Which convertable
 

I'm thinking it's about time for a new to me car. I ended up with the wife's Boxster the last few years and it's been a good car. But not one I would have chosen myself.

I want a convertable, and prefer to spend less than say 30k, I drive around 4000 miles a year. It's just a airport, golf club, around town car.

I'm thinking Jaguar, BMW, or Mercedes.

Any recommendations or models I should stay away from? Any others.

I'm in no hurry, just wanting to start looking and researching so I can pull he trigger in the next year or so.

What other characteristics are you looking for. Since you don't seem to be a fan of the boxster, I'm guessing your wouldn't also like a miata. If you aren't interested in those, then I'm guessing you don't really want a sports car, but since you mention the other 3, I'm guessing you want a basic car that might be slightly sporty or sportish. More space for golf clubs and luggage?

Mustang? Camaro?

Having previously owned a Boxster and currently own a Miata both are solo cars for going golfing and the latter cannot accomodate a large suitcase.

A 911 at least has back seat for extra baggage. Not sure about golf clubs.

A 3 series BMW is a thought but you likely would need deeper pockets than a Mustang or a Camaro.

Not a Euro car, but I've always been impressed with the way the Honda S2000 looks... and it seems that a new version is out for this model year - 2017 Honda S2000 Price Specs Release Date Type R

The new Fiat 124 Spyder Abarth in white looks good to me.
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http://carzreviewz.com/fiat-124-spider-abarth-edition/
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pill74pbi9o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Used or new? A couple of us here really like our r129 Mercedes convertibles as luxo cruisers, but they're older now, and require some upkeep. Still, I'm in a 12 cyl car for well under 10k.

Jag. The rest, meh.

I'd like something that I could at least put a set of clubs in the trunk or back seat. No Miata or mustang.

Something like this
https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/cto/6185408577.html

Or this.
https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/cto/6195103388.html

Or a sl Mercedes.

I'm thinking in my price range I'm looking at 10 year or so old cars.

If those are catching your eye, a coworker has a Solara, she actually uses it to tow a canoe/kayak trailer

Toyota Camry Solara SLE Convertible - Short Take Road Test - Car Reviews - Car and Driver

Looks nice. I haven't seen one befor.

I'm sure it's a good car, but not really what I'm looking for. Im looking for something that I may keep for 10 years or more. Mainly for short trips. I haven't put 12k on the Boxster in the last 3 years.

I don't want a corvette or mustang, just a luxury convertable, that looks sporty.

I've always wanted a jag, but have always been worried about the maintenance. I've never had a BMW either. The wife had a Mercedes 300D that she put 250k on was a great car. I've had several 911s, but not sure I want a convertable one in my price range.

Or maybe something like this e class Mercedes.

https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/ctd/6199064018.html

Audi RS5 or S5? Decent performance, gorgeous shape

I'd look for a E36, M3 version. I have a '99 M3 coupe, and I love it.

A friend bought one, we tease him about his Italian miata, about the same size and looks a lot like one in person.

BMW and Infinity both have hard-top convertibles that look great. IDK much about quality - other than the general bagging people do on the Bimmers.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1499037745.jpg

If me: Lexus Convertible with a hardtop for winter. YMMV.

But it is Italian. sexyyyy:D

More S2000-ish. I've seen a few in person. Very nice looking car and has a lot of the original 124 features, hopefully not the rust issues.

Those who have memories of the old Fiats and their issues are not living in present time.
My 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth has almost 9k miles and is built like a pit bull.
Zero defects...not one rattle.
Corners like a snake down a rat hole, brakes that will suck your brains out through your forehead, amazing acceleration (in 'sport' mode), and loves to hum along at 90+ mph...solid as a rock while doing so. And 36 mpg at road speeds.
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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1499041809.jpg

Boss Hogg or Sheikh from the Casbah?!!!

That's because it is a miata. It's a Mazda miata with a Fiat motor and apparently, quite different suspension tuning.

Sounds like you want a decent sized GT convertible. Having nixed the Mustang and Camaro, here's some others:

Jag XKR/XK8
Audi A5/S5
BMW 6-Series
Cadillac XLR
Corvette
Mercedes E-Class
Infiniti Q60
Lexus IS
Volvo C70

Why not another Targa? I see you had one before. Also, though its too new for my taste, 996 cabs are a lot of car for the money (well within your budget). My sister in law has an '04 and it is really quite a pleasant car to drive. Some of the earlier 997 cabs are getting close to your price range too.

DG

I have a 1988 560SL I drive around 3000 miles a year.

Everything works, I change the oil every six month or so and keep driving. It pulls well and handles just ok.

It is a great cruiser and every time I think about selling it I drive it and it stays.

If you buy a jag you need to get two so you can have something to drive while the other is in the shop.
If you buy a fiat you need three.

Make good sound logical decisions is more impressive than driving a flashy POS.

[QUOTE=sammyg2;9648417]If you buy a jag you need to get two so you can have something to drive while the other is in the shop.

^^^^^^^

At least if it's an XJS. I oughta know cuz I'm betting I have THE most expensive one in the country, if not the world. Bought an '89 in 2013 w/42km from the orig owner. Beautiful car (imho) but it was in the shop 12 out of the first 15 months I owned it.
It runs great now, after 10's of 1000's of dollars poured down the jag hole. Stay away.

One of my brothers bought an XJS new.
After 40,000 miles he donated it and took the $500 tax write-off.

Ok, no jag. So Porsche, Mercedes, or BMW.

Are there any chance one of these in the 10 yr or older models might hold their value?

I of coarse now wish I had kept my 72S, but no way I would pay what they seem to be bringing today. Plus I still want something with a decent air conditioner, can't have the top down all the time.

With regards to the Jag, that's good advice circa 30 years ago. The Ford ownership in the late 1990s really improved their reliability. I had a 2000 XJR that was a fantastic car. Based on what I've read about new Fiats, you might be spot on.


You can get a really nice 996 cab for $20k, and it will freeze you out in a heartbeat.

Fiat 124 Spyder Abarth
 

+1

E46 M3
E92 M3 vert
E92 335i vert
w209 clk55
w209 clk63

That is true. I am not living in present time with the Fiats. I don't know them past a sighting on the road. I am not all that crazy about the 500 but I do like some of the throw back colors A-la Vespa.

I do like the styling of the new 124, much nicer in my opinion than the miata. I did have a 124 back in the day. Under powered, rattler, leaky, rusty, AC sucked. Loved it. It was fun.

As an owner of a Miata NC I would stick to the rock solid reliability of the Miata. Fiat has not really got over its reliablity issues although I agree the new 124 has good lines.
The old Fiat 124 from the 1970's I had rapidly rusted. I agree though the latter was fun.