Help me find some fun for the sun.

Working class heroes

I promised the young lad I'd buy a convertible motor and spend the summer cruising for chicks(he is eight years old��)If been thinking about what to get for the last couple of weeks and I've changed my mind more times than I've changed my socks.
Initially I had the heart set on some kind of classic but anything decent and even half way reliable is out of my budget. That led me down the Convertible TT/Golf type car route but these seem to be few and far between and anything that was there just didn't tickle my fancy.
I decided to go a bit bigger. Seems to be a better selection in this segment, A4/3 series and the like. Then I spotted a few C70's and they seem to be a smart looking well specked car for the money, an it on the high side tax wise but I suppose it's all swings and roundabouts. I've linked a DD search below in the hope of some advise on these machines.
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars?words=c70&area=Ireland&campaign=14&price_to=4000&year_from=2005
Now if I'm missing something obvious let me know. All suggestions mucho appreciated.

drunkmonkey

What's your budget if this is correct it would be a good car, https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-320i-auto-convertible/14715701

With the tax on the Volvo you'll have it a lot longer than the summer..
Cheap and quick https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2000-audi-tt-quattro-225-convertible/17467445

Lantus

Mazda MX-5 is probably the cheapest and one of the best cars you can get in this class.

drunkmonkey

Lantus wrote: »

Mazda MX-5 is probably the cheapest and one of the best cars you can get in this class.

Where you going to fit the chicks?

Working class heroes

drunkmonkey wrote: »

What's your budget if this is correct it would be a good car, https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-320i-auto-convertible/14715701

With the tax on the Volvo you'll have it a lot longer than the summer..
Cheap and quick https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2000-audi-tt-quattro-225-convertible/17467445

Thanks dm.
Ah that first link is nice, but it's out of budget I'm afraid. Budget is about 3 grand maybe 3 1/2 for the right one. Going by what George Dalton said on another thread I'll probably stay away from the TT's
A I said I could live the tax on the Volvo if it was the right car. Is it the right car people? Any thoughts on the cars in the op links? Thanks

Working class heroes

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Where you going to fit the chicks?

Just checked with the young lad he said we could fit a tow bar:D

drunkmonkey

I don't know enough about the Volvo convertibles, I've had a few 3 series convertibles and loved them, baby's forced me to sell my last one..
If it was my 3k and tax wasn't going to bother me this is probably the best fun you'll have for the money and still have 4 seats https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-325ci-cabriolet-low-miles/17385721

It'll be interesting to see what the rest of them say but my money's on the manual 325ci with the 6 cylinder engine. That fact it's older than the Volvo's wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

Working class heroes

drunkmonkey wrote: »

I don't know enough about the Volvo convertibles, I've had a few 3 series convertibles and loved them, baby's forced me to sell my last one..
If it was my 3k and tax wasn't going to bother me this is probably the best fun you'll have for the money and still have 4 seats https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-325ci-cabriolet-low-miles/17385721

It'll be interesting to see what the rest of them say but my money's on the manual 325ci with the 6 cylinder engine. That fact it's older than the Volvo's wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

No, the age wouldn't bother me in the slightest.
That looks like a nice example alright, certainly an option. Thanks again dm.

drunkmonkey

Will this be your year round car? There not easy sell even though mine were as they were the right spec and colour. Both black msport convertibles sold both of them first go.

Working class heroes

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Will this be your year round car? There not easy sell even though mine were as they were the right spec and colour. Both black msport convertibles sold both of them first go.

No, it'll be a weekend/summer car. Plan to keep it a while so not too pushed on the resale element. A black msport convertible sounds nice alright, I'll have a look. Any more in your garage?:)

drunkmonkey

No there's a Volvo there now I'm 8 years away from getting another convertible by the sounds of it..

The 325 can't go much lower...could be worse things to have sitting in the shed.

colm_mcm

VW Eos might be an option if you want back seats. Not a drivers car by any stretch but they’re buyable for handy money and it’s basically a Golf and you can use it all year round.

C70 is a lovely car IMO, They’ve aged really well.

drunkmonkey

The volvo do look well and the brand has gained back a lot of kudos lately , I didn't spot the T5 in there until now, that's a sleeper https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-c70-t5/16689755

Working class heroes

drunkmonkey wrote: »

The volvo do look well and the brand has gained back a lot of kudos lately , I didn't spot the T5 in there until now, that's a sleeper https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-c70-t5/16689755

Ah right. Forgive my ignorance but was wondering why it was a 2.5 engine as opposed to the 2.4 version. I take it they would be rare enough on these shores then? Imported?

Working class heroes

colm_mcm wrote: »

VW Eos might be an option if you want back seats. Not a drivers car by any stretch but they’re buyable for handy money and it’s basically a Golf and you can use it all year round.

C70 is a lovely car IMO, They’ve aged really well.

Seen 1 Eos. Woeful looking thing. The convertible golf is nicer looking imo.
Think I'm starting to settle for a 325 or a C70.

drunkmonkey

Working class heroes wrote: »

Ah right. Forgive my ignorance but was wondering why it was a 2.5 engine as opposed to the 2.4 version. I take it they would be rare enough on these shores then? Imported?

They were more expensive and a higher tax bracket, wouldn't have been a huge audience for them, even looking at the new Volvo's Irish buyers seem to opt for the d3 or d4 diesels, you nearly have to go to the UK for a d5 as there a lot more expensive here now, I've driven a T5 saloon years ago all I can remember is it struggled for grip trying to put all the power in the front wheels, that's why the beamer is more fun at least it's the back kicking out as opposed to the nose going sideways on you.
I doubt it was imported just someone with deep pockets. A T5 would keep up with the best of them.

bazz26

BMW 325ci:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-325ci-auto-convertible-msport/17688617


Mercedes CLK:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz-clk-class-2004/17564875

Saab 9-3:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/saab-93-vector-full-cream-leather-immaculate/16220680

q85dw7osi4lebg

3 Eos and an S2000 here. Eos is great provided the roof isn't shot. Not a drivers car as said but you can get them with he 200hp mk5 gti motor. A lot of them came with heated leather seats and the likes too. I've lowered one of them as the highish ride height is the only thing that makes them look a bit odd imo.

S2000 highly recommended but I attract more men than women.

James Bond Junior

An E46 325i m sport would be a great investment. I think they are bottoming out now price wise. The E36 are starting to climb in value so the e46 will more than likely do the same.

Greybottle

First generation Mazda MX-5 would be my choice.

This one won't lose its value. Seems to be in good condition, lights are dropping, but it's an easy fix.

€2,650, NCT to June. Classic insurance will be no problem as it's a 1994 car.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/original-irish-mx5/17153454



If you're looking for a hardtop and/or a 4 seater, then the C70 T5 is the best bet of the ones above.

drunkmonkey

A 325 msport convertible and an s2000 are definitely cars to keep if you can afford it, trying to find a reasonable priced once is a big ask.

NIMAN

What age does a car have to be in Ireland to qualify for classic insurance?

drunkmonkey

NIMAN wrote: »

What age does a car have to be in Ireland to qualify for classic insurance?

Thought it's 20 for insurance and 30 for tax.

Patser

Saab 9-3 IMO.

Had one before, more space and comfort than the BMW, cheaper and if you get an Aero then lots and lots of power.

Also great mechanism for lowering roof, which is vitally important for 8 year old, and coolest drinks holder every designed.


Edit: here's 1 less than 5k

[url] https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/saab-93-aero-210-bhp-convertible/17712801[/url]

Working class heroes

bazz26 wrote: »

BMW 325ci:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-325ci-auto-convertible-msport/17688617


Mercedes CLK:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz-clk-class-2004/17564875

Saab 9-3:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/saab-93-vector-full-cream-leather-immaculate/16220680

Thanks bazz, that 325 is lovely. 7 owners would have me worried however, possibly road tax avoidance?
Wouldn't be gone on the other two tbh....

Working class heroes

Tristen Full Catamaran wrote: »

3 Eos and an S2000 here. Eos is great provided the roof isn't shot. Not a drivers car as said but you can get them with he 200hp mk5 gti motor. A lot of them came with heated leather seats and the likes too. I've lowered one of them as the highish ride height is the only thing that makes them look a bit odd imo.

S2000 highly recommended but I attract more men than women.

The S2000 are nice to be sure, out of budget I'm afraid.

Working class heroes

Right then I've narrowed things down a tad. First off I'm going to go for something with back sears, well as much as you can with convertibles.

At the moment first choice is a 325 msport. Going to be hard to find so I'll stretch the coin for the right one of these. Should I be looking up north or across the water?

Second choice is the C70. Seems to be a few around within budget and are a handsome looking car for their age. Going to need more info on these however.

Don't have a third choice yet so it's looking like one of the above for now.

Thanks everyone for the input!

Nuw

C70 is more of a cruising machine than a driver's car, they're lovely though, fairly reliable, solid built, good toys, comfy... the right engine for them is the 2.5 petrol (marked T5), lovely 5 pots with a turbo, avoid the 2.4, no turbo and can feel a bit sluggish (they are heavy cars), in the real world they will consume more petrol than the T5 as well. 

I'd go for an automatic if it was me, they just suit the car's character. They're safe as well which is always a plus, insurance should be happier with one of them than with the beamer I think. Other than that, not much to go wrong with them, just make sure every electric component works as expected and you should be fine.

drunkmonkey

Working class heroes wrote: »

At the moment first choice is a 325 msport. Going to be hard to find so I'll stretch the coin for the right one of these. Should I be looking up north or across the water?

I think your going to find it very hard to find a manual 325 msport one even across the pond, that one if a good honest car at 3k would be hard to beat, if you get the chassi number from the garage you can go into bmw and they'll give you a print out of what the car has, it's possible it has msport suspension but it's not an msport. That's worth more than an m on the steering wheel and a few spoilers. You might get lucky and it has the optional LSD:)

Working class heroes

Greybottle wrote: »

First generation Mazda MX-5 would be my choice.

This one won't lose its value. Seems to be in good condition, lights are dropping, but it's an easy fix.

€2,650, NCT to June. Classic insurance will be no problem as it's a 1994 car.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/original-irish-mx5/17153454



If you're looking for a hardtop and/or a 4 seater, then the C70 T5 is the best bet of the ones above.

Re the lights dropping. Is it a common problem? How easy a fix is it? DIY job? Thanks.

bazz26

NIMAN wrote: »

What age does a car have to be in Ireland to qualify for classic insurance?

If you already have a policy on another car then you can get a classic policy with the likes of Autoline in NI on a car 15 years or older for small enough money from what I've heard.

Working class heroes wrote: »

Thanks bazz, that 325 is lovely. 7 owners would have me worried however, possibly road tax avoidance?
Wouldn't be gone on the other two tbh....

Yes it's very common these days to change ownership to avoid motor tax arrears. You would have to look into the car's history and try to join the dots with the change of ownership. I.e the car might change hands but the service history still shows it being serviced by the same garage, etc.

Working class heroes

bazz26 wrote: »

If you already have a policy on another car then you can get a classic policy with the likes of Autoline in NI on a car 15 years or older for small enough money from what I've heard.



Yes it's very common these days to change ownership to avoid motor tax arrears. You would have to look into the car's history and try to join the dots with the change of ownership. I.e the car might change hands but the service history still shows it being serviced by the same garage, etc.

Good tip, thanks bazz.

Heres Johnny

People may also buy convertibles for the summer and move it on for the winter. Or take it off the road for winter and realise it's owed back tax and sell it to a family member and buy it back. This adds 2 owners straight away

drunkmonkey

7 is alright considering the age, car is 18yrs old...would want to get it well checked out. Engine is pretty bullet proof, want to make sure heaters are working full blast and there no leaks from gaskets or hoses etc, should be a nice and dusty engine bay, roof should be working on the button and windows sealing up to it automatically. E46 is an easy car to work on if your any way handy. If it's being sold with an nct that should cover any suspension problems like worn bushes etc.

Heres Johnny

It's the 04 one that has 7 owners but the principle is the same. Wouldn't turn me off

drunkmonkey

Heres Johnny wrote: »

It's the 04 one that has 7 owners but the principle is the same. Wouldn't turn me off

It's automatic, normally I'd say buying a luxury car go auto but not in a 325. Auto in the Volvo.

James Bond Junior

bazz26 wrote: »

If you already have a policy on another car then you can get a classic policy with the likes of Autoline in NI on a car 15 years or older for small enough money from what I've heard.



Yes it's very common these days to change ownership to avoid motor tax arrears. You would have to look into the car's history and try to join the dots with the change of ownership. I.e the car might change hands but the service history still shows it being serviced by the same garage, etc.

Be sure to make sure they will cover you first before you call. My 99 323i is about 450 at 3k miles a year with autoline but should halve when it hits 20 years old.

homik

bazz26 wrote: »

If you already have a policy on another car then you can get a classic policy with the likes of Autoline in NI on a car 15 years or older for small enough money from what I've heard.

I was on to Autoline just before Christmas and 15 years only applies to certain brands, they mentioned bmw, audi, merc and jag, could be some more but I was on about a bimmer, so didnt ask further. Otherwise it's 20 years. I would suggest to ask them about the exact make and model before buying to see what age they will cover from.

Working class heroes

Just an update. Thanks you to everyone on the inputs so far.

After toying with the idea of going down the classic/semi classic route I've decided to stick with my original plan, a modern(ish) convertible.

So, ill be making my first trip tomorrow to view a 325 m-sport and if I like what I see ill have it properly checked out both mechanically and history wise.

Is there anything I should be looking out for on my initial inspection? Maybe some obvious tell tale signs and the like.

Thanks.

James Bond Junior

Working class heroes wrote: »

Just an update. Thanks you to everyone on the inputs so far.

After toying with the idea of going down the classic/semi classic route I've decided to stick with my original plan, a modern(ish) convertible.

So, ill be making my first trip tomorrow to view a 325 m-sport and if I like what I see ill have it properly checked out both mechanically and history wise.

Is there anything I should be looking out for on my initial inspection? Maybe some obvious tell tale signs and the like.

Thanks.

Best of luck to you, the search is as much fun as the car in my experience.

James Bond Junior

My thread from last year, might give some food for thought.

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057727020

Working class heroes

James Bond Junior wrote: »

My thread from last year, might give some food for thought.

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057727020

Ah yes, nice looking motor. Still have it? Still going strong?

drunkmonkey

James Bond Junior wrote: »

My thread from last year, might give some food for thought.

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057727020

If you had of bought the Evo only 6 more years until I take it off your hands:D

drunkmonkey

Here's one that just popped up if you fancy dodging the high tax, https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-318ci-convertible-m-sport/13733224
Bought a lexus from the same garage before, the owner is a bit of a bmw fan always seem to have a selection of some sort.

Working class heroes

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Here's one that just popped up if you fancy dodging the high tax, https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-318ci-convertible-m-sport/13733224
Bought a lexus from the same garage before, the owner is a bit of a bmw fan always seem to have a selection of some sort.

Spotted that alright but I think I'll steer clear.

Firstly the reviews seem to be mixed on that dealer where as I can't find anything negative on where I'm going tomorrow.

Secondly, some day I'll be at the lights and a 325 will pull up and I'll start crying.

Thirdly, I don't fancy going to Bermuda.

Nice looking car however....

q85dw7osi4lebg

The n42 in that 318 is by far the worst engine I've ever owned. Nothing but trouble.

James Bond Junior

Working class heroes wrote: »

Ah yes, nice looking motor. Still have it? Still going strong?

Still have it, worst thing I ever did because all I want to do is spend money on it getting it right! Ah no, I love it, counting down the weeks until its June 1st again and I can start driving it. She is locked up in the shed under a blanket of my mothers finest egyptian cotton sheets.

Working class heroes

As mentioned earlier went to look at a 325 msport convertible this morning.
As I was driving up it dawned on me it was in fact the perfect wheather to view such cars. Pissing rain meant leaks would be easily noticed.
Anyway the car was in good enough nick, not as good as described but good none the less. Brought it for a good spin and fell in love then and there.
Back to the dealer but no give on the price, not even a miserly hundred euro.
Turned on me heels and walked. As much as I loved the car I do have principles.:rolleyes:
The search goes on.........

JustLen

Was it well priced at the asking or was he asking too much? Link to the ad?

Working class heroes

JustLen wrote: »

Was it well priced at the asking or was he asking too much? Link to the ad?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-325ci-auto-convertible-msport/17688617
Considering the spec and condition it was probably well enough priced.
But when I said I was ready to make an offer he told me not to bother "the price is the price " wasn't giving an inch so I walked.
Thought it was a strange attitude considering he has it there seven months.

Big Nasty

He'll still have it in another seven months with that attitude.