Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old

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Wed 16 Jul 2025 11:22
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - Nsar1

Hi, we're pondering buying a cabriolet for touring in UK and Europe. We'd keep it for a coupfe of years and then probably sell it. I like the idea of an MX-5 but it might not be so much fun for swallowing long motorway stretches. A4, C-Class around 10 years/ around 70-80k would appeal.

Thoughts on models that have decent reliability in that age/mileage?

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Wed 16 Jul 2025 11:28
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - Orb>>.

2 neighbours have BMW Z4's one is 2007 the other is nearly new. Both do Continental touring. Both Happy. Much better than the Mazda for touring.

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Wed 16 Jul 2025 11:39
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - badbusdriver

Youngest would be 2013, but with reliability in mind, i'd be looking at a Lexus IS250. Or if you don't mind going older still, and mpg isn't a big concern (and you don't mind its looks), the SC430 would be a supreme mile muncher.

MX5 would certainly be reliable, but as you are aware the motorway isn't its natural habitat. Not sure it would be that bad though, so maybe worth a test drive including motorway?. Maybe also worth asking on owners forum, because something like tyre choice could make a noticeable difference re refinement. You would need to travel light though!

A budget (as well as age/mileage) would also be helpful for suggestions.

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Wed 16 Jul 2025 12:13
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - Nsar1

Ideally about £8k-£10k

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Wed 16 Jul 2025 12:39
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - Andrew-T

MX5 would certainly be reliable, but as you are aware the motorway isn't its natural habitat. Not sure it would be that bad though, so maybe worth a test drive including motorway?. Maybe also worth asking on owners forum, because something like tyre choice could make a noticeable difference re refinement. You would need to travel light though!.

Back in 1991 we bought our first soft-top, a red Pug 205 CTi. Soon afterwards we took it to Switzerland for some EuroCamping. I don't think we saw another convertible while on the continent, at least with the roof down. While I understand the attraction of an MX-5 I agree that you would need to travel light, and I suspect even the 205 might have had slightly more space.

After selling one of our later 205 soft-tops to another enthusiast I learnt that he had sold it on to a Frenchman who drove it from Wigan to Nice, where it remains AFAIK.

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Wed 16 Jul 2025 17:34
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - badbusdriver

MX5 would certainly be reliable, but as you are aware the motorway isn't its natural habitat. Not sure it would be that bad though, so maybe worth a test drive including motorway?. Maybe also worth asking on owners forum, because something like tyre choice could make a noticeable difference re refinement. You would need to travel light though!.

Back in 1991 we bought our first soft-top, a red Pug 205 CTi. Soon afterwards we took it to Switzerland for some EuroCamping. I don't think we saw another convertible while on the continent, at least with the roof down. While I understand the attraction of an MX-5 I agree that you would need to travel light, and I suspect even the 205 might have had slightly more space.

After selling one of our later 205 soft-tops to another enthusiast I learnt that he had sold it on to a Frenchman who drove it from Wigan to Nice, where it remains AFAIK.

Quite a bit more going by the figures I've been able to dig up Andrew. Boot volume for MX5 seems to be 130L for current shape and 150L for previous. 205 has a whopping(!) 216L, but it also has rear seats which could used if needed.

I guess you could also up the MX5's luggage capacity by getting one of those boot lid mounted racks.

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Wed 16 Jul 2025 18:07
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - Adampr

I'd consider a Vauxhall Cascada. You'll get a lot more space than an MX5 and much better value than a German.

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Wed 16 Jul 2025 11:48
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - SLO76
As long as you can fit in it a Mk III MX5 is a perfectly comfortable place to be no matter the road or the distance. Preferably get one with a hard top to enhance road noise, but even without I don’t find them particularly tiresome. It’s worth it for the joy of pilotingbone down a twisting B road or Alpine pass. That it’ll always get you to your destination and there’s unlikely to be any catastrophically large repair bills if you buy a solid example and you can understand why they’re so popular.

I absolutely love them. Get a good solid low mileage car, have it rust proofed underneath then keep it until you can’t get in and out of it anymore. It’s one of motoring a few remaining joys. Go try one.
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Wed 16 Jul 2025 22:29
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - Metropolis.
This query comes up once in a while. Lexus IS250C.

Ignore the fact the latest models are a 12 or 13 plate. Lexus age at 1/3rd the pace of anything produced in Europe, so long as it isn’t rusty underneath. Finding one with full Lexus main dealer service history should be relatively easy.
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Thu 17 Jul 2025 02:42
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - edlithgow

Citroen 2CV

Almost bought one once. Always regretted not doing it.

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Thu 17 Jul 2025 07:58
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - Xileno

For pottering around locally they are a lot of fun but not for touring. For touring aircon is essential IMO.

They also have the crash protection of a soggy cardboard box, should something unfortunate happen.

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Thu 17 Jul 2025 08:03
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - paul 1963

For pottering around locally they are a lot of fun but not for touring. For touring aircon is essential IMO.

They also have the crash protection of a soggy cardboard box, should something unfortunate happen.

They also go for silly money nowadays.

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Thu 17 Jul 2025 08:44
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - Stackman II

Last year when my A4 convertible died I replaced it with a 2010 Mercedes E250 Cabrio.

It is a beautiful car and a delight to drive but left us stranded by a French Autoroute when the alternator failed. (Quite a story attached to its recovery and repair but I won't go in to that here.)

Since then it has had oil leaks, temperature sensor failure and turbo actuation valve issues.

As I say, it looks a million dollars and I like the relaxed way it gets along with reasonable power and a comfortable ride but I got a wrong 'un in terms of reliabilty.

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Thu 17 Jul 2025 10:08
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - Andrew-T

...., it looks a million dollars and I like the relaxed way it gets along with reasonable power and a comfortable ride but I got a wrong 'un in terms of reliability.

Presumably why it was for sale ? :-(

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Thu 17 Jul 2025 12:32
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - Gibbo_Wirral

Mercedes SLK would be a good choice. Prices have dropped recently too so you can get a good bargain.

Like you I'd considered an MX5 but wanted something a little bigger.

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Thu 17 Jul 2025 13:11
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - Ex Alfa mail

To add a highly subjective view, despite happily owning several Mazdas in the family, we simply couldn't face any long journey in a MX-5. Even my wife found it too cramped. So why not be bold? We bought a BMW E46 330ci and simply love it. Plenty of space, very comfortable, and any six cylinder engine will be smooth too. If economy is important get a smaller engine, if not then get the full fat one. Most mechanics across Europe are familiar with it in case something does go wrong but these are reasonably reliable old things. It's the only car my wife has staked ownership to. And, although we tend to drive it on scenic routes, we'll happily cruise top down at motorway speeds for hours. But horses for courses...

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Thu 17 Jul 2025 13:12
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - Metropolis.
I have already said Lexus IS250C in another post, but if 2 seaters are under consideration, as BBD says a Lexus SC430 is an option (just make sure it’s not rusty). A fantastically comfortable and reliable grand tourer. Or, if you are feeling brave, a Mercedes SL (Not SLK) or Jaguar XK.
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Thu 17 Jul 2025 22:59
Cabriolet Reliable at 8-10 Years Old - johncyprus

Twenty years ago we used to drive down to Bordeaux in an MX5. We found it more than adequate space wise with a suitcase on the rear boot rack and we seemed to manage fine. Used to do the 500 mile journey in one day. Wouldn’t bother with a hard top, I had one but didn’t find it that much of an improvement. They are cracking cars, I had two and they seem bullet proof and very economical to run.
I wouldn’t touch a Volve, BMW or Lexus cabriolet - if those hydraulic roofs go wrong you have a major problem.

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