responses, super helpful, particularly:
* not getting a classic unless you have a garage [I'd thought of this but perhaps hadn't considered it seriously enough - duly noted]
* the specific make/model tips - seems you all agree with my dad (which depresses me ever so slightly... kidding!) that an mx-5 is the way to go. Will look into this more thoroughly and put the dreams of the 1970s bond car on hold til I own an indoor parking space!

Just to add, I know realistically this is only a phase and the novelty may well wear off pretty soon, but I kinda feel feck it, I'm 30 years old, don't have kids yet, now is the time to get the silly fun car and enjoy posing in it, before I need to start thinking about side air bags and enough space in the boot for a buggy... *shudder*

Even if I get flies in my teeth and afro hair I still want the feeling of cruising round town in a sports car (not quite ready to live the Ballad of Lucy Jordan) for a while at least, until I get bored of it. Then I'll buy a punto or something.;)

First of all, an MX-5 is a classic, even if ins co's don't admit to it ! Mind you, mine is 20yrs old this year !

An MX does all you want, and more, and won't break your heart, or budget, in the meantime. And it's soft top actually does keep out the rain, and it's hardtop is priceless ! It is also a zillion times nicer to drive than an old MG, having power steering, good brakes, lively engine, low maintenance and being very well built. Can't think of a single minus point, actually, bar the fact there isn't a 2+2 version.......:D

Oh, passing phase ? Ha, I think not ! We got ours before our first was born. She's now 10, and the MX is for keeps. The 10yr old, otoh..........:p

patrickc

you cant go wrong with a saab 900 convertible, the nicest out there IMO, I've one and love everything about it, it's comfortable, it's fast looks the business and reliable

Barr

As said before , you cant go wrong with the MX-5 , great cars if you could find a decent one for under 3k.

dr.fuzzenstein

patrickc wrote: »

you cant go wrong with a saab 900 convertible, the nicest out there IMO, I've one and love everything about it, it's comfortable, it's fast looks the business and reliable

Now there's a nice idea!
The MX5 is a great car, but at the end of the day only a two seater with a small-ish boot.
If all you need are two seats it's the best thing since sliced anything, but I've always been tickled pink about the Saab.
Proper practical car with a proper boot and room for 4.
Plus looks nice, but have no idea how it goes, I guess not as nippy as the Mazda which can be as much fun as a Go Cart.
Must try one one day...

hellyeah

would go for an mx5. an aunt of mine had a 1990 model up to a couple of years back. have to say it was a very tight car for the year and regret to this day not buying it of her.:mad:

FunkBlaster87

How about a mk1 mr2.
Can be bit rusty but nice examples can be had.
Engines in the right place and it's rear wheel drive. Very reliable engine too.

Future classic in the making.

caprilicious

+1 on the Mk1 MR2, forgot those! I drove one for a few months & they're a lovely car to drive, excellent handling, not bad on petrol & nippy enough too