FWIW my brother in law has a Solara convertible and it is quiet on the highway. It really surprised me. I would say noise won't be an issue. That being said, the car is ugly, but beauty is within the eye of the beerholder.
Wife wants a convertible
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I think the recent Saab 93 convertibles are dirt cheap and have great insulated tops for sound and weather. They are very GM
They aren't unreliable and worthless used due to dead brand.
They aren't unreliable and worthless used due to dead brand.
Increase your budget and opt for a Mercedes. I would personally go for the E350. Go with a CPO.
Originally Posted By: Vikas
I think the best advice would be to see if you can rent a convertible for a week. It would be the best investment you can make. I suspect she would decide all by herself that long commute in the convertible does not make much sense.
This is an awesome idea. Many people like the idea of a convertible but never use it, and eventually come to hate it.
Others will ride top-down year round.
I'm a heater blasting, snow blowing, hardcore convertible guy. Daily drove one for 4 years before money got thin and life got practical.
I have no need for a small DD at the moment as I'm never home, but once I'm working like a normal person I will trade the big car in on a short tripping, all-by-my-lonesome daily driver.
I think the best advice would be to see if you can rent a convertible for a week. It would be the best investment you can make. I suspect she would decide all by herself that long commute in the convertible does not make much sense.
This is an awesome idea. Many people like the idea of a convertible but never use it, and eventually come to hate it.
Others will ride top-down year round.
I'm a heater blasting, snow blowing, hardcore convertible guy. Daily drove one for 4 years before money got thin and life got practical.
I have no need for a small DD at the moment as I'm never home, but once I'm working like a normal person I will trade the big car in on a short tripping, all-by-my-lonesome daily driver.
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Didn't you just get the Crown Vic recently? No matter....
Here you go!
What woman would want to drive a Crown Vic by choice? That was a BITOG bragging rights buy......
Didn't you just get the Crown Vic recently? No matter....
Here you go!
What woman would want to drive a Crown Vic by choice? That was a BITOG bragging rights buy......
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Go into a convertible top shop, ask what a rough estimate is to replace the top on any convertible car, then tell your wife. See if she still wants to buy a car without a roof.
Cry me a river. Not all convertible tops are difficult DIYs, and not all tops will go bad within the "life" of the car. Ofnyou don't need a top for 15-20 years, well, I think that's ok. Not all convertible tops are even fabric.
When's the last time YOU replaced a convertible top? Quit fear mongering, and move along.
You're a boutique car mechanic, so your opinion is biased. The average consumer isn't going to be replacing a convertible top themselves. The OP is asking for a car that is div>
Ok let's talk high-side. A new top for a Z3 (needed if the original owner has not cared for it) will run you about $2500 installed at a BMW service center. A top for a first gen Beetle is about $1200. Late-model Cabrio (00's) about the same.
When you realize that you're buy a nearly 20 year old car that needs a top (gasp) you will also realize that the new top will go at least 20 years if cared for.
The investment becomes minimal if you are planning to keep the car. $2500 over 20 years isn't much in the grand scheme of things.
If you're buying a car and planning to dump it after a few years (many first time convertible owners do this) then get a car with a good top and don't worry about it.
It's not like late model convertibles need new tops every 5 or even 10 years. This isn't the 60's/70's anymore.
And then you hope and pray that you don't have someone walk past it, and take a knife to it...just because he feels like it.
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Go into a convertible top shop, ask what a rough estimate is to replace the top on any convertible car, then tell your wife. See if she still wants to buy a car without a roof.
Cry me a river. Not all convertible tops are difficult DIYs, and not all tops will go bad within the "life" of the car. Ofnyou don't need a top for 15-20 years, well, I think that's ok. Not all convertible tops are even fabric.
When's the last time YOU replaced a convertible top? Quit fear mongering, and move along.
You're a boutique car mechanic, so your opinion is biased. The average consumer isn't going to be replacing a convertible top themselves. The OP is asking for a car that is div>
Ok let's talk high-side. A new top for a Z3 (needed if the original owner has not cared for it) will run you about $2500 installed at a BMW service center. A top for a first gen Beetle is about $1200. Late-model Cabrio (00's) about the same.
When you realize that you're buy a nearly 20 year old car that needs a top (gasp) you will also realize that the new top will go at least 20 years if cared for.
The investment becomes minimal if you are planning to keep the car. $2500 over 20 years isn't much in the grand scheme of things.
If you're buying a car and planning to dump it after a few years (many first time convertible owners do this) then get a car with a good top and don't worry about it.
It's not like late model convertibles need new tops every 5 or even 10 years. This isn't the 60's/70's anymore.
And then you hope and pray that you don't have someone walk past it, and take a knife to it...just because he feels like it.
What I think is a hoot about this is that for years I have driven either my Citroen 2CV or my Citroen Dyane 100 miles round trip for commutes in weather where we don't have snow. These cars would blow many of your minds when it comes to NVH, power, etc. yet I love it.
Maybe his wife won't like it, but why be so quick to go against it?
Maybe his wife won't like it, but why be so quick to go against it?
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
And then you hope and pray that you don't have someone walk past it, and take a knife to it...just because he feels like it.
Oh, you don't have insurance? Sorry. Do you hope and pray someone doesn't key your car? Slash your tires? Break your windows?
Maybe you should focus your efforts into moving to a better area; it must suck to live your life in fear.
And then you hope and pray that you don't have someone walk past it, and take a knife to it...just because he feels like it.
Oh, you don't have insurance? Sorry. Do you hope and pray someone doesn't key your car? Slash your tires? Break your windows?
Maybe you should focus your efforts into moving to a better area; it must suck to live your life in fear.
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
And then you hope and pray that you don't have someone walk past it, and take a knife to it...just because he feels like it.
Oh, you don't have insurance? Sorry. Do you hope and pray someone doesn't key your car? Slash your tires? Break your windows?
Maybe you should focus your efforts into moving to a better area; it must suck to live your life in fear.
I recall my boss telling me about how in college he had something with a soft top; and people would slash the top to steal whatever was inside. The fact that it was buttoned on didn't change the fact that they would knife it. College towns can be rough I guess.
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
And then you hope and pray that you don't have someone walk past it, and take a knife to it...just because he feels like it.
Oh, you don't have insurance? Sorry. Do you hope and pray someone doesn't key your car? Slash your tires? Break your windows?
Maybe you should focus your efforts into moving to a better area; it must suck to live your life in fear.
I recall my boss telling me about how in college he had something with a soft top; and people would slash the top to steal whatever was inside. The fact that it was buttoned on didn't change the fact that they would knife it. College towns can be rough I guess.
harbor
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A Miata is prob your best bet, and if your wife decides a ragtop isn't for her, you'll likely be able to sell it for what you paid for it.
The Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice should be added to your list. Also, I'm somewhat biased since I've had two, but you can get a decent Crossfire in the $10K price range. It's basically a MB SLK320.
Good luck with the search. Fall/Winter are good times to buy a convertible.
The Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice should be added to your list. Also, I'm somewhat biased since I've had two, but you can get a decent Crossfire in the $10K price range. It's basically a MB SLK320.
Good luck with the search. Fall/Winter are good times to buy a convertible.
Originally Posted By: dareo
2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder. If you can find a good one i would expect that to be very reliable.
I like that option. The are reliable. I have only had to replace the brake calipers, front struts, and the fuel filler neck (big issue actually). I am also looking for a new top. However, replacing the top is nearly 3 grand. They are not inexpensive to repair (parts are becoming tricky) as I would like using mostly corolla parts. Now at 10-15 years old, they are needing work. Plus, you have to live without a trunk. Economical though. I get 28-30MPG with 100% hard city driving. 30mpg+ if I do not thrash it and 36-40mpg on the highway. Another downside is that it is a 3-season car in WNC. Snow/ice/rain make it hairy on our roads... if downright dangerous. Go with a 2002-2005 if you want an Mr2. Also, manual convertible top only.
Solaras would be the way to go. Already a used Solara is more reliable than several Sebrings my family used to own. They are good convertibles if you must have the back seat.
However, go with a Miata. It will be the cheapest, most reliable option if you do not need a back seat but would like some utility (like a trunk). It is less scary in the WNC area as far handling.
2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder. If you can find a good one i would expect that to be very reliable.
I like that option. The are reliable. I have only had to replace the brake calipers, front struts, and the fuel filler neck (big issue actually). I am also looking for a new top. However, replacing the top is nearly 3 grand. They are not inexpensive to repair (parts are becoming tricky) as I would like using mostly corolla parts. Now at 10-15 years old, they are needing work. Plus, you have to live without a trunk. Economical though. I get 28-30MPG with 100% hard city driving. 30mpg+ if I do not thrash it and 36-40mpg on the highway. Another downside is that it is a 3-season car in WNC. Snow/ice/rain make it hairy on our roads... if downright dangerous. Go with a 2002-2005 if you want an Mr2. Also, manual convertible top only.
Solaras would be the way to go. Already a used Solara is more reliable than several Sebrings my family used to own. They are good convertibles if you must have the back seat.
However, go with a Miata. It will be the cheapest, most reliable option if you do not need a back seat but would like some utility (like a trunk). It is less scary in the WNC area as far handling.
Stay away from the Camaro. Big problems with the 2011 - 2012 tops. My 2011 is a babied garage queen and I still had to have the top replaced in 2012. Went back many times for issues, some still not resolved. Objects in the 'well' rub holes in the canvas. When you get a new top installed, silver cables that were originally concealed are suddenly visible. Rattles, loose parts, leaking....it's been fun. Instead of solid, built-in water management, it has a rubber bladder that collects water and directs it to drains in front of the rear wheels. If anything punctures or rubs a hole in that bag, you get a flood of water in your rear floorboard. Other folks had a gallon of hydraulic fluid in their floorboard from the system that operates the top.
GM initially bragged that the Camaro top was designed & built by the same people that created the Corvette top. That didn't remain a bragging point for very long.
GM initially bragged that the Camaro top was designed & built by the same people that created the Corvette top. That didn't remain a bragging point for very long.
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another vote for the Miata...but I am biased. I daily drive mine, but my commute is only ~10 miles. The top looks pretty easy to replace, there are step by step directions, and you can get one for less than $500. That and the overall low running costs make it a no-brainer. There are "how-to's" for almost anything and everything on that car. THe online support is amazing, and you can get parts anywhere.
Originally Posted By: Studebaker
She is talking about Miatas, but she test drove the BMW sports car and thought it was too cramped.
Which BMW model specifically did she drive?
Also, at the risk of sounding impolite, how small/large is your wife?
She is talking about Miatas, but she test drove the BMW sports car and thought it was too cramped.
Which BMW model specifically did she drive?
Also, at the risk of sounding impolite, how small/large is your wife?
Sounds like a Z3 or Z4.
Oh...I would lean toward a second or third generation Miata...probably not the first generation. The first gen is a lot less civilized from an NVH standpoint. It's much more of the raw fun track car than its newer siblings.
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350Z,370Z,or Mitsubishi V6 Spyder.
Don't get a BMW Z4 if her drive is 60 miles each way. It's noisy and has a rough ride. It's fun to drive for pleasure but can become a nightmare for daily commute.
Get something more comfortable with hard top. A Pontiac G6 or a Golf can be had for $10k.
Get something more comfortable with hard top. A Pontiac G6 or a Golf can be had for $10k.
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