Which convertible? Merc or volvo

hels234

Hi guys and gals,

After having a thoroughly miserable year my husband and I are going to buy ourselves a convertible. We have 6k to spend and firstly looked at the mini but became very disappointed with the wear and tear on the vehicles we could afford. We have now moved onto the merc clk or Volvo C70 as they seem to be better made and in better condition. We've never owned cars like these and were after any advice or recommendations between them or alternatives?, we're looking at 05-07 plates if that helps

tony6403

I have not regretted buying a Mazda MX5 Sport. It's not that quick off the mark but it is a superb car to drive.
I would have liked a power roof , otherwise can't complain about the spec. which includes a slick 6 speed box, limited slip diff., 18" wheels, heated seats etc.

marlot

I was about to suggest an MX-5. Hugely more reliable than either merc or volvo. Your budget might just get an early mk3 if you look around.

http://www.reliabilityindex.com/reliability/search/184

loskie

I would 3rd an mx5. Toured Europe in mine for 2 weeks. Packed carefully you can fit a lot of stuff in it.
Don't rule out buying privately, there are a lot of very enthusiastic, fastidious owners. A Mk3(NC) should be in reach at you budget.
Don't bother with the hard folding roof the soft top is very good.
Winter and summer it was a nice place to be.
The roof drops in the blink of an eye.

Ozzuk

I wouldn't buy a 6k merc unless I had good contacts for getting it fixed - very expensive on parts.

Another vote for Mx5.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Either are good cars, i'd find out if you have make specialist indy workshops for either make close by and let that help sway which way to go.
The costs to fix either will be high, so real service history and continuing it is the best way to stop them going wrong.

Strider590

Have you been in one? You might find this an expensive waste of money.

Last year, nice warm sunny day, I pulled up at a petrol station in my kitcar, roof off, doors off, only to see a middle aged couple sat in a brand new VW Beetle soft top, with the roof up.......... It was obvious the guy wasn't happy with his powder blue Beetle and obvious that his missus was the one keeping the roof up.

It may seem like a nice idea, but if your sensitive to cold and don't like the auto-knotting effect of the wind in your hair, then it's going to spend 95% of the year with the roof up, cold in the winter and noisy all year round.

If however, like me you have the roof off basically whenever it's not raining, then by all means go for it.

k3lvc

marlot wrote: »

I was about to suggest an MX-5.

loskie wrote: »

I would 3rd an mx5.

Ozzuk wrote: »

Another vote for Mx5.

That's great advice but both the OP's suggestions are very different from an MX5 given they're 4 seaters

Loads of A4's around at that price or if you want a hard top then an EOS.

If you've a local expert/specialist then a Saab 9-3

Or look a bit more oddball with a Lexus SC

All depends whether you want/need 2 or 4 seats

AdrianC

CLKs are renowned for rot.
9-3 is going to be older than they want, and much cheaper than they're happy to spend.

Would the budget stretch to an XK8?
Or do you fancy something more classic, and trade a little more maintenance for a lot less depreciation?

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

I'd say a 10 year old Merc is getting towards the very expensive to fix stage and that era wasn't Mercs finest build quality - they were taking a lot of weight and cost out of the vehicles and the quality that was there in the 90s wasn't there in the 00s.

The problem I had on a very old Merc was perished rubber on various engine parts, which was age rather than mileage related. Bit prone to breaking coil springs too. Rust is an issue on some models too.

So getting a dream car when you can't afford dream car money could be a route to misery rather than happiness. Sorry! Talk to MX5 owners and they all love the reliability of the engine, which in other cars happily takes a turbo so is massively strong for the MX5 application.

A mate has the C70, had it for years, and he loves it, not sure of any issues.

(FWIW, I own a Merc and love it to bits, just a realist on any old car).

onomatopoeia99

You could probably buy a slightly older Boxster S for the money you're talking about. It's a proper mid-engined sports car, beautifully balanced and quick enough.

Mine's 15 years / 118k miles old and still going strong after 11 years in my ownership. Costs me about £1k/year in servicing and repairs on average (I use an independent specialist, not the main dealer).