Advice/help needed

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Sat 3 Jul 2010 11:05
Advice/help needed - Adularia

I am looking to buy a convertible, but I don't really know what make or model. I don't have a lot of money and have ruled out a new style Audi TT (which I was slightly upset about). I tend to prefer the newer styling of cars however that (obviously) makes them more expensive because they are newer... sorry this is a bit of a poor post!

Does anyone have any advice or recommendations?

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Sat 3 Jul 2010 11:51
Advice/help needed - Avant

Welcome to the forum! It's not a 'poor post' but you need to give us a bit more information, such as what your budget is and whether you need four seats. If not, the Mazda MX-5 has been around for 20 years and there should be one to suit most budgets.

You could also look on www.autotrader.co.uk and see what is available in your price range.

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Sat 3 Jul 2010 12:00
Advice/help needed - Armstrong Sid
You need to at least give us a bit of a clue. What kind of price range are you operating in? Are you sub-£5000, or since you mention TTs maybe you can go quite a bit higher. Do you do a lot of mileage on motorways, or just trundling to Tesco once a week. Would you look at diesels, or do the horror stories scare you off?
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Sat 3 Jul 2010 12:15
Advice/help needed - Adularia

Right...second try, I replied and got an error message.

Yes...sorry I didn't give much to go on! First time really posting on a motoring forum and wasn't sure what to include.

I am looking at a max of about 10k. I do drive quite a bit;, work, shopping, to visit family, M25 probably once every couple of months, I'm after something quite comfortable! 2 seats is fine, most the time it will only be me! I don't do loads of miles though.

I would look at diesels ( horror stories??) but I am not sure the mileage I do on a regular basis warrants a diesel.

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Sat 3 Jul 2010 13:05
Advice/help needed - Avant

Definitely have a look at an MX-5 or a BMW Z3 or Z4 - these are cheaper than a BME 3-series convertible. Or if you want something less sporty, a Golf convertible is worth a look, athough the ones in your price range wonlt be very fast.

Ford Focus and Peugeot 206/207 - these have a folding metal roof and a used one may develop leaks. Renault Megane - lots of these around but it's a bit of a gamble as to whether you'll get a good one.

You won't need a diesel if you don't do a high mileage, and there aren't many diesel convertibles around.

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Sat 3 Jul 2010 14:16
Advice/help needed - Adularia

Thank you very much for that. I will definitely be looking at the MX-5 and BMWs. I don't like the Peugeots so they were never on my list anyway! I need it to be reliable, I don't have the finances to be able to fix it and it is very difficult to get to work without a car. Should I be focusing on dealerships or is it worth looking at second hand car ads? My main worry with that is selling my current car privately.

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