MB convertible which isn't a money pit?

[JumboBeef]

I have owned a couple of SAAB convertibles in my time, and fine cars they are too. I don't currently have a convertible and I'm lusting after one again.........

The problem is (with a budget of £2K-£3K), could I buy a MB convertible which isn't a money pit? For that money, I could buy a nice SAAB convertible which is good on fuel and (generally) reliable and cheap(ish) to run (like this one).

Thanks.

 

[stevesey]

Hm that SAAB does look quite nice - miles are quite high, but that depends how many you are thinking of adding.

Difficult to find a CLK anywhere near those sort of prices.

The Boss has a 124 cab for sale - you could make an offer.

 

[grober]

Don't think you will get a decent Merc convertible for that money to be honest. Well specced ones in good condition still fetch good money. The advantage being---buy one and look after it and you will get your money back when you sell it. SAAB Convertibles used to be built by MAGNA INTERNATIONAL ( The people who bought Opel) in Gratz along with many Mercedes 4matics ML's and G class

 

[Will]

Don't SAABs have chocolate engines?

Surely at £2k it's only one large repair from being almost a scrapper.

It does look good value for money, but there's probably good reason why they're cheap.

Grober is right about MB cabs holding their money well. Probably for a couple of £k more than your budget you could pick up a reasonable CLK cab or early R129 SL, but it's not really the best time of year to be a buyer for a cabriolet (Summer!).

Will

 

[wemorgan]

I thought those Aero engines were meant to be rather reliable, espcially if fully-synth oil has been used.

With that generation of Saab 9-3 cracks in the firewall are a known issue.

For similar money you could also look for a Mazda MX5, a small car I admit.

 

[Will]

I'm thinking of the SAAB engines that seem to suffer from the sludging issue/faulty oil pumps or whatever, don't they end up with smokey engines and bottom end failure etc?

Not sure specifically which ones are affected, but I thought it was the late 90s/early 00s models. I'm not really into SAABs but I do remember seeing/reading about this issue - not uncommon from what I remember?

Will

 

[JumboBeef]

For similar money you could also look for a Mazda MX5, a small car I admit.

Thanks, but it needs to be a four-seater (plus I'm not a hairdresser )

 

[High-Lo]

What do you think of the previous shape Audi Cabriolet? They can be had for not a lot of cash.

 

[JumboBeef]

but it's not really the best time of year to be a buyer for a cabriolet (Summer!).

Happy to wait until winter!

 

[stevesey]

I'm thinking of the SAAB engines that seem to suffer from the sludging issue/faulty oil pumps or whatever, don't they end up with smokey engines and bottom end failure etc?

Not sure specifically which ones are affected, but I thought it was the late 90s/early 00s models. I'm not really into SAABs but I do remember seeing/reading about this issue - not uncommon from what I remember?

I thought those Aero engines were meant to be rather reliable, espcially if fully-synth oil has been used.

I did a guick google earlier and use of good quality oil is a theme that crops up (espicially in the 205bhp 2L engine), so a good look at the service book/receipts and engine/oil would be in order.