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After several years of company cars and really cheap and nasty project cars on the side, I'm likely to be starting a new job soon, with a payrise instead of a company car. Work is only 20 miles away and wife has her C-Class Estate for sensible family duties, so I'm thinking I've got an ideal opportunity to buy a fun soft top. With 2 kids (4 and 6) I need a 4 seater some of the time though if only for short journeys so ruled out a fair few. Without kids I'd go for a MX5 as really miss my old one! Thoughts so far are Mk1 Golf - classic looks, miss my old Mk1 3 door, fair rear seat but think only lap belts in rear from what I can find on google -  Classic Benz - have a soft spot for Benz and Father-in-law works for them so can get a lot of parts etc reasonable, but potential rust issues worry me a bit  Or more modern -  Saab - never had one, always wanted one, they just seem very 'right' - Modernish -  Or proper retro -  Beemer or Audi - not a beemer or Audi man usually but look good for the money (not quite retro yet)   Is there anything else I've missed? Or any experience of the above and kids (I was tempted by a Mk1 Audi TT coupe until everyone told me the rear seats are largely cosmetic) There's also a tiny part of me that reminds myself just how cheap I could get one of these....  |
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These are going for chips these days, have a pic of my first car xD  |
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Bolf
Part of things
Posts: 507 
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Volvo c70 would be my pick of the moderns , a classic would be a mk1 golf or similar.
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Don't know how they drive or how reliable they are etc but I always liked the styling on the Peugeot 306 roadster by pininfarina. Nice smooth line along the door tops to boot.  |
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Rob M
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,915
Club RR Member Number: 41
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Well, on the basis that you haven't mentioned your budget........ How about one of these?  Four seats, guaranteed classic insurance cover ( I pay £120 a year fully comp for my saloon) hard wearing fibreglass shell,will end up with a tax free status and it will turn heads in a way that others don't. Its more likely to hold and increase in value than most of the previously mentioned cars too They are not as terrible on fuel that people bang on about either. A no brainer, right??? |
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Last Edit: Aug 8, 2014 13:39:19 GMT by Rob M
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ToolsnTrack
Posted a lot
Homebrew Raconteur
Posts: 4,137
Club RR Member Number: 134
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Staaaaaaag.
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Sammo
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,461
Club RR Member Number: 103
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Follow Me On Instagram - @parttimecartinkerer
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Triumph Herald maybe? Or something American, like a Mustang. Plenty of room for some kids in the back.
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Last Edit: Aug 8, 2014 13:43:49 GMT by R3TR0_R0B
Current:
1983 Volkswagen 1200 Mexico
2021 Kia Niro Hybrid
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Former:
1989 Volkswagen Jetta
1990 Volkswagen Golf Madison
1996 Volkswagen Golf Wagon Happy Hour
2006 Fiat Panda 100HP
2006 Toyota Avensis Wagon
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Thanks for input on this guys some good ideas. Have to admit I grew up next to Luton where you only drove a Vauxhall because they were giving them away to staff/family/anyone they could so really have a mental block when it comes to driving one out of choice.
Stags I am tempted by but almost seem too nice to leave in the rain on a construction site all day.
I didn't even know they did soft top Scimitars, and always fancied a normal Scimitar. I'm off to check ebay on that one.
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Problem with quite a few 4 seater convertibles is that once the kids grow a pair of legs longer then a toddlers, the car is unfit for purpose. Maybe have a look at something American?
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1939 Francis Barnett Powerbike
1971 Honda C90
1992 Mitsubishi Lancer 1.5 GLX
1993 Fiat Panda Selecta
2003 Vauxhall Combo 1.7DI van
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Garry
East Midlands
Posts: 1,722
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I can vouch for the Audi 80 in that if you're over 5ft 8in then you'll have to chop the kids' legs off. Theres pretty much zero room. And I'd imagine that for most 90s cabs the rear seats are for show only, not properly practical for using as seats.
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How about a new mini.... sorry lol (look in my sig lol) I would go for the Mercedes or E36, if you get a good Mercedes you will probably make money on it as they are going up in price. Or what about a 205 Cti? Look great & much cheaper than the Gti for some reason.  |
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I was looking around an Audi cabriolet yesterday - good impression but a lot of the back seat space was missing (and used by the hood workings) How about Megane or Laguna softies? A friend has been using a Megane soft-top for a few years as a daily, plenty of toys fitted and no real problems. Not the most powerful car on the block... Or for a true retro feel, anything by Crayford  "Just because"...  from www.french-concept-cars.com/category/renault-concept-cars/ |
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Foxy
Posted a lot
Making pink manly in the north!
Posts: 1,913
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 XJ-S!!!!! |
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I'm the handsome fella with the cheesy white specs or is that the cheesy fella with the handsome white specs?
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Another vote for the 306 convertible here too...!
However, how about something like a Herald or Vitesse (as already mentioned) as they look great, cost peanuts to run and can quite easily seat for in reasonable comfort...?!
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***GARAGE CURRENTLY EMPTY***
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richp
Part of things
Posts: 246
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E30?
Renault 19
Mk2 Astra
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Last Edit: Aug 8, 2014 16:40:25 GMT by richp
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You haven't mentioned budget, so I'm going to leave this here. Plenty of room for people in the back. www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C508031 If that's slightly over your budget then a W124 is where I'd put my money. They don't seem to rust too badly, certainly not any worse than a lot of other cars of the era, but they have all the looks, prestige, residuals, space and grace. So, when are you buying one??  |
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Can I throw in some Americano?  |
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 Click picture for more |
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,004
Club RR Member Number: 58
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