Need a car for the wife - suggestions please !

Sneaky Peaky · 18 May 2006 at 11:49

Mrs P is going back to work and needs a run around - I think she is hitting the Female equivalent of a MLC so would like something small, fun, nippy, and preferable with a soft top type thing. Budget is £7.5k. Second hand, up to 3/4 years old, under 35k miles, 4 seats an advantage but not essential..

Almost had a bite at a smart roadster that had been chipped and modded

or thinking poss a 206 cabriolet ?

Any ideas much welcomed !

Sneaky Peaky · 18 May 2006 at 11:56

Had a quick look at them but for about that money they seem to be around 5/6 years old, would prefer someting a bit newer tbh.
Nice cars though no doubt..

Sneaky Peaky · 18 May 2006 at 12:10

Ukadder said:
Don't get a 206 cab, they are terrible.

Get an MX-5 and put a private plate on it if shes worried about it looking old, It's so much better even thou it's a little bit older.

Why are they terrible ?

Sneaky Peaky · 18 May 2006 at 12:51

Thanks for the info

Just had a quick look and could get an 03 MGTF 160 for about that money.
I used to have one for a while early on in my MLF and thought it was quite well put together and a lot of fun. Anyone else any views and experience of these or any other suggestions..

Sneaky Peaky · 18 May 2006 at 13:03

yeah I did have a quick look - looks fun but I'll probably get to drive it on occasion and driving in a balaclava in the summer might be a bit too warm

Thanks for the suggestion though - never even heard of them before..!

Sneaky Peaky · 18 May 2006 at 13:13

oooh - could stretch to an 02 Mini Cooper, not soft top but plenty of fun ?

Sneaky Peaky · 18 May 2006 at 13:23

Cheers - whats the main differences between the cooper and cooper s ?

Sneaky Peaky · 18 May 2006 at 13:56

[TW]Fox said:
It is pretty much the only choice. Convertibles have exceptional residual values and generally tend to almost exclusively cost in excess of £15,000 new.

This, coupled with your budget, means very, very few sub 5 year old convertibles are available for this sort of money.

I can think of the 206CC, the Copen and..... thats about it really.

MGTF 160 a complete no no ?

I only had mine about 6 months one summer and it was a hoot with the top down. Not sure what it would be like in the depths of winter though..

Sneaky Peaky · 18 May 2006 at 13:58

weeble said:
Are those little smart coupe roadster things in budget - the low one, not the squashed one? Got good little chassis underneath them too, with a wee engine and turbo.

Yep - that's what really started me thinking, mate was selling one with a bigger turbo, remap, decat and loads of Brabus goodies, wheels etc..
Looked great and supposed to go really well - some issues with the gearbox though but supposed to be better with the flappy paddles.

Sneaky Peaky · 18 May 2006 at 14:00

ConfusedTA said:
They're not as good as the MX-5.

Let it go mate - she won't have it

Sneaky Peaky · 18 May 2006 at 14:46

This is very tempting..

Enlarge2002 PEUGEOT 206 CC Converts,
02 reg. 25000 miles, met black paint, c/coded, air con, power hood, black leather, CD player, multi function steering, nice miles, alloys, remote alarmed, immobiliser, absolute stunning example, f/main dealer history, one keeper, p/x a pleasure. £7,999. .

Sneaky Peaky · 18 May 2006 at 22:10

Many Thanks for all the contributions guys, plenty to think about..

Having had a chat with her tonight she might also be interested in a little sporty car, summat like a Puma , Tigra or the like ? She also like the look of the KA - is there a sporty one ? what about the droptop one - too expensive ?

I'm still thinking about an older MX5 btw