Cruiser convertible - what would you rather have?

[uOpt]

Not likely that I am actually going to do it, probably staying with an old BMW convertible and if it gets too rough get a beater car and pay double insurance.

But I am curious what you guys think.

 

[Spicedaddy]

Audi S5 or BMW 640/650.

I have an SLK, and while it's a fun toy, I wouldn't want it as my only car.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

No jag or aston? fail

 

[uOpt]

No jag or aston? fail

10 option limit I wouldn't touch anything Ford anymore. Aston Martin isn't exactly $75,000 territory.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

10 option limit I wouldn't touch anything Ford anymore. Aston Martin isn't exactly $75,000 territory.

Ahhh got it. Teutonic listing uber alles. The new 435 is the bees knees, I'd go for that

 

[JulesMaximus]

I love the Mercedes-Benz E550 convertible. Just a great looking car and a nice cruiser with plenty of power.

That said, I have driven the latest 650i convertible a couple times and man that is a great car too. Not sure I'd want to own it out of warranty though. My friend has one, it's a 2012 and they're leasing it, and they've had some pretty serious problems with it that would have cost thousands of dollars if it were out of warranty.

 

[Midwayman]

Considering the weather around here I'd only consider hardtop convertibles.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Absolutely despise hard top convertibles - so the 3/4 Series is out!

E350 - after all its a cruiser. Best looking of the 'verts by far.

 

[uOpt]

Considering the weather around here I'd only consider hardtop convertibles.

I really don't think that the softtop is any worse in winter than the hardtop.

In fact I would rather have the softtop than the hardtop to retain more trunk space.

 

[Midwayman]

I really don't think that the softtop is any worse in winter than the hardtop.

In fact I would rather have the softtop than the hardtop to retain more trunk space.

People I know with softtops around here have to keep the heater on full blast to keep up. Not so much on the hard tops. And there there is the added security when parking the car. If you're in a more temperate area it might not matter.

 

[uOpt]

People I know with softtops around here have to keep the heater on full blast to keep up. Not so much on the hard tops. And there there is the added security when parking the car. If you're in a more temperate area it might not matter.

No, I have been driving softtops forever in Boston. The heater doesn't have to work any harder than in my wife's roofed car.

I also don't see a big difference between having paint keyed or fabric slit.

 

[Midwayman]

No, I have been driving softtops forever in Boston. The heater doesn't have to work any harder than in my wife's roofed car.

I also don't see a big difference between having paint keyed or fabric slit.

Well get a soft top then. You're entitled to your opinion.

 

[MiataNC]

I would get a hard top retractable Mazda Miata, and spend the remaining @$50K on a Boss 302 Mustang (or Laguna Seca, Shelby, Saleen, etc.).

 

[NutBucket]

Jaguar F-type. No contest.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Jaguar F-type. No contest.

My friend with the 650i can't fit in it and he's only 6'4" tall.

 

[NutBucket]

I'm 6'...I see no issues here

 

[heymrdj]

E550 gets my vote if jag isn't part of the list.

 

[uOpt]

E550 gets my vote if jag isn't part of the list.

Is Jaguar actually usable these days? Aren't they owned by Ford?

 

[dirtboy]

I think you're pricing is off on the BMW 435i.

My 2012 M3 Cab windowed at $81,500 with extended leather, DCT, Nav and 19" wheels (and who knows whatever else).

How a 435i gets to $75k without any options is... staggering, but I'd think one might be able to get a M3 Cab without some of the options I got for $75k.

If it matters, I'd vote for the M3.

 

[NutBucket]

Is Jaguar actually usable these days? Aren't they owned by Ford?

nope. Tata owns them and Land Rover.

 

[angminas]

I would get a hard top retractable Mazda Miata, and spend the remaining @$50K on a Boss 302 Mustang (or Laguna Seca, Shelby, Saleen, etc.).

we have a winner

 

[uOpt]

How a 435i gets to $75k without any options is... staggering, but I'd think one might be able to get a M3 Cab without some of the options I got for $75k.

If it matters, I'd vote for the M3.

The 435i convertible with useful options is quickly around $65,000, and then driver assistance and similar toys catapult it to 72k easily. That is why it is in here as "tricked out".

Having said that, you can easily configure a 435i and a e350 convertible to be the same price both with navigation system, and quite frankly I perceive the E-class as higher value, with nappa leather, ventilated seats, some air guidance gizmo (which might be useless but maybe not).

The absolute minimum for a 4-series convertible if you want neck warmer and good stereo is $56,000. At that price I might even consider leasing an Audi instead.


ETA: I think the confusion might be coming from me saying "no DCT, no AWD, no LSD". Those things are not available for the 435i convertible, optional or not. If they were, e.g. making a new 435is then it would be a different matter. But you only get to have the same automatic transmission as everybody else, there is no AWD option for the 6-cylinder with the convertible, and limited slip differential is aftermarket only. No stick shift either.

Now compare that to an Audi S5 convertible if you want those actual sport options. The BMW only gives you the nice engine and you might or might not like the suspension offerings. But the rest of the sports car isn't there.

Now, it isn't all bad. The c63 is the classic example of a car that is very expensive and only has a large engine to show for it. It doesn't have any of those options either except you can sometimes get a LSD. But the c63 has a very, very nice engine and it is quite reasonably priced if you account for the options. There isn't any of the 4-series convertible options packaging ripoff going on.

 

[thomsbrain]

I'd get a 1970s/1980s Mercedes SL V8, then spend the rest of the cash on a 335xi.