Convertible

Player_86 · 23-02-2026 03:42PM #1

I’m interested in buying a convertible. It needs to have minimum 4 (proper) seats, be relatively reliable (i.e. not something that’s going to cost a fortune to keep on the road). Max budget is €25k. Not interested in Fiat 500 or a smaller convertible like that.

Ideally something like a Volvo C70 but I see there isn’t a single one for sale in Ireland.

Any recommendations? Thanks.

Separately, I know the below doesn’t meet my requirements of having 4 seats, but it’s a beautiful car. I’m guessing buying a car like this privately would be extremely risky and you’d be better off going to a dealer? What kind of thing could you end up a big bill for on a car like this?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz-sl-class-2008/40142316

Buddy Bubs · 23-02-2026 07:14PM

Bmw 3 series

Audi A4/A5

They'd be the 2 id be going for anyway

User1998 · 23-02-2026 07:19PM

Just put your search criteria into DoneDeal and see what's out there.

Regarding the Mercedes. It's 18 years old so buying from a dealer isn't going to get you much warranty. Maybe 3 months engine & gearbox at most

galvo_clare · 23-02-2026 07:25PM

Mercedes C/E Class too.
Nice position to be in. A few years ago I bought a 2003 3 Series for just over £3k, just before Brexit.
Like you I wanted four seats, even just for somewhere comfy for the dog or for extra storage. Makes a big difference especially if you want to use it for a bit of travel.

User1998 · 23-02-2026 07:26PM

After searching DoneDeal your only options are:

BMW: 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 6 Series

Audi: A3, A4, A5

Mercedes: C-Class, E-Class

All good options in fairness. A lot of them are diesels tho. A nice 2L petrol would be a better option IMO

Buddy Bubs · 23-02-2026 07:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124260031#Comment_124260031

Ive threatened to buy one of those for years…just dont know what or where I'd use it.

goochy · 23-02-2026 08:26PM

Hold out for a saab 9-3 diesel convertible? I had a petrol saab .real gas guzzler so wouldn't recommending petrol saab

Beachcomber1097 · 24-02-2026 03:33PM

I did something similar last year

Some questions: What type of miles are you looking at each year?

When you say 4 Proper seats, do you mean to fit 4 adults in, or the possibility to fit 4 into it.

Do you have somewhere to store over winter?

Do you need to be able to tow anything? For context, I bought my convertible to be able to tow a caravan behind it for weekends away and having something nice to drive.

ofcork · 24-02-2026 07:28PM

Back seats in the SL are tiny and could be extremely expensive when things go wrong with suspension roof etc

Player_86 · 24-02-2026 08:38PM

Beachcomber, thanks for your reply. What did you buy, out of interest?

I’d like 2 seats in the back primarily for booster seats for my kids and to occasionally carry 2 adults. I’d say light enough mileage, maybe 10k km a year or so. Even though we have another family car, I’d plan on using it during winter for all the usual stuff, like driving to work or the school run etc (obviously with the roof up!), so would just be keeping it on the drive. We wouldn’t need it for towing.

Player_86 · 24-02-2026 08:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262706#Comment_124262706

Ah the SL probably wouldn’t work, but I’ve always had a soft spot for them. I wonder if you were to bring it to a Mercedes specialist like Terry Jackson for a once over before buying, would you at least have some piece of mind that the most expensive bits are unlikely to go wrong in the near future?

Beachcomber1097 · 20-03-2026 10:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262888#Comment_124262888

Might be an unpopular one, but I bought a SAAB 93 Diesel. Bought mine for 10.5K at the time.

It has decent MPG on it, the back seats, while not massive, do hold people, depending on driver's height of course.

goochy · 20-03-2026 10:24AM

Great choice .should hold it's value well enough

Beachcomber1097 · 20-03-2026 10:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124326328#Comment_124326328

Thanks.

Had some small issues with it in the first year, nothing major. Electric roof issue but minor enough.

Ah just handy to have, a big person toy if you will.

Alfaguy · 21-03-2026 09:47PM

I would try to avoid electrically operated roofs as these will be the most likely thing to give trouble. Not sure if you can even get manual convertibles these days other than a Mazda MX5.

How about this? You can get a hard top for them too.

Convertible

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