Best convertible for £10k or less

[jonnyboy]

So i had a thread gioing for a £20k convertible.
We looked seriously at e class convertibles but had a direction change and bought an L322 Range Rover......which is great.
We're going to replace our 9-3 convertible as Mrs JB's daily driver (it wasn't a daily, was a weekender).
Could do with some pointers:-
Auto
Big 4 seater - occasionally 2 teens/adults in back
Nippy
Nice spec
Colourful - she doesn't like black or silver, except possibly with a red leather interior/two tone interior......
Not too high miles although will only do 6k pa

Short list i think is:-

A/early A5
Volvo C70
Perhaps CLK although worried about back seat space (need to view one).

Observations or if you spot anything most welcome!

J

 

[bpsorrel]

When I sold my 93 convertible just after Saab went bust I looked closely at the C70 tp replace it. Very nice car, interior quality better than the Saab, diesel engines way better (Saab 1.9 ttid was VERY agricultural!). The only downside compared to the Saab was the small boot due to the hard roof stowing in there, plus it so reminded me of the Focus convertible (same car really). But, I would recommend it if you don't need a large boot and don't mind the Ford content.

Also looked at the A5 and frankly was disappointed in the so called quality. Nice enough to drive but not impressive.

In the end I decided I didn't need four seats in the "weekend toy" and got my first SLK.
On my second now and still enjoy it.

 

[StuartK]

For under £10k you won't get better than an e46 M3 convertible.

 

[Abb]

I recently sold my mint 07 Audi S4, was dolphin grey with red leather and red roof, with al the toys, for a snip at £10.5K!
A lot of car for the money, something worth considering IMO.

 

[Eddy77]

I've got a CLK convertible in Sport spec, and the rear space is OK. I'm 6ft 2 and behind me is a squeeze for my 8 year old. Adults do fit in the back but it's not terribly roomy.
OK for short trips. My memory of 9-3 soft tops is that they are tight too...
£10k won't get you a terribly nice E46 M3 convertible. It will be quite ratty at that price as they've already got the label of "future classic" and prices have shot up lately.
My mate was looking at a mint condition 2003 E46 M3 convertible with 25k on the clock - for sale at £17,000 (4 star classics in Hampshire have it for sale if you want to have a look).
I think CLKs offer decent value at the moment. Mine's a 350 so 270bhp which is "adequate".
Mine is also used as a weekend car, and does around 6k miles a year.
I had the same dilemma as you last summer when I bought it. I looked at 3 series, CLKs and the A4/5. I couldn't face buying a Volvo so never looked.
3 series felt a bit common and the E46 is looking a bit dated now. I don't like the Bangle E91 shape so they were out. Audis generally do little for me, so Mercedes it was.
I'd take a look at a CLK - see what you make of rear legroom.
IMHO they also are the best looking of the bunch, but then I am biased. Caveat here is that you need it in the right colour (black or silver) and in the right spec (Sport).

 

[NL Benz]

x2 on a e46 ///M3 Convertible

 

[seesixtythree]

x2 on a e46 ///m3 convertible

+3

 

[HB]

E46 M3 again. Sensational noises at full chat, topless !

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I recently sold my mint 07 Audi S4, was dolphin grey with red leather and red roof, with al the toys, for a snip at £10.5K!
A lot of car for the money, something worth considering IMO.

An S4 cab would be my recommendation too, nice V8, a good friend of mine owns one and they're definitely great value for money (all things considered)

I can't think of a worse sounding car to own as a drop top than an E46 M3; it's hideous enough in standard coupe form but to have to listen it with the top down would be excruciating. In fact, I would rather drive a soft top Beetle diesel and listen to that!

 

[jonnyboy]

Gents, apologies.
BMW will never make its way onto our driveway in any form as long as Mrs JB still lives here. She hates bimmers en-masse!

Awaiting ability to look at a clk, not up to it just yet.

Bit scared of the S4 - very complex.
Although 3.0 tdi or 3.2 petrol quattro definite contenders.

We drove a 2.0 tdi a5 and it was flatter than flat - even the Mrs noticed!

 

[PXW]

Golf convertible? Decent numbers available at that sort of price, looking at about four years old

 

[jotter22]

e46 for 10k? CLK would be my offering.

Tony.

 

[Doodle]

Jonny, in what respect are you worried about the S4? The mechanicals are very tried and tested, and rarely go wrong.

The only thing I would say is that the Audi v8s are incredibly thirsty, and that is in comparison to an old SL500.

 

[DaveLondon]

This is the time of year to be buying a convertible, and the M3 is a cracker at this price range. However, rear seat space in any of the cars you're looking at isn't going to be fantastic.
I know it's obvious, but will your budget get you into a W209 CLK55 convert? As quick as the M3, but with a much more relaxed driving experience and autobox.

 

[fabes]

Having swapped the 9-3 in for the CLK a direct comparison on rear seats is that the CLK is no smaller at all

A Saab is actually the best value you will get under £10k age/spec wise (and a hirsched 2.8 will entertain....) but others you could look at are the old A3 with a big petrol engine, or one of the last old A4 or if either are big enough as occasional 4 seaters

CLK would get my vote though

 

[jonnyboy]

Golf convertible? Decent numbers available at that sort of price, looking at about four years old

Too small Peter.
I've mailed you from work pc about the other thing, incidentally.

 

[jonnyboy]

Jonny, in what respect are you worried about the S4? The mechanicals are very tried and tested, and rarely go wrong.

The only thing I would say is that the Audi v8s are incredibly thirsty, and that is in comparison to an old SL500.

Thirst is first concern then I'd heard they were tricky when playing up?

 

[jonnyboy]

Having swapped the 9-3 in for the CLK a direct comparison on rear seats is that the CLK is no smaller at all

A Saab is actually the best value you will get under £10k age/spec wise (and a hirsched 2.8 will entertain....) but others you could look at are the old A3 with a big petrol engine, or one of the last old A4 or if either are big enough as occasional 4 seaters

CLK would get my vote though

Now this is interesting as the 9-3 we have works for us.
I dont fancy spending 9/10 k on last of the 9-3's as not enough of an upgrade from the prefacelift 06 one we have now.

But the clk news is interesting...

 

[lordlee]

These are nice - this one isnt auto though.

Audi A5 2.0 TFSI S Line 2dr

 

[StuartK]

Gents, apologies.
BMW will never make its way onto our driveway in any form as long as Mrs JB still lives here. She hates bimmers en-masse!

Awaiting ability to look at a clk, not up to it just yet.

Bit scared of the S4 - very complex.
Although 3.0 tdi or 3.2 petrol quattro definite contenders.

We drove a 2.0 tdi a5 and it was flatter than flat - even the Mrs noticed!

It's unfortunate as the e46 m3 is IMO one of the greatest cars ever made.