cheap convertible

carl · Post by **carl** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 11:17 pm

As I'm sure you're all aware, the sun came out the other day, and the wife and I find ourselves with two tintop cars

So I'm thinking of buying a cheap (up to around Â£4k) convertible that will serve two purposes:
1) The missus can drive it to work in the sun and,
2) I can spank it around the track

Currently my shortlist only contains 1 car -- the Mazda MX-5, unless anyone has any other ideas? So far I've discounted:
Pug CC (too expensive, FWD)
Fiat Barchetta (FWD)
Toyota MR2 Roadster (too expensive)
Lotus Elise (too expensive, bloody difficult to get in and out of)
Pug 306 Cabrio (FWD)
Alfa Spider (too unreliable, FWD)

I suppose the MGF might be an option, but a mid-mounted Rover K-series doesn't sound like a recipe for reliability.

Louisg · Post by **Louisg** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 12:30 am

Looks like the Pug 306 then.

DOnt know anything about them though mate, but they do still look nice IMO

Louis

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 12:45 am

MGF's are fun to drive well the TFs are anyway rear wheel drive sending the back end out round corners

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:49 am

my bruvs got a TF, they are real nice, only problem being the shopping in the boot getting roasted by the heat

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 11:13 am

What you manage to get shopping in the Boot. How its only postage stamp size

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 12:46 pm

did i say shopping, i meant doggy bag

Ed_shek · Post by **Ed_shek** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 2:38 pm

Get a MX5 for the japanese reliability and the car is rear wheel drive so should be fun.

Should be better than the other choices.

paulo · Post by **paulo** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:23 am

I was thinking of doing the same, a cheap replacement for my cc, to get some cash back!

I personally recon the MGF, the MX5 is also great....I would say out of the 2 the MGF is better, you can get a good one with leather and electrics for around 4k....little bit more masculin than the MX5 and I like the MG brand!

carl · Post by **carl** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 11:15 am

The trouble with the MGF is that I understand it isn't that good. The TF is a lot better (proper springs instead of that awful hydrogas suspension, etc.) I also remember Tiff showing that it was very understeery on the track.

Rum Tum Tugger · Post by **Rum Tum Tugger** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 11:42 am

The trouble with the MGF is that I understand it isn't that good.

I think the phrase "isn't that good" is an understatement, most of the running gear is from a Metro.

My 206CC was the worst built new car I have ever driven and I would never even consider a French car ever again. Can you imagine how bad a Â£4K 306 convertible would feel.

I think the MX5 is the logical choice and the one I would be going for it it was me. If you can live with the image then it is a very good car and should hold it's value extremely well.

Post by **Lyndon** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 5:49 pm

y0u could also lookout for a imported mx5,enuos (spelling) roadster should be cheaper than a uk one...........runs and hides at suggesting a import

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 6:34 pm

Don't buy anything from MGR - it's all junk.

carl · Post by **carl** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 8:34 pm

Yes, I was actually thinking of a Eunos. As you say, they're cheaper plus they're usually a better spec (leather and aircon).