Girlfriends brother is getting a new car (not a car guy) and wants something "sexy" but reliable for under $10,000. He has a Sebring convertible and was thinking about getting a newer one (even though he needs a new car because this POS is breaking down to much). I'm pushing him towards a Japanese car. He wants a convertible but not a two-seater. I don't think that's happening at his price point. He'd settle for a non-convertible that still "sexy". Any other "sexy" cars you can think of in that price range that are reliable? ( I don't know when a Sebring became sexy...)

 

there is no such thing as a cheap, 4 seat convertible.

you have bmw 3, audi A4, chrysler seb, PT, vw eos, beetle, mustang, MINI, toyota camry, pontiac G6... that's mostly it.

hard to find much sexy in that list (3, A4, MINI maybe?). and even harder to find reliable and under 10k (mustang?).

but the dude has a sebring, so really any advice we can give is worthless to him.

 

yeah, it ain't happening. I just browsed through ebay and could not find anything that fit what he wants. I tried, my jobs over...

 

Lexus GS300.... show him some pics of Aristo's and he'll have a hard on for them

 

file 404: budget/decent convertible for 4 not found.

 

Well seeing as I have it right here....according to the 08' Consumer Reports buying guide;

$4k-$12k BOLD = Convertibles * = GOOD BETS

Acura Integra '97-'00 *
Acura TL '97-'01 *
BMW Z3 - '98
Honda Prelude '98 *
Infinity G20 '99-'00 *
Mazda Miata '97-'00 *
Mitsubishi Eclipse '02
Nissan 200sx '97
Nissan 240sx '97
Subaru Impreza '98-'02 *
Subaru Legacy '97-'01 *
Toyota Celica '97-'01 *
Volvo S70 '00

Vash-

 

I've seen plenty of 3 series convertibles for under 10K. Might get stuck with an e36 for $6 or $7, but a 99 or 2000 isn't out of the question.

 

What about a circa '99-'02 SAAB 9-3 convertible? They are dirt cheap in the resale market, and you get quite a bit of neat features. Reliability may not be top-of-class, but it isn't bad. My folks had one for several years, problem-free.

Check this to see what you get for $7k. Impressive.

 

How much are those Toyota Solara convertibles going for these days?

 

most are still >$10k

 

So ultimately.. if he gets a 4 seat convertible for sub 10k he's going to end up with a high mileage piece of trash it would seem. Either way, props to the OP for being able to keep a straight face while some guy w/ a sebring tells you he wants a "sexy" car.

 

I hear there's a sale on cardigans at Penney's!!!

 

the celica convertible and the Saab aren't bad ideas actually. I'll look more into that.

 

Solaras, and 9-3 Convertable are pretty easy to find for under 10K.
If he looks at a 9-3 Vert, make sure he gets a 01-03, The T7's (Motronic) tend to get better gas mileage. I have had no problems with my saab, and been pretty happy with it since I have had it.

MR2 spyders can be had pretty cheap too, but they look funny.
A friend of mine picked up a 98 328i convertable with 38K miles on the clock for $8500.

Volco C70's are in his range too.

 

infiniti M30 convertible - they're reliable, luxurious, slow, and cheap.

 

Cheap 4 seat convertibles:

Chevy cavalier
Pontiac Sunfire

Less cheap but cheap

V6 Camaro/firebird
V6 or older 5.0 mustang

I'm sure there is more, cant guarantee any sexy though

 

oops

 

I don't think this guys budget is realistic, bump him up a bit and find out what he can afford as a monthly payment and what he is putting down in addition to his POS trade...mmmkay, I think then you may get good suggestions on a "sexy" car.

 

Like others, first thing foreign that came to mind was a Saab.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/stn/car/717586422.html
http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/car/717158521.html
http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/car/716751532.html
http://longisland.craigslist.org/car/693663622.html

That's just the tip... lots more in the various NY Craigslist cities.

On the other hand, just about any Mustang would fit the bill.
How about a mid 90's Cobra Convertible? I always wanted one.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/car/715949854.html
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/car/713029870.html

 

thanks sam, I will definietly show him those ads. He makes ~70-80k a year but I think he's still paying off credit card debt, hence the lower budget.