Mrs. Minor wants a convertible

[68_427]

Used Jag XK, Saab 9-3, or G37 if you can justify it.

[Cookie Monster]

I still think the Miata soft top or PRHT is the best. You can get a very nicely optioned (hell, close to fully loaded) Miata for under $30k, plus it's loads of fun and has a decent trunk for what it is. Plus it gets great mpg's and is probably cheaper to maintain and more reliable than anything else on your list.

If you also decide on the 6AT, it's supposed to be a great transmission as well. Plus the manuals have very light clutches and in traffic is easy to drive.

[Colonel Cadillac]

I still think the Miata soft top or PRHT is the best. You can get a very nicely optioned (hell, close to fully loaded) Miata for under $30k, plus it's loads of fun and has a decent trunk for what it is. Plus it gets great mpg's and is probably cheaper to maintain and more reliable than anything else on your list.

If you also decide on the 6AT, it's supposed to be a great transmission as well. Plus the manuals have very light clutches and in traffic is easy to drive.

From what I've read, the auto's have more torque as well. I believe the Minors want a 4-seater, however.

[Tave]

From what I've read, the auto's have more torque as well. I believe the Minors want a 4-seater, however.

Does not need to be a four seater - usable trunk is required.

[Laconian]

The backseats on most convertible four seaters are totally frivolous.

[FoMoJo]

I'd go with something like this.  The image doesn't do it justice.  I saw a bright red convertible at the local Ford dealer with white interior and top.  My jaw dropped

[CJ]

The backseats on most convertible four seaters are totally frivolous.

I've ridden in the back of a C70 (Two days after my knee surgery, actually) and it was plenty comfortable and spacious.  Had enough room for my crutches and more than enough room for my heavily bandaged knee.  I was sitting behind someone who's around 6 feet tall and felt that it was big enough for someone of my height.  Granted, I am a bit short at 5'7".

[WookieOnRitalin]

You could probably get a CPO 2007 or 2008 Jag XK for under $40k if new doesn't necessarily matter.

If that's the case then you could look at all the options available which have been relatively unused.

You could find the C70, 9-3, or Eos at great prices with less than 20k on them.

[SJ_GTI]

My personal choice would be a 1-series convertible (the Z4 has become too weird looking, and the 3-series convertible, while nice, just doesn't seem that much better). However based on your description of what you are looking for (ie: daily driver that is more fashion statement than sports car) I would go with the 9-3 convertible. Its a beautiful car, classic yet stylish (ie: won't go "out of style" any time soon), FWD is familiar for most folks, and the soft top will be far less fussy than the hard tops of the Eos or C70. That being said the Eos and C70 would be the next two cars I would recommend if Mrs. Minor doesn't like the Saab.

[Laconian]

I'll have my impressions on the A5 cabrio in a few weeks (coworker should be taking delivery any day now...

...actually, he called in sick today...

hmmm...)

[Tave]

I've ridden in the back of a C70 (Two days after my knee surgery, actually) and it was plenty comfortable and spacious.  Had enough room for my crutches and more than enough room for my heavily bandaged knee.  I was sitting behind someone who's around 6 feet tall and felt that it was big enough for someone of my height.  Granted, I am a bit short at 5'7".

It's a Volvo. I'm surprised the hand of God didn't descend from heaven and heal your knee on the spot.

[Mustangfan2003]

It's a Volvo. I'm surprised the hand of God didn't descend from heaven and heal your knee on the spot.

I've already tried talking him into getting a Benz 

[omicron]

Mr. Minor:  Your search is over.

A brilliant solution!

[omicron]

And, for the love of Bacon, a C70? We may as well wish a blancmange upon poor Mr. Minor.

[Morris Minor]

I think I may be able to swing a used (off lease) 335i convertible. I know the stereotype that only gentleman's appendages drive BMWs, but they do get good reviews and a car from the Fatherland would be a good fit for my sauerbraten & sp?tzle-eating Wisconsonian wife.

[The Pirate]

I think I may be able to swing a used (off lease) 335i convertible. I know the stereotype that only gentleman's appendages drive BMWs, but they do get good reviews and a car from the Fatherland would be a good fit for my sauerbraten & sp?tzle-eating Wisconsonian wife.

Is the base engine significantly less expensive?  If so, and if Mrs. Minor doesn't need or want the extra power, that would be the way to go.  All the goodness of that platform still exists in the 328i.

[Laconian]

I've heard rumblings about the fuel pump in the *35s being a regular cause of expensive failures.

[WookieOnRitalin]

I've heard rumblings about the fuel pump in the *35s being a regular cause of expensive failures.

I know a guy at the gym who dumped his BMW for that reason. He then got a Porsche. It is now on its 3rd water pump since he's owned it. What is it with Germans and not being able to make cars that don't have water pump failures every oil change?

[Morris Minor]

Well, Mrs. Minor's 82-year-old mother, who lives in Northeastern WI, just got in to spend Christmas with us. She has decided to sell her 2008 128i convertible (40,000 miles, red w/ red interior) because it does not deal well with the snow & ice. (see: http://www.carspin.net/forums/index.php?topic=23854.0). I told her to get a set of snow tires and have the dealer store them for her out of season. But I think she wants something less sporty and she has always found the Beemer's automated gizmos a little challenging.

So this might be a possibility. I'm a bit leery of major financial transactions within families...

[omicron]

Excuse me - 82-year-old Mother-In-LA-Law Minor drives a 128i with iShift and BalanceDrive, whereas Son Minor suffers an Eternity I30 and Honda Stewardess?

Unthusiast.

[Morris Minor]

Excuse me - 82-year-old Mother-In-LA-Law Minor drives a 128i with iShift and BalanceDrive, whereas Son Minor suffers an Eternity I30 and Honda Stewardess?

Unthusiast.

Yes, yes I know. Mrs. Minor's mom is something else: a woman of means who has, since I have known her, always owned red convertibles.

[ifcar]

Yes, yes I know. Mrs. Minor's mom is something else: a woman of means who has, since I have known her, always owned red convertibles.

What did she have before the 1-Series?

[Morris Minor]

What did she have before the 1-Series?

A Chrysler PT Cruiser; that was a disaster.
Before that, a series of VW Golfs.
Before that, Beetle convertibles.

My guess is that she'll go back to to VW & get a red on red Eos.

[Mustangfan2003]

I call them PT Losers.

[the Teuton]

I call them PT Losers.

My mom drives a PT Cruiser, you asshole.

[CALL_911]

My mom drives a PT Cruiser, you asshole.

Right, PT Losers.

[Mustangfan2003]

My mom drives a PT Cruiser, you asshole.

[the Teuton]

Right, PT Losers.

Your opinion doesn't count.

[Mustangfan2003]

My mom drives a Trailblazer and I tell her all the time that thing sucks. 

[Colonel Cadillac]

My mom drives a PT Cruiser, you asshole.

That doesn't change anything!