A little convertible

ba_barabus

I'm not buying for now hence I'm leaving this out of the buying section.

I'm trying to compile a list of cheap but acceptable convertibles to keep an eye out for over the coming month for my wedding in 12 months. My OH suggested the idea knowing I'd be more than happy to go along with it. So as of yesterday my old Citroen BX has been sold. The idea being we have a car we can use on the day and then keep that's just for the two of us on special occasions.

Anyway, what am I looking for you ask. I'm looking for ideas of what to look at. The budget is small, lets say MAX €1500-€2000. The cheaper the better and if it needs work that needs to be reflected in the price. It will probably be a project car for me over the winter so NCT isn't necessary. Still, I don't want anything that is beyond my very modest fettling skills.

Anyway, what do I like so far. I've had an MGF and loved it, always wanted an MX-5 and a BMW E36 convertible. Other cars that would be considered are older MG convertibles, Midget and B. TBH there is nothing I wouldn't consider.

Ideal wants:
Max 2k, cheaper the better
Red preferably
Clean body
NO mods
1997 or older.

colm_mcm

Mx5 really.

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

Mx5 really.

I've always wanted one. I first sat in one in Ryan & Burns in 1992 at the opening of their new dealership. Ever since then I've said I'd own one.

I do love MGF's but my last one gave grief when it suffered the most mysterious case of HGF known to man. Engine access is a PITA as well. I loved driving it but hated working on it.

What kind of money are reasonable project cars starting at Colm? I've seen them for 900+ but I've been warned they rust out badly underneath.

MGF's start at about 500 for one with an NCT and in a reasonable state.

goochy

Wont be great to drive but well built - late 90s and early 00's golf

colm_mcm

There's an mx5 at every price range. It really is the default choice.
You could look at an mr2/mr-s as well I suppose but they're riskier.

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

You could look at an mr2 as well I suppose but they're riskier.

It wouldn't be a full convertible pre 1997. It's only the later ones that would suit, but then they are too new.

Desolation Of Smug

SLK 200.

Look lurvely too.

ba_barabus

goochy wrote: »

Wont be great to drive but well built - late 90s and early 00's golf

I always thought they looked poor. I was never a fan of them. Although in the right colour they're not bad.

colm_mcm

Ah, didn't pay attention to the pre 97 bit.
How about a Cynos convertible? Not a drivers car, but quirky.

porsche boy

it really is going to be an MX-5. the only other car I'd even consider would be a Fiat Barchetta but i dont know about gettting one of them for less than 2k.

ba_barabus

Desolation Of Smug wrote: »

SLK 200.

Look lurvely too.

Funny you mention an SLK, we passed a bride and groom driving one away from a wedding in South Tipp last May and that's where the idea started.

Bpmull

I've always had a soft spot for the mgf after my dad had one for years. If I was buying one Id go for facelifted tf version nicer front headlights etc. Also 1.8 vvc is the only engine to buy 145bhp or the 160bhp version I wouldn't waste my time buying the slower 1.6 not as nice of an engine at all. Hg failure is inevitable on them but they should all be changed at this stage.


Edit: only seen the pre 97 bit there obviously that would put the tf model outing the running.

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

How about a Cynos convertible?

I never even knew there was one!

ptyloch

Alfa Romeo Spider, the sister of GTV.

colm_mcm

ba_barabus wrote: »

I never even knew there was one!

ba_barabus

I've never seen one in Ireland. Kind of looks like a Saab 93 convertible?

James Bond Junior

Having driven both an mx5 and a e36 there is no comparison. Mx5 all the way. Scuttle shake in the e36 would drive you mad. Drove a 2001 9-3 convertible for a while last year and they are horrific.

ba_barabus

Bpmull wrote: »

I've always had a soft spot for the mgf after my dad had one for years. If I was buying one Id go for facelifted tf version nicer front headlights etc. Also 1.8 vvc is the only engine to buy 145bhp or the 160bhp version I wouldn't waste my time buying the slower 1.6 not as nice of an engine at all. Hg failure is inevitable on them but they should all be changed at this stage.


Edit: only seen the pre 97 bit there obviously that would put the tf model outing the running.

The TF is too new but some of the other updates in it appeal to me. The hydrolastic suspension is great but I don't know how easy it will be to get parts as time goes by.

colm_mcm

ba_barabus wrote: »

I've never seen one in Ireland. Kind of looks like a Saab 93 convertible?

To be fair, it's not as well proportioned, but its unusual. Mx5 would run rings around it. Cynos would be bigger inside too.
I've seen one or two around.

Bpmull

ba_barabus wrote: »

The TF is too new but some of the other updates in it appeal to me. The hydrolastic suspension is great but I don't know how easy it will be to get parts as time goes by.

The suspension is great my dad had to get his filled up as I'm sure you know they start to drop overtime. They are a great little car Id personally prefer them to an mx5 just because they are a bit more unusual.

TBi

Desolation Of Smug wrote: »

SLK 200.

Look lurvely too.

Roof on those can give fierce trouble and expensive to fix

ba_barabus

Bpmull wrote: »

The suspension is great my dad had to get his filled up as I'm sure you know they start to drop overtime. They are a great little car Id personally prefer them to an mx5 just because they are a bit more unusual.

They're pretty easy to pump up at home if you make a pump. They are great to throw around as you really have to be going hard to make the back end break free.

bazz26

MGF:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/1997-mgf-1-8vvt-cabriolet-/8302646?offset=2

Body is bit rough looking but then again it's cheap.

ba_barabus

bazz26 wrote: »

Body is bit rough looking but then again it's cheap.

The most worrying thing there is the clutch. As far as I remember it's an engine out job........and the engine has to be dropped out which makes it a right costly pain to do.

Other than that the cooling pipes will need to be renewed I'd wager.

Can't see any MX-5's available at the minute.

colm_mcm

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/great-mx-5-with-nct-new-roof-new-tyres/9061279?offset=2

Desolation Of Smug

TBi wrote: »

Roof on those can give fierce trouble and expensive to fix

They do stick going up or going down alright, but generally they're fixable via fleabay parts.

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/great-mx-5-with-nct-new-roof-new-tyres/9061279?offset=2

I reckon that would buff up great. The colour is very similar to Gordini Blue on the older Renaults.

I really have to own one before they go out of my reach......

unkel

Your My MGF has cost me next to nothing in the nearly a year I've owned it now. Great little car

Alfa GTV Spider is a great car (I've driven it at length myself in the Italian alps), but needs the Busso engine, so that's €1500 in tax every year for a good few years more to come. I doubt you'll like that

MX-5 re-defined it's class, no brainer, great car. Anybody disagreeing with that is an idiot

I personally like the SLK. Your main priority is obviously not that it has to be a great drivers car, so this could work

Wouldn't touch an E36 vert, how about a Z3 though?

porsche959

Difficult to go for anything but an MX-5 to be honest. Most early examples are grotty enough at this point but on the plus side there is not all that much that can go wrong. As I assume you are aware, with this type of car, you are not going to have all the mod cons, but do try and get one with electric windows would be my advice (I used to drive one a Mk1 that had roll-ups!) One with a detachable hard-top would be nice but not a must have.

For something a bit out of the ordinary, there is currently a Lotus Elan on carzone, although the price is bit above your budget. Very rare cares so price probably justified but actually the MX-5 has a better engine in it I believe.

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/lotus/elan/used-1994-lotus-elan-s2-turbo-2dr-waterford-fpa-201452229619284

ba_barabus

unkel wrote: »

Your My MGF has cost me next to nothing in the nearly a year I've owned it now. Great little car

That was the bargain of the century.

unkel wrote: »

Alfa GTV Spider is a great car (I've driven it at length myself in the Italian alps), but needs the Busso engine, so that's €1500 in tax every year for a good few years more to come. I doubt you'll like that

I'm going to rule the GTV out of the running. I've driven the TS engined version and didn't get with it.

unkel wrote: »

MX-5 re-defined it's class, no brainer, great car. Anybody disagreeing with that is an idiot

It's top of the list with the MGF, it would probably be more desirable to me.

unkel wrote: »

I personally like the SLK. Your main priority is obviously not that it has to be a great drivers car, so this could work

Yes and no. The main priority is that it's a convertible, and then secondly that it's fun to drive.

unkel wrote: »

how about a Z3 though?

I forgot about those. I'd certainly strongly consider one. Without looking at them would they be in budget, be reliable and easy to maintain I wonder?

colm_mcm

What about a vitara. Seriously.

ba_barabus

porsche959 wrote: »

Difficult to go for anything but an MX-5 to be honest. Most early examples are grotty enough at this point but on the plus side there is not all that much that can go wrong. As I assume you are aware, with this type of car, you are not going to have all the mod cons, but do try and get one with electric windows would be my advice (I used to drive one a Mk1 that had roll-ups!) One with a detachable hard-top would be nice but not a must have.

For something a bit out of the ordinary, there is currently a Lotus Elan on carzone, although the price is bit above your budget. Very rare cares so price probably justified but actually the MX-5 has a better engine in it I believe.

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/lotus/elan/used-1994-lotus-elan-s2-turbo-2dr-waterford-fpa-201452229619284

Elan would be a no, I never liked the look of them. And it's well above what I would be willing to spend. I do like the odd thinking though.

As for standard equipment, less equipment means less weight = more fun :cool:

toastedpickles

At some stage I'll own one of these, i suggest you get one too

http://www.adverts.ie/car/suzuki/cappuccino/suzuiki-turbo-cappchino/7525023

colm_mcm

You wouldn't want to be any way tall. I just about fitted in one, it was like I was wearing it.

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

What about a vitara. Seriously.

We had one in Thailand as a hire car, a 1.3l auto which was surprisingly good off road. I'm going to run that suggestion by my OH.

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

You wouldn't want to be any way tall. I just about fitted in one, it was like I was wearing it.

I was just about to say I wouldn't fit in one

porsche959

ba_barabus wrote: »

Elan would be a no, I never liked the look of them. And it's well above what I would be willing to spend. I do like the odd thinking though.

Fair enough. Personally I've always liked the looks, but was told the engine in the car is basically from an Isuzu compact which would put me off somewhat!

ba_barabus wrote: »

As for standard equipment, less equipment means less weight = more fun

True, that.

ba_barabus

porsche959 wrote: »

Fair enough. Personally I've always liked the looks, but was told the engine in the car is basically from an Isuzu compact which would put me off somewhat!

A Toyota I think. I don't think the engine is that bad in them. they weigh nothing

RobAMerc

The Z3 is an awful car.

I think that Elan is an absolute bargain and if I had the cash I surely would give it a look.
Having said that I'll go along with everyone else and say the MX5 is a superb car.
I had a 1800s model, with the LSD and it was just a superb car. You'll know after the first 10 kms that whomever built it just gets cars.

I had the fortunate experience of driving my MX5 to the airport in Dublin and pick up a Series 2 Kamm tail Alfa Spyder to take to the Amalfi coast at the airport in Rome - while the Alfa had a huge amount of charm and a sound that could not be replicated by any modern car, the MX5 is a better car in every way. The MX5 even seems to have some soul, not something I normally associate with a Japanese car.

Duke O Smiley

You would get a Midget for €2k or thereabouts if you looked hard enough. Mine was €500. I'm not that tall but struggled to get in and out of it as the doors are quite small but high up if you get me. Once inside they're comfy enough for two though. A couple of BGTs up within budget, could look for one with a webasto roof or is that out of the question?

porsche959

RobAMerc wrote: »

The Z3 is an awful car.

I think the one with the 2.9l engine wasn't that bad, but they are very rare in Ireland, plus of course the tax issue. Anyway, you shouldn't need an engine that big in a 2 seater convertible if the dynamics are right.

ba_barabus

Duke O Smiley wrote: »

could look for one with a webasto roof or is that out of the question?

From what I'm being told, a convertible in the traditional sense is what's wanted.

mhackett102

Hello!! In red and all
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mazda-m-x5-roadster/9108694?offset=15

unkel

No tax, no NCT but only €2k asking and with the excellent straight 6 in a completely different league than my MGF or the MX-5 suggested by many of us tbh



Linky

I don't know how far you would go with a "project car" needing work, but how about an early Porsche Boxster with some serious issues?

Like the Lotus BTW, porsche959 and that one seems great value for money (as in you're likely to get more back for it when you come to resell it. Somehow I like the concept of negative depreciation in cars myself )

ba_barabus

unkel wrote: »

I don't know how far you would go with a "project car" needing work, but how about an early Porsche Boxster with some serious issues?

Tell me more.........

Duke O Smiley

That Z3 almost seems too cheap. Bag that for €1700/€1800 and you're onto a winner

porsche959

mhackett102 wrote: »

Hello!! In red and all
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mazda-m-x5-roadster/9108694?offset=15

Hmmm:

"automatic with overdrive"

The add says perfect for a couple
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-crx-lady-owner-quick-sale/9024269

mhackett102

Augeo wrote: »

The add says perfect for a couple
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-crx-lady-owner-quick-sale/9024269

Those cars always remind me of the early Fast & Furious movies...

ba_barabus

Augeo wrote: »

The add says perfect for a couple
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-crx-lady-owner-quick-sale/9024269

That looks manky

ba_barabus

ba_barabus wrote: »

That looks manky

Rear arches made from newspaper