Wife wants a convertible

[Studebaker]

The wife wants to replace her Crown Vic with some sort of a convertible.
Our budget is less than 10K, as we will be paying cash.
I convinced her to steer clear of anything European.
She is talking about Miatas, but she test drove the BMW sports car and thought it was too cramped.
I am trying to talk her into a Toyota Solara, but she doesn't like the looks. The only other 4 seater convertibles I can think of that are non european, under 10K, are the Mustang, Camaro, and Mitsubishi Eclipse.
What are your suggestions?
Of course, a Wrangler is a possibility and we have an 03 with 217,000 miles and it has been wonderful.
She drives 60 miles each way to work, so the mileage adds up quick.

 

[Quattro Pete]

I think Infiniti has a 4-seat convertible, but I'm not sure if you'd be able to find one for $10K.

 

[JHZR2]

None. Save your money and buy something better. Especially if she has to drive 60 miles each way.

 

[ecotourist]

She's right. Buy a Miata.

 

[JamesBond]

Keep the crown Vic and buy a cheap convertible that needs a top and just drive it top down on weekends. 120 miles per day in a $10k convertible sounds like a loosing proposition.

 

[jimbrewer]

For that budget, buy on the condition of the car ( well, OK reliability reputation too).

I'm not crazy about the idea, but at least you'll find a lot of low mile well maintained cars to choose from.

 

[DemoFly]

MR2 Spyder. Not a 4 seater, but if she wants a Miata...

The Eclipse is actually a great vehicle. My friends father has had a 3.8L Spyder for the longest time. He's a fanatic for them.

 

[JimPghPA]

60 miles each way five days a week times 48 weeks a year is 28,800 miles a year. With high miles like that it would be wise to get something that gets high miles per gallon like a hybrid.

 

[silverrat]

PT Cruiser convertibles seat 4, but it's a PT Cruiser...

 

[supton]

I'd think anything not a hard top would be too noisy on the non-top-down days. So I'd look for something with a folding hardtop. Not sure if those are in the price range or not.

 

[NHGUY]

Old 80s Chrysler LeBaron.

 

[silverrat]

Originally Posted By: supton
I'd think anything not a hard top would be too noisy on the non-top-down days. So I'd look for something with a folding hardtop. Not sure if those are in the price range or not.


Pontiac G6 convertibles are hard folding top and pretty cheap

 

[earlyre]

Why steer clear of euro models?
Also, assuming the BMW you mean is the z series, while definitely a "euro" model, up until MY2009, (ie: the entire Z3 run, and Z4's built before Aug 28,2008 were ALL built in Greer, SC.
After that date production switched to Germany.
The Greer plant switched to the X series SUV's/crossovers

 

[Mr Nice]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
None. Save your money and buy something better. Especially if she has to drive 60 miles each way.


Yep. Buy a Focus hatchback for that 120 mile commute.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: silverrat
Originally Posted By: supton
I'd think anything not a hard top would be too noisy on the non-top-down days. So I'd look for something with a folding hardtop. Not sure if those are in the price range or not.


Pontiac G6 convertibles are hard folding top and pretty cheap


There you go.

*

Had another thought. How much wind noise is there, with the top down and going highway speeds? Me, I somewhere around 45mph I can't stand to have a window open. I couldn't imagine driving for an hour with a constant roar, but maybe it's more quiet than I think?

 

[donnyj08]

Honda S2000 if she can drive a stick shift. You can get one for $10k if you really look. A Miata is decent too. A 2005-2009 mustang GT is also an option. Less fuel friendly but likely reliable. I applaud you for paying cash, if she has her heart set on a convertible stay patient and look. You can find a decent reliable vehicle for $10k if you are patient.

 

[ammolab]

Convertibles have become "chick cars". They buy the majority of them but rarely put the top down. "Too Hot / Too Cold...MY HAIR"!

 

[fdcg27]

A Miata would be a reliable and economical car and they are attractive and fun to drive.
A Solara would be neither and a Wrangler would be a wrangle on that sort of commute.
Don't discount Euro cars either.
If you can find a good low mileage one with solid maintenance records, an e36 BMW would be a smart buy. A four cylinder example would offer both good fuel economy and outstanding reliability and they are attractive cars and are surely fun to drive.
Top up, the car is fairly quiet and the AC is excellent.
Check my sig. I bought the car in 2010 and have put 56K trouble free on it since so I do speak from experience and the car has been really cheap to own having needed nothing of any economic significance. It's never left me stranded either.
The key, as with any car, is finding one that's been properly maintained.
Some BMWs are money pits while some are really cheap to own daily drivers.

 

[Studebaker]

If if were up to me, I'd have her get a regular Camry. But she has her heart set on a convertible.
She can drive a stick.
Seems like the eclipse is priced well, but most I have come across are I4's and automatics. How is the automatic in it? I understand the I4 is gutless.
I am thinking in year or 2 she will have this out of her system.

 

[Kuato]

Didn't you just get the Crown Vic recently? No matter....

Here you go!