Search for a good convertible...

Consumers_Revenge_2

I am looking to buy a convertible car (fingers crossed we start getting some decent weather!!!).

I have whittled it down to the following: the BMW Z4, Volvo C70, Audi A3 and maybe the Mazda; can anyone pass on any advice regarding these cars, costs, parts, performance etc.

The Z4 is my preffered choice although I would suspect the costs / ownership are quite high.

If anyone has owned or owns, or has any knowledge on the above, that would be great.

C_Mababejive

The C70 has my pick. Especially the new model with the metal folding roof. What a great,stylish car.
What about an SLK?

no_more_cards_for_me

Volvo :beer:

Buy an older T5 version if you want performance. You won't be disappointed.

Consumers_Revenge_2

C_Mababejive wrote: »

The C70 has my pick. Especially the new model with the metal folding roof. What a great,stylish car.
What about an SLK?

A work colleague used to have a C70 and I went around in it a few times, he raved about it, and it did seem a good car.

The new Volvo is very nice but I would rather have a good second hand if anything. I've bought new before and would definitely get a good second hand for now.

SLK's look nice, but are they expensice to run etc??

C_Mababejive

The SLK 200 is really an 1800cc with a blower on it. Its fuel economy is pretty good if you just drive normally. Merc dealers often do fixed price servicing etc and there are specialist indie Merc servicing garages dotted around the country. The previous shape SLK is a good car and can be had for the right money .Alway always always always make sure the roof works perfectly and check closely for corrosion especially on wheel arches and around boot handle area and inner front edge of bonnet. There was a period of time when some model Mercs had rust problems due to poor grade ungalvanised steel.

Go here and read...

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/

The newer shape SLK...very nice.

But i do like this ...
http://www.volvocars.com/uk/all-cars/volvo-c70/Pages/default.aspx

plane_boy2000

Had an A4 Cabriolet & loved it, but the lack of three seats in the back rendered it useless for us when number three arrived and it was to good a car to keep for my 12 mile comute

vikingaero

Z4's seem to be suffering from the runflat tyres being damaged on the sidewalls and bulges appearing. Partly due to the combination of large alloys, small sidewall section runflats, and our lovely potholes.

I would go for the Mazda. Now available with an automatic if needed.

emmell

I think it depends on whether you want a two seater or four seater. Although there isn't much passenger space in a four seater, the two seaters are very impractical.
I'd go for a 3 series cabrio.
ML.

JQ.

It's the Z4 or the MX5 for me - they are the only drivers cars on the list. The others might be OK to look at but aren't going to provide any thrills. A little convertible needs to be rear wheel drive and have decent suspension.

I currently drive a 12 year old MX5, having handed back my 330d company car. The BMW may have had twice as much power, but the Mazda is soooo much fun to drive. It brings a smile to my face every time I drive it and it has been an absolute revelation. Previous car to the BMW was an Audi TT convertible - possitively pedestrian in comparison to the MX5 and I also suspect the Z4.

The Mazda will be the cheapest to run and undoubtedly the most reliable. I suspect the Z4 will be the most expensive. Have you considered a Honda S2000?

Test drive them all, it's the only way to tell. You will find they offer very very different driving experiences.