Which £10k Convertible for mooching?

monkey_boy · 9 Mar 2011 at 11:43

Hi All,

What cars should be considered when looking for a convertible to mooch around the Isle of Wight/New Forest/Normandy. Must have 4 seats. Must be average mileage. Must not be ancient. These criteria are non-negotiable

EDIT- My laziness knows no bounds this morning, so any links would be much appreciated

InvaderGIR · 9 Mar 2011 at 11:45

E46 Cab?

[TW]Fox · 9 Mar 2011 at 12:03

E46, Audi A4 or CLK cab depending on whether you want handling, poshness or wafty prestige respectively.

BigT · 9 Mar 2011 at 13:33

Got to agree with Fox, although I'll throw some other less desirable options into the mix

Lexus SC430 - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2417133.htm
Jaguar XK - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1739543.htm (might be defined as ancient by you though)

At the lower end of the market (depending on what you want from "mooching") there are options like minis and golfs, but overall the ones Fox suggested will be the most comfortable 4 up.

godinman · 9 Mar 2011 at 13:36

That XK is beautiful. I want one.

andicole0 · 9 Mar 2011 at 13:36

A real car.

Andi.

DM · 9 Mar 2011 at 13:45

XK8 stretch to 15k and have my green one less the number plate

Morba · 9 Mar 2011 at 13:47

not gonna be mooching much in an XK tbh, the rear seats wont be that comfortable for long.

DM · 9 Mar 2011 at 13:49

Morba said:
not gonna be mooching much in an XK tbh, the rear seats wont be that comfortable for long.

He aint sitting in the back hes driving.

Anyway you can get 3 good seats out of an XK8

Morba · 9 Mar 2011 at 13:51

DiamondMark said:
He aint sitting in the back hes driving.

Anyway you can get 3 good seats out of an XK8

Must have 4 seats, I would guess that means 4 usable seats

monkey_boy · 10 Mar 2011 at 14:04

I've been looking through and have come up with a little shortlist, which I was hoping you lot might pick through and give your thoughts on. Please bear in mind that the priorities are: 4 decent seats, capable of standing for long periods of time, low depreciation.

E46
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../postcode/le11aa/page/1/radius/1500?logcode=p

A4
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../page/1/postcode/le11aa/radius/1500?logcode=p

C70
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../postcode/le11aa/radius/1500/page/1?logcode=p

Saab 93
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../radius/1500/page/1/postcode/le11aa?logcode=p

VW EOS
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../radius/1500/postcode/le11aa/page/1?logcode=p

Peerzy · 10 Mar 2011 at 14:06

The only thing with the 3 series I could say is that isn't it being replaced withi the next 12-18months.

So you will have paid £10k for a car that is 2 generations old!

Morba · 10 Mar 2011 at 14:06

E46 would be my choice.

A friend has an A4 cab (2 people I know actually!) who had an EOS before, she wishes she kept the EOS. No idea what baring that has if any!

Morba · 10 Mar 2011 at 14:07

Peerzy said:
The only thing with the 3 series I could say is that isn't it being replaced withi the next 12-18months.

So you will have paid £10k for a car that is 2 generations old!

Not sure what the issue with that is, though he has picked one from the top of his budget instead of potentially a better one for a little cheaper.

Peerzy · 10 Mar 2011 at 14:13

Morba said:
Not sure what the issue with that is, though he has picked one from the top of his budget instead of potentially a better one for a little cheaper.

It's going to effect resale price a fair bit I would imagine and he may no longer see it as a 'nice' car as to most people it could start to appear as an 'old shape'.

[TW]Fox · 10 Mar 2011 at 14:34

Peerzy said:
The only thing with the 3 series I could say is that isn't it being replaced withi the next 12-18months.

So you will have paid £10k for a car that is 2 generations old!

The 3 Series cab is not replaced until 2014.

monkey_boy · 10 Mar 2011 at 14:43

Morba said:
E46 would be my choice.

A friend has an A4 cab (2 people I know actually!) who had an EOS before, she wishes she kept the EOS. No idea what baring that has if any!

That's interesting, any idea why? If it's down to the car's aura or feng shui or some other nonsense then just tip us the nod and we'll move swiftly on

[TW]Fox;18641729 said:
The 3 Series cab is not replaced until 2014.

That's actually really good to know. It will be at least a little while until the e46 cab is worth buttons like the e36 now is. I must admit though, the age of the design and therefore the image of the car is a bit of a concern? Are all 4 seats in the e46 just as useful as in the other cars I've listed?

rG-tom · 10 Mar 2011 at 15:22

comparing a vw eos to a 3 series convertible, of the same age, and the EOS being more expensive, just doesn't sit well with me! Plus the 3 series is a LOT better looking.

Although:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2498659.htm

Looks a lot better value, better spec, better engine, only 2 years older and £4k cheaper (7 vs 5)