more convertibles

[REED]

my mom has been tinkering with the idea of buying a convertible as a "summer" car. As of right now we are pretty much deciding between a 90's BMW 3 series, a miata of some sorts and possible an old skool VW bug. Have at it boys.......


o yeah she is looking for anything undre 15K so any other suggestions would be appreciated

[BLINGMW]

if she's looking anywhere near 15k, an E36 convertable is very do-able. About 10k? 318iC or 325iC? A more reliable convertable than the E30 versions, and the top is much more likely to be in good shape. The tops on those almost feel like hardtops from the inside, very heavy duty. Of course, she could get a real nice Miata for that price too, prob more fun at the expense of usefulness.

[Dave]

although Miatas are hella fun, I would pick the Bimmer of those three. E36s make me hot...

[.RJ]

Miata! Cheap, reliable, easy to find.

[Chris]

Miata! Cheap, reliable, easy to find.

[mrbaggio]

s2000, a bit out of the price range, but a sweet ride to say the least.

-Justin

[REED]

i was under the impression that we should avoid the 4 cylinder BMWs...is their any merit to that?

[.RJ]

is their any merit to that?

Haha, have you seen channing's car?

[BLINGMW]

nah, although the 6 is definatly the preffered classic BMW engine, and the 4 isn't going to be very peppy pulling around the extra weight of the convertable. But the 4 is pretty much the same tech, hydraulic lifters, 4 coilpacks, same sort of engine management and "just change the oil and it'll go 200k" kind of mentality. Only problem I know of is a profile gasket that wasn't made from the proper material from the factory and has prob been replaced with the better part if it's got 60k on it. But that would be my #1 question if I was buying one, to find out if that had been done. To replace it.... well... you might as well do the head gasket "while you're there".... $$$$

I'd go for the 6 unless you find a real good deal on a 4.

[BLINGMW]

Haha, have you seen channing's car?

Silence FOOL

4cyl pulls an E30 just FINE THANK YOU. :?