Ok the Nova ragtop is badass! My first car was a 63 Nova. Very fun car, 20mpg, a totally ummmm usable back seat :D , and no modern driver protection whatsoever.

Don't buy a 335i without reading up on high pressure fuel pump failure. An expensive and common issue with the turbo six. A few I would look at, some mentioned already:

E46 M3 - fun, decent back seat, avoid the early SMG
996 Cab - fun, small back seat
Infiniti G37 Convertible - BMW like with Japanese reliability
Camaro/Mustang - lots of power for the money
Fiat 500 - more like a targa
Mini - small but fun
Audi A4/S4 - good BMW alternative
Audi A5/S5 - ditto, but may be too much
Jaguar XK8/XKR - bargains as used cars
BMW 3-series - can't go too wrong, on every street corner

Of the bunch, if I wanted a decent backseat and already had my performance car fix, I'd probably go with the A4/S4 or XK8/XKR. Good mix of usability, fun, luxury, and class.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...01940.1-lg.jpg
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My brother's wife has an Eos. They live on the Central Coast and he claims you cand move at 70mph and not muss your hair. Also, very good heated seats.

And he drives both an M3 and a SWT so he does have a bit of car cred.

Vash,

Classic convertibles are great. But this would be a daily driver and modern safety is an absolute must: My commute is through the middle of the SF Valley. The valley is a big checkerboard made up of 4 lane roads (2 lanes each way) that cross each other every 1/2 mile. This means there are about 20 intersections / lights I have to pass through every day. 40 round trip. People are going about 50mph. The lights generally have no left turn arrows. I drive by massive wrecks weekly, generally because people take the right of way turning left or run red lights. We are talking very ugly wrecks - T-bones, center collisions etc. I will be 100% dead if I am in one of those collisions in a classic car. It may not be likely to happen, but it worries me to the point where I would not enjoy the ride. More so with kids in the car.

I drove a 71 Cutlass S Convertible for years. Bench seat, lap belts. Still glad I never got into a wreck in that. Even a small collision would have been deadly or crippled me.

G

Hmmm - Thanks Matt - That Jag is a new idea. What's the back seat like? I do like the coupe better, but I'd mess with a convertible. I read before that they are pennies on the dollar. Are they a nightmare to keep running?

Thanks also for the input on the HPFP. I already have one of those in the TDI and will stay away from getting one in my next car.

I think for fun I'll have to test drive a Rustang and see how it goes.

And Look - you are correct - I'd be okay with a car that's not super-sporty. I have the 993 and do like to take it easy driving around town. I am not an old guy, at least I don't post on the geriatric GIT OFF MY LAWN threads. ;)

G

Good idea too. But not my style. Too small, too girly. Keeps its value nicely - but that also means large $ outlay to get in. And it drives like a gokart - they say - but not really. I have a 993 for driving turns. :)

G

I know you are not an old fart. I am just Funking with you. Let me know if you are serious about that little BMW. I know he really want something new because we talked last week about his plan for a new Audi. I will ask him when I see him only if you are interested. If I had more room, that thing would be in my garage by now. it is clean with low miles. That dude doesn't go anywhwere. If they do they drive their van with their kids.

Look - don't go out of your way to go see the guy. If you see him around, go hit him up. Otherwise don't worry. I am always looking for a deal, but I should really drive my TDI to the 60k mark (powertrain warranty) and sell it before getting another new-ish car - that will be in 2 years at my current mileage ...

G

Oh no, I would only ask if you were interested. I see him walk a few times a week right pass us.

Jeff

The Jags back seat is tiny. Not really useable.

E46 M3 is the way to go. Throughout college, myself, parents and sister would routinely pile in and drive the 2 hours to our lake house on weekends, luggage and all.

George, that generation of XJR/XKR is a really good car. It was the Ford era of Jaguar ownership, they helped Jag make huge strides in reliability and quality. The 4.0 DOHC V8 is a really great motor, 2002 and before had issues with failing timing chain tensioners and guides so you'll need to either get a newer one or make sure they've been upgraded to the newer parts. The gearbox is solid so long as you change the fluid and ignore the lifetime recommendation. They have a conventional coil suspension, not the expensive and failure prone air suspension on later models. I had a 2000 XJR that was a fantastic car, comfortable and smooth during regular driving but could haul some serious ass on demand. The supercharged V8 makes fantastic noises, it's still one of my favorite engines that I've had. Overall it was a very reliable car despite having almost 100k on it, the XK models should be very similar as they share most major systems.

One other pro A4/S4 comment, they can be had with a stick.:)

If you get the Mustang you gotta get the 2011+ with the 5.0, it's worth the money. I have that motor in my F150 and love it. The newer ones are much higher quality as well, Ford has really upped their game in the last few years.

I know it had one but I didn't use it. :D If I remember correctly, I drove it for a couple of days in a Tampa/Naples run. Tight & solid - a lot like my Audi A4 (not a 'vert). As a daily traffic appliance, the A4 & the C70 would get my attention. I am not a fan of the e46. The interior of my 00 was cheap & didn't hold up to normal wear & tear. I was very happy to see it drive away.

Ian

Ian, there is about zero comparison between a 323 and an M3.

It's the same cheap interior, which is my biggest knock on BMW. That and the fact that the cooling system and suspension are toast by 100k.

Engine & drivetrain aside, does that mean that the interior console, light switches, window switches, radio & AC knobs etc all have better rubberized paint that doesn’t wear off? And the airbag warning light isn’t permanently on due to bad sensors in seatbelt heads or the mat inside the passenger seat or the _________ (fill in the blank) ??? I find it hard to believe that the M series has better. While the e46 I had was a fun tossable car & maybe my particular car was a dog, the interior fit & finish was nowhere near the quality of the interior that I still enjoy in my 11 year old Audi (8 years in my ownership). I was overjoyed to see the Bimmer drive down the road with a new owner behind the wheel & the cash in my pocket. I will never buy another. I am currently shopping for an AWD sedan & both my wife & I are in total agreement on that.

Ian

My wife rocks a VW EOS.

Great car, 6spd, tight roof and cool mechanism, warm in the winter, looks amazing lowered with wheels and minor body mods (hers is multiple 1st place show winner). Lame throttle response is easily remedied with a CAI and chip.

Thing scoots...in white, a total chick car.

Other colors I would rock one. (I rock the wife's in white, who am I kidding)

Well, here we are, a year later and it is spring again ... and worse, I drove my buddies 911 for a few days (Ragtop). I am back looking.

What do you guys in the peanut gallery say to this?

2001 BMW 330ci Convertible 5-speed

Too many miles?

My budget is less. Looking at a 4th car. A lot more straight / interstate driving, where I am less worried about t-bones, so I can do with 2000 era safety equipment.

Cheers!

G

I so wish the Lexus steel top very was better looking. And for that matter why doesn't Toyota make one?? Heck id love a Ford hardtop very

Good point. Don't forget the rear subframe tearing loose, that's a good one.

George, you couldn't give me another old high mileage BMW. Been there, done that. You will regret it. If your budget is only $6k, just get a Miata or MR-2 Spyder. Fun, RWD, reliable. If you want German, spend more money and get a $10k Boxster.

How are the back seats on these?

2004 volkswagen beetle convertible obo