E46 330ci without a doubt (especially if you can get in Oxford Green). These will be a future classic - generally regarded as the best era of BMWs, and a really strong reliable engine.
@@andyjamieson9576 Both great cars to be fair but the BMW is just so smooth. I've never owned a 330ci but I've owned an en e36 328i convertible (in Boston Green) and an e46 325i.
Yeah totally agree. I remember when they first came out, my two bosses had one each, one silver the other dark blue, I was only 18 and thought they were the nuts.
I have one of the last SAAB 9-3 convertibles made before the company went bust in 2012. 2.0 petrol turbo. Plenty fast enough. Daily commuter, 98k miles, never let me down, seats 4 comfortably. Love it.
I had an Audi TT 2009 1.8 petrol turbo like the one in your video and all I can say is, do your homework on the engine before buying one. Mine was a nightmare and I got rid of it quite quickly. That aside, convertibles are great fun. I'm on my third one now and have used all of them as daily drivers. Even in the winter you can suddenly get blue sky and sunshine, so drop the roof, turn up the heaters (which are always good in convertibles) and enjoy! Another useful tip is drop the roof, get someone else to drive and enjoy the view all around. It's quite an experience.
If you want an 'on the cusp of being a classic' then a Pug 306 cabrio has to be one to look at. Drop dead gorgeous Pininfarina styling, good road manners, decent performance and sensible running costs.
Run one. Rebuilt it from a 100€ scrapper. 2.0L 135PS,. Brilliant cars. Avoid anything under 1.8L unless you want to rag it everywhere, and check the back wheels have ZERO camber and you won't go far wrong
Great video for the season…I have a E46 318Ci M Sport Individual, Convertible,Estoril Blue, Silver Leather, 92k FSH, almost showroom condition, searched years for this spec, a proper headturner, old school BMW, gets complimented. Proper analogue car, inc CD Multichanger😂Future classic for sure🎉😊 Great work as always HPA, enjoyable videos as always. Mo
Hi Mat, just watching your convertible video, I sold my F-type last year because I wanted a 4 seater, then I spent a year looking for a clk because I wanted an older 4 seater convertible, we bought a one owner 2006 clk350 with 69k and full mb service history in Feb for £5495, a bit more than your budget, I’m so pleased with it .. I’ve done a gear box service and a full service. Great value for money.. you should do a video on the clk, great car and loads around under £5k if you are happy with slightly higher mileage. Loving the content Simon
Whenever i see cars for sale in this channel, being the ones that Matt sells or cars like the ones shown online, i get mind blown by the prices. They are so incredibly cheap, compared to prices in my country.
I love my SLK 280, the V6 is smooth and sounds great. It feels special and they just seem so cheap for the car you're getting. Years ago I had an A3 Cabriolet. Beautiful condition, but catastrophic oil consumption (on the 1.8T) has made me wary of Audi petrols ever since - and indeed you mentioned this potential issue in the video!
The prettiest convertible on the road today is without doubt, the SAAB 9-3 Convertible.... Yes, they can be problematic and stubborn, but when they have that roof down, they are worth the frustration because they are a beautiful looking car. Timeless 👌
Love my Z3, just been for a play in the sunshine, only a 140bhp 1.9 but plenty of power and a lovely revvy engine. They are so cheap atm, mine was £1000 and its a absolute beautiful thing to drive.
Man, I really envy you guys' used car prices. Whatever you suggest in your videos as being "cheap" or costing "x amount of money", I head to my local used car site and bitterly have to realise that the same cars cost 3-5x as much over here...
tax, fuel, low emission zones can prove costly in the UK as well as housing costs and general cost of living is high, so large, thirsty engines aren't as sought after here.
I think you should avoid any car from 2007/8 when the government were ripping people off with sky high road tax before reducing it to a more reasonable figure
Having owned and driven many convertibles, my top 5 would be: - BMW 3-series - SAAB 9-3 - Porsche Boxster - Mercedes CLK - Volvo C30 The Volvo and Merc are nice and smooth, but quite tame. The Porsche is wild but expensive to run. The Saab is a fantastic allrounder but the BMW wins it, because of the build quality and its great howling M54 engine (in the E46).
Just wanted to say, I’ve just realised that I’ve been watching your videos for over a year now and have gained a fair amount of knowledge about Cars because of them. Thank you for the entertaining content. 😊
Matt, I totally understand you. I love driving convertibles too. I actually got two of them (Audi TT and Chrysler Crossfire). It's a shame that more and more manufacturers stop building convertibles.
Just to say that I've had my MG Motor (so Chinese-built) 2009 MG TF 135 since 2014 and a lot of fun it has been and also totally reliable. Yes, really !! Of course I don't use it in winter, so it's still in immaculate condition. These MG 'F's and 'TF's got a really terrible reputation for head gasket failure but the ones made in China have all the mods that MG Rover never got around to doing before they went bust. All parts are available and they are reasonably easy to maintain, although, being a mid-engined car, the engine is not all that accessible. THe last ones were sold in 2010, and mine is now on a classic car policy.
What, no Alfas? As a second car, the 916s and Breras are reliable enough, are fun to drive and look better than anything else for the money. Shame you skipped over Alfa.....
Not the best Alfas (I’m a big Alfa fan, and currently own my third) - the 916 and Spider were both a bit too front heavy, and the Spider (Brera based) didn’t have the best of engines - the earlier Twin Spark engines were far better.
I owned a red SLK (last 172 series) with AMG wheels which looked great, was well made and ultra-reliable but actually more of a cruiser with a surprising amount of space. Noticeable chassis flex when the roof was down. Now have an MX 5 NC which has much better and taughter handling and feels more like a sportscar, fits like a glove, is more fun but is noisier and less suitable for longer motorway trips. You have to know your preferences before you buy. At age 71 getting in and out is still manageable if you're not overweight ! If money was no issue I'd still go for a 911 even though I would not come near to exploring its potential but who cares. It's just so special to drive.
Had 2 clk mk2s a 320 avant-garde and a 280 sport. Beautiful, real feel good cars. The 320 I think was better as the torquey v6 was better with a 5 speed auto whereas the later 280 had a 7 speed.
Owning a convertible has always been a dream of mine, and it’ll remain as that thanks to hayfever. Nothing scared me more than having my roof down, driving around, stuck in traffic and thanks to having no roof being completely vulnerable to pollen!
@@00kirbyd I agree. Once you've worked out which pollen trigger your allergies, you look when they are the worst and take antihistamines in the season.
Had a 2001 MGF for a couple of years and it was great fun to drive, loads of grip and it sounded good above 5,500 RPM. Really enjoyed it on nice country roads, but could never trust it enough to go very far from home. It had done about 70k miles but felt more like double that, build quality was not a strong point. Got 45 MPG driven economically, parts generally quite cheap and easy to find, and it wasn't bad to work on aside from getting access to the mid-mounted engine. Loads of information and support from owners community. The shell seemed a lot less prone to rust than MX-5s of the era, but when searching for the one to buy the same wasn't true of the subframes. Hydragas suspension gave an interesting ride quality, not bad for a small sports car. If you're a home mechanic you can get a car that's a lot of fun for not a lot of money, otherwise it's best to pay a bit more for one that's been sorted. Mine had the expected head gasket failure and checking the old invoices, it'd already had a new engine when it was just 4 years old. If only they'd spent more money on the engines are gear linkages and less on giving a 2 seat car 4 interior lights...
I have a 2005 audi a4 cab 1.8t with 210k kilometres on it. It does seem to often end up in the mechanics for one thing or another but it's a pleasure to drive when in full working order
I have the MK1 C70 Convertible and I love it, had 2 coupe's before it. Not ugly at all, fantastic to drive and power to boot! Had a 9-3 1.9 before and like it but the Volvo is far better IMO :).
Got my 2013 2L sportech MX5 for £4800, what a steal! Few fixes and mods and its an awesome car! Got some coilovers to go on in a week or so too. Quick enough too!
I went for a 07 Audi TT 3.2 V6 DSG with 70k on the clock in silver with green roof and red interior. It’s cat N, having had a rear knock in 2018. Everything works, it’s very rapid and drives beautifully. Only issue is the VED. Oh and it was £2.9k.
Matt, I have had two MG's the MGF and the TF. In fact there is a TF still in garage. Aside from the fact that it is in the garage because it will not go, they are a great ornament. The head gasket failure has been solved and if you spend a few thousand you can fix all the bad construction problems. The TF has to be one of the most troublesome cars I have ever owned. When it goes I get some great placings in most hillclimbs. They can be made to really handle. Just make sure you have an alternative means of getting home. As you said, you really can get a lot of car in the UK for your money. Here in Oz, comparable vehicles are almost twice the price after I convert Aussie dollars to UK currency. Get a MX5 and have trouble free fun, or spend twice that and get a Boxster.
Got an xtype jag,2.5,v6,sport black,2007,72,136,miles.all original,real good condition,full black leather,ex company car the bosses comes with upgrades ,done by jag when bought,best in country once mot done,service,tlc low cost,I bought it after watching your channel to good to miss,v6 creamy engine,
One of the best convertibles to own would be a replica Porsche 356 kit, which fits straight onto a Boxster chassis. I've been looking at one from a company called elite innovation classics and they look amazing. Problem is it would be over £5000 by time you purchase a Boxster and the body kit. 🤔
Great video, shows what you can get for you money. Much better spending £5k on car - you can swap cars often for variety rather than commuting to a £40-50K lease deal. BTW - what is going on with the ads, I counted 6 in this video and got a little annoying.
The mr2 engine 1zz 1.8 is terrible for burning oil due to piston rings / piston design. Just bought one the other day. Better looking (subjective) than the mx5, rust less than mx5 and drive amazingly well and if you get the face lift, witch would be easy for 5k (you could even get one with a hard top if lucky), they have a 6 speed box which makes motorway speed much more acceptable. My 02 pre facelift had an engine in 2014 at around 80000 miles. The rear subframes rot out but there bolt on and not too bad of a job.
I once fell in love with a white convertible Volvo with white seats, it was on display at the Cottingham caravan show! But the thought of buying the previous owners trouble leaves me cold now that I have found out about the Reliability of a BEV car and all that fuel going up in smoke!
I'm not a fan of convertibles but if I had to choose I would go for either a Nissan Figaro, an old-style VW Beetle or a Citroen 2CV with a rollback fabric roof.
Actually the Vauxhall Cascada is a hidden gem. It's not a sports car but it's a well spec'd cruiser, with lots of buttons instead of horrible hidden menus on a screen. The Peugeot 206 cc is actually a great car as in the Mercedes SLK, which is more comfortable than a Z4. Saab - ugh. Spares are tricky and the ignition switch between the seats often fails. They were nice back in the day but best avoided now unless you like a car that could be difficult to fix when it does wrong. Best way to approach this is: is this for a daily driver or summer weekend car? Do you want 4 seats, a real 4 seater? Do you want cruising or sports? Buy after 2012 if possible for better emissions and better mpg, plus the usual toys such as Bluetooth and USB. 2 searer - it's an MX5 or SLK. 4 seater - Golf or Cascada. BMW 3 series can be expensive and the roof can leak. Sports - Volvo T5 or BMW 330. Deep pockets - Bentley continental (not at 5k though) or Jaguar XK8.
Those Beemers look astonishing value for money, as does that CLK 350 (Cat N)! Neck Scarf on the SLK is a must-have option. Yet another well presented video, Matt.
@@jdmguy44 5K doesn’t even get you a categorised one haha, you need minimum of 10K for something half decent at least. Great cars though, every petrolhead needs to have a go in one.
I'll stick with my Mk 1 C70 T5 GT Auto, thanks. For what I paid and 86K and straight as a die it will see me out. Had compliments on it again yesterday, and even BMW owners call it class. Not keen on the Mk2 - it's only a Focus in drag.
I just bought a 06 MG with 44k with head gasket, timing belt and water pump done. It’s bargain basement top down fun. Not fast but enough. Build quality is a bit iffy though but a ton of laughs when you have a sorted one.
wrong time of year for this one, they've got the summer tax on now.. but I bought an E46 320d convertible in November 2017 (needed diesel for mileage but couldn't a 330d locally). Paid £2750 and I'm driving it till one of us dies. Last year it needed two rear tyres because i managed to run over two screws weeks apart, but apart from that including tax, insurance, MOT, the tyres AND diesel - it probably cost me around £1200
The 2.5 engine in the Boxster 986 is actually more reliable with its dual IMS bearing and the tiptronic is fine. The IMS issue is far less worrying than the internet will have you believe.
I guess you have to consider ragtop or hardtop convertibles as well, prestige models Audi/BMW versions against mass production VW/Vaux/Ford CC versions, they don't have to be high performance in the current financial climate, just open air fun in the Sun, so as long as it does what you bought it for, does it really matter.
Great video as always. I think with current global warming people who buy convertible cars can enjoy some sun shine for more than 5 mins, maybe 15 mins 👍🏻
Good video, but would be careful with the E90 6 cylinder 3 series. I purchased one second hand many years ago and struggled fixing a misfire. All injectors had to be replaced, at which point I just wanted rid of the thing. It is a known issue, but don’t assume that the work has been carried out because a lot are sold with intermittent problems.
Always wanted the 3 Series (the 2007+ one, I like the E46 but think it looks naff in cabrio unless you get a really good one). That CLK is nice too but the Saab seems like the sensible option since you can get a really clean one for that money and it will never go wrong
Had a CLK 2004 as my fun drive, main car was a Jaguar, I had problems getting comfortable in the CLK but I am over 6ft so wasn't ideal as a weekend car!
I’ve just done a similar exercise, needed something for my annual month back in the UK so it’s been a fun time on autotrader, car and classic, pistonheeds etc. Needing 4 seats rules out the obvious choice of a 986 Boxster S and anyway, Dad’s got one of those if I fancy a trip out. Didn’t even think of the Merc CLK, that one in Macc looked tidy and it’s local (we’ll be between Combs and Hale), cheap as well. E46 was the pick, but we’re also in and out of Londinium so that Oxford Green 330 (perfect spec, colour combo, who doesn’t like green over tan?) isn’t ULEZ friendly, which is a bugger. £5k doesn’t find a later 330 that isn’t ropey in some way, I’ve been looking for one for a couple of months. Then a friend said the fatal words : you can have my 650i, with a service and fresh MOT. I used it 2 years ago and it’s been sat in his shed ever since. He’s only the 4th owner, it’s mint. Black over cream interior, previous owner was Corbeau seats, so the interior’s been kept perfect. 104k miles, drives perfect, needs a couple of rear suspension bushes but don’t they all, easy £60 a side fix. So I bought it 2 weeks ago. Will be floating around the Peak District in August. What could possibly go wrong….
I had s4 convertible and start of every summer I had to take boot apart to stick screw driver in a pin so roof would work, other than that it served me well
Nobody else is going to say this one, so I will: Renault Megane CC (05-09) Cheap as chips, and has a folding glass roof. No new car has that. For that money I would go for a MK1 MX-5 though, if I’m being honest.
if you could please elaborate on why you wouldn't want a Peugeot? The 206 is cheap and fun being so small. The 207 is decent, although they're better as a hatchback. The 308 has a really nice interior, lovely seats which also have the warm air blower on the back of your neck that you said you liked on the Mercedes, and the facelift is actually quite nice looking. And the 307, that's the best car ever made in the world... ever! Fun, spacious, cheap to buy, run and maintain. Mine was brilliant. It is a 1.6 petrol hatchback that will be getting a 3.0 v6 in the near future. The only thing that hinders them is prior maintenance. Being a cheap car, typical owners don't always keep on top of servicing, but they are just as reliable as any other good car if looked after well.
Great video, convertibles we’re always seen as an elite car but amazing how these oldies are such good value now. I am indecisive between z3/z4 or slk /clk . Which of these 4 are the most reliable or best value ?
IMO, what we need is a video on the best estates/dog cars under five grand. I'm struggling to find an estate in good condition for under five grand, big enough for two Border Collies in the boot. Petrol ULEZ/CAZ compliant, pref. auto.
Just found you on here, and I am loving the content, is there any such thing as a cheap Porsche?? really liking the Z4 and 3 series though. I am in between convertibles at the moment, and there are so many cars to choose from its a difficult choice, I have shifted between Z4s, Boxsters and TTs, but finding it difficult to make a choice.
The low sports convertibles look great and are fun to drive but oldies should beware, at 69 I nearly ended up sat on pavement getting out of friend's Boxter, 30 years ago would have looked cool ! Lovely cars though.
I haven't watched it yet but as the owner of both a Saab 9-3 convertible and a Volvo C70 T5 convertible I'll be mightily disappointed if they're not on the list..!
Figaro is based on the k10 MK1 Micra Matt, had a MK1 h reg Micra as my first car when I passed my test loved it. Wish I'd kept it now seeing what they're worth
Hi Matt, I watch a lot of your videos, great work, here’s an idea for you - cars that you’d expect to be high road tax but actually aren’t, or is that too niche?!
Lexus SC430 in Spain is 2,5-3 times the price shown on your screen, unfortunately. Great car for a Sunday drive along N340 Nerja and Maro cliffs for example, for 2 people, no leg room at all in the back. I loved it. The fuel consumption is high, so my friend (who uses it as her daily) has installed LPG and the costs are similar to a normal car.
Nice review and as you always say.. a lot of car for the 💰 Why would you ever want to pay 60k on a new car, when you could have 12 different and interesting cars, not just the convertibles. As soon as I saw the wisteria, I knew you'd comment about it.. 😅
Taxing the bigger petrol engines can be expensive, as well as the price of fuel in the UK isn't the cheapest and there are LEZ (low emission zones) in most big cities across the UK - that said - some of the older big petrol mercs like 5l v8 and 3.5Lv6's are perfectly compliant with ULEZ
E46 330ci without a doubt (especially if you can get in Oxford Green). These will be a future classic - generally regarded as the best era of BMWs, and a really strong reliable engine.
Absolutely! Changed my MX-5 for an e46 330ci in topaz blue last year. Absolutely amazing car!
@@andyjamieson9576 Both great cars to be fair but the BMW is just so smooth. I've never owned a 330ci but I've owned an en e36 328i convertible (in Boston Green) and an e46 325i.
Yeah totally agree. I remember when they first came out, my two bosses had one each, one silver the other dark blue, I was only 18 and thought they were the nuts.
I have one of the last SAAB 9-3 convertibles made before the company went bust in 2012. 2.0 petrol turbo. Plenty fast enough. Daily commuter, 98k miles, never let me down, seats 4 comfortably. Love it.
I had an Audi TT 2009 1.8 petrol turbo like the one in your video and all I can say is, do your homework on the engine before buying one. Mine was a nightmare and I got rid of it quite quickly. That aside, convertibles are great fun. I'm on my third one now and have used all of them as daily drivers. Even in the winter you can suddenly get blue sky and sunshine, so drop the roof, turn up the heaters (which are always good in convertibles) and enjoy! Another useful tip is drop the roof, get someone else to drive and enjoy the view all around. It's quite an experience.
I applaud you for getting rid of the TT quickly
Toyota MR2, just bought one and it is amazing. Mid engine and so light. Incredible handling!
If you want an 'on the cusp of being a classic' then a Pug 306 cabrio has to be one to look at. Drop dead gorgeous Pininfarina styling, good road manners, decent performance and sensible running costs.
Run one. Rebuilt it from a 100€ scrapper. 2.0L 135PS,. Brilliant cars. Avoid anything under 1.8L unless you want to rag it everywhere, and check the back wheels have ZERO camber and you won't go far wrong
Great video for the season…I have a E46 318Ci M Sport Individual, Convertible,Estoril Blue, Silver Leather, 92k FSH, almost showroom condition, searched years for this spec, a proper headturner, old school BMW, gets complimented. Proper analogue car, inc CD Multichanger😂Future classic for sure🎉😊
Great work as always HPA, enjoyable videos as always. Mo
318 😂
Shame a Saab didn't make it to the final five; such a cool car and well built too. Maybe a keeper if only used on summer weekends.
Hi Mat, just watching your convertible video, I sold my F-type last year because I wanted a 4 seater, then I spent a year looking for a clk because I wanted an older 4 seater convertible, we bought a one owner 2006 clk350 with 69k and full mb service history in Feb for £5495, a bit more than your budget, I’m so pleased with it .. I’ve done a gear box service and a full service. Great value for money.. you should do a video on the clk, great car and loads around under £5k if you are happy with slightly higher mileage. Loving the content Simon
Whenever i see cars for sale in this channel, being the ones that Matt sells or cars like the ones shown online, i get mind blown by the prices. They are so incredibly cheap, compared to prices in my country.
Yeah, it’s because we have no money over here. The government steals it all.
I love my SLK 280, the V6 is smooth and sounds great. It feels special and they just seem so cheap for the car you're getting. Years ago I had an A3 Cabriolet. Beautiful condition, but catastrophic oil consumption (on the 1.8T) has made me wary of Audi petrols ever since - and indeed you mentioned this potential issue in the video!
The prettiest convertible on the road today is without doubt, the SAAB 9-3 Convertible.... Yes, they can be problematic and stubborn, but when they have that roof down, they are worth the frustration because they are a beautiful looking car. Timeless 👌
Love my Z3, just been for a play in the sunshine, only a 140bhp 1.9 but plenty of power and a lovely revvy engine. They are so cheap atm, mine was £1000 and its a absolute beautiful thing to drive.
C70 top tip. I think you'll find the mkii T5 manual is half the tax of the auto. The government were weird on that one.
Man, I really envy you guys' used car prices. Whatever you suggest in your videos as being "cheap" or costing "x amount of money", I head to my local used car site and bitterly have to realise that the same cars cost 3-5x as much over here...
What country are you in?
tax, fuel, low emission zones can prove costly in the UK as well as housing costs and general cost of living is high, so large, thirsty engines aren't as sought after here.
@@lewistillett206
I'm in Oz and it's the same here.
@@rambleon3698 Thought so!!
cars might be cheap in the UK, but the insurance is where you get robbed
The Saab 93 the prettiest convertable
agree
Yes definitely 💯
My pick would be the Audi A5. I think they look beautiful. I also like that I can get AWD for it.
I think you should avoid any car from 2007/8 when the government were ripping people off with sky high road tax before reducing it to a more reasonable figure
Surprised you missed the Alfa Romeo Brera Spider!
Ooo the Oxford green BMW looks like a lot of car for the money 🥰
BMW Z4 has to be up there
Having owned and driven many convertibles, my top 5 would be:
- BMW 3-series
- SAAB 9-3
- Porsche Boxster
- Mercedes CLK
- Volvo C30
The Volvo and Merc are nice and smooth, but quite tame. The Porsche is wild but expensive to run. The Saab is a fantastic allrounder but the BMW wins it, because of the build quality and its great howling M54 engine (in the E46).
Just wanted to say, I’ve just realised that I’ve been watching your videos for over a year now and have gained a fair amount of knowledge about Cars because of them. Thank you for the entertaining content. 😊
Matt, I totally understand you. I love driving convertibles too. I actually got two of them (Audi TT and Chrysler Crossfire). It's a shame that more and more manufacturers stop building convertibles.
2009/10 Chrysler Sebring. 6 speed VW TDi 2litre Diesel and 60mpg. Cheap as chips to buy and fun to drive with oodles of space and toys. Win. Win.
Just to say that I've had my MG Motor (so Chinese-built) 2009 MG TF 135 since 2014 and a lot of fun it has been and also totally reliable. Yes, really !! Of course I don't use it in winter, so it's still in immaculate condition. These MG 'F's and 'TF's got a really terrible reputation for head gasket failure but the ones made in China have all the mods that MG Rover never got around to doing before they went bust. All parts are available and they are reasonably easy to maintain, although, being a mid-engined car, the engine is not all that accessible. THe last ones were sold in 2010, and mine is now on a classic car policy.
What, no Alfas? As a second car, the 916s and Breras are reliable enough, are fun to drive and look better than anything else for the money. Shame you skipped over Alfa.....
Not the best Alfas (I’m a big Alfa fan, and currently own my third) - the 916 and Spider were both a bit too front heavy, and the Spider (Brera based) didn’t have the best of engines - the earlier Twin Spark engines were far better.
I owned a red SLK (last 172 series) with AMG wheels which looked great, was well made and ultra-reliable but actually more of a cruiser with a surprising amount of space. Noticeable chassis flex when the roof was down. Now have an MX 5 NC which has much better and taughter handling and feels more like a sportscar, fits like a glove, is more fun but is noisier and less suitable for longer motorway trips. You have to know your preferences before you buy. At age 71 getting in and out is still manageable if you're not overweight ! If money was no issue I'd still go for a 911 even though I would not come near to exploring its potential but who cares. It's just so special to drive.
Very timely Matt, you've got your finger on the pulse 👍🏾
I’ve had a 206CC 2.0 for 6 years. Never had a problem with it and it’s a really fun cheap car. Paid £1400 for it and it’s still worth £1400.
Had 2 clk mk2s a 320 avant-garde and a 280 sport. Beautiful, real feel good cars. The 320 I think was better as the torquey v6 was better with a 5 speed auto whereas the later 280 had a 7 speed.
Owning a convertible has always been a dream of mine, and it’ll remain as that thanks to hayfever. Nothing scared me more than having my roof down, driving around, stuck in traffic and thanks to having no roof being completely vulnerable to pollen!
Hay-fever sufferer with a convertible. Just take antihistemines and carry tissues. Of course, I know we're all different but don't let it stop you!
@@00kirbyd
I agree. Once you've worked out which pollen trigger your allergies, you look when they are the worst and take antihistamines in the season.
Had a 2001 MGF for a couple of years and it was great fun to drive, loads of grip and it sounded good above 5,500 RPM. Really enjoyed it on nice country roads, but could never trust it enough to go very far from home. It had done about 70k miles but felt more like double that, build quality was not a strong point.
Got 45 MPG driven economically, parts generally quite cheap and easy to find, and it wasn't bad to work on aside from getting access to the mid-mounted engine. Loads of information and support from owners community.
The shell seemed a lot less prone to rust than MX-5s of the era, but when searching for the one to buy the same wasn't true of the subframes. Hydragas suspension gave an interesting ride quality, not bad for a small sports car.
If you're a home mechanic you can get a car that's a lot of fun for not a lot of money, otherwise it's best to pay a bit more for one that's been sorted.
Mine had the expected head gasket failure and checking the old invoices, it'd already had a new engine when it was just 4 years old. If only they'd spent more money on the engines are gear linkages and less on giving a 2 seat car 4 interior lights...
Another enjoyable video Matt. My pick would be the BMW Z4, Toyota MR2 or Mercedes SLK 👌 can’t go wrong with any of those
triumph herrald 2ltr vittese .And im making my E38 into a pick up truck .
I have a 2005 audi a4 cab 1.8t with 210k kilometres on it. It does seem to often end up in the mechanics for one thing or another but it's a pleasure to drive when in full working order
I have the MK1 C70 Convertible and I love it, had 2 coupe's before it. Not ugly at all, fantastic to drive and power to boot! Had a 9-3 1.9 before and like it but the Volvo is far better IMO :).
Have been running Daihatsu Copen 1.3 for ten years, as second car, with no problems. Cost me £3500. Great fun,for very low running costs.
Got my 2013 2L sportech MX5 for £4800, what a steal! Few fixes and mods and its an awesome car! Got some coilovers to go on in a week or so too. Quick enough too!
I went for a 07 Audi TT 3.2 V6 DSG with 70k on the clock in silver with green roof and red interior. It’s cat N, having had a rear knock in 2018. Everything works, it’s very rapid and drives beautifully. Only issue is the VED. Oh and it was £2.9k.
Matt, I have had two MG's the MGF and the TF. In fact there is a TF still in garage. Aside from the fact that it is in the garage because it will not go, they are a great ornament. The head gasket failure has been solved and if you spend a few thousand you can fix all the bad construction problems. The TF has to be one of the most troublesome cars I have ever owned. When it goes I get some great placings in most hillclimbs. They can be made to really handle. Just make sure you have an alternative means of getting home. As you said, you really can get a lot of car in the UK for your money. Here in Oz, comparable vehicles are almost twice the price after I convert Aussie dollars to UK currency. Get a MX5 and have trouble free fun, or spend twice that and get a Boxster.
Loved the little Shawshank link...☺️👍
Saab all the way. Solid and safe. Such a cool car to drive.
Got an xtype jag,2.5,v6,sport black,2007,72,136,miles.all original,real good condition,full black leather,ex company car the bosses comes with upgrades ,done by jag when bought,best in country once mot done,service,tlc low cost,I bought it after watching your channel to good to miss,v6 creamy engine,
I’ve recently bought a 2000 Porsche Boxster 2.7 and it’s great, it’s amazing for the money.
One of the best convertibles to own would be a replica Porsche 356 kit, which fits straight onto a Boxster chassis. I've been looking at one from a company called elite innovation classics and they look amazing. Problem is it would be over £5000 by time you purchase a Boxster and the body kit. 🤔
Great video, shows what you can get for you money. Much better spending £5k on car - you can swap cars often for variety rather than commuting to a £40-50K lease deal. BTW - what is going on with the ads, I counted 6 in this video and got a little annoying.
Hello;
This was a very exciting video. I enjoyed it when you were looking at the beemers and the MX-5. All the best Shaun 🦉 of NYC 🗽
Now we know that it will be raining incessantly for the rest of the summer...
The mr2 engine 1zz 1.8 is terrible for burning oil due to piston rings / piston design. Just bought one the other day. Better looking (subjective) than the mx5, rust less than mx5 and drive amazingly well and if you get the face lift, witch would be easy for 5k (you could even get one with a hard top if lucky), they have a 6 speed box which makes motorway speed much more acceptable. My 02 pre facelift had an engine in 2014 at around 80000 miles. The rear subframes rot out but there bolt on and not too bad of a job.
I once fell in love with a white convertible Volvo with white seats, it was on display at the Cottingham caravan show!
But the thought of buying the previous owners trouble leaves me cold now that I have found out about the Reliability of a BEV car and all that fuel going up in smoke!
I'm not a fan of convertibles but if I had to choose I would go for either a Nissan Figaro, an old-style VW Beetle or a Citroen 2CV with a rollback fabric roof.
Actually the Vauxhall Cascada is a hidden gem. It's not a sports car but it's a well spec'd cruiser, with lots of buttons instead of horrible hidden menus on a screen. The Peugeot 206 cc is actually a great car as in the Mercedes SLK, which is more comfortable than a Z4. Saab - ugh. Spares are tricky and the ignition switch between the seats often fails. They were nice back in the day but best avoided now unless you like a car that could be difficult to fix when it does wrong. Best way to approach this is: is this for a daily driver or summer weekend car? Do you want 4 seats, a real 4 seater? Do you want cruising or sports? Buy after 2012 if possible for better emissions and better mpg, plus the usual toys such as Bluetooth and USB.
2 searer - it's an MX5 or SLK. 4 seater - Golf or Cascada. BMW 3 series can be expensive and the roof can leak. Sports - Volvo T5 or BMW 330. Deep pockets - Bentley continental (not at 5k though) or Jaguar XK8.
Those Beemers look astonishing value for money, as does that CLK 350 (Cat N)!
Neck Scarf on the SLK is a must-have option.
Yet another well presented video, Matt.
I’m surprised you can’t get a silver 1993 SL500 for less than £5k 😜
I think they are on the upward price curve now - moved from 'banger' to modern classic. I think a sub £5k SL would need some money spending... 😃
18:00 agree, mk2 is beautiful
Love a convertible, wouldn’t be without one, can’t beat it on a nice summers day. I own a Honda S2000 myself, love it.
Now thats a proper convertible 👍🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵
@@flemmingsorensen5470 I agree! The best!
Agreed. S2000 is a great car, added bonus it’s an appreciating asset as well!
Yep I'm a fan of the S2000 and Honda generally but I'm thinking a budget of £5k isn't going to get you a great example
@@jdmguy44 5K doesn’t even get you a categorised one haha, you need minimum of 10K for something half decent at least. Great cars though, every petrolhead needs to have a go in one.
I'll stick with my Mk 1 C70 T5 GT Auto, thanks. For what I paid and 86K and straight as a die it will see me out. Had compliments on it again yesterday, and even BMW owners call it class. Not keen on the Mk2 - it's only a Focus in drag.
I had a Renault Mégane CC for ten years, didn't leak and never went wrong. It definitely wasn't Dynamique to drive but I did like it nonetheless
Had a Toyota MR-2 Mk3 many years ago - still the best handling car I have ever owned. Would be tempted to get one again if the right car came along.
I just bought a 06 MG with 44k with head gasket, timing belt and water pump done. It’s bargain basement top down fun. Not fast but enough. Build quality is a bit iffy though but a ton of laughs when you have a sorted one.
wrong time of year for this one, they've got the summer tax on now..
but I bought an E46 320d convertible in November 2017 (needed diesel for mileage but couldn't a 330d locally). Paid £2750 and I'm driving it till one of us dies. Last year it needed two rear tyres because i managed to run over two screws weeks apart, but apart from that including tax, insurance, MOT, the tyres AND diesel - it probably cost me around £1200
The only bad thing with the 350Z is the high tax. Here in rip off Ireland it would be nearly 2K a year road tax.
The 2.5 engine in the Boxster 986 is actually more reliable with its dual IMS bearing and the tiptronic is fine. The IMS issue is far less worrying than the internet will have you believe.
I guess you have to consider ragtop or hardtop convertibles as well, prestige models Audi/BMW versions against mass production VW/Vaux/Ford CC versions, they don't have to be high performance in the current financial climate, just open air fun in the Sun, so as long as it does what you bought it for, does it really matter.
Great video as always. I think with current global warming people who buy convertible cars can enjoy some sun shine for more than 5 mins, maybe 15 mins 👍🏻
The Mx5 may drive well, but the MR2 is far better, the road holding is so much fun, plenty of smiles per miles...
There is only one true appropriate convertible and that is a SAAB.
I came here to say the same.
Are you joking? Vauxhall vectra convertible in drag. Shite
@@richardcooke7621Have you tried one...?
Sadly Absent Always Broken
Don't talk like a woman's thing.
Good video, but would be careful with the E90 6 cylinder 3 series. I purchased one second hand many years ago and struggled fixing a misfire. All injectors had to be replaced, at which point I just wanted rid of the thing. It is a known issue, but don’t assume that the work has been carried out because a lot are sold with intermittent problems.
Fred flintstone had a great convertible 😂
Yeah, but it had floor panel issues.
@@scotty-837 And square wheels 😂
And zero road tax and ULEZ friendly too!
I was one of those 22000 who watched the video about mint Z3 shipped to Bermuda. I think it was an amazing format and very cool car.
I had a 2003 Mk2.5 MX5 and I loved it.
Always wanted the 3 Series (the 2007+ one, I like the E46 but think it looks naff in cabrio unless you get a really good one). That CLK is nice too but the Saab seems like the sensible option since you can get a really clean one for that money and it will never go wrong
Had a CLK 2004 as my fun drive, main car was a Jaguar, I had problems getting comfortable in the CLK but I am over 6ft so wasn't ideal as a weekend car!
I’ve just done a similar exercise, needed something for my annual month back in the UK so it’s been a fun time on autotrader, car and classic, pistonheeds etc. Needing 4 seats rules out the obvious choice of a 986 Boxster S and anyway, Dad’s got one of those if I fancy a trip out. Didn’t even think of the Merc CLK, that one in Macc looked tidy and it’s local (we’ll be between Combs and Hale), cheap as well. E46 was the pick, but we’re also in and out of Londinium so that Oxford Green 330 (perfect spec, colour combo, who doesn’t like green over tan?) isn’t ULEZ friendly, which is a bugger. £5k doesn’t find a later 330 that isn’t ropey in some way, I’ve been looking for one for a couple of months. Then a friend said the fatal words : you can have my 650i, with a service and fresh MOT. I used it 2 years ago and it’s been sat in his shed ever since. He’s only the 4th owner, it’s mint. Black over cream interior, previous owner was Corbeau seats, so the interior’s been kept perfect. 104k miles, drives perfect, needs a couple of rear suspension bushes but don’t they all, easy £60 a side fix.
So I bought it 2 weeks ago. Will be floating around the Peak District in August. What could possibly go wrong….
I had s4 convertible and start of every summer I had to take boot apart to stick screw driver in a pin so roof would work, other than that it served me well
Nobody else is going to say this one, so I will:
Renault Megane CC (05-09)
Cheap as chips, and has a folding glass roof.
No new car has that.
For that money I would go for a MK1 MX-5 though, if I’m being honest.
if you could please elaborate on why you wouldn't want a Peugeot? The 206 is cheap and fun being so small. The 207 is decent, although they're better as a hatchback. The 308 has a really nice interior, lovely seats which also have the warm air blower on the back of your neck that you said you liked on the Mercedes, and the facelift is actually quite nice looking. And the 307, that's the best car ever made in the world... ever! Fun, spacious, cheap to buy, run and maintain. Mine was brilliant. It is a 1.6 petrol hatchback that will be getting a 3.0 v6 in the near future. The only thing that hinders them is prior maintenance. Being a cheap car, typical owners don't always keep on top of servicing, but they are just as reliable as any other good car if looked after well.
which v6 is going into it and will it be an easy fit? will you have to fabricate for engine mounts, etc.?
Great video, convertibles we’re always seen as an elite car but amazing how these oldies are such good value now. I am indecisive between z3/z4 or slk /clk . Which of these 4 are the most reliable or best value ?
IMO, what we need is a video on the best estates/dog cars under five grand. I'm struggling to find an estate in good condition for under five grand, big enough for two Border Collies in the boot. Petrol ULEZ/CAZ compliant, pref. auto.
C70 epic!
They are lovely cars but its a shame they leak like a sieve
93 saab very comfortable 05 plate 88 ,000 miles smooth as silk
Mazda MX5
BMW 3 Series (or Audi A5)
Mercedes CLK mk2
Porsche Boxster
Jeep
thanks for your videos Matt, excellent expert advice as always. I'm waiting desperately for the "How to Fix..." series, starting with JLR!
Just found you on here, and I am loving the content, is there any such thing as a cheap Porsche?? really liking the Z4 and 3 series though. I am in between convertibles at the moment, and there are so many cars to choose from its a difficult choice, I have shifted between Z4s, Boxsters and TTs, but finding it difficult to make a choice.
Ive got a saab in exactly the same colour, facelift on a 57 plate. Done 85k. Sitting in my garage. Would take £2500 for it. It also has a current mot
The low sports convertibles look great and are fun to drive but oldies should beware, at 69 I nearly ended up sat on pavement getting out of friend's Boxter, 30 years ago would have looked cool !
Lovely cars though.
There are a few videos around of guys trying to extricate themselves from a Ferrari or similar ….
I haven't watched it yet but as the owner of both a Saab 9-3 convertible and a Volvo C70 T5 convertible I'll be mightily disappointed if they're not on the list..!
Couldn't help noticing the black SLK 350 had the Harmon Kardon £2.5k option. Awesome!! 👍👍
You absolutely do want a Smart Roadster!
Figaro is based on the k10 MK1 Micra Matt, had a MK1 h reg Micra as my first car when I passed my test loved it. Wish I'd kept it now seeing what they're worth
Hi Matt, I watch a lot of your videos, great work, here’s an idea for you - cars that you’d expect to be high road tax but actually aren’t, or is that too niche?!
Lexus SC430 in Spain is 2,5-3 times the price shown on your screen, unfortunately. Great car for a Sunday drive along N340 Nerja and Maro cliffs for example, for 2 people, no leg room at all in the back. I loved it. The fuel consumption is high, so my friend (who uses it as her daily) has installed LPG and the costs are similar to a normal car.
Only issue is the Volvos of that era suffered electrical issues and is mostly ford
BMW E46330ci sport with a manual box would be my pick
Had our 1998 CLK 230 kompressor for ages, love it in summer.
Great video, Matt - what would be the best one as a daily driver?
Just bought a 986 S in lapis blue! I was actually going to look at that silver 2.7 you stopped on too!
Nice review and as you always say.. a lot of car for the 💰
Why would you ever want to pay 60k on a new car, when you could have 12 different and interesting cars, not just the convertibles.
As soon as I saw the wisteria,
I knew you'd comment about it.. 😅
MR2, can get a really good example for that budget. Proper drivers car.
An NC MX5 is your best bet as they're available as cheap as 2 grands and pretty nippy
Always enjoy your videos, just to mention the bigger engine cars seem very cheap and in fact aren't selling am I missing something?
Taxing the bigger petrol engines can be expensive, as well as the price of fuel in the UK isn't the cheapest and there are LEZ (low emission zones) in most big cities across the UK - that said - some of the older big petrol mercs like 5l v8 and 3.5Lv6's are perfectly compliant with ULEZ