Which automatic 4 seat convertible for £10k-20k?

[jonnyboy]

Ah, wives. Bless them.

Have a 4 or 5 page thread going about our fleet changearound.
All change in Mrs JB's head now - to more or less what I had suggested was the sensible setup long before I started that thread
Won't bore you with the details, here is the question:

Including all makes, except BMW (she refuses to even touch the door handle on one, wonder if her first b/f had one? lol), we will need a 4 seat automatic convertible. It will be a daily driver, generally for her, I will have a 4x4 of some description which she will reluctantly borrow when she needs to do a big shop/take her parents out etc. I'd like it to not be too much of a sluggard, but cost effective to run. Back seats need to be suitable for adults (local journeys, longer will be in the 4x4).

We currently have an '06 Saab 9-3 convertible which we quite like, but this will be a big step up.

Thoughts? Observations?


Thanks


J

 

[Deleted member 37751]

W207 E500: rare with a very capable 388bhp.

Mercedes-Benz E Class 5.5 E500 Sport 7G-Tronic 2dr

 

[Chrishazle]

Budget? I saw an E class convertible not long after they came out a year or more back, looked lovely and had 4 adults in it! CLK of some description? Washing mouth out with soap and water, there's a 4 seat Audi convertible that looks quite acceptable.

 

[StuartK]

I'd be buying a DCT M3 convertible

 

[def90cars]

Definitely a CLK - prettier than a E-class Cabrio

CLK63 AMG

 

[TheFoX]

I actually moved up from a SAAB Aero convertible to a CLK500 convertible, and didn't look back.

The CLK looks quite dainty really, and it does have a really plush ride. My old CLK500, which cost me £30,000 as a four year old car, can now be picked up for well under £10,000. It was a 54 plate vehicle.

If you are going for a CLK, try to get one with as many extras as possible. Memory seats. Heated and chilled seats. Harman Kardon. Et al.

 

[jotter22]

I'd be buying a DCT M3 convertible

I looked at a 3 series before buying the CLK and the BM is NOT for 4 adult's...
I cranked the driver seat back to where i would be comfortable driving and an adult was never going to sit behind me...Not with a full compliment of leg's anyway!
My vote is CLK or E class as said above by SPX (he has probably had 1 of each going by his track record with car's)

Tony.

 

[zipdip]

Well it comes down to do you want to run a older car then without doubt the CLK is the car and at the bottom of what you are willing to pay,but I suspect you want a newer car so if you keep to Mercedes it has to be the E class but the ones with all the toys are right at the top of your £20,000,if you want a bigger engine best of the bunch is the E250,plenty of go nice one on autotrader in white but over your £20,000

 

[Tiim533]

I drove a SAAB 93 Aero convertible up until August last year, and having driven SAAB's for 20 years was somewhat saddened by the fact I'd have to change. I went for an E Class Convertible (ok it was new), but there's quite a number of E220/E250's on Auto Trader for your budget, some with very low mileage.
Remarkably, It's slightly narrower but slightly longer than the 93, and actually has a totally different feel to it, as there's very little roll which there was in the SAAB (Mine was MY06), but overall I'm extremely happy with the Merc so go for a test drive in one of them and suss it out for yourself.
As to your wife not touching BMW's, I would like to congratulate her on her exquisite taste

 

[jonnyboy]

W207 E500: rare with a very capable 388bhp.

Mercedes-Benz E Class 5.5 E500 Sport 7G-Tronic 2dr

Is lovely, and priced well, but may well not fit the running costs brief. Madam won't like black, either, I reckon (nor silver )

 

[jonnyboy]

I'd be buying a DCT M3 convertible

No BMW's as per orig post. But thanks anyway.

 

[jonnyboy]

I drove a SAAB 93 Aero convertible up until August last year, and having driven SAAB's for 20 years was somewhat saddened by the fact I'd have to change. I went for an E Class Convertible (ok it was new), but there's quite a number of E220/E250's on Auto Trader for your budget, some with very low mileage.
Remarkably, It's slightly narrower but slightly longer than the 93, and actually has a totally different feel to it, as there's very little roll which there was in the SAAB (Mine was MY06), but overall I'm extremely happy with the Merc so go for a test drive in one of them and suss it out for yourself.
As to your wife not touching BMW's, I would like to congratulate her on her exquisite taste

Interesting to hear, our 9-3 is an '06 too.
Looked at the runout 9-3's which are at the bottom of our budget, but are just not "modern" enough for what we want in terms of telematics etc

 

[jonnyboy]

So.
Seems like there is an uber short short-list.
C70 lovely from the outside but not keen on dash so that's out.
Lexus IS250 sounds underpowered and too small, that's out.
Vauxhall Cascada is...a Vauxhall. Out
Saab 9-3 just too old in terms of design we think.
BMW - nooooo

So Audi A5 and E Class convertible seem the only serious contenders.
On paper the Audi seems younger for the money, probably quicker depreciation I guess.
Pre-facelift E Class is within budget, facelift isn't. I half-think the pre-facelift is the nicer looking actually, when it comes to the cabrio. Not ont he estate/saloon though, where I prefer the look of the facelift. Odd aren't I ? lol
Going to try and view a couple locally back to back tomorrow. Wish us luck...

 

[tuonopepper]

Curveball....Vauxhall Cascada, probably get a nearly new one for 20k if you're not too fussed about the badge...borrowed a fleet demo and, bar the horrible dash, it wasn't too bad and looked well with the 20s on it.

James

 

[Abdul]

CLK350 petrol, happy medium really.

 

[fabes]

I too moved into a CLK from a Saab 9-3 convertible (57 reg) - is there a theme or a right of passage here.....

I miss the (remapped) 3rd Gear of the Saab, but the CLK is a step up in ride, quality and most other departments.

I did look at the Cascada, but the dash was a deal breaker for me as you have look at it all the time and its baaaaad (and the badge for the missus).

The A5 is a good cabrio IF the CLK or E class isn't for you. The new A3 with the 1.4ACT looks good on paper - but not with the back breaking sports suspension - which is a pity as Audi's look *carp* in SE trim imho.

CLK would be my number 1 choice (and was :bannana

 

[isleaiw]

The new A3 with the 1.4ACT looks good on paper - but not with the back breaking sports suspension - which is a pity as Audi's look *carp* in SE trim imho.

CLK would be my number 1 choice (and was :bannana

You can get the S Line with comfort suspension - indeed suspect the majority are ordered as cruisers with looks that way.

 

[tuonopepper]

Agree the Cascada dash is a mess...shame she won't consider a BMW, I'm not normally a BMW fan but Do like the 6 Series cab...

 

[jonnyboy]

I agree about the looks of the 6 series but the rear seating is a total joke.
Cascada will never happen.

Drove an a5 today, it drove well, but I will be honest and say I was a bit underwhelmed by the 2.0 diesel - it almost seemed "strangled" to me. I, and madam, are probably more drawn to the E Class - saw one, sat in, no time for test drive yet. Plus it was a banned colour (black) but had a gorgeous two tone interior. Which may stop black being banned...

 

[GH421]

IS 250C V6 Auto